The Silence - Twilight Zone Episode REVIEW

In this episode of the 'Twilight Zone REVIEW Marathon' we'll discuss the classic episode, 'The Silence' starring legendary actor Franchot Tone and Liam Sullivan in a tale about a very bizarre wager.
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#twilightzone #thesilence #rodserling #twilightzonemarathon #franchottone

[@lizc6393]

Can I get a pin for no good reason please? 🌀👁️🚪⏱️ Thanks for continuing to pump out the best Twilight Zone content on the platform my friend, no one my age knows the show and your channel makes me feel less lonely.

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Well we are all friends here Liz, I'm always happy to hear from you. Thanks as always and hope you have a nice week ahead..see you in the 5th dimension! 😁

[@jamesdrynan]

Another winner from the prolific Serling. One of a very few episodes with no sci-fi or supernatural twists. But still supplies that ironic finale Rod was so good at writing.

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Hey James! Agreed, I notice others mentioned this one felt similar to a Hitchcock episode, which I agree with. Rod Serling was awesome, with or without sci-fi or supernatural twists. Thanks for checking in! 🤜🤛

[@QuintTheSharker]

Ahhh yes. This is definitely an episode I’ll show to anyone who hasn’t seen the TZ yet. The twist usually gets them.

[@lizc6393]

Oh boy, it was a real mind blower when I first watched it at age 8. I was already hooked on the show, but this one was certainly special.

[@user-rl2jl8zx1c]

Agreed, I just said the same. I’m pretty sure this was the episode to hooked me. I ended up watching for hours.

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

It's one of those twists that leaves you feeling bad for the dude.

[@QuintTheSharker]

@@FeverDreamlandTheater kinda feel bad for both of them in an odd way. Great review, as always. 👌🏻😎

[@OldMovieRob]

Another great review. That's very cool that Franchot Tone only showed half of his face intentionally. I never knew that was to hide injuries, and only figured it was just part of his condescending way of looking at him. That's so cool. And yeah, what a gut punch of an ending. First time I saw this I never imagined the hero would go to the length of permanently surgically mutilating himself... and then not win! What an episode!

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Hey Rob! Agreed, quite an episode and this one didn't even have a supernatural twist...thiugh it did a have a disturbing ending for sure. Much thanks for the watch & comment. Be well!

[@cirespeedreviews]

Great episode, the twist in the end is so good! I wouldn't know if i could keep my composure after going through with the bet, and on top of that, the drastic move of cutting his vocal cords. Now imagine if he made payment arrangement to pay off the surgery counting the thought he was going to win a large sum and pay it off once he got the money, and now having to deal with paying for a surgery without the moolah 😮

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Aw, that would have been brutal! Thanks Cirespeed, appreciate you coming by man.

[@carlb4069]

This is hands down one of my favorite episodes and what i feel like is the most underrated. The twist ending and the buildup to it is near perfect

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Hey awesome, always cool to touch on someone's favorite. Thanks Carl!

[@colleen4ever]

One of the few eps with two morals- don't make bets you can't keep, and cheaters never prosper.

[@debbieanne7962]

The Silence is one of the TZ episodes without a supernatural or Sci Fi element. A great episode and review!

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Hey Debbie, much thanks! : )

[@MarvelandDC379]

I not only love your reviews for the deep analysis, but the behind the scenes trivia and knowledge you provide. Sometimes in gambling, nobody wins. I can see why Jamie is seen as annoying, but can't help but sympathize with him.

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Heeey Charles, always a pleasure and thank you for the kind words. 🤜🤛 I actually am not a big fan of gambling myself. On the rare occasions in the past where I've gambled my rule was to just be financially ready to lose all of whatever I gamble with.

[@lindaloo6951]

Another awesome review Fever! This is an excellent TZ and you’re right …a double twist! Franchot Tone was once marred to Joan Crawford! Thanks again! I look forward to your videos

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Hey Linda, yeah Franchot actually had lots of interesting history, for those interested, he's worth reading up on. Thanks as always for stopping by, be well! : )

[@ALCPEREZ]

I remember this episode, most of these I saw with my father in the 80s. Fridays and Saturdays was the only nights I was allowed to stay up late. Usually for Star Trek SNL and Twilight Zone, (and eventually Tales from the Darkside and Monsters as well)

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Good memories. That was quite a lineup too. Here in NY late nights were a mix of Star Trek, Honeymooners and Odd Couple. I didn't get into SNL until a little later. TZ I mainly caught in marathons.

