What You Need (25 Dec. 1959)
"The Twilight Zone" What You Need (original title)

A small time crook plans to exploit an old street peddler who has the uncanny knack of selling people exactly what they will shortly need.

Director:

Alvin Ganzer

Writers:

Rod Serling (teleplay by), Henry Kuttner (based on the short story by),

Stars:

Steve Cochran, Ernest Truex, Read Morgan

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Steve Cochran	...	Fred Renard
Ernest Truex	...	Pedott
Read Morgan	...	Lefty
Arlene Martel	...	Girl in Bar (as Arline Sax)
William Edmonson	...	Bartender
Doris Karnes	...	Woman
Fred Kruger	...	Man on Street
Norman Sturgis	...	Hotel Clerk

Storyline

A small time crook plans to exploit an old street peddler who has the uncanny knack of selling people exactly what they will shortly need.

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Plot Keywords:

peddler | gift | murder plot | salesman | smoking | 

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Genres:

Fantasy | Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 1959 (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 episode inspired the song of the same name by British post-punk band The Fall from their acclaimed 1985 album 'This Nation's Saving Grace'.

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Goofs

Pedott (Truex) is shown in the opening scene going from person to person selling odds-and-ends in a bar. He approaches Lefty, who does not know him, whereupon the bartender tells Lefty that "the old coot is in here every night". The bartender later says that Lefty is in the bar "seven nights a week." Since both men are in the bar every night and Pedott tries to sell to everyone, Lefty should have already have been familiar with Pedott.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Bartender: You ready for another?
Fred Renard: I'm fine.
Bartender: You've been fine for an hour. We sell booze here, mister. We don't just rent space.
Fred Renard: Is that a fact?
Bartender: That's a fact, buddy.
Fred Renard: How would you like to take a flying jump at the moon?

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Connections

Version of Tales of Tomorrow: What You Need (1952)

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Soundtracks

"Blues"
(uncredited)
Written by Stan Tracey

User Reviews

Cleaning fluid, a bus ticket, a leaking pen, whatever it might be - he knows what you need.

Based on a short story by Henry Kuttner and C. L. Moore, this episode of The Twilight Zone is all about a peddler named Pedott who travels around the streets and bars in the evening and seems to be able to give people exactly what they need (hence the episode being named "What You Need"). When Fred Renard (played by Steve Cochran) sees the man at work he realises that this could be the way to reverse the bad luck that has plagued his life. But once you get what you need and your luck IS changed then, well, you no longer need anything else. Just how will Fred be able to keep exploiting the situation for his own gain?

Directed by Alvin Ganzer, this is a nice, gentle tale that manages to mix intrigue with the supernatural element and some great characters. Arlene Martel and Read Morgan are both very good as a couple of bar patrons who are given what they need, Ernest Truex is wonderful as Pedott, happy to help everyone he meets in seemingly small ways. Steve Cochran plays Fred Renard with a great mix of menace and cockiness, it's clear that he thinks he has found a good thing that he never has to see escape his greedy clutches.

From start to finish, this has a nice feel that places the events squarely in The Twilight Zone, which is as it should be, of course. The main dynamic between Renard and Pedott is the same as the dynamic between any greedy thug and the mark that he wants to squeeze dry but Pedott's ability ensures some wonderful twists and turns as the episode builds up to a great punchline with a lovely little coda to top everything off.