The great character actor William Sanderson has a wonderful role in this sad, but ultimately strangely sweet, episode of Twilight Zone titled "The Call" as Norman Blane, a lonelyheart who lives a mundane existence, in a tiny office going over figures for a company, accidentally calling a woman one late night, which initiates a budding relationship as their conversations enhance his outlook on life. Dan Redican is Richard, an exhausted fellow employee who works in the same office as him who asks Norman if he could please give him peace and quiet (Richard enjoyed working in the same office because Norman was quiet, with nothing interesting to say, a statement to just how depressing Blane's life was before Mary-Ann "entered his life") because he has five kids and the job produces the only relief from noise. Julie Khaner is the voice of Mary-Ann, and so much depends on her vocal performance to convey just how this character feels. The reservations for meeting Norman who is head-over-heels for her, the heartbreak after he realizes who she is, the fear of Norman's devotion of love, not being able necessarily to return the favor, and understanding how she had been treated before, calling to Norman to "be with her forever". The conclusion, involving a "statue of bronze", is rather touching and poignant. Sanderson easily gains our sympathy—he's exceptionally adept at portraying characters who seem pathetic and anti-social, yet pitiable and worthy of less miserable existence in this world. Good example of Anderson's working his magic over a viewer who longs for him to find happiness with a special someone who is just as bereft of joy and love as he is until they find each other by "chance".
Review of The Call
