TWILIGHT ZONE, THE: A GAME OF POOL (TV)
Summary
One in this science fiction/fantasy anthology series hosted by Rod Serling.
The story opens as obsessed pool player Jesse Cardiff practices alone in a dark, empty pool hall. He laments that everyone compares him to the legendary deceased pool player James Howard Brown, known as “Fats” Brown, and shouts that he’d give anything for one game with Fats. Much to Jesse’s surprise, Fats himself appears in the pool hall, summoned from an ethereal pool table by Jesse’s challenge. Fats proclaims that if Jesse wishes to play him, the stakes are life and death. Jesse is hesitant at first, but speaks his monomaniacal dedication to the game and accepts.
The game progresses, dragging on through the night. Jesse is winning at first, but Fats makes a comeback and as the end nears the score is nearly tied. Along the way, Fats lectures Jesse about life outside of pool and the true meaning of being the best at something. The game comes down to a single ball, which Jesse fumbles due to a timely distraction by Fats. However, Fats deliberately sabotages his own shot, effectively conceding the game to Jesse. Jesse makes the shot and Fats, relieved, disappears. Jesse triumphantly declares himself the best, but finds that, as Fats warned him, he ended up with more than he bargained for. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: October 13, 1961 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:24:50
- COLOR/B&W: B&W
- CATALOG ID: B:55453
- GENRE: Fantasy/science fiction
- SUBJECT HEADING: Fantasy/science fiction
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1959-1964
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Buck Houghton … Producer
- Buzz Kulik … Director
- Rod Serling … Created by
- George Clayton Johnson … Writer
- Rod Serling … Host
- Jack Klugman … Cast, Jesse Cardiff
- Jonathan Winters … Cast, James Howard "Fats" Brown