Don't Open Till Doomsday (20 Jan. 1964)

A tiny space creature, bent on destruction, is captured by the scientist Mordecai Spazman. His rival, professor Harvey Kry, convinces the media that Spazman's claims are bogus. The vengeful... See full summary »

Director:

Gerd Oswald

Writer:

Joseph Stefano

Stars:

Miriam Hopkins, John Hoyt, Russell Collins

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Miriam Hopkins	...	Mary Kry
John Hoyt	...	Emmett Balfour
Russell Collins	...	Justice of the Peace
Buck Taylor	...	Gard Hayden
Nellie Burt	...	Justice's Mother
Melinda Plowman	...	Vivia Balfour Hayden
David Frankham	...	Harvey Kry Jr.
Anthony Jochim	...	Dr. Mordecai Spazman

Storyline

A tiny space creature, bent on destruction, is captured by the scientist Mordecai Spazman. His rival, professor Harvey Kry, convinces the media that Spazman's claims are bogus. The vengeful Spazman boxes up the invader's miniature spacecraft as a wedding gift, presenting it to Kry's son. The alien imprisons Harvey Jr. inside the ship, to force Dr. Kry to help him complete his mission.

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Plot Keywords:

miniaturization

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Genres:

Fantasy | Horror | Sci-Fi | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 January 1964 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Daystar Productions, Villa Di Stefano, United Artists Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

51 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Rather weak, but at least Hopkins made my daughter scream!

I've seen every episode of the original "Outer Limits" and must say that, to me, "Don't Open Till Doomsday" is one of the weaker ones. However, it did do one unusual thing--it made my daughter scream. Seriously. When she came in the room, Miriam Hopkins was on screen and her extremely ghoulish appearance literally made by teenage daughter scream!

The show begins back in the 1920s. A young couple has just married and they are about to embark on their honeymoon. However, one of their wedding presents is booby-trapped. Inside the box is a monster--and the monster sucks the groom inside its bizarre world. The scene now switches to the present. The bride is a Miss Havisham-like crazy old lady--STILL waiting for her husband to return by any means necessary. How can she do this---by substituting a poor unsuspecting couple for the husband! It's all pretty creepy but really wasn't all that interesting to me. Part of it might be because Hopkins overacted a bit--part of it might be because the monster looked so utterly ridiculous (even by the series' standards). All I know is that midway through this one, I felt a bit bored.