The After Hours - Twilight-Tober Zone

"The After Hours" is one of the creepiest episodes of the Twilight Zone. Walter goes into what makes this episode so spine-chilling as we dive deeper into the Twilight-Tober Zone.
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"The After Hours" is episode thirty-four of the American television anthology series, The Twilight Zone. It originally aired on June 10, 1960, on CBS.
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What did everyone think of The After Hours? Watch more Twilight-Tober Zone here - bit.ly/TwilightToberZone Follow Walter on Twitter - twitter.com/Awesome_Walter Follow us on Twitch - www.twitch.tv/channelawesome

[@trinaq]

Definitely one of the more memorable episodes, with a well executed twist! 😍

[@barrytremblay4906]

can you review 2012. It is 1 of the worst movie's maybe the worst movie ever.

[@barrytremblay4906]

so are you redye?

[@drstone7014]

The movie doomsday machines. Is realistic depiction of character prospective . And only tv and movies prove women do every thing men can do equally or better

[@sickboy7104]

The skit feels like “The Review Must Go On,” but in reverse. Fiction eerily mirroring reality.

[@yupeo]

It's strange. While this is a creepy episode, there is a kind of sweetness to it. When Marsha is scared and confused, the mannequins are all supportive and try to help her remember who she is and seem happy to have her back. When the other goes to take her place out into the world, they all say their goodbyes to her and they'll miss her. They seemed almost like a big family. The tone of the episode completely shifts.....except for the final shot... then it's creepy again. XD

[@elder-woodsilverstein7716]

At least she is back...where she belongs...😕👍

[@jwhaler82]

I agree, I didn't see any tragedy in this. It was definitely creepy at times, but I didn't see Marsha's discovery that she's a mannequin as tragic. If anything, she's longingly looking forward to her next trip into the world.

[@MikeP-sq6be]

In a way we're all like mannequins coming to life for a few days, just to get frozen back into nothingness again.

[@JoseJoseC626]

Props to Malcom he really brought his A game for a small sketch. Walter's intro and outro were good too. I can see this month is gonna be interesting

[@UndeadGhostGirl]

I don't know, Malcolm seemed to give the same performance here as any review. The only thing that actually felt a little different was him saying his own name, which WAS admittedly pretty spooky.

[@angrytheclown801]

You should hear him as Aqua Lad in Justice League and Young Justice Abridged.

[@seanthatsit1089]

Holy Shit! I got chills from the sketch!

[@ddthewolf]

Malcolm always gives 110%

[@toddhanley6982]

I HAVE TO SAY, TRACY MORGAN WAS GREAT AS THE MANEQUIN

[@arealconservative8712]

It's interesting to notice that the actors playing the mannequins had smooth, stoic faces that didn't show much emotion. James Millhollin, as the store manager, had more of a rubbery face that showed a lot of emotion (which was no doubt what made him a great comedic actor), creating a great contrast between the "real" people and the mannequins.

[@geoffreyfyfe2248]

Besides the creep factor of being stalked by living mannequins, this episode does a great job in the second half of showing how creepy public places are when no one is around. It's exactly why those scenes in the Overlook in "The Shining" are creepy. If you're alone in such a place, you keep thinking other people should be around and you keep glancing around and feeling presences that aren't actually there. Except here, they are...

[@jbcatz5]

Or just places people should be in general. Try walking around the office when most people have gone home. You see the desks with personal belongings, things that show personality and history, but not the people they represent.

[@wjzav1971]

Its why abandoned amusement parks are so creepy. Its a place that should be filled with life and joy, but isn't.

[@joshjohnson3442]

Right about that! I work for a security company and sometimes they’ll send me to places for a day or night if need be. One of the places they sent me was to a mall after hours. A place that doesn’t seem so creepy during store hours, but after hours, I was expecting ghost giggles and other creepy shit 😂

[@Cajek2]

Liminal spaces…

[@gmg9010]

This episode is what it feels like working at night as a custodian in a school

[@lizc6393]

Omg, someone else understands! It also somehow captures my intense phobia of liminal spaces.

[@jbcatz5]

There’s an inherent eerie nature to places meant to be bustling, busy with people but completely absent of them. A department store, a school, an office. That’s why establishing shots of city streets empty of people are so unnerving, you know what should be there and their absence is far more pronounced.

[@gmg9010]

@@jbcatz5 yep

[@melissacooper4282]

It felt like the time I was locked in the store after closing time! The thing was it was Christmas Eve and I was working there! (The management had forgotten to tell me to tell me to clock out early to go home.)

