Enormously obese British character actor Francis L. Sullivan is the whole show in this mostly talky thriller from the "Lights Out" anthology series that takes nearly a third of its half hour running time before it introduces him. He's mentioned throughout though, described simply as the fat man. Presumably the lead character in a dream, he is everything but. In fact, you could refer to him as a living nightmare, a visitor from a far away land with a strange agenda. Once Sullivan is on screen, it is difficult to forget him or even upstage him, and like that other villainous fat man, Sydney Green street, he is a total scene stealer. You can't call him the poor man's Sydney Greenstreet because his credentials are equally as impressive. Seeing this will give you insight, as it did me, and you may be surprised by the number of classics you've already seen him in.
4 Reviews
Another good Lights Out Episode
searchanddestroy-12 January 2015
The plot has already been told above, so I won't repeat it. It is simple and intriguing in the same time. If Laird Cregar has not been dead in 1944, he would have probably got the evil character here. Because this fat actor was the most known in Hollywood at that time. Anyway Francis Sullivan is convincing enough to keep you interested in this short tale. Too short, I think. So shame this episode couldn't be a bit longer. I won't reveal you the story any further, I won't spoil you this short tale. But if you can take it, don't hesitate. There are still many épisodes from this early television shows that are saved from destruction, supposing they were recorded at the time of their airing, in the early fifties. As were TALES OF THE UNKNOWN or SUSPENSE series.
Bad beyond belief
jameselliot-110 July 2021
The story is the all-time worst fantasy-sci tale I've ever seen. The dialogue is idiotic and the acting is grade- school level except for Sullivan's snotty British manner as a mystery fat man sending earthlings to another planet for the usual repopulation scheme. The sets are sub-poverty row.
Epically Bad Television
maggdoodle8 March 2024
You almost watch to see how bad it can be. Well you'll be pleased cause it's really, really bad. Lousy dialogue which is far better than the acting. They forget lines only to realize that the actual lines would make less sense than the ones they try to make up. I actually dread watching everytime my husband turns it on. I think he secretly enjoys how bad these are as he spent his career in TV. He knows "live" TV is hard but even he is struggling to understand just how awful the stories, scripts and actors are. I would recommend that with thousands of TV shows out there to watch that you just skip this one.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
