Original Airdate: January 20, 1964
In the box, no one can hear you scream. (Can’t take credit for that – my son came up with it).
Man I love this series. Another well remembered episode about the nasty monster in a box – actually a wedding present, how thoughtful!! David Frankham (“NIGHTMARE”) is the doomed groom from 1929. And Miriam Hopkins is great as Mrs. Kry, his aging bride gone mad. I enjoy her more and more with each viewing. The performance has a kind of “WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE” feel to it. A descent into mental illness propelled by an obsession to regain her lost love. The bear seems to get ripped by reviewers today, but I think it’s a great lookin’ thing – a one-eyed globby with a chromoite-type voice and lots of time on its hand, er extension.
I really like Conrad Hall’s dark photography in and around the creepy old house, and the dialogue again has lots of biting moments – “Stairs can be so treacherous...”, etc. This one also features cool ragtime music, which I believe was contributed by fellow OL composer Roger Van Eps, in addition to the great Dominic Frontiere themes. This was another ep that gave me the creeps as a kid. Just the thought of a small, evil creature in an ordinary box was enough to get me. And the fundamental component helped complete the nightmare.
“Doomsday is knocking at my door.”
