Top 15 Favorite Night Gallery Segments - A Quick Look At

"A Quick Look At..." is a side series where Linkara does a quick review or list relating to movies or TV shows, in particular horror-themed media. In this episode, he looks at his 15 favorite segments of Rod Serling's other anthology series - Night Gallery!
atopthefourthwall.com
Originally uploaded September 29th, 2014.

[@AT4W]

Because this is the question I get a lot of the time: the Caterpillar isn't on the list because this is a list of my favorite episodes and the Caterpillar isn't even close to the top. The concept is frightening, but the execution is a dude writhing in pain for two minutes. If that's enough for you, great, but this is my list and I didn't find it all that great.

[@tonygriffin2762]

Yeah I liked the John Carradine "Big Surprise" episode a whole lot better than this one

[@michaelg3074]

Ohhh ... modern day script analist. Nit picking technical tikki tack, and lacking a humanistic visceral reaction to great drama.

[@AT4W]

@@michaelg3074 ...But it's not great drama. It's two minutes of a guy writhing in pain. It's not interesting. It's not compelling. It's ONLY scary in theory, in the visceral thinking about it. Actually watching it on screen is not interesting or horrifying. You want sheer revulsion from someone dying in agonizing, horrible, disgusting pain, Tales from the Crypt's "Forever Ambergris" does it a hell of a lot better... and considerably more icky.

[@tskmaster3837]

@@AT4W He didn't die from it though. Even knowing the double twist for years from both a teacher and Stephen King's Danse Macabre did not prepare me for what I just watched after reading your oddly ill tempered and entirely inaccurate assessment. Yeah, I bought the DVD set based on hearing about this earwig story decades earlier... even predating reruns of Night Gallery on cable!... but never watched it until your negative comment. So I have to ask... did you even make it to the end? The execution is Lawrence Harvey is being calmly told his life sentence and his entirely rational reaction to it. Your "two minutes" was not the horror. In fact, it made me laugh because of the attempted apology of his assassin's broker. "Hey, he had the wrong room. No hard feelings though, right?" while Harvey writhes in pain.

[@codprocamp4690]

Where can I watch these?

[@spy1965]

"The Cemetery" scared the bejesus out of me as a kid. I think it still would.

[@davidgudlaugson528]

Jeff You aren't the only one, Jeff.

[@alexwallace6120]

The cemetery really scared me,and I was around 12yrs old,and sometimes rode my bike on the road through the old cemetery.Boy,did I imagine the graves were opening up.I loved watching Night Gallery yet was afraid to go to bed afterwards.

[@andrewunjo158]

It was damn scary but without blood and gore which is why I liked it more than I was scared of it. But I was still scared.

[@freddy1571]

Yup I was 11 years when i saw this film ,never forgot it,scared christ out of me.I slept with the blanket over my head all night.

[@mniscmoney]

@@freddy1571 I first watched it six years ago, back to back with "The Dead Man". I spent the entire night staying awake after that.

[@josephclark4153]

Night gallery was much darker than twilight zone . The stories had that 70s feel and dialogue . Classic materials.

[@SSNESS]

Cafe not Diner

[@pinkbeatle2012]

Much darker but sadly much lesser quality.

[@SalItzMed]

I'm surprised "The Doll" isn't on this list. That was a great episode. Every time I watch it, it gives me the chills.

[@AT4W]

+Salvador Medina And I'm a fan of killer dolls/dummies, but unfortunately its finale really didn't have the punch I would have wanted. Great creepy faces on it, though.

[@trinitymplayers]

+Linkara-AtopTheFourthWall I disagree about the finale. And would you believe that the actress who played the governess was Shani Wallis, who played Nancy, the "tart with a 'eart of gold" in the film "Oliver!"

[@Adventurestud]

Great spooky story with a nice twist ending. Was the origin of the first doll ever explained? Who was she? Guess I'll have to watch again. -shiver-

[@louannerber632]

Agree - my favorite epsiode.

[@tedkier3264]

linkara-atop the fourth wall ...perhaps we're talking about 2 seperate programs. 'the doll' not only was by far most spine-tingling episode, it also gave me and my brothers nightmares for decades!

[@peepeepoopoo7182]

This is the type of show I'll cuddle under a blanket and sip hot tea while it's raining out

[@edwardsanchez3708]

Can I come to and sip tea under the blankets with you? I don't bite I promise 😅

[@wpl955g9]

Drinking game while watching The Cemetery: one shot every time Roddy McDowell yells 'Portefoy!'...

[@Spike-Prime]

You'd be hammered before the first act was out, haha

[@mgn5667]

rock n roll

[@isabelfox5509]

Bonus if you heard that in your head when you listened to this review! 😂

[@lukeharbolt7681]

Way ahead of you bro

[@pinkbeatle2012]

That would lead to a trip to the hospital 😂

[@williamcox955]

“Camera Obscura” should have been on this list - very creepy story, and the “Green Fingers” segment was nightmare fuel for me as a kid.

[@sjang816]

maybe cause I didn't see it as a kid but i thought green fingers was kind of funny

[@markmark6408]

Right, great episodes, also great were the short-short "Big Surprise" written by Richard Matheson and starring John Carradine, and "There Aren't Any More MacBanes" with Joel Grey. Then there is the episode based on one of my favorite stories "The Girl With The Hungry Eyes".