[@gmg9010]

@@melissacooper4282 it’s just creepy being in a place where humans are in almost 24/7

[@Omar-wq9dz]

I remember when I saw this episode, I did not see the mannequin reveal coming. That shows some really great writing, to me, when a viewer can’t see something coming

[@trinaq]

Agreed, it's brilliant when for once, the viewer can't predict the twist.

[@mishawilliams4319]

@omar I concur 🤗✋🏿

[@dr.strangebat9397]

That Nostalgia joke freaking got me. I knew I saw it coming, but Doug's face just sold it.

[@Jaydoggy531]

".................. Was that a joke?"

[@ComicalRealm]

Fun fact: In the Twilight Zone (1959-1964) many actors have appeared multiple times on the program, but only one has the distinction of appearing in all five seasons. In total, Robert McCord appeared in 67 episodes, most of them as an extra.

[@elder-woodsilverstein7716]

When you feel a cold hand on your shoulder in a department, but it is when you're locking up and everyone's gone. I truly love this episode. It is such a simple idea, but is taken advantage of. One of my favorites

[@geoffreyfyfe2248]

It takes the normal unease we all have about being alone at night in a public place and just runs with it.

[@elder-woodsilverstein7716]

@@geoffreyfyfe2248 Exactly. I think you mean Liminal Space; an offputting place that is familiar but is dormant of human life.

[@sophiawidzowski1757]

Holy crap I can’t believe it’s been ten years since Malcolm joined the crew! Time sure flies. Also, Malcolm really rocks that hat!!

[@OptimusMaximusNero]

*Fun fact:* This episode was later re-adapted in the 1985 Remake, but with a much more nihilistic and suspenseful tone

[@geoffreyfyfe2248]

And not nearly as good either, but still worth a watch. Really, the 80s "Twilight Zone" is worth checking out. Not as consistent in quality as the original series, but the good stuff is REALLY good. And it probably has the best title sequence of any version of the show.

[@trinaq]

Agreed, it was just a cheap imitation, and since we already knew the twist outcome, not as suspenseful.

[@geoffreyfyfe2248]

@@trinaq The graphic depiction of what happens to the main character, however, is pretty effective.

[@KingRandor82]

at least the ending wasn't so damn corny.....

[@jenniferschillig3768]

Didn't that one star Terry Farrell--later to be Jadzia Dax?

[@darkwraith100]

They made a comic version of the one The mother she is buying the thimble for is an old lady who let her live with her and she just dies on the couch and Marsha just lives with the corpse for a few days before going back to the store

[@reservoirfrogs2177]

Wow, it got way creepier somehow

[@trinaq]

This is definitely the most iconic episode, rivaled only by It's a Good Life or The Hitchhiker. The revival had literally the exact same script and concept, but none of the same bite.

[@TrunkJunky]

Don't forget Time Enough at Last.

[@geoffreyfyfe2248]

@@TrunkJunky And "Walking Distance." And "The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street." And "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet." And...well, really, if we list "most iconic TZ episodes", we'll be here all day.

[@22espec]

The Obsolete Man was the most iconic for me.

[@geoffreyfyfe2248]

@@22espec I believe Walter mentioned last year that "Obsolete Man" is his all-time favorite episode.

[@sweeney60]

I always thought To Serve Man was the most iconic?

[@RabidNemo]

Personally although this is creepy I always thought it had somewhat of a happy ending because each mannequin gets their turn to explore the world as opposed to just being trapped

[@melissadahl7561]

The part where she goes back and they show all the mannequins like, stalking her and speaking to her, and that's one of the scenes from the twilight zone that makes me truly uneasy (and in the TZ, that doesn't happen very often.) Coincidentally, Anne Francis' performance In Jess-Belle is the other one that freaks me out.

[@wstine79]

DEMO REEL is celebrating its 10th anniversary..... in the Twilight-tober Zone.

[@humanimalhedgehog123]

has it been 10 years already?

[@brandonsmith3387]

I remember that episode, I was like "Whoa!" that's crazy. I'm surprised he didn't say, "Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!"

[@humps678]

The Brady Bunch didn't exist yet

[@ThenewTchannel]

Tamara, Jim, Doug, Heather, and now Malcolm. You're next, Rob. Better watch out

[@ashleytuchin7693]

OK, this episode is definitely set in the same universe as A Mom for Christmas. They're probably all Autons from Doctor Who too.

[@cianparkinson9605]

Yeah this is one of the creepier episodes. That scene where she's walking around and the mannequins are just saying "Marsha" is great.