[@taiburnett9725]

The tales from the darkside music was soooo scary! Even thinking about it now its creeping me out😨

[@CMBGAMER2018TV]

Definitely my second favorite episode! My first favorite is I Shot An Arrow Into the Air

[@rkrueger8009]

I believe Rod Serling's side about the fight, The actor must have crossed the wrong couple, he FAAFO and caught a beating

[@jacksampsonforever]

Another great, great ep Anthony. Always good seeing Jon Harris back. I remember how surprised I was when I heard his real accent LOL

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Hey Jack, much thanks for checking in & the kind words. Yup, I had to show Jonathan Harris some love this time around.

[@HaveCheetahWillView]

Another outstanding episode and review. The twist is a cut above the norm. Liam Sullivan did an terrific episode of Dragnet where he played a Timothy Leary type of pro drug guru.

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Hey Patrick! There you go, Dragnet is another show I have been meaning to catch up on a lot more. Thanks for checking in, have a good one!

[@mr.danandhorror4230]

One of the more disturbing episodes to see as a kid, still holds up. Great breakdown Anthony!

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Yup...the ending sticks with you. Freaked me out too, I recall wondering if he was in pain. Thanks for checking in Mr. Dan!

[@terencemiguana]

Classic episode. I did not see it coming. It never even dawned on me about the glass cage in the place. I just assumed the guy was loaded but I guess he was so sure he was gonna win he got a big fat loan out to pay for it lol. Cool how they worked around his battered face. Brilliant video as always Anthony. Best wishes to ya

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Hey wassup Terence! Thanks for checking in man...yeah that trivia about his face was news to me. Seems like Tone had similar issues back in 1951 as well. Apparently he was "rendered unconscious for 18 hours and sustained numerous facial injuries following a fistfight with actor Tom Neal" 😬 ... the two had a rivalry for actress Barbara Payton. Tone had to have plastic surgery to restore his broken nose and cheek. 🤜🤛

[@melaniemills4505]

There's been a few TZ episodes based on the concept of gambling going wrong in the worst way possible. 🤔

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Very true. I don't recall if Serling wrote those other episodes, but in this case, going by his narrations he was no fan of gambling at all.

[@betamaxblocker]

Franchot Tone is so great in this one! I wish he had been in other episodes. Many of his later acting performances are better than the ones he gave during his heyday in the 30s. I did a lesson once for my students where I asked them if they would have taken the bet (adjusted for inflation of course) and if or how did both Jamie/ The Colonel cheat during the wager. Great review! Looking forward to seeing your much-anticipated review of The Bard!

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Hey Betamax! Oh man, I have so many TZ actors I could name that I wish were in other episodes, Franchot Tone would be on that list for sure. As to the question of both Jamie & The Colonel cheating...I'm curious did your students point out both for cheating or only one of them?

[@betamaxblocker]

@@FeverDreamlandTheater Most of the kids went with both but some were adamant that Jamie didn't cheat as it was never specified that Jamie couldn't have a surgery like that to win. The Colonel was such a scumbag that all of the kids stated he cheated LOL

[@DMovieman]

Great commentary, Anthony! I love how unexpected accidents or issues with production can actually be to a story's benefit. Would have never guessed what happened with Franchot. I can see Two-Face as well, but it was definitely giving me Phantom of the Opera vibes. The ending was pretty wild, although I say to say I would ABSOLUTELY have won that bet. 😏😉😏

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

D! : ) Much thanks for watching man, hope you've been well. Won the bet? Aw man, but we need to hear more from you not have you silent for a year!

[@MyKindofEntertainment]

Severing his vocal chords aside, what if the dude talked IN HIS SLEEP 😂 I mean would that be fair grounds for disqualification or not due to it being his subconscious mind 'talking' while he wasn't awake.

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

😂😂 Archie would have definitely called that grounds for disqualification, he was looking for any way off the hook.

[@MyKindofEntertainment]

@@FeverDreamlandTheater FACTS!

[@TheTrumpReaper]

Best gambling episode. I only wonder how a dude that young got into that club. The scar looks more like somebody tried to chop his head off.

[@LisaLoves]

That reveal made me shudder!

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Lisa! Hope you've been well. : ) Thanks for checking in.

[@user-rl2jl8zx1c]

I think this was the first episode that turned me out. Hungover on New Year’s Day.

[@MoreMovies4u]

Awesome video! Enjoyed this one and love to see those Star Trek drops. Looks like a great episode and I would also like to read the Chekov story, sounds great. Excellent work, Anthony. Hope you're doing well, mate! Have a great rest of the week.