[@AtticTapes14]

TWILIGHT ZONE MORE INTERESTING!!!! MORE VARIETY OF TOPICS EXPLORED!!!!!

[@michaelg3074]

Ross Martain. One of Americas greatest TV actors. Gone too soon.

[@whataboutrob442]

@@sjang816 Green fingers was so scary as a kid. By far one of the scariest.

[@mollytherealdeal]

I loved "The Boy Who Predicted Earthquakes."

[@riconui5227]

Likewise. This story has always stuck with me. The video veritie' editing at the end was so effective.

[@rositawest4279]

"The Caterpillar" was my favorite episode, with the late, great Laurence Harvey!

[@districtline]

William Windom in "Tim Riley's Bar" -- such a great actor! Story hits home now more than before as I grow older.

[@millenniumman75]

That episode earned Serling an Emmy nomination.

[@buyvital]

l agree. A great episode and l never was a big fan of Windom until l saw it.

[@dgeorge4761]

You still looking pretty Julie😍

[@districtline]

@@dgeorge4761 Thank you! I think it's having good Genes, but not "clean living" :)

[@luisreyes1963]

The full title was "They're Tearing Down Tim Riley's Bar". A great story featuring ghosts of a different kind, those of the past.

[@feliciakidd9358]

The episode called Shadows On The Wall scared the hell out of me! I couldnt fall asleep I was so afraid when I first saw it years ago.

[@DondeArandas]

I love Night Gallery! I grew up watching it. Mr Serling is the best sci fi writer ever. on tv.

[@TypeOLuigi420]

My favorite Night Gallery episode is The Waiting Room. I'm into Westerns, especially when ghosts or other supernatural happenings are afoot. The attention given to the characters and how most of it was shot in the saloon gives it a nifty contained feel, like The Breakfast Club or something similar. I love it! Not the best Night Gallery episode, but my favorite, nonetheless.

[@1958Shemp]

Albert Salmi is at his creepy BEST here: The way he says '"Quick hands, slow brain" to his fellow gunfighter is priceless!

[@ricktheitalianrebel6687]

Yes, it was a GREAT episode depicting people in hell

[@charlesmartel5907]

Ironically, all of the characters, in that episode ( “The Waiting Room” ) had starred in many western movies and t.v. shows. Steve Forrest, Jim Davis, Buddy Ebsen, Albert Salmi, and Gilbert Roland all appeared in various segments of “Gunsmoke”, at one time or another, usually playing outlaws or gunfighters ! The only one missing was Jack Elam ! With his sinister looks, he would’ve been perfect for one of those roles 🤠

[@floraposteschild4184]

My favourite is The Cemetery -- terrifying, especially if you're all alone. Another one is Lindemann's Catch, which is about a fisherman who hauls in a mermaid. It was done very realistically, for the time, and the simplicity of story makes it the more frightening.

[@BoostedPastime]

Flora Posteschild The cemetery one is my favourite

[@tommyatkins2527]

​@@BoostedPastimeis the episode with a painting of a cemetery

[@BoostedPastime]

@@tommyatkins2527 yes!

[@paulaharrisbaca4851]

I just realized....was "Green Fingers" not included? "I've got green fingers...everything I plant, grows....even ME...."

[@AT4W]

Yeah, didn't really dig that one, sorry to say.

[@xterminal]

I had nightmares for MONTHS after the first time I saw Green Fingers...

[@vincenthannah7209]

I thought this was one of the best episodes.

[@baraxor]

Hey, Mr. Greediguts, that's what happens when your target has past experience in re-animation.

[@alfredagain]

You have the same tastes as me. As a kid, "The Cemetary" scared me more than any other film or TV episode ever. "The Dead Man" also scared the bejesus out of me. I guess I preferred dead people staying dead!

[@Gravydog316]

haha.

[@taurnguard]

Cemetary was the second scariest to me. The first (forgot the title) was the one with Harry Morgan working at a funeral home training a new employee and a female customer comes in for a coffin for her not-dead-yet husband.

[@charlesmartel5907]

taurnguard “The Late Mr. Peddington” ( Jan.12,1972 )

[@nancyhammons3594]

There was an episode titled "Caterpillar", it aired September 1972, I watched it once, I was 16. I'm 65 now, I still hear the man screaming at the end and I still sleep with my head covered.

[@michaelhall2709]

I still remember his agony in that bed, arms in restraints so he wouldn’t tear his own head off.

[@robynheavner4689]

Joanna Pettet and Laurence were good friends! Caterpillar is a great episode is great! Joanna was great in The Girl with the Hungry Eyes! Jo is great actress❤

[@nancyhammons3594]

@@robynheavner4689 Of all the movies and TV that I've watched over the years, a lot of her work stands out to me.

[@beth1627]

I get chills even remembering that one. I was at my grandma's house with my family for a holiday and I was watching that in her room. It was horrifying. It stayed with me. I think that was the worst one hands down. I also like the one with Roddy McDowell but that was more creepy than horrifying. I would have been 11.

[@beth1627]

I was going to ask if anyone saw the earwig one until I saw your post. I wasn't totally sure it was Night Gallery.