[@averageant7173]

That Malcom mannequin was freaky as hell

[@SweenyTodd98]

This was the first Twilight Zone episode I ever watched. I remember it was in my 6th grade social studies class (my teacher would play episodes when he didn't want to bother starting a new unit on a Friday because we'd just forget everything during the weekend). I remember being pulled in by the tension and mystery and loving the twist at the end. Definitely a great episode to start on.

[@jessetorres8738]

This is 1 of my favorite episodes of the original series, as well as for the 1980s series.

[@hitmanmonaghan6633]

In the 80’s one, she actually accepted that she was plastic. She had a “Oh, yeah, sorry my mistake. It’s your turn to go out now.” feel.

[@ryanangelastro504]

@@hitmanmonaghan6633 I thought that was the 60s version.

[@jamesgarrett8833]

@Ryan Angelastro Your right that is the 60s version. I don’t know 🤷‍♂️ what @Hitman Monaghan is talking about. In the remake version from the 80s, Marsha does not remember who she is, refuses to accept she is a mannequin and so the other mannequins forcibly turn her back to her true form

[@RialVestro]

The creepiness' of the Mannequins calling her name didn't age well... I couldn't help but think of the Brady Bunch during that sequence. This technically came first but repeatedly saying "Marsha" had a more comedic tone in the Brady Bunch than what you're suppose to feel here.

[@johnnybravox909]

Twilight-Tober Zone is my favorite part of October

[@chrisn7259]

You left out a crucial moment. Marsha doesn't pass out because she's confused, she spots the saleslady that sold her the thimble and realizes he is a mannequin.

[@scottielise]

Your jump scare game is on point.

[@als3022]

When I was very little before we had any cable or I could really understand my mother described this episode to me. I knew it years before. And probably why it's one of my favorites

[@random22026]

Scary/moving TZ episode--and a Big Thank You for giving Malcolm a chance to shine in the intro/outro segments. Stellar work.

[@kellymurray8998]

Reminds me of the “Bart’s Department Store” section from Condemned: Criminal Origins. Creepy AF.

[@feathero3]

Love that part of the game!

[@toshirodragon]

This one was so creepy and so sad. I nearly cried at poor Marcia's confusion and then her frozen self. It's especially horrific if you consider eventually those mannequins are going to get damaged and likely be destroyed.....

[@drakedarkstar5422]

My god, Channel awesome is dropping like flies. Tamara trapped in TV, Heather in another dimension being replaced by Monica, now we got Manequine X. Ray. What is happening?

[@zombiejlt1]

The 1980s remake of this episode is also creepy. It relied more on special effects but its a good watch nonetheless. I really loved the acting and energy in this episode. It sold me on an emmotional level that made me root for and feel sorry for all the characters though their voices and camera zooms were creepy. My mother worked for Dillards and sometimes had to work closing hours. I remember being in the store a few times as it was closing up and the lights going off little by little. I kept an eye out for any mannequins coming to life after watching this episode with my grandfather. I would tend to believe the possibility as there were times where my mom reported items being moved, fallen off racks, etc. and Im sure there were reasons for that but who really knows...

[@supercrafter5351]

………………MALCOM! It’s funny how the short, low budget jump scare they did is twice as good as any of today’s horror movie jump scares.

[@claytonrios1]

I do like the uncanny valley mannequin used for Malcolm's segment here. It has a similar unsettling effect as the Twilight Zone episode itself.

[@wstine79]

I remember watching both this episode and it's 1985 series remake. Seeing those mannequins, and knowing that she was a mannequin the whole time, was very creepy.

[@johnoneil9188]

Walter really has the impression down to an art by now. It is a lot in the set of the jaw.

[@Engineer_Who]

Yeah, plus Serling somehow always kept his upper lip from moving.

[@TheYoungDoctor]

This episode is a possible influence on the Autons created by Robert Holmes for the 1970 Doctor Who story Spearhead From Space. The Autons also returned in the following years Terror of the Autons and various novels, comics, audio plays and a straight to video trilogy.

[@Bilbo490]

That's what I thought!

[@Camambert2]

Throwing it in reverse and never looking back sounds kinda dangerous.

[@ThePkmnYPerson]

Yesterday's episode was more comedic than I realized it was when I watched it, and today's had more well done horror elements than I realized it was when I watched it. That's a weird back-to-back. I love how we just call him Rod. Great ending narration in this video.

[@KingRandor82]

funny you say that: I love how everybody trashed yesterday's episode--including the people behind it--but this one IMO gets waaaaaaaaaaaaay too much credit, and is held up to a standard that I don't really think it lives up to. I explained about it above.

[@JusticeOutlaw]

Ok this episode is the creepiest one ever and years later is still stand up to its name

[@geoffreyfyfe2248]

The creep factor starts slowly and gradually builds until the climax. Basically once the store manager says there is no ninth floor, you go, "Oh shit."

