Dust (6 Jan. 1961)
"The Twilight Zone" Dust (original title)

Luis Gallegos is scheduled to be hanged in a dusty western town after he was found guilty of killing a child while drunk. Gallegos' father begs everyone for mercy but the Marshal, who ... See full summary »

Director:

Douglas Heyes

Writers:

Rod Serling (creator), Rod Serling

Stars:

Thomas Gomez, John Larch, Vladimir Sokoloff

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Thomas Gomez	...	Peter Sykes
John Larch	...	Sherriff Koch
Vladimir Sokoloff	...	Gallegos
John A. Alonzo	...	Luís Gallegos (as John Alonso)
Paul Genge	...	John Canfield
Dorothy Adams	...	Mrs. Canfield
Duane Grey	...	Rogers
Jon Lormer	...	Man (as John Lormer)
Andrea Darvi	...	Estrelita Gallegos (as Andrea Margolis)
Doug Heyes Jr.	...	Farmer Boy (as Douglas Heyes)

Storyline

Luis Gallegos is scheduled to be hanged in a dusty western town after he was found guilty of killing a child while drunk. Gallegos' father begs everyone for mercy but the Marshal, who doesn't think the prisoner is a bad sort, has little choice but to proceed with the sentence. Peter Gomez decides to take advantage of the situation by selling the father his 'magic dust' that will make the townsfolk take pity on his son. Events provide for an unexpected conclusion.

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Plot Keywords:

dust | hope | drunk driving | death penalty | despair | 

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Genres:

Fantasy | Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

6 January 1961 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, 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?

Trivia

One of a handful of Twilight Zone episodes to have no overt supernatural or science fiction elements.

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Quotes

[closing narration]
Narrator: It was a very small, misery-laden village on the day of a hanging, and of little historical consequence. And if there's any moral to it at all, let's say that in any quest for magic, in any search for sorcery, witchery, legerdemain, first check the human heart. For inside this deep place, there's a wizardry that costs far more than a few pieces of gold. Tonight's case in point - in the Twilight Zone.

User Reviews

The Worst in Humanity

Minorities have never faired very well. This is no exception as a man attempts to plead for the life of his son, charged with killing a little girl with a wagon. The young man is remorseful but faces old West justice as he faces the gallows. Thrown into the mix is a fat, disgusting man, hoping to benefit buy this sad tale. First he taunts the young man, then attempts to sell a useless bag of dust to the father. The dust is supposed to prevent the death of the son. This man is disgusting in every way. He even has brought his family to witness the execution. Of course, this is the Twilight Zone and some unexpected forces take over. In the pit of this is a lack of basic human decency and racism. Also, the family of the little girl are put through a great deal. It's not a simple story and is quite well done. There is also a darkness overwhelming the setting that contributes to the sickness of it all.