June 24, 1983
Twilight Zone: The Movie is a 1983 American science fiction anthology film produced by Steven Spielberg and John Landis. Based on Rod Serling's 1959–1964 television series of the same name, the film features four stories directed by Landis, Spielberg, Joe Dante, and George Miller. Landis' segment is an original story created for the film, while the segments by Spielberg, Dante, and Miller are remakes of episodes from the original series. The film's cast includes Dan Aykroyd, Albert Brooks, Scatman Crothers, John Lithgow, Vic Morrow, and Kathleen Quinlan. Original series cast members Burgess Meredith, Patricia Barry, Peter Brocco, Murray Matheson, Kevin McCarthy, Bill Mumy, and William Schallert also appear in the film, with Meredith assuming Serling's role as narrator.
The film's production achieved notoriety when Morrow and two illegally hired child actors were killed in an helicopter crash during the filming of Landis's segment. The deaths led to several years of legal action; although no individuals were found to be criminally liable, new procedures and safety standards were imposed in the filmmaking industry. Upon release, the film received mixed reviews, with praise directed at Dante and Miller's segments, but criticism towards the segments by Landis and Spielberg. Despite the controversy and mixed reception, it was a commercial success, grossing $42 million on a $10 million budget.
Storyline[]
This tribute to the beloved supernatural TV show has four episodes. In the first, racist Bill Connor (Vic Morrow) is transformed into a Jew in World War II. Next, Mr. Bloom (Scatman Crothers) comes to a retirement home to teach the residents that they are only as young as they feel. In the third, teacher Helen Foley (Kathleen Quinlan) meets Antony (Jeremy Licht), a boy who is not what he seems. Finally, panicky plane passenger John Valentine (John Lithgow) sees gremlins attacking his flight.
Sound Effects Used[]
- DePatie-Freleng Lightning (Needs clarification.)
- Disney Castle Thunder
- Sound Ideas, BOING, CARTOON - BIG, LONG BOING
- Sound Ideas, CARTOON, DIVING BOARD - WOODEN DIVING BOARD RATTLE
- Sound Ideas, CARTOON, DOG - WILD DOG AND CAT FIGHT WITH CRASHES (Heard from the television showing a Looney Tunes cartoon.)
- Sound Ideas, CARTOON, PLUNGER - RUBBER PLUNGER WORKING ON FLOOR, SUCTION CUP
- Sound Ideas, CARTOON, WHISTLE - FLUTTER WHISTLE: SHORT FLUTTER 01
- Sound Ideas, CARTOON, WHIZZ - FAST WHIZZ BY
- Sound Ideas, GUN, RICOCHET - SHORT THIN RICOCHET, BULLET 02
- Sound Ideas, HORN, CARTOON - CAR HORN BLASTS
- Sound Ideas, RICOCHET - CARTOON RICCO 06
- Sound Ideas, RICOCHET - CARTOON RICCO 07 (Heard in reverse.)
- Sound Ideas, RUN, CARTOON - TEMPLE BLOCK RIOT, SHORT (Can be heard in a low volume.)
- Sound Ideas, THUNDER - BIG THUNDER CLAP AND RUMBLE, WEATHER 04
- Sound Ideas, THUNDER - THUNDER CLAP AND RUMBLE, WEATHER 01 (H-B)
- Sound Ideas, ZIP, CARTOON - ZURUP
- Taz Spin
- WB CARTOON, HEAD SHAKE - TROMBONE GOBBLE
- WB CARTOON, WHISTLE - SPINNING WHISTLE
- WARNER BROS. THUNDER 01
- WARNER BROS. THUNDER 02
Image Gallery[]