The Dummy - Twilight-Tober Zone

Cliff Robertson is back in his second and final appearance as a ventriloquist in The Dummy. Join Walter as he discusses this episode and continues his deep dive into The Twilight Zone.
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"The Dummy" is episode 98 of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone starring Cliff Robertson as a ventriloquist. It is not to be confused with a similar episode "Caesar and Me", in which Jackie Cooper plays a ventriloquist.
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[@ChannelAwesome]

What an ending!!!!! Watch the new NC here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/poPLpHudacqqeLc Watch more Twilight-Tober Zone here - bit.ly/TwilightToberZone Follow us on Twitch - www.twitch.tv/channelawesome

[@trinaq]

Yes, it's definitely one of the most memorable twists in Twilight Zone history. Imagine being trapped in the body of a dummy for all eternity?! 😱

[@theeyeoftheyinyangs]

You’re not just whistlin’ Dixie. 😨

[@dillonchaddick695]

I once binged the entire OG Twilight Zone series and noticed a lot of episodes are similar to the Goosebumps books and show. I would love to see a comparison between the two of them to see which are better.

[@DanGamingFan2406]

Ah, one of the best examples of the evil ventriloquist dummy trope, and one of the most influential. The twist is still one of the creepiest. And of course, Cliff Robertson is always a gem.

[@melindamercier6811]

I always assumed it was the first, and that it was so impactful that others were just doing an “ode to TZ” 😅

[@watershipup7101]

You can say that again.

[@gaminggoof1542]

The original Slappy

[@brucecaudill1958]

When I was a kid watching this episode, I thought that Willy turned Jerry into a dummy but after what you just said at the end, makes a whole lot of sense and a lot more creepy as a kid. I was a little bit afraid of this episode because I thought the twist was what I thought at first but then when you described what you thought that makes more sense and a lot more terrifying.

[@claytonrios1]

Cliff Robertson? The original Uncle Ben? I love that guy!

[@trinaq]

Yep, this is his second of two journeys to The Twilight Zone.

[@rogue7723]

I _still cry_ when I watch his Uncle Ben die in _Spider-Man._

[@DecafInvidia]

I was confused for a sec when he said william shatner hahahaha.

[@Lemuel928]

😔

[@leenorthcutt8421]

When I saw this as a child it scarred me for life. Automatonophobia is a real thing, but here I am watching it again and I think I’m okay now, except I WILL NEVER SLEEP AGAIN. Pretty sure there’s a Twilight Zone episode on that too😱

[@JohnPiperBoots]

LOL yes there is a episode about not sleeping. I was 6 when The Dummy aired and left a mark since then. lol. The visuals, light and shadows and cast did a marvelous job. Glad it was not color - black and white best for the episodes. One of those things that really sticks with you!

[@kelleyceccato7025]

When you have a chance to watch "Dead of Night," please do. It's a wonderful watch for anyone who loves being scared.

[@jonmercano1138]

2:43 Once I saw it I can’t help but notice Willy looking directly at Frank every time I watch this episode

[@Torgo-and-the-Lucifer-Cat]

It would've been great if the dummy turned suddenly and screamed, " I want HAM!!" Like Hugo in mst3k😊

[@JusticeOutlaw]

I didn't know whats happening during the ending I thought repeat the same process with other ventriloquist's dummies but now when you show this and explain it the ending is more horrified fate my god is creepy as hell

[@fierceditiesnaruto]

This is one I remember from my childhood! It creeped me the frick out!

[@Foebane72]

I watched the first three seasons of The Twilight Zone, including The Dummy, earlier this year, and had a WHALE of a time!

[@alexgrant2602]

Ooh scary happy Halloween season walter 🎃

[@peterkim3370]

Anthony Hopkins could’ve played Uncle Ben too

[@JB_Shryke]

Will we get a video of all the Twilight Zone parodies. For example The Scary Door parody from Futurama

[@blakmajik1377]

Is this were batman got the scarface villain from?

[@6incomefigure]

Is the actor playing a ventriloquist really a ventriloquist??

