This is a pretty good effort. The Truman Bradley part had to do with time (in the episode, "Time is just a place"). The story is a simple one. A new couple has moved in next door and they act in a rather off manner. He is an inventor. As a matter of fact, he has invented a roving vacuum cleaner, not unlike the ones we can buy today that move about the house in our absence. He also has a flashlight that acts as an x-ray device. The nice guy gets nosey and begins to check out the stranger. At a dinner party, the strange man relates a science fiction story he is writing. It's about a group of time travelers who have left a planet because of the oppressive environment. Unfortunately, those in power have sent agents out to look for them. During a particularly severe electrical storm, things fall apart. This is pretty good television as simple and stark as it is.
5 Reviews
An Old School Sci-Fi Tale from the 50s!
jcaynon-9130312 March 2015
This story was written by the great Jack Finney (author of the classic novel "The Body Snatchers") and had the great Warren Stevens from "Forbidden Planet" and "Star Trek" as an unusual neighbor who supposedly has invented a kind of "Roomba" robot way before the twenty-first century's home appliance is on the scene. Yet, this 'inventor' doesn't know how to unlatch the hood of his car and look for loose wires on his distributor cap.
The basis for this story fits the pattern of the 'Amazing Tales' type of sci-fi stories that showed the introduction of something either a little extraordinary or a bit weird in the midst of our every day lives from writers like Finney, Knight, Heinlein, and Sturgeon. The story translates well to the television screen and is stark in its presentation yet tidy. The only problem with the story is that it doesn't really have a twist at the end. It's extremely linear from beginning to end, so the viewer knows how it's going to turn out way before he/she gets to the end of the episode.
So to sum up: it's effective but could have been better.
The basis for this story fits the pattern of the 'Amazing Tales' type of sci-fi stories that showed the introduction of something either a little extraordinary or a bit weird in the midst of our every day lives from writers like Finney, Knight, Heinlein, and Sturgeon. The story translates well to the television screen and is stark in its presentation yet tidy. The only problem with the story is that it doesn't really have a twist at the end. It's extremely linear from beginning to end, so the viewer knows how it's going to turn out way before he/she gets to the end of the episode.
So to sum up: it's effective but could have been better.
Entertaining sci-fi puzzler with a clever resolution
jamesrupert20145 December 2021
The new neighbours seem puzzled by routine technology despite owning an automatic floor cleaner and an X-ray flashlight, plus they are skittish around people and inexplicably terrified of lightning storms. Although Truman Bradley's prologue includes a somewhat goofy-looking robot (Garco) as an example of 'the technology of the future', this is a pretty good entry in the classic trope: 'there's something odd about the people next-door'. Considering the focus of 'Science Fiction Theatre' on science and technology, the resolution of the story is almost self-accusatory. Helmed by prolific sci-fi director Jack Arnold, with a good story and acting, this episode is considered one of the best in the highly-rated vintage sci-fi anthology. The futuristic 'sonic broom' foreshadows 'Roombas' although the contemporary iRobot cyber-maid just picks up dirt, doesn't eliminate it as well (and lacks a cool spinning antenna). Good flashback fun to futurism 50s style.
Neat little time travel tale
gordonl5610 January 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Don Defore and Marie Windsor are just an average everyday couple living in an average everyday suburb. A new couple move in next door and strange things start to happen with Defore and Windsor's house. Strange noises, appliances not working and then starting up on their own. Defore asks the new couple if they are having the same problems. "No" the new couple respond as a "robot" passes behind them. Seems the new couple are from the future and are hiding out in Defore's time. They are on the run from the despotic government that rules with an iron fist during their time. Government agents from said government show up, capture the two, and whisk them back to the future. Sort of a precursor to the "Terminator" films. Good early sci-fi.
Gord
Gord
Meaning?
lor_5 January 2024
Though the episode title's meaning continues to stump me, this Science Fiction Theatre show is both educational and quite intriguing. With fine acting by all three principal characters, I found it among the show's most entertaining 1/2 hours.
Warren Stevens' strange behavior signals from the beginning that he is a fish out of water, and the show was riveting when he compared notes with would be-inventor Don DeFore, wonderful in an everyman role, easy to identify with.
The ending is a bit abrupt, likely because the show is constricted by its short running time. But the imagination of a story like this lingers, not dated for sc-fi from so long ago.
Warren Stevens' strange behavior signals from the beginning that he is a fish out of water, and the show was riveting when he compared notes with would be-inventor Don DeFore, wonderful in an everyman role, easy to identify with.
The ending is a bit abrupt, likely because the show is constricted by its short running time. But the imagination of a story like this lingers, not dated for sc-fi from so long ago.
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