[@JusticeOutlaw]

@@geoffreyfyfe2248 damm right

[@ForgottenHonor0]

I knew it! I knew it was coming, what happened at the end. But the fact you still managed to scare the living hell out of me just goes to prove how brilliantly you directed this episode, Walter! Fantastic work! I take my hat off to you, sir!

[@TheCreepypro]

really hard to argue with how great this episode is

[@MetropolisKid]

one of my favorite episodes all because of its eeriness … and that plot twist tho 🤯

[@RWAC685]

The After Hours Is Truly One Of The Greatest Episodes Of All Time

[@hollandlogtenberg4871]

My two favorite episodes of the entirety of The Twilight Zone series will always be "I Sing The Body Electric" and, of course "The After Hours". I love the emotion that comes with the end of the episode, the realization that Marsha goes through, as well as the emotions from the rest of the Mannequins. Although the ending is sad, I always kinda imagined a cold comfort that, once Marsha settles back into being Mannequin, at least she's not alone.

[@Cokacoleland]

I love the skit it made me jump ngl

[@neonnwave1]

Man, I haven't seen anything of Demo Reel in years. Talk about unexpected.

[@andrewcozzini8259]

Okay, so the only question I always have with this one is, "If Marsha's a mannequin, then what about her Mom, who she's buying the thimble for?" My best guess is that there is no mom, but it's just some programing built in to her story so she's compelled to return to the department store. What do you all think?

[@soulsurfer7702]

Not sure if this is the same thing you mean by programming but my theory is the getting a present for the mom is something they agreed on to help them remember due to hearing people go into the store to get things for their mom. So not necessarily a story but them starting to remember that is the code for going back but not associating it with being a mannequin yet if that makes sense.

[@TheBeastDen365]

yes back this year I've been upset that there's no where I can watch Twilight Zone right now but at least I got this.

[@naughtycicero1460]

I always love the original sketches starring the Channel Awesome cast. I hope we get to see more this month.

[@lowrider993]

Personally I think it would've been scarier if the store was cursed somehow and they were picking victims to take their place

[@BlitzPlay]

This! This is the best short you've done for Twilight-Tober Zone yet.. And that's saying something. I absolutely LOVED the sneaky, little thing you did towards the end. I won't say what in case people missed it.. But I caught it. Very good. Already looking forward to tomorrow's episode.

[@jasonabernethy99]

11:10 I was so convinced that the reflection would have its eyes open when Malcolm passed by,

[@jamesgarrett8833]

Man this episode was so bone-chilling. That scene where Marsha wakes up and she realizes she all alone in the store and one by one all the mannequins started calling her name. That was so nightmare fueled because I remember the first time watching it I was like who is calling her name? Is it the mannequins? Because theirs lips are not moving! Then when she moves passed that one mannequin and it call her name and moved it’s arm! Man that get me off guard

[@richewilson6394]

I love this episode so much!!!

[@sarysa]

Do mannequins dream? If they did dream for a month, what would they see? Marsha's coming to realization always reminded me of when one dreams such a vivid dream, that they completely forget reality...until that reality invades intrusively. (sounds, feelings, or even simply the dehydration of the real world) In a way, it's strange relatable.

[@DreamcastAesthetic]

So excited for the return of this series!! Loved it last year! HYPED for more! Thanks!

[@ZUUL117]

Malcolm definitely did an Amazing job. Need more Malcolm!

[@thelonegunman2157]

Aaaaah The twilight Zone....such fond memories....Great work thank you! I can't wait for the next one!

[@supersinger9000]

Oh god. Has it really been almost 10 years since demo reel? I feel old.

[@jiminyspigotsskunkshack]

Bro that scared me when the shadow walked out right before it cut. Nice shot guys!

[@FatNorthernBigot]

I wasn't expecting that twist. Top notch episode.

[@cifer8070]

Shout outs to the cinematographers, music artists and actors of this episode of twilightober

[@ObscureRP]

Loved this last year, glad to see its return. :)

[@retrooni]

Superb work on the sketch, that really drew me and the audio was brilliant!

[@the_vik_king]

I know that the skits at the beginning and end are meant to be more serious to mimic the original, but I wanted the mannequins to be characters he played, like Bill or Charts guy

[@andrewcozzini8259]

Now this is one of my favorites and, perhaps, the most outright chilling episode ever! I remember the twist of this episode really getting me. A really creative idea and great suspense!

[@moirad3895]

One of my favorite episodes!!!