[@huntercoleman460]

This is one of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes. Of course the concept of a living ventriloquist dummy has been done to death from this, Devil Doll, Magic, and Goosebumps. But what makes this one stand apart is just the idea of being stalked and watched by a ventriloquist dummy. This also probably has one of the most disturbing endings of The Twilight Zone. I mean, can you imagine how horrifying it would be to be a dummy and do nothing but watch with your soul trapped inside?

[@trinaq]

Precisely, it's such a horrific ending, even worse than being killed.

[@huntercoleman460]

@@trinaq did you know you share a name with the protagonist of NOLTDIII?

[@wstine79]

Don't forget the Tales From the Crypt episode with Bobcat Goldthwait and Don Rickles with the conjoined twin on his hand.

[@huntercoleman460]

@@wstine79 yep.

[@alexiaNBC]

Ah yes, Devil Doll. Gotta love that happy and charismatic Great Vorelli 😂 "Ah, ham. I love it!"

[@trinaq]

It's always great to see Cliff Robertson, AKA the original Uncle Ben, pop up in this show. His character from "A Hundred Yards over the Rim" couldn't be more different from Jerry, showing his enormous range as an actor.

[@sagebaca2013]

This was the first Twilight Zone episode I ever saw and I instantly knew I was gonna love the rest of the series in that very moment

[@Readingrebel]

Me too!

[@LucyLioness100]

One of the creepiest episodes & yes it’s not the first in its genre, but it’s earned its reputation. Cliff Robertson does a terrific job as Jerry and you feel for his collapsing mental state. And the cinematography is creepy as the shadow of Willie keeps following Jerry in the alley and that freaky voice tormenting him will haunt your nightmares. I wonder if William Goldman took a couple cues when he wrote “Magic”

[@popculturewatch8689]

This is the only episode that actual gives me chills years later. Especially, the first scene backstage. Watch how the dummy keeps moving slightly. But, then when the agent picks him up his eyes are staring directly at the agent. I've also found new scenes that I never saw growing up. Like the scene where the dummy starts talking to the dancers while Cliff has already left. Top tier TZ for me.

[@diamondknight8587]

O.m.goodness yes. That psychotic laugh gave me so many nightmares after viewing & this episode still lives rent free in my head all these years later.

[@kalebstigall2989]

That twist ending is so disturbing I love it

[@shainewhite2781]

This episode set off the killer doll trope and the film genre.

[@boiboy2328]

Also, Slappy from goosebumps

[@trinaq]

Preach, including M3GAN and Chucky.

[@milestrombley1466]

Awesome episode. I think the ventriloquist has a split personality disorder. After the twist, the ventriloquist accepts his disorder and allows his duel to take over so he can escape from his pain as a dummy. Jeff Dunham would get nightmares if he watched that episode. 🤣

[@Chaos89P]

He may have loosely referenced it in one of his jokes, mostly how the dummies are aspects of himself, especially when he's "with" who was his wife at the time.

[@liarbility568]

Even if u aren't a fan of this episode, u still got 2 respect the fact that without this we probably wouldn't have Batman's Scarface or Goosebumps: Night of the Living Dummy

[@wstine79]

This episode is probably the closest to a live action Scarface and Ventriloquist Batman movie as we're gonna get.

[@stopreadingmyusernamebroth9090]

I’m glad you gave this episode the praise and respect it deserves. I don’t really see people talking about this episode (in my experience).

[@jrax1713]

I really love the use of camera work and music in this episode. Twilight zone is usually pretty subtle with creepy things happening, but this just feels super different from how they do things it’s like an induced panic mode they suddenly throw you into when Willie starts talking and his shadow appears which is such a nice change of pace, you legit feel like you’re freaking out along with Jerry

[@mattz1lla]

Fun fact: The first episode of Jordan Peele’s Twilight Zone, The Comedian, actually shows the same Dummy, Willy (or a knockoff one maybe), in the dressing room backstage where the performers sit and talk. I’m not sure if anyone else mentioned this in the comments, but I was still taken aback when I saw that, which made this episode more memorable for me personally

[@trinaq]

I reckon that this episode inspired Slappy from Goosebumps, or Chucky from Child's Play. The ending really took me aback on a first watch, I wasn't expecting the roles to be switched, and for Jerry's soul to be trapped inside his puppet for eternity.

