As a lifelong fan of science fiction and horror, I can’t help but marvel at the rich history and intricate roots that some of our most beloved genre stories have. The Twilight Zone, a staple of my late-night viewing since I was a kid, has always been a favorite for its unique blend of suspense, social commentary, and the supernatural. And learning about the radio origins of one of its most iconic episodes, “The Hitch-Hiker,” only deepens my appreciation for this timeless series.
One variation could be: The iconic sci-fi horror anthology series, The Twilight Zone, (which you can catch on SYFY) draws inspiration from numerous sources, including well-known short stories, original concepts, and even an Academy Award-winning short film. However, there’s only one episode of The Twilight Zone that originated on the radio.
Rod Serling, famed as a pioneer in American TV, was actually born before television became popular, so his initial encounters with genre stories were through books, cinemas, and the radio – a time when radio dramas were highly influential in storytelling within the U.S. It’s therefore not surprising that while brainstorming for the first season of The Twilight Zone, Serling drew inspiration from a radio play he had heard years ago, ultimately resulting in a timeless television episode.
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The radio origins of The Twilight Zone episode “The Hitch-Hiker”
As a gamer, I can’t help but draw parallels between my virtual horror game experiences and an iconic episode of The Twilight Zone: “The Hitch-Hiker.” In this chilling tale, a character (me) embarks on a road trip, only to find myself constantly encountering the same enigmatic hitchhiker (Leonard Strong). The more I travel, the more uneasy and paranoid I become, as it seems this spectral figure isn’t just pursuing me, but haunting my every step.
Although Rod Serling personally penned the script for “The Hitch-Hiker” episode, it wasn’t an entirely original concept. Instead, it was based on a radio play of the same name, written by Lucille Fletcher. As revealed in Marc Scott Zicree’s book “The Twilight Zone Companion”, Serling had initially come across the story back in 1941, when Orson Welles produced and starred in a broadcast of Fletcher’s play. The tale made such an impression on Serling that he sought out the rights for it when creating “The Twilight Zone”. During this adaptation process, some alterations were made, including changing the main character from a man to a woman, who was named Nan – a name inspired by Rod Serling’s daughter Anne. However, Anne Serling later expressed apprehension about having her name associated with such an unsettling story.
Regarding Fletcher, she expressed regret over Serling’s alterations to her original work, yet she offered praise for the main actress in the episode.
Fletcher stated in Zicree’s book that neither adapting his play for television nor changing the gender of the main character was suggested to him. He added that if he had been consulted, he would have disapproved because, while Inger Stevens gave a great performance, he feels a female in that role didn’t enhance his play. In fact, he believes the dramatic impact was reduced as a result.
Despite Fletcher’s reservations, however, “The Hitch-Hiker” has since evolved into one of the most cherished and admired episodes from The Twilight Zone, a fact that frequently overshadows its original creation. This is something that many fans may not realize.
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2024-10-24 23:01