[@TracyJAlbarn]

I have always loved this episode of the Twilight Zone. Like Many, It's one of my Faves! - One of my favorite things I always notice in this episode that just gives more of a creep factor is if you look carefully in the scene when Marsha was talking to the saleswoman, You could Clearly tell that NOT ONCE....NOT EVEN ONCE the saleswoman blinks during their conversation together.

[@FflawedMetalhead]

This episode is definitely in my top 3 for TZ - It's unsettling, the writing and acting are great, the music is on point - It has everything.

[@rockycuro7737]

This was one of my first episodes of the twilight zone I saw when I was 12. The twist fricking blew me away and I wasn't expecting it at all.

[@lizc6393]

I'm not saying this to sound smart, (I'm legit a dumbass,) but for some reason as a kid I very quickly picked up on the twist... I think it might have been related to psychological abuse and being gaslit all the time, lol.

[@dragonstoy7649]

Looool omg my younger sister and I would watch A Mom for Christmas when we were kids!! This episode is much better, you are very correct, Walter. Also one of the creepiest and best done of the episodes. Much love!!

[@KERSTEN27]

The way this episode moves from the banal (social exchanges in a familiar environment) to the genuinely creepy (the loss of your own identity) gives me the willies every time. My absolute favorite TZ episode.

[@jenniferschillig3768]

Love that you show the DVD cover for Sondheim's musical version of Evening Primrose when you bring the story up!

[@ladyalmathea7610]

Well shoot, this is pretty darn good.

[@chinchillageneral]

The Twilight Zone is one of the best shows ever made. It's not trying to have a complicated, overarching story, it's just Rod Serling being like "hey wouldn't it be fucked up if ____", with the occasional nice episode like I Sing The Body Electric

[@richardkorpel3251]

Awesome to have this back

[@skarloey1214]

Great Video Walter.

[@julieporter7805]

I wondered if you were going to do the cast sketches this year. I'm glad to see they aren't gone. The highlight is Marsha left alone with the mannequins calling her name. It plays into my dementophobia (fear of insanity) because it seems like she is having auditory hallucinations. I wonder if Marsha's "mother" is the mannequin dresser or designer and she is in on the conspiracy of them living for a month.

[@cassyblack3346]

I so vividly remember this episode. It was the first one that I ever saw.

[@KombatGod]

Glad to see the skits back! Personally I would have been perfectly fine with just the reviews, but it's nice to see some change of style in these episodes once in a while and it's always a treat to see what kind of twisted imagery you'll produce in homage to the Twilight Zone episode at hand!

[@mleighqs]

Very cool episode :)

[@jlev1028]

Is this the first episode to feature a mysterious elevator? I wonder if that's the inspiration for the Tower of Terror ride.

[@Morgil27]

I'm surprised he didn't make a Brady Bunch joke. Marsha! Marsha! Marsha!

[@SuperSans64YT]

I remember watching this one on SciFi last year during new years, it's really fun ^^

[@marquesjohnson6359]

This was definitely one of the creepiest epispodes

[@DigiRangerScott]

Is Malcolm now having a crisis?

[@MsBackstager]

I recall this ep as the first venture into the TZ in '59. Because of this epic ep, my dolls in my bedroom creeped me out.

[@MoonShadowWolfe]

Christ, that one eye opening was fucking eerie.

[@toyadiinae9800]

I loved the Nostalgia joke with Critic. Great work, guys! 😅😂

[@Nanoaiello]

one of the great classics for sure

[@melissacooper4282]

This episode reminds me of the time I was accidentally locked in the store on Christmas Eve. The main differences here is that there were no manniqans. I was mostly freaked out because the burglar alarm was going off! Like Marsha, I am an employee. Unlike Marsha I get paid and she doesn't since she is a wooden dummy! Anyway the manager ended up coming back and letting me out because I set the alarm off!

[@neallong2480]

Bravo Bravo 👏🏼 🙌🏼👏🏼🙌🏼👏🏼🙌🏼 👏🏼

[@TheQuashingoftheTub]

Both this version, and the remake, are very nostalgic and special to me.

[@jbearclowater]

Actual review of the The After Hours starts around the 3:00 mark

[@brittanyfinney5386]

I watch this episode 20 times and it is absolutely amazing

[@turma8eac]

Reminds me of that urban legend in which an elevator could open between floors to a dark floor and if your got out you would be trapped there forever.

[@roguebritgravy1]

Previously before seeing this episode, I thought doctor who had the hold on sentient animated wooden dummies or 'Autons'. I now realize this episode was the way. Index of doctor who Auton stories Spearhead from Space (1970) Terror of the Autons (1971) Rose (2005)