A Passage for Trumpet 

A suicidally despondent trumpet player finds himself in a bizarre world where he seems to be the only moving being, except for one helpful other musician.

Director:

Don Medford

Writer:

Rod Serling

Stars:

Rod Serling, Jack Klugman, John Anderson

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Rod Serling	...	Narrator (voice)
Jack Klugman	...	Joey Crown
John Anderson	...	Gabriel
Frank Wolff	...	Baron
Mary Webster	...	Nan
James Flavin	...	Truck Driver
Ned Glass	...	Pawnshop Man

Storyline

Musician Joey Crown is down on his luck. An alcoholic, he can't find work because no one trusts him. Broke, he hocks his trumpet but then steps in front of truck which knocks him onto the sidewalk. He awakens in a strange world where no one can see him and he presumes that he has died. He eventually bumps into someone who can in fact see him, a fellow horn player who tells him that it's still within Joey's power to decide on life or death.

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Plot Keywords:

second chance | jazz musician | mysterious stranger | suicide attempt | alcoholic | 

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the scene outside the movie theater, you can see posters for the films "Edge of the City," "Big League," and "Moonfleet."

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Goofs

When Joey goes into the bar, there is a closeup of the bartender that tracks down to a whiskey bottle. The label is readable and facing right. The camera pulls back and now the bottle has the label facing away from the camera.

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Quotes

Baron: [slips some money into Joey's pocket] For old times, Joey, huh? For old times when you had it. A magic horn. Harry James, and Max Kaminsky, and Butterfield, a little bit of all of them, baby! And you traded it off for some bad hooch, and you got took. You got the crummy end of the stick, why Joey, why?
Joey Crown: Because I'm sad. Because I'm nothing, and because I'll live and die in a crummy one-roomer with dirty walls and cracked pipes, and... I'll never even have a girl. I'll never be anybody. Because ...

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Connections

References Fast Company (1953)

User Reviews

Klassic Klugman.

How do I love thee, Jack? Let me count the ways. From your clown face, to your soulful, down and out eyes, you are simply perfect. The consummate actor who puts 110% into each and every one of your performances, and this one is certainly no exception. You don't only ACT the character, you LIVE the character. I know several jazz musicians, and you captured the attitude of the horn players I know with such depth and accuracy that, well, you seem just like a real horn player. I only wish I could have met you personally, to tell you how much your masterful performances formed the core of Twilight Zone's heart and lasting impact and value to society. In this episode, kudos to his superb co-star, John Anderson, who chiseled features and substantial gravitas rounded out this memorable episode to a "tee." RIP, Jack Klugman, you will be sorely missed.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 May 1960 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Passage for Trumpet

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cayuga Productions, CBS Television Network

Technical Specs

Runtime:

25 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1