[@pandaspirit6734]

The Class Of 1999 is one of my favorites with Vincent Price and Robert Mantooth. It is a story that is chillingly relevant to today. A raises questions that will have to answered someday.....yes the story is way ahead of it's time.

[@alicewilloughby4318]

I had such a crush on Vincent Price when I was a young girl!

[@1958Shemp]

The way Price says to a student: "You get an 'A'."

[@margaretgarnto6272]

I believe that was Randolph Mantooth appearing on Night Gallery 's "Class of '99" with Vincent Price before he started in Emergency!

[@margaretgarnto6272]

@@alicewilloughby4318 I had a crush on Vincent Price, too, when I was in my early twenties and still living with my parents in Umatilla, Florida. My crush on him lasted from late 1973 to mid-1978, and it came months after I had a scary dream about him back in early 1973, where he frightened me with darkness and gave me quite a scare.

[@lauramalek3128]

@@margaretgarnto6272 yes it was.

[@Outrider74]

I like Night Gallery, but it's far narrower in scope than the Twilight Zone. Serling should have been given more creative control.

[@aldoushuxley5953]

Especially after his previous successes... I still like the night Gallery for what it is though. Especially its painting Gimmick. I wish the painting were still around. That would have made for a great collection for a Serling museum

[@lauramalek3128]

He tried to get more control. Idiot network shut him down about it.

[@kimberlyj.sullivan9304]

"The House" is my favorite episode. Thank you for your perfect narration of these episodes. You are awesome!

[@Weislawa]

I was waiting to find this comment. I Didn't get it! Thoughts???

[@charlesmartel5907]

Soleil Stewart An unusual, yet unique ghost story, whereby a beautiful, but troubled young woman ( actress Joanna Pettet ) is haunted by dreams of a strange house, she visits but never enters after knocking on the door, and then driving away. After she leaves a rest home, where she was staying, under psychiatric care, she finds the house of her dreams ( which is for sale ) and decides to buy it, even after the real estate agent ( actor Paul Richards ) explains previous owners claim its haunted. Nevertheless, she purchases the house and, one day, is awakened, from a nap, by a knock at the door. When she opens the door, she comes face to face with herself. She then calls her psychiatrist and tells him she has discovered the mystery of her dream and she is the ghost that has haunted the house and wistfully watches as she drives away. I think it has something to do with the concept of “Deja Vu” and how we can sometimes be haunted by our dreams, especially if they become a reality, ... At least that was my take on it. To me, it was always a beautiful, dream-like story written by Andre’ Maurois and adapted into a teleplay by Rod Serling starring one of my favorite actresses, the lovely Joanna Pettet, who was featured in three other Night Gallery episodes, during its three seasons on NBC, and probably best remembered for her role in the iconic episode “The Caterpillar” ( Mar.1,1972 ) ...

[@robynheavner4689]

Joanna Pettet is great❤

[@pinkbeatle2012]

The House is a solid episode

[@Gravyballs2011]

8:05 In the "Cool Air" episode, look for a mistake of modern 1970's era trucks seen through the back window of the car which is supposed to be taking place decades earlier.

[@caspence56]

"The Cemetery" scared the living daylights out of me the first time I watched it. It probably would have the same affect on me if I watched it today!

[@jennifermoriarty2188]

caspence56 dailymotion has it

[@jamessandy5873]

effect (noun), not affect (verb)

[@ricktheitalianrebel6687]

That was the pilot

[@LucyLioness100]

I still get creeped out by the segment. The imagery and atmosphere are just classic Gothic and the performances are top notch from both Roddy McDowell and Ossie Davis

[@aurorabore8675]

"The Cemetery" may have taken its inspiration from early 20th century English horror master M.R. James's "The Mezzotint". If so, in some ways, "The Cemetery" improves on the original. Rod Serling would likely have been aware of M.R. James as Serling clearly admired Lovecraft and Montague Rhodes James was one of Lovecraft's biggest influences. I point this out because I believe M.R. James deserves more love. His influence is enormous in the world of horror. There are numerous other modern adaptations and distant homages to James's work. One of my favorites is "Drag Me to Hell" (Raimi) which has been noted by others as an adaptation of British horror film "Night of the Demon", a re-telling of James's "Casting the Runes".

[@ebwarg]

Believe it or not, one of my favorites is “Phantom of What Opera?” Not because of the punchline, but because of Leslie Nielsen’s hilarious attempts to extinguish the flame of his lamplighter.

[@wpl955g9]

The sick man in Room With A View is none other than Joseph Wiseman, most famous for playing the eponymous Dr No. He'd worked with Serling before in Twilight Zone (One More Pallbearer - awesome ending). incidentally, the older, bespectacled doctor in The Dead Man is Jeff Corey, blacklisted in the 50s, who gave a memorable Outer Limits performance in O.B.I.T. (1963). He became a hugely successful acting teacher - and if you've read The Disaster Artist, you'll recognise the name as Greg Sestero's acting teacher before he was in The Room. But Tim Riley's Bar at *14*!? Blasphemy!

[@davidj.thompson]

I thought that was Joseph Wiseman...

