Kick the Can (9 Feb. 1962)
"The Twilight Zone" Kick the Can (original title)

An old man living in a rest home thinks he's found the secret of youth in children's games.

Director:

Lamont Johnson

Writers:

George Clayton Johnson, Rod Serling (creator)

Stars:

Ernest Truex, Russell Collins, John Marley

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Ernest Truex	...	Charles Whitley
Russell Collins	...	Ben Conroy
John Marley	...	Sunnyvale Superintendant Cox
Hank Patterson	...	Freitag
Earle Hodgins	...	Agee (as Earl Hodgins)
Marjorie Bennett	...	Mrs. Summers
Lenore Shanewise	...	Mrs. Densley
Anne O'Neal	...	Mrs. Wister
Burt Mustin	...	Carlson

Storyline

Charles Whitley is an elderly resident of Sunnyvale Rest, a home for the aged. It's not a happy place and Charles' hopes of moving in with his son David are dashed when he's told they can't take him in. He wistfully recalls his youth where they played kick the can and didn't have a worry in the world. His close friend Ben Conroy begins to worry him when Charles suggests all you have to do is wish it, and you can be young again. Ben is worried his friend will end up in the loony bin but it's Ben who is in for a surprise.

---

Plot Keywords:

game | elderly woman | friend | hide and seek | cynicism | 

---

Genres:

Fantasy | Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 February 1962 (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

The title refers to a children's game related to tag, hide and seek, and capture the flag which can be played outdoors, with as many as three to a few dozen players. The game is one of skill, strategy, and stealth as well as fleetness.

---

Quotes

Mr. Cox: I'll bet Whitley's taken them all down to the orchard. Come on!
Ben Conroy: Look all you want, Mr. Cox, you won't find them.

---

Connections

Remade as Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983)

User Reviews

It's Got a Good Heart

While this is one of the best known episodes, it isn't as noteworthy as some say. It involves one who does not want to go gentle into that good night. He is fed up with the old people at the old folks home, because, in his mind, they have given up. Now, let's realize that these folks are pretty lethargic and the man who runs the home is quite the Nazi. So he's probably right. What always bothered me is the idea that we have to return to being young children. Is this really the happiest time? I don't know. If this guy was in the same place I was, I would find a way to push him out a second story window. It's the old thing that there is a no it all in the setting, and if we don't follow his lead, there is something wrong. What we perceive as a dignified withdrawal is part of aging and, in some ways, this guy is a bit of a threat. The other thing is that these people are pretty clichéd residents. it was nice to see Bert Mustin again. I always liked him.