Twilight Zone: Season 1, Episode 12 What You Need
(25 Dec. 1959)
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Twilight Zone: Season 1, Episode 12 What You Need
(25 Dec. 1959)
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| Watch Episode 0Share... |
| Episode complete credited cast: | |||
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Steve Cochran | ... |
Fred Renard
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Ernest Truex | ... |
Pedott
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Read Morgan | ... |
Lefty
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| Arlene Martel | ... |
Girl in Bar
(as Arline Sax)
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William Edmonson | ... |
Bartender
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Doris Karnes | ... |
Woman
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Fred Kruger | ... |
Man on Street
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Norman Sturgis | ... |
Hotel Clerk
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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.
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.