[@davidgerard4369]

Nice list, interesting choices. Although I agree with most of them, here is my personal faves, in no particular order (be hard to pick an all-time favorites): "The Diary" - mostly a tour-de-force for the underrated Patty Duke, who plays a sniping gossip columnist who gets her comeuppance from a voodoo-tainted diary, given to her by a fading movie star (played by Virginia Mayo). "Brenda" - a very strange story about a young girl who befriends some kind of anthropological throwback while vacationing at a seaside resort with her parents. Laurie Prange, as the titular character, does an amazing job of conveying all the emotions inherent in adolescence: isolation, loneliness, rebellion, and insecurity. "Whisper" - while the premise isn't carried out to its fullest, this is an interesting tale of past lives, a present-day woman who seems to be a conduit for the dead, and the overwhelming burden of being possessed by entities she can barely control. Sally Field ("Sybil") is no stranger to playing multiple personalities, yet her performance is no mere retread. The mood is haunting, the ending, tragic. "The Waiting Room" - an outlaw on the run enters what he thinks is a saloon, only to find himself surrounded by other outlaws...apparently waiting for something. He soon discovers it's a "waiting room" for purgatory, and that his soul is doomed for eternity. Nice performances all around, including Steve Forrest and Buddy Ebsen, who is both the voice of reason and retribution. "Last Rites for a Dead Druid" - interestingly, this was the companion piece to the above, as an installment of the series' original 1 hour episodes. Bill Bixby is gifted with a statue by his wife (Carol Lynley), who finds it antique hunting, and can't help but notice a slight resemblance. Turns out, the statue is of a deceased Druid with some satanic proclivities, and when he begins to come to life, he inhabits the husband, setting up a battle between the husband and the 'intruder'. "Phantom Farmhouse" - David Carradine plays a sanitarium inmate who possesses knowledge of an old (but since burned down) farmhouse, which was home to a family of werewolves. David McCallum plays the psychiatrist who tries to understand Gideon's motivations, but then becomes embroiled in the mystery - first seeing the farmhouse, then meeting a lovely young girl he falls madly in love with her. Question: will he discover her true identity before it's too late? Just a handful of episodes that deserve more than an "honorable mention."

[@michaelbivins4714]

yeah I agree with you some of those episodes are favorites of mine that should’ve been in the list but everyone has their own taste

[@MrMuxix]

I didn't know this show existed until now I'll definitely give it a shot thanks linkara!

[@chazzwozzio]

+MrMuxix its on hulu

[@Gravydog316]

+MrMuxix Some parts are good, some are blech.

[@jennifersman7990]

It has its moments but you can tell Serling didn’t have as much control over this as he had with Twilight Zone. He was basically doing it for the $$$

[@tyrantgregcagkaiju71]

Pickman’s Model and Cool Air are my two personal favorites 😊.

[@awakenyewhosleeprealityisn4860]

There were so many incredible episodes, but the one that really freaked me out was “The Sin Eater “ with Richard Thomas. The ending was real horrorshow.

[@davidj.thompson]

Best acting I've EVER seen by Mr. Thomas!

[@peterolbrisch8970]

Good call.

[@kathleenking47]

5:56 Elon with AI?

[@kathleenking47]

Do you remember the one, when a woman got lost, on a rising night and she ended up at a couples home. They helped her find her way back. She had a baby boy...and was trying to get back They helped her with a machine It looked like a primitive GPS (this was the 1970s) the man, was her SON ..she found out later

[@peterolbrisch8970]

@@kathleenking47 What is a rising night?

[@jdw5678]

One episode that scared the living daylights out of me as a kid was "Big Surprise" with John Carradine. The end is beyond creepy. The one with the most startling ending is "The Late Mr. Peddington," with Harry Morgan.

[@marvinjones4415]

I remember seeing "Big Surprise" when I was four. Needless to say it made an impression.

[@johnpapiewski7022]

Big Surprise starts off innocent enough but the ending is super creepy. Carradine is perfect. See the original version, not the heavily-padded later one that spoils the perfect ending.

[@davidj.thompson]

@@marvinjones4415 I saw "Big Surprise" even before I knew who John Carradine was. Probably watched it from the safety of the door to the kitchen...and I'm pretty sure it was the original.

[@peterolbrisch8970]

Great episode based on a Richard Matheson story.

[@schizoidboy]

The segment from the pilot movie that I thought was very thought provoking was the last one about a Nazi commandant of a death camp who sees a painting in a museum and pictures himself inside it and escaping from the world. In the meantime Israeli agents are coming after him. There are some religious/spiritual overtones that actually enhance the segment and ask the question "Is there a point where you can go too far where salvation is out of reach?" One former inmate from the camps states the commandant "put to many Christs on crosses for any god to give him an audience." To me this was an underrated segment that deserves better recognition.

[@1958Shemp]

Richard Kiley's performance as the escaped Nazi is BRILLIANT -- you sort of feel sympathy for him until he shows that he's not really all that sorry for his deeds, he's just sorry that he's being HUNTED for his deeds.

[@ECO473]

Well said, brother! The Escape Route is a woefully underrated segment, and Richard Kiley brilliantly balanced between the sympathetic and the sadistic.

[@patriciagrandjean8205]

I liked "The Messiah of Mott Street"--another sentimental one, but a great story well told.

