Own the rights?
I thought I was going to enjoy most of this episode - I wasn't sure how I'd react to madmen and demon-talk, but I like Ray Bradbury OK, and I knew I could appreciate both stories involving wishes and a character for Shakespeare, and ones involving a game with the devil. I was pretty disappointed in the middle sequence, but luckily the others each proved at least satisfactory for me. "Act Break" was probably the best Maury Winkler (James Coco - from "Man of La Mancha") and his partner/friend Harry (Bob Dishy - from "Damn Yankees") need to write another decent play soon, or they'll lose their office they can't pay the rent on. While going over how their English upperclasswoman character should meet her demise, Harry suffers a heart attack but manages to tell Maury that his rescue from death before by the amulet he carries around wasn't just a story -the stone grants one wish per person, and he begs Maury to wish him back to life should he die. Maury is first shocked then thoughtful, wondering what to wish for, when Harry, still alive, wonders why he's hesitating then really does take his last breath. Maury begs Harry to forgive him then wishes to find the best playwright ever to work with him - then somehow finds himself transported back in time. When the nearby writer turns so he can see him, he's thunderstruck to see that this is William Shakespeare himself, played well by Bob Dishy, enough for me not to recognize him from Harry's character. The Bard thinks Maury is one of string of annoying servants so is ready to kick him out, but Maury begs him to let him stay, and glances at his latest play "Timon of Athens". Shakespeare is surprised he can read, and admits he's having bad luck writing and "Timon of Athens" is the best he's come out with for a while so will unhappily submit it. Maury protests that it's good but not "Hamlet". Before he can commend him for writing that, Shakespare asks about it, showing he hasn't written it yet. In a neat plot-turn, Maury gives him a brief outline of the beginning of the play and Shakespare picks up on the main part, though Maury gives some details...Shakespeare wonders whether he can write too, and Maury realizes he's about to be asked to pitch in. He remembers the amulet and, before wishing, promises his late friend he'll restore him, but Shakespeare snatches it, refusing to return it until he helps him with the play...the question is, how will Maury get out? This was good, though I was a bit disappointed that the writers didn't make mention that "Hamnet" as Shakespare kept referring to the play was actually his son's name that didn't have anything in common but was obscurely connected with the play (he died as Will was finishing it). Also, Shakespeare speaks more like one of his characters than an Elizabethan-era man. On the other hand, I loved the score and I'll say it again: the plot was great. I was sorry I couldn't say the same for "The Burning Man" - I like some of the less-appreciated Ray Bradbury stories that have yet to be shown on screen, but can't understand why the ones I see aren't ones I've read...or can appreciate. This one featured a hitchhiker who enthralls/worries the boy and annoys his driving aunt that on a roasting-hot day such as today, while they drive their old car to the lake, is a day when locust-type characters of genetic evil show up and consume...nature and people alike. She finally kicks the man out under threat of various religious objects (that aren't) stashed in the car. On the way back, it's late afternoon but the kid is already a tad nervous. Thhings take an interesting turn later, but I can hardly say it was impressive. I couldn't help thinking the whole thing was annoying - the reactions the pair showed the hitchhiker when they so obviously wanted him to shut up was beyond me. The sound heard of a locust was short and not too loud, so I was lucky to catch it. The alibi the boy hitchhiker gives is weak and I'm surprised nobody saw it. And the ending is just dead confusing since we don't know what happens, who we're dealing with, if there's any connection between the mysterious characters...luckily, it's short. "Dealer's Choice" is more interesting. I'll admit I don't have much experience with poker, but the plot was creative with a sit-in "cousin" to one of the players (Dan Hedaya) is suspected to be unusual since he's won 3 straight games and each time deals a trio of 6s. In a way so casual it annoyed me, Tony (pre-fame Morgan Freeman), Jake (Garrett Morris), and Peter (M. Emmet Walsh) realize this guy must be the Devil. They find out he's not a sit-in, and is there to collect a soul. They play poker to figure out whose (stupidly, the Barney Martin character, Marty, is forgotten since he's absent through the whole 60-second game - how did they know it wasn't his?). Pete loses but Tony and Jake plead "Nick" to play Lowball with him - the game where lower cards win, so it's bad news to have pairs, let alone trios...like 3 6s. The game is tense and cleverly-played, the result is wild, and the ending is entertaining. The only thing that drove me nuts was that the devil's name was "Nick" - they named him "victory for the people"? They really have to start watching that stuff! "Act Break" gets a 7, "The Burning Man" a 3, "Dealer's Choice" a 6. It's a 5.
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