The Chaser (13 May 1960)
"The Twilight Zone" The Chaser (original title)

A young man obsessed with winning over an uninterested beauty gets more than he bargained for when he buys a love potion to gain her affection.

Director:

Douglas Heyes

Writers:

Robert Presnell Jr. (teleplay by), John Collier (based on the short story by),

Stars:

John McIntire, Patricia Barry, George Grizzard

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
John McIntire	...	Prof. A. Daemon
Patricia Barry	...	Leila
George Grizzard	...	Roger Shackleforth
J. Pat O'Malley	...	Homburg
Marjorie Bennett	...	Old Woman
Barbara Perry	...	Blonde Woman
Rusty Wescoatt	...	Tall Man

Storyline

Roger Shackleforth is madly in love with a beautiful young woman, Leila, who wants nothing to do with him. Monopolizing the pay phone in a diner, someone waiting to make a call refers him to Professor A. Daemon, a seller of books and various potions. When Roger learns that he can buy a love potion for $1, he jumps at the opportunity. The Professor tries to subtly warn him off but he happily buys the potion anyways. It certainly works on Leila but after six months, Roger is back to the Professor to find a solution to his new life.

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Plot Keywords:

love potion | voice over narration | based on short story | marriage | unrequited love | 

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Genres:

Fantasy | Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 May 1960 (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

This was the only episode of the first season of "The Twilight Zone" that was written by someone besides Rod Serling, Charles Beaumont, or Richard Matheson.

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Quotes

Professor A. Daemon: Always the same way. First the stimulant... then the chaser.

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Connections

Version of Tales from the Crypt: Loved to Death (1991)

User Reviews

They must have had a blast making this.

They must have had a blast making this.

Douglas Heyes is one of my favorite Zone helmers, starting with what may be the most disconcerting Zone, "And When the Sky Was Opened," but also, "Elegy" "The After Hours" and "The Howling Man." Of course, he was also the director of two "could see this coming a mile away" entries: "The Invaders" and "Eye of the Beholder," but hey, those are still popular entries.

"The Chaser" is one of those tight, efficient, and truly humorous Zones with excellent acting (and plenty of chops materials for those actors), an ingenious set, and an ending that probably would upset Planned Parenthood (yes!). Patricia Barry was one of the most beautiful creatures ever to grace screen or earth (reminds me of a pin-up painting come to life).

If I were teaching a screen-writing or directing class, this gem would be in the curriculum.