[@hgstarsongs]

I'm a huge Night Gallery fan. "Tell David" with Sandra Dee is one of my favorites!

[@astralclub5964]

"Death on a Barge" with Leslie Ann Warren as a sexy, lonely vampire has stuck in my nightmares for a lifetime!

[@ebwarg]

With some decent looking day-for-night, at least by Night Gallery standards!

[@kelf114]

I loved her and Karen Valentine in The Daughters of Joshua Cabe.

[@robynheavner4689]

Great episode!

[@astralclub5964]

My fav episode. I’d let Leslie bite me!

[@astralclub5964]

My fav episode!

[@memeexclusive]

"Rare Objects" with Mickey Rooney will always be my favorite.

[@charlesmartel5907]

“Rare Objects” ( along with “Finnegan’s Flight” and “The Ring With The Red Velvet Ropes” ) were, in my opinion, the three best episodes of “Night Gallery’s” third and final season ( 1972-1973 ). All three could’ve easily been episodes featured in “The Twilight Zone” ( 1959-1964 ), as well ...

[@proggerjohn]

I like most of your picks -- especially your Top Two. Four others I would have included would be: Camera Obscura, The Waiting Room, Tell David, and The Girl With The Hungry Eyes. Night Gallery had a lot of clunkers. But there were also a decent number of worthwhile episodes to make it a notable show.

[@Galantski]

Good episodes all, as well as the many mentioned in the comments below, which shows that Night Gallery at its best can hold its own with The Twilight Zone. However, I didn't see one of my favorites mentioned. "Since Aunt Ada Came to Stay" (Season 2 Episode 3) tells of a professor and his wife who take in her aunt (or is it her aunt?). The husband isn't thrilled with the idea, but mere annoyance gives way to suspicion after she vanishes from his sight while he was doing yard work. Eventually, those suspicions lead him to do some snooping around, only to find out the real Aunt Ada is dead and buried in a cemetery in a neighboring town. Why is this woman posing as a dead aunt? It turns out she's a witch and has a very definite and very sinister plan of action. While the story has some plot holes, and the special effects are dated (though not horrible), it holds up due to some real spookiness, a great performance by Jeanette Nolan as the evil "Aunt Ada" (she had an affinity for witch roles, such as in The Twilight Zone's "Jess Belle" and Thriller's "La Strega" and "Parasite Mansion") and a delicious cameo from Jonathan Harris (Dr. Smith in Lost in Space) as another professor. Well worth a watch.

[@mikesnyder1788]

I remember seeing #10 The Dead Man over fifty years ago and it has stuck with me all that time. Looking up Donna Reed's TV husband led me to this site so thanks so much. Very creepy episode!!!

[@robynheavner4689]

Michael Blodgett was great! He was in Velvet Vampire, have the dvd. Rip Celeste Yarnel and Michael Blodgett❤

[@mst3KGf]

Good list, though I'm surprised "The Catapiller" didn't show up on it. I though that one was mandatory on any list of great "Night Gallery" episodes thanks to the horrific twist ending. Personally, I think the pilot movie was the high point of the series. Three strong episodes (not to mention stories where the paintings actually play roles in the stories themselves) and "The Cemetary" is, as you put you, terrific. Very EC comics-like and the painting changing is done very well and is very creepy.

[@AT4W]

+mst3KGf Honestly, while that makes a lot of people's favorites, it wasn't one of mine. The concept is gruesome, yes, but otherwise there's nothing really there to be horrified by and it's just kind of meh.

[@Popcultureguy3000]

+Linkara-AtopTheFourthWall If it wasn't for the fantastic acting by the lead, I don't think people would have remembered it so fondly. When I watched him writhing in agony, I felt like I could almost feel it myself.

[@collegeman1988]

mst3KGf The Caterpillar was Stephen King's favorite Night Gallery story, and was mentioned in his nonfiction book, Danse Macabre.

[@zigomanis18]

My favorite was the "Waiting Room"

[@83thechaz]

This is all in fun but if you had a picture that kept changing and you literally thought your pissed off uncle was returning, wouldn’t that freak you out? Come on, be honest lol A lot of people, myself included, say this or that would never scare them...but if it actually happened lol Again, all in good fun. Loved your video nonetheless. Hope you create more Night Gallery videos :)

[@camvillar8177]

Four of my faves not on this list: The Waiting Room, The Boy Who Predicted Earthquakes, Sins of the Fathers, and The Caterpillar. Lindemann’s Catch was also quite good.

[@blairstewart6925]

My favorites are The Tune in Dan’s Cafe and The Girl with the Hungry Eyes. Both based on excellent short stories.

[@seaniebouy]

This was in syndication in the mid 70’s when I was a boy. Just the intro & it’s music scared me. “The Doll” was the most terrifying & gave me nightmares. Really. I rewatched it a week ago & it has a really retro creepiness to it. Great list. Glad “David’s Room” isn’t on the list. That’s every critics favorite because supposedly everything in it has been predicted. I think it’s weak. I’m glad u made a list. This show has been forgotten or dissed because of shows like Black Mirror, but I love it. Thanks for ranking. You should do a “Worst of Night Gallery”. That would be awesome!