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Hey Greg, thank you as always bro, glad you enjoyed it! The Chekov story is floating around online and there's some readings on youtube, it's a quickie listen. Much thanks again, have a great week ahead as well! : )

[@MoreMovies4u]

@@FeverDreamlandTheater Hey thanks, dude. I'll check it out! ✌️

[@daleholbert8032]

One of my favorites

[@jeffreyslotnikoff4003]

$500,000 dollars in 1960 would equal $5.3 million today. Man, I would remain silent for the rest of my friggin' days. (Admittedly, since I'm 68, wouldn't be that long...)

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Aw well hopefully there's many more years ahead! $5.3 million would be awesome and I think most would at least attempt that challenge...including me! Thanks Jeffrey!

[@jimkelly4214]

​@@FeverDreamlandTheaterI am 70 I hope you and myself love another 30 years!

[@jimkelly4214]

Meant to say live. But what the heck.

[@maxwashingtonmusic7000]

Great vid! Awesome edits and thoughts! I haven’t seen this ep. I enjoyed the Bergman movie The Silence. I recently rewatched the great movie Phantom Lady. Franchot was awesome in that. Jonathan Harris! Great actor from Da Bronx. I’ll check out this Zone ep. Have a great day 🎥🎥🎥🎥📽️📽️📽️📽️📽️👍🏻

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Ha ha true about Harris. Back when I covered the episode 'Twenty Two' I learned about him and the other players from TZ who were all from the BX. Much thanks Max, have a good week ahead man!

[@spiritsnscreams]

This sounds like a great episode, creepy plot twist. Really awesome review Anthony! Hope all is well✌️

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Heeey Karen! Hope you have been well! Much thanks for popping in. : )

[@fluorosco]

Rod Serling is So Cool❤

[@dennisdevito2829]

A top notch episode

[@victornice858]

Love your honesty, great spots

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Thanks Victor! I appreciate that. 👍

[@Galantski]

