Number Twelve Looks Just Like You (1964) is an eerily prophetic cautionary tale that stars a teenager named Marilyn (Collin Wilcox Paxton) who's facing the most momentous decision of her life. She must decide whether or not to undergo a process called The Transformation, during which she will be physically changed to match one of several alternatives. But is it really a decision, or is it something else?
Although The Transformation is supposedly voluntary, Marilyn is met with intense pressure and even disbelief from her slightly older friends and her relatives when she hesitates. After telling her she just needs a glass of Instant Smile, they assert how much better life will be after The Transformation. When Marilyn tells them she doesn't want to be like everyone else because being the same is like being nobody, she is sent to an institution.
The first institutional interview is in a bright room and her mother is present. The interviewer wants to be called Dr. Rex (Richard Long, who also plays Marilyn's Uncle Rick, Professor Sigmund Friend, and orderly Tom). Dr. Rex assumes a relaxed nature and points out the benefits The Transformation has afforded Marilyn's beautiful mother Lana Cuberle (Suzy Parker).
Still resistant, Marilyn next speaks with Professor Sigmund Friend. He wants to be called Professor Sig (and has SIG stamped on his sweater much the same way REX is marked on his colleague's vest). He says Dr. Rex has told him about Marilyn and he is there to help her by ridding Marilyn of her fears. He wants her to embrace a "necessary" and important step.
Marilyn insists the step isn't necessary. Dr. Sig explains that by eliminating ugliness the State has been able to achieve its goals of eliminating inequality and injustice throughout the world. Marilyn replies that she isn't pretty but she isn't ugly. He laughs, as he does often throughout their interview, from the semi-darkness as he mentions the benefits of improved health and a longer life. But when Marilyn asks if she couldn't have those same things while keeping her original appearance, he insists that Marilyn might want the transformation later-when she would be too old to undergo the process.
She asks if he's ever read Shakespeare. He wants to know where she came upon such a book. She replies that her father had books by Shakespeare as well as titles by Aristotle, Socrates, Keats, Dostoyevsky (who she says was ugly and epileptic), and others. She talks about their writing reflecting real beauty and the dignity of the individual. The alarmed interviewer reminds her that these books have been banned for many years and says the introduction of smut will not help her cause. She is taken away by a nurse.
When Marilyn's mother and friend arrive for a visit, she is still feeling the effects of sedation. Her friend Valerie (Pamela Austin) asks again why she cares what her father thought because he's dead and numerous step fathers have followed. Valerie professes to like some of her eleven step fathers more than her own father and says it really doesn't matter because everyone is marrying everyone anyway. Marilyn eventually shouts at a bewildered Valerie, telling her to stop talking about her father-whom she loved and who apparently committed suicide because life had lost meaning for him after The Transformation.
Marilyn asks Valerie, who's already undergone The Transformation, if she ever feels anything. Valerie calls Marilyn silly and says that of course she does before chanting, "Life is pretty; life is fun; I am all and all is one."
Marilyn begins sobbing wildly, perhaps experiencing some sort of mental breakdown, before attempting an escape. Of course, her attempt is met with obstacles.
The thirty-minute episode is perhaps as chilling as it's ever been. Some people might argue it's more timely than ever. Regardless, it's definitely worth a watch. It's also an episode for everyone who values the dignity of the individual.
Although The Transformation is supposedly voluntary, Marilyn is met with intense pressure and even disbelief from her slightly older friends and her relatives when she hesitates. After telling her she just needs a glass of Instant Smile, they assert how much better life will be after The Transformation. When Marilyn tells them she doesn't want to be like everyone else because being the same is like being nobody, she is sent to an institution.
The first institutional interview is in a bright room and her mother is present. The interviewer wants to be called Dr. Rex (Richard Long, who also plays Marilyn's Uncle Rick, Professor Sigmund Friend, and orderly Tom). Dr. Rex assumes a relaxed nature and points out the benefits The Transformation has afforded Marilyn's beautiful mother Lana Cuberle (Suzy Parker).
Still resistant, Marilyn next speaks with Professor Sigmund Friend. He wants to be called Professor Sig (and has SIG stamped on his sweater much the same way REX is marked on his colleague's vest). He says Dr. Rex has told him about Marilyn and he is there to help her by ridding Marilyn of her fears. He wants her to embrace a "necessary" and important step.
Marilyn insists the step isn't necessary. Dr. Sig explains that by eliminating ugliness the State has been able to achieve its goals of eliminating inequality and injustice throughout the world. Marilyn replies that she isn't pretty but she isn't ugly. He laughs, as he does often throughout their interview, from the semi-darkness as he mentions the benefits of improved health and a longer life. But when Marilyn asks if she couldn't have those same things while keeping her original appearance, he insists that Marilyn might want the transformation later-when she would be too old to undergo the process.
She asks if he's ever read Shakespeare. He wants to know where she came upon such a book. She replies that her father had books by Shakespeare as well as titles by Aristotle, Socrates, Keats, Dostoyevsky (who she says was ugly and epileptic), and others. She talks about their writing reflecting real beauty and the dignity of the individual. The alarmed interviewer reminds her that these books have been banned for many years and says the introduction of smut will not help her cause. She is taken away by a nurse.
When Marilyn's mother and friend arrive for a visit, she is still feeling the effects of sedation. Her friend Valerie (Pamela Austin) asks again why she cares what her father thought because he's dead and numerous step fathers have followed. Valerie professes to like some of her eleven step fathers more than her own father and says it really doesn't matter because everyone is marrying everyone anyway. Marilyn eventually shouts at a bewildered Valerie, telling her to stop talking about her father-whom she loved and who apparently committed suicide because life had lost meaning for him after The Transformation.
Marilyn asks Valerie, who's already undergone The Transformation, if she ever feels anything. Valerie calls Marilyn silly and says that of course she does before chanting, "Life is pretty; life is fun; I am all and all is one."
Marilyn begins sobbing wildly, perhaps experiencing some sort of mental breakdown, before attempting an escape. Of course, her attempt is met with obstacles.
The thirty-minute episode is perhaps as chilling as it's ever been. Some people might argue it's more timely than ever. Regardless, it's definitely worth a watch. It's also an episode for everyone who values the dignity of the individual.