[@Mumbabeal]

Rod Serling really hated diners. Think about how many episodes of The Twilight Zone and Night Galllery took place in a diner.

[@19580822]

Can't believe you didn't include "The Boy Who Predicted Earthquakes". I know it kind of drags a bit, but the shocking ending makes it worth it.

[@magicalpasta5462]

And gotta love Clint Howard's actually being in a serious role for once

[@Zeab70]

The Class of 1999 and You can’t get help are my favorites and at times , it comes across like precursor to Black Mirror

[@alleahsasseville]

Anything Roddy was in was gold!! 💛

[@1958Shemp]

"A Question of Fear" has perhaps THE BEST closing line of the series!

[@calvinjackson8110]

What was the closing line?

[@chag1pyk5]

"There is nothing in the cellar."

[@7DARKHELLS]

Pickman's Model scared the hell out of me as a kid! I left the light on for weeks when I went to bed after I saw that one. What was the episode where a woman used a voodoo doll against her sick husband. That was another episode that really gave me the creeps.

[@musicman201047]

The Doll of Death.

[@perjus]

No, that was I'll Never Leave You - Ever.

[@eventsotherthingswithchris9019]

7DARKHELLS I know the 1 you're talking about but can't think of the name either. It had John Saxon who later on ended up in a Bruce Lee flick, plus a bunch of other things. The sick Husband is actor Royal Dano who also was in a bunch of stuff

[@eventsotherthingswithchris9019]

perjus TY!! I remember the end the most with Dano moaning out "Maura....."

[@seank.9764]

Great episode. I always thought Lois Nettleton was a sexy lady and a damn good actress. She was also very memorable in the classic TZ episode Midnight Sun. The scene where she throws the voodoo doll on the fire and you can hear poor Royal Dani screaming in agony is as disturbing as Laurence Harvey’s ordeal in The Caterpillar. TZ could never be this graphic in it’s more censored era.

[@BloodylocksBathory]

I've only seen two segments from Night Gallery, "The Cemetery" and "Green Fingers", and they were great. I love the absurd creepiness of the latter, with Elsa Lanchester's dotty cheerful performance. I really must get around to watching the rest of the series.

[@jeffreysommer3292]

I was hoping you would have included "Professor Peabody's Last Lecture" and "Hell's Bells."

[@sirreal1290]

I was 13 years old in 1971 when "Big Surprise" starring John Carradine first aired. The ending scared the piss out of me then and 50 years later, I still consider this episode creepy and mcarbe.

[@davejones5745]

Agree. This was over the top and quite shocking!

[@superdavid002]

Some of my favorites, Class of 99, The Caterpillar, House with Ghost, Hell's Bells, Deliveries in the Rear, The Different Ones

[@Weislawa]

House with ghosts, is that the one where it is supposedly haunted? Because I just didn't get it, it wasn't making sense to me. Any thoughts?

[@jm7804]

The Doll clip plays, but it doesn't make the list? That's just wrong. The doll prop alone should put it on the list. Escape Route is also a good one. The Boy Who Predicted Earthquakes is outstanding. Night Gallery was classic TV horror. A lot of the time supernatural themes were implied, and that was enough to scare you a little. Modern horror has been ruined with over the top gory scenes and CGI.

[@paulnesbitt1698]

As a kid I remember watching the cemetery, and not being able to sleep , if someone had of banged my house door that night ....I'm certain my young heart would of packed up there and then.

[@KitsuneRokaku]

I started watching reruns of Night Gallery because of you, sir! Including the episodes on this list and I understand why those episodes are on this list. Thank you for this 😁

[@DrVonChilla]

"The Sins Of The Fathers" traumatized me as a child.

[@calql8er]

TY for giving "A Question of Fear" its due; a most under-appreciated episode.

[@stevenclark9620]

"Green Fingers" gave me nightmares for days. At 10 years old this was my mother's favorite TV show and am reminded of her whenever I visit reruns :)

[@mgn5667]

Hi. That was really good .do you remember the episode the last lesson of professor pea body..teaches class about the old gods reading from a rare book and lightning starts happening?

[@robynheavner4689]

Green Fingers with Ingrid Pitt is great also! Not a Night Gallery episode! A British production, available on KZbin!

[@robynheavner4689]

Ingrid Pitt did a British production of Green Fingers! Great, available on KZbin!

[@MrNimrod]

THANK YOU!!! I remember seeing "Midnight Never Ends" years ago, but I could never remember what show I had seen it on nor the title. Now I know, thank you again. Also, I loved the episode "Hell's Bells."

[@rosannacellini2158]

John Aston was so comical in Hells Bells 😆

[@seank.9764]

Yes, John Aston is hilarious in it! Hippie: I’m talking about the Beatles man…the group! Old man: Croup? Baby had croup last year! Funny, but the premise is disturbing. Every man has his personal hell!

[@adamduchesne]

im glad i found your channel. & thank you for lovingly keeping rods legacy current/alive.i just had a son, he is 8 months old. i named his middle name Serling. after my favorite writer/director. him along with Alfred Hitchcock are the pictures im proud to hang on my wall. these people/shows, was my best friends at one point in my life, and in many ways still are.great content. keep up the nerdism/respect.

[@adamduchesne]

*and in many ways, still are. keep up the great work on your videos*.