Hi Anthony, I hope you're well. It's been a while since I last checked in, so it's high time for me to, _ahem,_ speak up--no cat has my tongue nor scalpel my vocal chords.😏 "The Silence" is one of the rare _Twilight Zone_ episodes that doesn't rely on sci-fi or supernatural tropes; indeed, it would fit very comfortably as an _Alfred Hitchcock Presents_ entry, though never entirely eschewing its _TZ_ identity. (Yikes! This comment's doubly late, as you've already uploaded a new video, but I've invested too much time & effort in this to stop now. I hope it gets read, but oh well, the best-laid plans, etc. 🙄) I'm of two minds when it comes to "The Silence". On the one hand, the performances of Franchot Tone and Liam Sullivan are top-notch, and I'm inclined to go so far as to say the former's turn as Col. Archie Taylor ranks as one of the great portrayals in the entire series. Much of its power is aided immeasurably by Serling's script, not to mention the facial injury that caused Tone to peer conspiratorially (a conspiracy of one? -- sic) around posts and other solid objects. (It's indicative of the major time constraints under which the _TZ_ production labored that Rod called Tone immediately back to the set despite the injury, and a credit to his creativity that he not only was able to come up with a successful workaround, but to turn a weakness into a strength!) You note that we miss out on much of the biting dialogue we're accustomed to with conflicting characters--"Uncle Simon" & "What's in the Box" immediately spring to mind--and while that's true, Archie's scathing putdown of mouth almightyJamie Tennyson holds up very well on its own without any pushback. Tone's gruff voice really adds to the sinister affect, particularly later with the vile innuendos Archie hurls at young Tennyson about his wife. As for Sullivan, while you rightly point out that he excels in conveying the character's thoughts through wordless facial expressions, his talking at the very opening of the episode is crucial, as well. We as viewers need to know why Archie regards his endless babble as so insufferable that he would challenge Jamie before all the club members in such an insulting, humiliating way. Sullivan delivers a convincing performance of someone who loves nothing better than the sound of his own voice (an affluent, more urbane version of ol' Somerset Frisby, as you nicely bring up). A very honorable mention needs to go to Jonathan Harris as Archie's friend and legal counsel Alfred, who is also the sole voice of reason & compassion in "The Silence", even to the point of showing genuine concern for Taylor's young adversary. Harris' acting range is on display here, as he is about as far removed from the crass cad of a doctor he played in "Twenty-Two" as is imaginable. The ending, with its double twist, is one of Serling's finest. Although Archie's insolvency is hinted at early on, there's nothing to prepare us for the extreme measure Jamie takes to guarantee he'll prevail. Each is a cheat in his own way, and now each in his own way will suffer the consequences in Rod's morality tale. It's unfortunate, then, that the ending also points to elements throughout the episode that are problematic and knock "The Silences" down a bit from achieving absolute top-tier status. In the opening scene, Archie is shown to be the only man in the club to be ultra-perturbed by Jamie's droning. (He's also shown peering conspiratorially over what at first glance appears to be _The Wall Street Journal,_ but which upon further inspection is seen to be _The Wall Street Finance,_ the paper's name cleverly set in _WSJ_ font to trick unwary viewers at first glance--i.e., most of us.) But how perturbed is "ultra-perturbed", you may ask? Perturbed enough that he is willing to make a wager of $500,000. Now, before you break into a Dr. Evil pinkie to the corner of the mouth pose, let's be clear that we're not dealing with chump change here: I used a couple of inflation calculators that came up $5.2M or $5.3M in 2024 money as the insane amount Archie was seemingly ready to part with for a year of peace and quiet. (Okay, Rod, you want to make the stakes steep, but come on, that's _waaay_ beyond the pale!) After making the challenge, Archie feigns indignation when Jamie wisely wants him to write a check to be held in escrow. Fortunately for plot contrivance, when the Colonel protests his impeccable credit, he has a room full of club members at the ready, seconding his reputation with "hear, hear!" or words to that effect..Despite his great financial need, how realistic is it for Jamie to go into the equivalent of solitary confinement for a year without any assurance he'll get so much as one red cent. And then there's the ridiculous isolation chamber itself. We are asked to believe that this was constructed overnight, so how is everything precisely in place and the microphones adequately tested? And since Archie's flat broke, how did he pay to have it built? He wouldn't be able to bluff his way around the construction company. Since Jamie's also fairly penurious himself, who's feeding him? I can't see that the club members are footing the bills as this is mano a mano. These are fairly large plot holes. (I wonder if Rod considered them as such, but wanted to hasten the action,--Jamie starts the ordeal the next day...really???--rightly concluding that viewers would be so invested in his admittedly great premise that we wouldn't ponder the minutiae too long or carefully. If so, he was right. (For that matter, Jamie finding someone to perform the surgery in so quick a time isn't very plausible, and even less plausible the very notion that any doctor's going to perform such an operation at all. Back alley variety maybe? Okay, but finding one of them isn't going to be easy either.) But there's another aspect of the isolation chamber that's potentially problematic, and that's the whole matter of Jamie's wife. Serling having Taylor bait Tennyson with his malicious insinuations is a brilliant stroke, no doubt, as it shows him as quite despicable and heightens the tension considerably. However, we're never told why the wife hasn't been there to see Jamie even once during his ordeal. The easy answer would be that women aren't allowed in the men's club, but there's a problem with that: Archie's taunting has included asking why Jamie's wife hasn't ever been by to see him, a gambit meant to further fuel the specter of marital infidelity. We realize that it's only when the Colonel gets desperate to keep his fraud from being exposed that he resorts to such a tactic. In theory the challenge could have ended not long after it started had the wife been permitted to see Jamie, because at some point the temptation to speak to her would have been too great to overcome. However. that would have ruined the tension. Finally, there's the motivation, and although Rod clearly wants us to sympathize with Tennyson at the end, even to the point of having a tear roll down his cheek, I can't muster up too much for him. Yes, he's crazy in love with his trophy wife--emphasis on the word "crazy"--her penchant for uber-expensive jewelry ought to have given him pause to reflect. Still, his reason for accepting the challenge is ignoble; had it been because he needed money for medical care for her, a child or another loved one, yes, it would have been a laudable motive, but how are we to feel very much for him given the circumstances. And even the best motive in the world wouldn't excuse him being a cheat. And Archie's a cheat in his own way. so neither of them deserves sympathy as they got what they deserved: two losers. I don't like it when Serling gets overly preachy; fortunately, he doesn't here, but lets things play out. All that's lacking is the presence of that winking, grinning devil bobblehead from "Nick of Time" to mislead Archie & Jamie with his open-ended fortunes...then again, maybe he did, but we didn't see him lurking in the shadows, spying around things like Archie. _My Rating:_ 3.5 out of 5 blood-soaked cravats

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Hey Galantski, always a pleasure! Feel free to pop in any time! Great point about some of the plot issues. As for the quickly constructed isolation chamber (and even the speed Tennyson would have have to have had his surgery) those are all issues I'm surprised weren't at least mitigated by allowing for a week or more before the actual bet could begin. Ah well. Also, I agree, the conclusion was certainly one of the more memorable double twists in the series. Both men were cheats in their own way, and both paid dearly. Brutal ending for both guys. Again, much thanks for writing, have a nice weekend! : )

[@Galantski]

@@FeverDreamlandTheater Thanks for your always thoughtful reviews. I'll be chiming in soon, and next time I promise not to be the com-box equivalent of Jamie Tennyson again. 😀 Have a great weekend, Anthony.

