Every weekday, we’re going to review an episode of Rod Serling’s classic sci-fi/horror TV series “The Twilight Zone“. We’re starting from the beginning and we will be working our way through every episode the series has offered, including the episodes from the 80’s. You can see all the reviews right here.
“One For the Angels” – Directed by Robert Parrish
Broadcast date: October 9th, 1959
Lou Bookman (Ed Wynn) is a 69-year-old pitchman who hawks his wares, seemingly rather bored by the job, on the streets of an unnamed town. Not very successful and without any family, he is beloved by the local children of the neighborhood who enjoy the toys that he manufactures as well as his constant upbeat attitude.
One day, he encounters a man in a dark suit who reveals himself to be Death, played by Murray Hamilton (Jaws, The Amityville Horror). Mr. Bookman’s time has come and Death is kind enough to give him a heads up to settle any open affairs before he takes him away at midnight. However, Mr. Bookman, ever the salesman, manages to strike a deal with Death that he can live until he makes his greatest pitch ever, one that would be for the angels. Not planning on ever making another pitch again, Mr. Bookman believes he has deceived Death and can go about his life as normal. However, Death must bring back a soul and the clock ticks on towards the witching hour. That’s why he causes a car accident that hits a young girl who Mr. Bookman is particularly fond of. The young girl has in effect taken the place of Mr. Bookman, who is horrified at what he has inadvertently caused. He begs and pleads for Death to take him, that he’s ready. Alas, Death pays him no mind.
That night, Mr. Bookman is sitting on the stairs leading to the young girl’s home. He is determined to stop Death, no matter what it takes. Death arrives 15 minutes early and sits next to Bookman, giving him the chance to set up his suitcase store and pitch Death every item he has while spinning the grandest and wildest of yarns in an attempt to convince him to buy anything. He pushes everything with a gusto and passion that we haven’t seen before. We realize that this is his attempt at redemption, this is his driving need to save that young girl from being taken away before her time. And he succeeds. He gave a pitch for the angels and happily walks with Death towards his next journey.
The previous episode “Where Is Everybody?” ended on a somewhat sinister note. We saw Mike being taken away after his mental breakdown with the knowledge that he will have to attempt the same kind of solitude in the near future. With “One For the Angels”, the series showed that in two episodes we could go from sinister and foreboding to sweet and moving.
Mr. Bookman isn’t a bad guy. In fact, he’s a rather charming and pleasant fella. He obviously cares deeply about all the kids in the neighborhood and wants to make sure they have a childhood memories that will bring smiles to their face in later years. He gives them toys without expectation and plans ice cream parties. He’s simply a sweet old man who is trying to make ends meet and put smiles on the faces of those around him.
Death too isn’t a bad person. Sure, he is there to take a soul but he is a man doing his job and he offers Mr. Bookman an opportunity for a second chance. It’s only when he’s taken advantage of that he reveals his darker, more practical nature. But the episode never shies away from showing Death as having some semblance of humanity, which makes him all the more engaging and relatable of a character. This incarnation of Death is one that, should we ever encounter him, we shouldn’t fear. Rather, we can appreciate his presence and the time he gives us.
It’s a beautiful episode, no doubt about it. It’s the kind of entry in “The Twilight Zone” that proves we don’t have only fear and worry ahead of us. We also have hope and beauty. Rod Serling’s closing monologue states that Mr. Bookman was, “……throughout his life a man beloved by the children and, therefore, a most important man.”
Would that we all left such an impression.
