TWILIGHT ZONE, THE: STEEL (TV)

Summary

One in this science fiction/fantasy anthology series hosted by Rod Serling.

It is the near future, and boxing has been outlawed; robot automatons battle each other in the ring instead. One of these robots, “Battling Maxo,” arrives in Kansas accompanied by his owner, former heavyweight boxer “Steel” Kelly, and his mechanic Pole. They have fallen on hard times lately; Maxo is an outdated model and is in poor working condition. Kelly insists that Maxo can still fight, but Pole disagrees, especially since Maxo’s opponent is a newer and much stronger model of robot.

Kelly and Pole look over Maxo’s internal systems and test him out before the fight. Maxo breaks down and cannot be repaired. Kelly, realizing that the audience does not know what Maxo looks like, decides to step into the ring and pose as Maxo. Pole pleads with Kelly that the opponent robot could kill him, but he reluctantly assists Kelly and puts him in the ring. The audience continually taunts and jeers “Maxo” when he enters. The fight is brief; Kelly is easily defeated and badly injured. After the fight, Pole collects their payment, but they are only awarded half what they were promised. Despite all these setbacks, Kelly is still determined to get Maxo back on his feet. Commercials deleted.

Details

• NETWORK: CBS
• DATE: October 4, 1963 9:30 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:24:59
• COLOR/B&W: B&W
• CATALOG ID: B:34429
• GENRE: Drama, fantasy/science fiction
• SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, fantasy/science fiction
• SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1959-1964
• COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

• Bert Granet … Producer
• Don Weis … Director
• Rod Serling … Created by
• Richard Matheson … Writer
• Van Cleave … Music by
• Rod Serling … Host
• Lee Marvin … Cast, "Steel" Kelly
• Joe Mantell … Cast, Pole
• Chuck Hicks … Cast, Maynard Flash
• Merritt Bohn … Cast, Nolan
• Frank London … Cast, Maxwell