[@thekeyofimagination]

Great job. This is one of the ones that I saw as a really young kid, and it always stuck with me. I had no idea about the Tone story. I think I'll go with Serling's version. haha

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Hey Joe! Fellow 5th dimension dweller....Hope you've been well man. Same here, that was news to me about Tone. Much thanks for checking in!

[@NyesBizarreCinema]

I was here and I watched this fantastic review in its entirety! 🙌🏾💜😂😂😂

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Nye! You're the best! Much thanks, have a good one. : )

[@superby1]

A new episode? Hell yes!

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Yup, it's been a minute, but always happy to return to the 5th dimension.

[@superby1]

@@FeverDreamlandTheater always glad to see your videos. You do fantastic work

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

@@superby1 😀👍 Thanks!

[@ECO473]

How was Tennyson able to find a surgeon to work on his throat so fast after making the bet with Taylor??? In any event, Taylor was the biggest loser, first by getting exposed as the broke, loudmouth fraud he really was. Secondly, Taylor now has to live with the knowledge that he's responsible for Tennyson going to the lengths that he did. This is a woefully underrated episode.

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Hey Eco. I agree about this one being underrated & also great catch regarding that quickie surgical work! Maybe they should have established some more time before Jamie began his ordeal, to allow for wiggle room in that area. As for Archie...I don't know, he seems like a real cold guy imo. I wonder if he would even be bothered about his part in Tennyson going to the lengths he did. In any case, much thanks for watching, be well!

[@ECO473]

@@FeverDreamlandTheater Be well also, brother.

[@AtomicSnackBar]

I have a giant glass house under my toy room. Gotta store the donuts somewhere. But great episode about a great episode and some great trivia. Always happy for those Star Trek references. And of course, Lost in Space mentions are always welcome. Thinking about it, if you ever did actual Star Trek coverage, that would be quite spiffy. A second channel perhaps. You don't really need to sleep, do you?

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Heeey Rob! Thanks for checking in man. And if you typed that comment from your glass secret house....well then we know you get some decent wi-fi down there. Ha ha, I have been meaning to go through Star Trek too, at least the original series. Even with TZ I was contemplating a separate marathon that maybe jumps around any given episode across all the other series which would allow for a ton of variety. We'll see. Up next I'll probably give TZ a break and head into a somewhat related / Serling adjacent series...that often took place at night...and featured a gallery. ; )

[@AtomicSnackBar]

@@FeverDreamlandTheater Most excellent. I got the mysterious gallery featuring show DVD collection not long ago. Haven't dug in yet, but I'm very curious about it.

[@schizzo8959]

A great and tragic episode.

[@fitnessfreak7851]

Please do “The After Hours”, that episode was what introduced me to the Twilight Zone.

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Hey Fitness Freak, The After Hours is another great one. Excellent intro to the 5th dimension. I reviewed it a little while back here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6q5fmOjhsijmrssi=rTW4Yf2dgbXiGbLc

[@fitnessfreak7851]

@@FeverDreamlandTheater Now I just started following you and I’m curious…have you done rankings for “Tales from the Darkside”? I LOVE that series and I have some recommendations.

[@blueguile]

There is another Star Trek actor in this as well. It's brief, but at 2:48 , look to the far right of the screen. The mans name is Felix Locher. He played Robert Johnson from the Star Trek episode "The Deadly Years". I know it's trivial, but since you said you like Star Trek, I thought I'd point it out.

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Awesome, yes thanks, any additional trivia is always cool by me....especially Trek related.

[@taiburnett9725]

Classic!!

[@supa_sets8636]

Banger after banger I’m telling ya. 🎉

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

Thanks supa_sets!!

[@McGomezAddams]

Classic

[@daleholbert8032]

What about the old butler that in other twilight zone episodes like a piano in the house and Penny for your thoughts thoughts thoughts thoughts

[@thencasti]

Nice video

[@thencasti]

Nice video

[@thencasti]

Nice video

[@FeverDreamlandTheater]

😁😆👍