[@huntercoleman460]

Stine also said Magic and Pinocchio were inspirations for Slappy. Also ironically, you share a name with the protagonist of NOLTDIII.

[@n.abookgirl2457]

I was literally thinking the same thing lol.

[@bacaawesomerorie2788]

What if Toby maugire Spider-Man was in Ironman 2008

[@cinemacola6398]

This is the most frightening of TZ IMO. The look that Willy gives to the camera at the end still sends chills down my spine.

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

I LOVE twilight-tober! You guys rock!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎃🎃🎃🎃

[@pheunithpsychic-watertype9881]

"You'll never catch dale griiib-"

[@trinaq]

Agreed, it's always a treat when Twilight Tober releases a brand new video!

[@joyunicycle]

Forget “The Living Doll”, this is the episode that still scares me the most!

[@owenscott6159]

What if fantastic four was in the incredible movies

[@stillaboveground2470]

Willie: "Maybe *you* need glasses."

[@Equint77]

The ending is easily at the top of creepy endings in the entire series and what makes it so memorable. A great rewatch. Also young uncle ben 😂😂

[@monkeyboy90100]

Dead of Night is worth seeking out. For years it wasn’t available on home media in North America, but now there’s a beautiful Blu-ray with a plethora of bonus features that I highly recommend

[@amarcellus1714]

I'm 36 and I love the classics like Twilight Zone, Honeymooners, Star Trek (Original series), I love Lucy, etc. I'm the only one in my group of friends who have watched these since I was little. But that's because I grew up under two parents who are Movie and TV buffs. My friends never had such luxury.

[@wjzav1971]

I kind a like how the ending still leaves the door open to it being all in the ventriloquists head. The ending shot might just be how he sees himself and the dummy now.

[@ryanangelastro504]

Next time someone tells Jerry he’s no dummy, he can say, “Wanna bet?!”

[@melissadahl7561]

This episode is really well done. It's one of the few that actually gives me chills.

[@JohnPiperBoots]

@melissadahl7561 Have you tried being a ventriloquist? I was 6 when THe Dummy aired and left a mark since then. lol. The visuals, light and shadows and cast did a marvelous job. Glad it was not color - black and white best for the episodes.

[@HeraclesN-fp1bw]

This is a very interesting Ventriloquist & Dummy stories which just makes you scratch your wooden head just exactly who is in control

[@THECOMICBOOKMAN]

Hands down one of my Favorite episodes! Willy really creeped me out

[@samanthahopp2785]

The Willie laugh on the couch before the twist ending is scary as s***

[@LucyLioness100]

And that defeated look on Cliff’s face seals the tragedy of what we are to see

[@historylover]

Oh, I highly recommend Dead of Night. But you are so right about the closing shot being one of the most eerie of TZ.

[@freimiser]

This was the first episode of the twilight zone I ever saw. What a start!

[@LucianoThePig]

This one feels like a classic spooky tale. Perfect for October!

[@melenatorr]

"Dead of Night" is a good Halloween movie, with some very cool stories and a scary ending. Worth watching.

[@diamondknight8587]

The amount of nightmares I got from Willy’s laugh alone is unreal.

[@thoughtfuldevil6069]

This is one of the greatest episodes of the Twilight Zone, alongside "Midnight Sun," my personal favorite.

[@ScarlettShana]

We need fanfiction where Peter finds that doll. And Aunt May is terrified and yells to throw it away.

[@wstine79]

There was an episode of Tales from the Crypt where are young ventriloquist play by Bobcat Goldthwait. He went to meet his Idol, play by Don Rickles who had a conjoined twin on this hand who masquerade as a dummy.

[@LucyLioness100]

I’ve seen that one and it’s pretty twisted

[@thEannoyingE]

This episode always stuck with me, even years later. It’s so damn creepy. I’m surprised to learn that both props still exist today.

