Customer Reviews

The Twilight Zone Christmas: Night of the Meek [VHS]

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Rod Serling's yearning for those cherished days long gone or a part of ourselves that we think was lost is always evident in his best works. NIGHT OF THE MEEK is very uplifting and may bring a tear to those who cherish this episode. Art Carney showed us all a great dramatic side and depth which enhances this beyond the ordinary. The fact that this was one of the six episodes of the "Twilight Zone" that were recorded directly onto videotape instead of film gives it that `live' appearance and helps add to its validity as an icon of the days of `good television.' NIGHT OF THE MEEK is pure Serling.

Trust Rod Serling to dream up a Christmas story that combines warm-hearted sentiment with the grittiness and social commentary of a Clifford Odets play. In "The Night of the Meek," Art Carney gives an affecting performance as Henry Corwin, a man in the slums of New York who drinks to endure the poverty and hopelessness he sees around him, and who every year at Christmastime plays Santa Claus in a department store. On one particular Christmas Eve Corwin's despair turns to joy when he is magically granted the ability to give "the meek" - that is, every child and poor adult - his or her Christmas wish. While the episode belongs to Carney, the child-like John Fiedler is cute in the role of Corwin's mousey employer. As Serling suggests in his spoken introduction to this classic episode, "The Night of the Meek" is a "Night before Christmas" story with plot twists such as could only be found in the Twilight Zone.

No fable of the Christmas season warms the heart more than this modern classic. All I wanted that Christmas of 1960 was a new American Flyer electric train. Watching this episode made me realize, really understand for the first time the power and joy of GIVING! I have never forgotten that lesson so wonderfully and sensitively played by Art Carney (and Bert Mustin!). The quality of this video makes one seem as if they were in the recording studio watching the monitor; it's that good! A film to watch forever.

Rod Sterling gave us a wonderful Christmas classic here for those who are fans of the Twilight Zone, AND for those who are not.

Art Carney plays Henry Corwin, a drunken department store santa whose heart is broken over poverty stricken children and elderly at Christmas time. Henry comes across a sack which allows him the opportunity to be santa, not only for the night but for all time as you will see at the end.

This is a charming story and Mr. Carney did an excellent job in portraying Henry.

I won't give away any more of the movie so as not to ruin it for anyone but this is a true Christmas classic and I'm surprised that someone hasn't tried to breathe life into this forgotten masterpiece. It is now a part of my Christmas movie collection and has already been watched numerous times this holiday season.

Art Carney (star of THE HONEYMOONERS)(still has it). What I mean is great acting. Rod Serling is a genious making this episode. This is one of my favorite Twilight Zone episode.

I rate this as one of the best Christmas films to come off of televisions. Compassionate and moving, and not overdone. Arguably the best Twilight Zone.

Every time I watch this I tear up at the end.

This was a hastily done show to get it done in time for Christmas. Serling himself said that there was a holiday spirit on the set, maybe because they had more children than usual on the set.

Art Carney's acting ability makes this episode shine with the magic of the season.

A must have for sentimentalists who still enjoy the Magic of Christmas.

As a modern day Robin Hood, a drunken Santa Claus finds the true meaning of Christmas. The Art of giving not receiving. Too bad the rest of us don't take the lesson that Rod is trying to teach us.

This was undoubtedly the inspiration for the Tim Allen Films. It is one of the best Christmas stories I know of. It is no wonder that this particular episode was set apart and put out as a special VHS tape. I doubt anyone will read this that isn't already familiar with it and fond of it, so there is no point in elaborating on the plot.

The tape plays well in a now nearly obsolete VHS player.

This is a nice short Christmas Story. It's a good video if you like Art Carney and/or Christmas Magic Stories.