A Hundred Yards over the Rim (7 Apr. 1961)
"The Twilight Zone" A Hundred Yards over the Rim (original title)

A pioneer from a wagon train in 1847 sets off to find something for his ill son and stumbles into present day New Mexico.

Director:

Buzz Kulik

Writers:

Rod Serling, Rod Serling (creator)

Stars:

Cliff Robertson, John Crawford, Evans Evans

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Cliff Robertson	...	Christian Horn
John Crawford	...	Joe - Diner Proprietor
Evans Evans	...	Mary Lou - Joe's Wife
Edward Platt	...	Doctor (as Ed Platt)
Miranda Jones	...	Martha Horn
Ken Drake	...	Man
Robert McCord	...	Sheriff (as Robert L. McCord III)
Jennifer Bunker	...	Woman
John Astin	...	Charlie

Storyline

Christian Horn is member of an 1847 wagon train headed west. They are 1500 miles from St. Louis and are now in the New Mexico desert. Many in the wagon train are ready to turn back but Chris wants everyone to persevere. His son has had a fever for 11 days now and Chris goes off looking for water, only 100 yards or so from the others and suddenly finds himself in the present day. He can't quite bring himself to believe what he sees or where he is but those he meets believe he's a man from the past. The trip in time does have one positive outcome.

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Plot Keywords:

pioneer | new mexico | wagon train | sickness | desert | 

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Genres:

Fantasy | Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 April 1961 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Olancha Dunes, Olancha, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cayuga Productions, Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

25 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Christian Horn and his family are on a wagon train headed for the New Mexico Territory in 1847. The New Mexico Territory was established in 1850, on land that Mexico ceded to the United States in 1848.

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Quotes

[closing narration]
Narrator: Mr. Christian Horn, one of the hardy breed of men who headed west during a time when there were no concrete highways or the solace of civilization. Mr. Christian Horn, and family and party, heading west, after a brief detour to The Twilight Zone.

User Reviews

A Step into the Future

This episode is good because of the realistic portrayals of its characters. They are human and act with compassion and concern. Cliff Robertson plays the leader of a small group of wagons, heading for California. They are nearly done in by the sweltering heat of the New Mexico desert. Robertson goes "over the rim" looking for water and game. He is suddenly transported a hundred years into the future. He meets some nice people who help him, but he is confused and bewildered. Still, he plays the stoic leader that he is and tries to piece things together. Unfortunately, the authorities get involved but he comes to realize the grander plan involved. This is a nice treatment of a story Serling used many times.