[@moirad3895]

This was the first episode I ever watched of the show! My uncle Nick introduced it to me! I was hooked!!! This episode still haunts me to this day!!! So scary and eerie!!!!

[@jamesdrynan]

If you can find it, watch the British " Dead of Night " from 1945. Billed as a horror anthology, it's almost like five episodes of the Twilight Zone. Eerie and provocative stories! Superbly done. As for Robertson, he's wonderful as the owner of a malevolent dummy.

[@bananawithanaxe8401]

honestly been waiting ages for this channel to bring up this episode

[@unclefranklin4575]

I'm waiting on stopover in a quiet town and a kind of stopwatch.

[@strangebrew1231]

You know it's good when "The Twist" shows up in the first half of the video

[@XavierLugo-j3g]

Dude, if you are going to make references to one of the greatest suspenseful shows ever made like Alfred Hitchcock Presents, may I make a suggest of doing reviews of every single episode of the show maybe after you've finished The Twilight Zone?

[@paddydoublems]

When I was a kid, I took it at face value that the dummy was alive and switched places with Jerry. Now, I also can see it as a message about mental health and addiction. Even to the point of Jerry changing his appearance. And yes, the twist at the end scared the shit out of me when I was a kid. Especially when Willy stares RIGHT AT THE VIEWER.

[@JohnPiperBoots]

hahaha. Yes I was 6 when THe Dummy aired and left a mark since then. lol. The visuals, light and shadowsm stage sets and cast did a marvelous job. Glad it was not color - black and white best for the episodes!

[@eerieeric834]

The twilight zone had a helping hand in making Chucky

[@huntercoleman460]

Also the My Buddy doll.

[@hawkeyepierce67]

CLEARLY, a case for the X-Files team ! Dammit, where are Scully, Mulder and the others of that jolly troupe when needed ;)! Besides I really enjoyed the voice over in that smashed puppet scene 😂! Otherwise one of the most eerie and scary moments/episodes of The Twilight Zone !

[@DeadMoon1986]

So, can Willie be considered Slappy's grandpa?

[@nickmanzo8459]

Oh my God! He killed Goofy! You, bastards!!!

[@keiththompson9435]

Ya know I was figuring that the Willie was going to be yet another aspect considering Jeff Dunham during a Segue to bringing out Jose’ talked about this subject. But that final shot: *A scream from a small town in Indiana 3hours away* That was me by the way. Thanks for that nightmare fuel man.

[@randalgraves6979]

I wonder if this episode inspired the Tales from the Crypt episode with Don Rickles & Bob Goldwaith 🧐

[@duranls1]

I believe all this stories inspired RL Stine, DC, and Chucky franchise

[@Omar-wq9dz]

I never got this episode, with how the dummy was a real person and Cliff Robertson wasn’t. Maybe I have to rewatch it to get it

[@popculturewatch8689]

Cliff made him come alive through giving him a voice. Cliff made him. In the end, the creator became the creation. Its the twilight zone. You don't need to over think. But, how could that happen? There have also been countless stories on fictional creations coming to life. The ending twist just goes a bit farther with the concept.

[@monstersociety3360]

I'm convinced that this episode is what inspired Slappy from the Goosebumps series.

[@mercoid]

Everyone loves The Dummy.

[@maurtendo]

I am pretty face blind, so i never really got what the twist was supposed to be before. Thanks.

[@jlev1028]

As someone who've seen way too many examples of the evil dummy trope, I was reluctant to watch the episode, fearing I would sigh and groan at every predictable moment. But you know what? It was pretty interesting. The Dummy's autonomy is purely in the ventriloquist's head and never does anything malicious other than mock his insecurities.

[@theshenpartei]

I know where slappy from goosebumps originated from now

[@Grym0626]

Willy vs Slappy from Goosebumps…who wins everyone?

[@arielfangirlmendez]

5:08 That face that face! Now I remember that scene junior where he had a nightmare and his baby look like this

[@narcolepticchihuahuaproduc1801]

Walter is knocking it out of the park YET AGAIN!! 2:14 shows in-depth geekdom with the promise of more…(as if to say…”Yes I could go deeper with DC but I’ll stop….but just know… I COULD.”)

