As a seasoned gamer and ardent fan of classic TV shows like The Twilight Zone, I can’t help but appreciate the intricacies that went into creating one of its most memorable episodes – “The Howling Man.” Having spent countless hours immersed in various digital worlds, I’ve learned to cherish the subtle details that often make a story truly captivating.
At times, it’s the smallest aspects that can make all the difference, much like the creators of the original _Twilight Zone_ (often aired on SYFY) discovered while working on Season 2’s “The Howling Man.” As a dedicated gamer, I can relate to this experience, knowing that sometimes, the tiniest tweaks can lead to the most significant improvements in a game.
This classic episode, penned by Charles Beaumont himself, based on his original short story, revolves around the character of David Ellington, played by H.M. Wyant, an American tourist. While touring post-World War I Europe on foot, he encounters a secluded monastery inhabited by peculiar monks armed with staffs. Despite his illness and disorientation, Ellington is drawn to a rundown cell where he hears a persistent, wolf-like howl. Inside, there’s a man with a long beard and tattered clothes (Robin Hughes) who seems ordinary at first glance.
As stated by the leader of the Hermitage, Brother Jerome (played by John Carradine), the captive isn’t an ordinary human being, but rather “the very embodiment of evil!” Initially doubtful about such a startling claim, Ellington decides to release the detainee. Unfortunately for him, it turns out that Jerome was speaking the truth.
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The Twilight Zone‘s “Howling Man” episode caused a rift between writer Charles Beaumont and director Douglas Heyes
After Ellington takes away the “Staff of Truth,” imprisoned evil breaks free and overpowers its redeemer. With a deceptive edit, it morphs into the classic depiction of the devil – adorned with a cape and horns – before disappearing in a cloud of smoke. This rather campy transformation sparked a creative disagreement between Beaumont, who favored leaving some mystery by showing only a hoof, and director Douglas Heyes, who preferred a more straightforward portrayal.
As a devoted admirer, I can relate to Beaumont’s preference for his own writing style as he expresses in Marc Scott Zicree’s “The Twilight Zone Companion.” However, speaking from the perspective of a director, I feel there’s an artistic twist to my appreciation. You see, I began as an artist myself, and like to witness the visual spectacles I envision. If I assure the viewers that there are three thousand Indians on the other side of that hill, I yearn not just to glimpse one feather peeking behind a rock—I crave to observe three thousand Indians in all their glory!
A new argument surfaced concerning the items the cloaked monks should bear during the event. Originally, the plan was to have large crosses, but Heyes worried this could spark a religious dispute by linking the monastery too closely with Christianity. “I said, ‘As soon as you do that, you’re at risk from all the various religious groups who resent using a Christian symbol,'” Heyes recollected. “So I suggested we find something else instead,” he continued. “In the end, I replaced the crosses with staffs, but Beaumont wasn’t pleased about it either.
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2024-12-06 19:46