[@wangson]

Thanks for publishing this video, sir. Well done. I absolutely LOVED Night Gallery!! As a kid, I remember the nights I was allowed to stay up late and would end up watching Night Gallery and having the living shit scared out of me! So scared, I'd get, that I wouldn't even get close enough to the TV so as to change the channel, (this was in the early '80s when not every TV had a remote). Still, I have a great sense of sentimentality when it comes to this show along with The Twilight Zone. I still love watching old, black & white horror and science fiction films...They bring me back to my youth I suppose.

[@Natendowii]

Do you think you'll ever do a top 15 MST3K Episodes?

[@sailoritaly]

+Natendowii That would be awesome

[@KevlarNinja]

+Natendowii I......3rd that, I guess!

[@thecomicnation1085]

4th!

[@johnjohnon8767]

Just got down watching this. Today was a night gallery marathon

[@billanthony7896]

A few episodes that didn't make your list--- A turn of the century doctor employ's grave robbers to supply him with bodies for his anatomy classes. When the robbers turn to other means to supply bodies, it turns into a real scream at the end. Truthfully, horror at it's best. John Williams plays a British Officer returned from India, who's sent a deadly doll by an Indian mystic. (In the days long before "Chucky!") One bite from the relentless doll is fatal. The officer can't escape his fate, but the pleased mystic is shocked to discover the dead officer has left something for him in his will! The earwig story, need I say more? It's one of Laurence Harvey's final performances, and it probably had viewers sticking cotton in their ears at bedtime for months! "The Boy Who Could See Tomorrow" was a great short episode. The ending was what made it so good, and complete with an excellent musical score, it makes for a short ride into the bizarre. For whatever reason, this episode disturbed me greatly when I was fourteen. Anyway, those are four episodes I'd add to any "Best" lists of Night Gallery...

[@autumninthewoods4522]

Actual episode names: 1. Deliveries in the Rear. 2. The Doll. 3. The Caterpillar. 4. The Boy Who Predicted Earthquakes.

[@martinl.lazarinejr.2781]

this show terrified me as a child in the early 70s, I was so scared I would sleep with the light on in my room, I would sleep with my bed covers pulled over my head, but I loved this show anyway. The Cemetery episode was scary.All episodes scared me. The theme music was scary also.Rod Serling's voice was scary. Now, I 'm all grown up

[@seank.9764]

I hear you! It’s funny how things were so much more frightening to us when we were kids. I remember having to sleep with my sister after watching The Night Stalker. Even the ABC Movie of the Week lead-in scared the shit out me! A lot of those early 70s TV movies were terrifying.

[@mstrsims2]

Good choices. Thanks for posting. Own the 3 seasons on DVD

[@Sutterjack]

I can't believe you didn't include The Caterpillar. Excellent acting and buildup to a great twist.

[@michaelhall2709]

The Doctor: I’m afraid we’re not out of the woods yet. . .

[@BoostedPastime]

just casually watching this alone at midnight with all the lights on LOL

[@bryancorley5068]

An honorable mention should go to “Lagoda’s Heads!”

[@musicman201047]

My list is Clean Kills and Other Trophies..... Phantom Farmhouse..... The House..... Sole Survivor..... The Ring With the Red Velvet Ropes..... A Way Out (3rd of pilot movie).....Miracle at Camefeo..... Last Rites for a Dead Druid....... Finnegan's Flight..... The Painted Mirror...Lagoda's Heads.....The Girl With the Hungry Eyes.... Lindeman's Catch..... Fright Night.....The Doll of Death..... Certain Shadows on the Wall.....The Cemetery.

[@katherineisaacs5441]

I remember my cousins and I would watch this late at night it brings back good memories! Ahhh so nostalgic 😊

[@jesstarriero4740]

Even though I'm a millennial, I love this show, I recently discovered it and was hooked. I love tv shows with dark themes, my other favorites are dark shadows and the x files. That might be because I'm a goth girl

[@phnigra111]

Also check out ‘tales from the dark side’.. Circa 1988 or 1989

[@ANFeuerstahl]

Interesting list. However, "The Diary" (with Patty Duke) should be in it.

[@katherynemero4118]

That was the first episode I ever saw. I didn't know what the heck I was watching. it really blew my mind.

[@tomsperduti2967]

Absolutely

[@charlesmartel5907]

A young Lindsay Wagner played the nurse. Five years later she went on to become the star of her own popular show “The Bionic Woman” ( 1976-1978 ) ...

[@neilengel3715]

Nicely compiled.. But THE CATERPILLAR scared the freakin' hell out of me as a kid!

[@host_theghost507]

Great list! "Cool Air" is one of my all-time favorites. But don't forget about "Green Fingers" with the great Elsa Lanchester. That one scared the bejesus out of me as a kid.

[@heidifedor]

I remember when when this was shown in reruns. Every time I would tune in, there would be an episode where Gary Collins plays a psychic. That’s because there was a short series which starred Collins. He played a psychic that helped people solve paranormal mysteries. It had nothing to do with the Night Gallery, but was made by the same production company. So when Night Gallery was released in syndication, they included the Gary Collins series along with the rest of the series’s package.