[@Grym0626]

That laugh the dummy made after he finally submits to dummy still scares me to this day…

[@JohnPiperBoots]

That is Cliff Robertsons voice. He acted as Jerry the ventriloquist. He died 2011.

[@hew2356]

This is a classic, unnerving episode. The director, Abner Biberman, also helmed some creepy and memorable early episodes of "Hawaii Five-O." That final scene is absolutely chilling.

[@Headpfones]

I had to watch funny stuff after this episode because haunted dolls are my worst fear

[@TotallyWorkingg]

What is it about dummies or dolls that reel us in. Chucky slappy ect

[@z0mb055]

Is it me or does human version of Willie the Dummy look like Jack Nicholson's Joker during the televised challenge to Batman scene?

[@pikkusaukko]

I was thinking that too!

[@pikkusaukko]

This was something where I guessed the twist from start but it didn't really matter really good time watching

[@philipportelli7700]

I recently saw "The Glass Eye" on Alfred Hitchcock Presents. William Shatner is the narrator with a surprise appearance by Billy Barty!

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Another day another great video! 🧡🧡🧡🖤🖤🖤

[@Tormund_Giantsbrain]

Looks interesting I can say.

[@L337M4573RK]

Guess where R.L. Stein got some of his ideas...

[@SHANNONANDROD]

Actually the dummy at the end was made by British figure Len Insull. These figures were made of paper mache. It is possible that the prop master could have modified it, but this figure is definitely an Insull creation.

[@JohnPiperBoots]

I was 6 when THe Dummy aired and left a mark since then. lol. The visuals, light and shadows and cast did a marvelous job. Glad it was not color - black and white best for the episodes.

[@shawnmalone9711]

This episode was on MeTV, today, 4-2-24. This episode really scared me as a kid, because I thought Jerry was possessed by the Devil,lol!

[@JohnPiperBoots]

I was 6 when THe Dummy aired and left a mark since then. lol. The visuals, light and shadows and cast did a marvelous job. Glad it was not color - black and white best for the episodes.

[@zachariahh4471]

Cliff Robertson aka uncle ben 😅

[@Bobbydawriter]

Very well done - I particularly like the look back at the connections to other films.

[@artsman412]

See, this is the kind of creepy crap that I thought made up ALL of the Twilight Zone. It's why I never checked it out. I'm glad Walter does this show so I know about the more deep, complex, heartfelt episodes, but this is one I would definitely skip.

[@Kiku91]

Agreed, I feel like I missed out on a lot of opportunities because I thought it was a horror show. It’s really more sci-fi

[@TheCreepypro]

nice to learn more about this episode

[@ZackTheThunderking]

Slappy from goosebumps is scarier

[@huntercoleman460]

Agree but Mr. Wood was more violent.

[@wildberrycrush3901]

​@@huntercoleman460 Mr Wood strangled a dog. Slappy tried to decapitate Jimmy O'James with his bare hands (in Slappy's Nightmare). I'd say they're both very violent.

[@ZackTheThunderking]

@@huntercoleman460 never read the books only saw the show

[@elithelonewolf2677]

All I remember is that insane laughing

[@amyfisher6380]

It’s definitely a great episode and worth a watch for the premise and execution, but there’s also Serling’s nifty little pun at the very end. Don’t miss that!

[@Ryu_D]

Thank you for the video.

[@michaelquinones-lx6ks]

That was a Twilight Zone S3-1/2 early 4, Frank Sutton two years away from Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C. the show replaced which Twilight Zone after its cancellation in 1964.

[@ZmanShow]

I remember some black and white show or movie where a ventriloquist dummy jumped out of a bed and an attacked a lady but I have no clue what it was. I was hoping this was it lol

[@pikkusaukko]

Let's hope someone in the comments will help.

[@jlev1028]

​@@pikkusaukkoProbably from the movie Walt mentioned.

[@benderbendingrodriguez420]

Gotta love Dummys!

[@YuniorGamboa]

Aunt May and Uncle Ben!!