How a Latter-Day Twilight Zone Classic Almost Disappeared Forever

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Watching the entirety of “The Twilight Zone” isn’t just about catching the popular episodes; it’s a rich and rewarding journey. By doing so, you get to witness the series grow, explore new ideas, and even discover some lesser-known treasures from its later seasons. That’s what makes it such a delight that this timeless series continues to be broadcast multiple times a week on SYFY, giving viewers an opportunity to immerse themselves in its entirety.

But for one latter-day Twilight Zone episode, the joy of reruns almost didn’t happen. 

For More on The Twilight Zone

As a dedicated fan, I’d like to share an interesting tidbit about the early days of “The Twilight Zone.” Originally, the pilot script was discarded as it was considered too dark. However, the visionary mind behind the series, Rod Serling, had plans to transform one of its anti-fascist episodes into a full-length feature film. Interestingly enough, before he graced our screens as Leonard on “Community,” Richard Erdman was freezing time on “The Twilight Zone.

Why “Miniature” almost didn’t make it to Twilight Zone reruns

Back in 1963, during the fourth season, I stumbled upon an extraordinary episode of The Twilight Zone titled “Miniature.” This gem was penned by none other than Charles Beaumont, one of the show’s brilliant minds. The story revolves around a solitary man named Charley, played by Robert Duvall in one of his initial roles, who finds himself drawn to a miniature dollhouse housed within a museum display case.

However, it’s not just the house that captivates Charley; inside this seemingly ordinary dwelling, a life-sized doll (Claire Griswold) appears to him, going about her day as if it were real. I found myself utterly spellbound by this intriguing tale of hidden life and fascination.

In this softer, more subdued episode of “The Twilight Zone,” Charlie develops an affection for a small new companion. However, those around him perceive his feelings as absurd, while Charlie conceals his true emotions to escape psychiatric treatment and return to the dollhouse in search of his cherished friend. Beaumont’s script and Duvall’s acting skillfully bring this heartfelt story to life.

It appears that the short story “Miniature” faced legal trouble due to accusations that its concept was plagiarized from a script titled “The Thirteenth Mannequin,” which was submitted, but not accepted or produced, by the production company of The Twilight Zone. The writer argued that the fundamental idea a solitary man developing affection for an inanimate object was copied from their original work.

Eventually, the lawsuit resulted in the dismissal of the case, but as Zicree pointed out, this legal dispute prevented “Miniature” from being included when The Twilight Zone started airing again on syndication. For decades, this episode remained untouched and could only be recalled by those who watched it in 1963.

Luckily, due to the contemporary era of streaming and syndication, “Miniature” has made a comeback and is once again popular!

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2025-04-14 20:46