[@dianascrimger284]

It was called the sixth sense

[@seank.9764]

I remember it used to annoy the hell out of me because I didn’t consider The Sixth Sense to be in the same league with NG.

[@daveerhardt1879]

I saw the one with Arte Johnson and the devil. Scary episode.

[@yamato0965]

Loved "The Waiting Room" - a Twilight Zone-ish Wild West episode. You can guess very early what's happening but the writing and the mood still make it my favourite. "The Cemetery" scared the hell out of me as a kid. "The Doll" creeped me out.

[@jamiepastman5594]

the Earwig episode was so scary it was the talk of my junior high school the next day

[@damongrimes6096]

Just bought the DVD set so excited to start watching it! 😁

[@dougmac6803]

Roddy McDowell in the cemetery episode was humorous even when he was scared. My favorite episode.

[@Phoenix85006]

I guess I'm in the minority but my favorite episode was 'Brenda' I wish it was longer!

[@knife-wieldingspidergod5059]

Oh, she is evil.

[@vistaestrada]

Wonderful compilation!

[@SunshineClementine]

Enjoyed this, immensely! Thanks! :D

[@marahnatha5724]

I was hoping for the Adam West "Too much vermouth" skit.

[@crayolanoms]

In they're tearing down Tom Riley's bar, is the main character the man who played commodore Decker in doomsday machine from Star Trek?

[@AT4W]

Yep.

[@musicman201047]

William Windom.

[@hectorsalcido4106]

The guy who played the soldier in the Twilight Zone episode, " Five characters in search of an exit"

[@eventsotherthingswithchris9019]

Lizzie Sloan -Yes he was! I forgot what his name was but, he showed up on 2 N G episodes. The 1 you mentioned & another called 'Little girl lost'.

[@eventsotherthingswithchris9019]

musicman201047 Thanks! I couldn't think of Windom's name. I always wondered what would've happened had he actually been Professor Robinson instead of Guy Williams in lost in space?

[@DixieWhiskey]

Two of my favorites are "Return of The Sorcerer" and "The Hand of Borgus Weems". Those are both classics.

[@MrHeadbanger366]

I think Arte Johnson, Broderick Crawford and John Astin were great in their respective segments. John Astin directed a few if memory serves.

[@WinterSteele]

I've been watching "Night Gallery" on MeTV, so I really dig this list.

[@dgeorge4761]

I dog you 😍❤️

[@marionwheatland]

You picked my 3 favorite ones, Dead Man, the Cemetary and the Joan Crawford one. They are the brilliant ones!

[@TheEilypily]

The Cemetery freaked me out so much as a kid. I was petrified watching the painting.

[@carinhall4508]

How could you leave out "The Sin Eater", "The Waiting Room", and "The Diary" ? 3 of the absolute best!

[@AT4W]

Those three just weren't among my favorites, sorry.

[@TokuAndAnimationNewsNetwork]

Once I finish up on every Twilight Zone iteration (in the 80s series right now), I'm going to move onto this show.

[@supertokurider]

Man I love your descriptions for these. Something about your voice.

[@fje6902]

How can you not mention that Astin's wife is played by Phyllis Diller?

[@ArchedEnemy]

I had never been aware of Night Gallery before. Seems I was missing out. These look great, and Linkara's enthusiasm reinforces that.

[@Oppeldeldoc1]

It's a minority opinion, but I've always really liked "Tell David." Also "The Different Ones." Maybe it's a little too similar to a famous Twilight Zone episode, but I'm very fond of it.

[@mitchsalawine5420]

Yes, you picked two good ones!

[@GenGamesUniverse]

I just watched "The Nature Of The Enemy" and what a twist lol, I ain't kidding, it's like you never expected that twist ending to happen!

[@jennifersman7990]

Yeah, and it was STUPID!!!

[@greglapointe1311]

One of my favorite episodes is the one with the woman having the same dream of a ghost driving up to her new home but always leaving after knocking until one day she finds out who the ghost is.

[@charlesmartel5907]

“The House” ( Dec.30,1970 ) starring the beautiful actress Joanna Pettet ! She could haunt my dreams anytime 👩👻❤️

[@drumdad54sdl47]

​@@charlesmartel5907 You know it! It wasn't necessarily a great story but she is intoxicating.

[@charlesmartel5907]

@@drumdad54sdl47 Joanna Pettet also starred in three other “NG” episodes : “Keep In Touch-We’ll Think of Something” ( Nov.24,1971 ), “The Girl with the Hungry Eyes” ( Oct.1,1972 ), and the most chilling segment “The Caterpillar” ( Mar.1,1972 ) 👩😮 She appeared in numerous other t.v. shows of that era, too ( 1970’s ) mostly in police and detective series 📺👮‍♂️🕵️‍♂️ A Very Alluring and Sensuous Woman, Indeed 👩❤️❤️❤️

[@oilertitan7913]

She looks like Sharon Tate-@@charlesmartel5907

[@seank.9764]

Haunting episode! The house always reminded me of Sharon Tate’s murder house. The horrific irony is that Joanna Pettit was Sharon’s lunch guest on the afternoon before the murders. One of the last people to see Sharon and those other poor people alive.

[@djhutchison]

Thank you for this. I'd been trying to remember your #1, and what series it belonged to for the longest time.