Customer Reviews

The Twilight Zone Radio Dramas Collection 4

"The Passersby" - starring Morgan Brittany (supermodel and she also appeared as Katherine Wentworth on "Dallas", as well as tons of staple shows from the sixties). Morgan does a credible job here. She gives it a good effort and it pays off. Her Southern accent is sweet and convincing. Where this one falls down is the use of a bland supporting cast. The role of The Seargent was masterfully played by James Gregory in the original but the person playing it here clearly doesn't have much.
Stacy Keach, for some reason, pops in to play Abraham Lincoln at the end before delivering the closing narration. The casting of Keach as host still remains a mystery to me...give me Rod Serling any day.

"The Rip Van Winkle Caper" - starring Tim Kazurinsky.
Kazurinsky gives the main character, Mr. Farwell, an English accent, which is a nice touch. Also laudable are some great sound effects and the addition of a train heist (which is only referred to in the original).

"Four O'Clock" - starring Stan Freberg. Freberg has a good time playing the part, much as Theodore Bikel did in the original.
However, the story itself was one of Serling's paler attempts.
In fact, it was adapted from a short story that itself is rather brief and unimaginative.

"The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street" - starring Frank John Hughes. You have to listen closely for Hughes' part...there are four other male neighbors who are equally vocal in the Maple Street skurmish. The supporting cast are very good...perhaps better than the actors in the original version. Just my opinion, but I always felt that the TV version was a little too pretentious, much like "The Shelter". Good sound effects here as well, especially at the end where the 'monsters' make their appearance.