The Twilight Zone (TV Series) Jess-Belle (1963) User Reviews

'You'll know in the midnight hour of time'.

[darrenpearce111 · 6/10 · 10 February 2014]

The primary appeal of this witchcraft and folklore entry is to see Anne Francis starring in the Zone again after the classic 'The After Hours', (series one). She plays Jess-Belle a country girl who is determined to still get her man Billy Ben (James Best) even when his engagement to Elly (Laura Devon) is announced. Jess-Belle is impulsively naughty in turning to Granny Holt (Jeanette Nolan)- a finely played prim but duplicitous witch. Anne Francis carries the piece in a long black wig as the passionate girl tormented by the consequences of her supernatural powers. She makes Jess-Belle a sympathetic character who never means any harm beyond her desperate action to steal away Billy Ben. She keeps this Valentine's Day/Halloween story from sinking amidst the form-changing silliness in the plot. It's light entertainment that's far from TZ at it's best, but is well played by all, including Virginia Gregg (from 'The Masks', series five) as Jess-Belle's mother.

Rod Serling introduces the tale as one with ancient elements put into a setting nearer our time. The story seems more like 'Night Gallery' than TZ - a little more in the vein of 'I'll Never Leave You-Ever' with Lois Nettleton in ancient Wales. Serling asked writer Earl Hamner Jr to produce a script using his knowledge of folklore. He surely got that.

Jeanette Nolan was married to John McIntire who also sold a love potion in 'The Chaser' (series one) as Professor A. Daemon. Those two stayed married- unsurprisingly.

Both Virginia Gregg and Jeanette Nolan provided the voice of Norma Bates in Hitchcock's 'Psycho'. I shall stop showing off my trivia knowledge now.

A Love Story

[AaronCapenBanner · 7/10 · 3 November 2014]

In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, lovesick Jess-Belle(played by Anne Francis) is heartsick that her great love Billy Ben Turner(played by James Best) is set to marry another woman(played by Laura Devon), who is the daughter of a successful farmer. In desperation, she turns to a witch named Granny Hart(played by Jeanette Nolan) who casts a love potion for her that works fine, but comes at a high price, so now Jess-Belle has a whole new problem to solve, even with Billy Ben's undying love... Nice little supernatural love story looks and feels authentic, with some clever touches and good performances, though again feels padded to fill out an hour.

"Got news there's a wildcat loose in the county".

[classicsoncall · 8/10 · 25 June 2010]

James Best returns to The Twilight Zone as a good ole country boy, seen back in Season Three as a returned from the dead Jeff Myrtlebank. These kinds of roles seemed to suit him well, he had both the looks and demeanor without falling into a bumpkin stereotype. But the show belongs to Anne-Francis as the sultry Jess-Belle Stone who would do anything to win her man. When she seeks the counsel of mountain witch Granny Hart (Jeanette Nolan), she finds that she must heed the old crone's advice - "You paid the price. Take what you paid for".

I'm wondering what might have been influences for writers Serling and Earl Hamner Jr. in developing this story. I discern elements from a couple of different sources, both reaching back to the Forties. There's 1941's "The Devil and Daniel Webster", in which the protagonist makes a deal with the devil in exchange for seven years good luck. The principal character's name, portrayed by James Craig is... Jabez Stone!

The other flick I'd draw a comparison to is the following year's "Cat People". The similarity here is equally pronounced, the main character is seemingly under an ancient curse that turns her into a sultry panther. While reflecting on these two films, one is struck by the coincidence that actress Simone Simon appeared as an enigmatic femme-fatale in both pictures. By 1963, she would have been too old to portray Jess-Belle here, but wouldn't it have been great if she had the role of Granny Hart? I wonder if Serling might have thought about it.

As far as the story's ending, it might have been more effective to leave the fate of Jess-Belle somewhat dubious. Granted, there was some closure for Billy Ben (James Best) and his new bride Ellwyn (Laura Devon), but the unstated threat of future creepy crawlies would have been more in keeping with the unexpected twist the show was known for. Especially since I got the impression that Ellie was in on Jess's little secret when she warned her about the moonlight witch hunt - "I reckon that cat better stay home tonight if it's smart".

Still, this is a memorable episode with a nice little Americana blend of folklore and horror. The characters are well written and the players are nicely cast. Then when it's over it leaves you with a sense that you'd like to stick around to see how it all REALLY turns out. You know, in that wart toads, and spiders and white rats, oh my! kind of way.

The Twilight Zone - Jess-Belle

[Scarecrow-88 · 6/10 · 29 December 2015]

I can totally understand why Jess-Belle would be a well-regarded episode by Twilight Zone fans, but the story just isn't really my personal cup of tea. A bit too Southern Gothic romance for my own taste. The Backwoods Black Magic and its curse to those within its effects has its appeal to a certain audience, but I kind of cringe when syrupy, lovey-dovey dialogue wrapped in supposed Southern language is the norm throughout the episode.

This is primarily about what a young woman named Jess-Belle has her love for a rancher, Billy Ben (James Best, a regular face in the Twilight Zone), unrequited. Billy loves a blond beauty named Ellwyn (Laura Devon), equipped with a rich (well, according to the poor folk in farming country) father and lots of land, and so Jess-Belle desperately goes to a backwoods witch (Jeanette Nolan) looking for a spell. Well the witch has a potion that works (Jess-Belle need only to drink it with Nolan's witch crossing her arms to make it work), and Jess-Belle needs only to look into Billy's eyes to bewitch him. So Ellwyn accepts that Billy is lost to her due to bewitchin' not because he truly loves Jess-Belle. However, with the spell comes a price: Jess-Belle turns into a tiger at Midnight! I thought the decision to go to 1 hour for one particular season was a bad idea. Writers had to extend themselves, which typically meant padding out a story that would work just find in 30 minutes. I think that is the case here. I can easily see this as a decent half hour tale that doesn't overstay its welcome. Instead there is this lengthy conversation between Billy and Jess-Belle's mother (played by Dragnet regular, Virginia Gregg) the re-states the obvious: Jess-Belle is alive (a hunting party shoots the tiger and it goes up in a cloud of smoke, for which they all believe the curse is over and she is dead), shape-shifting in various forms (spider, mouse, toad). The whole deal with Jess-Belle is that if she can't have Billy, Ellwyn damn sure won't. Eventually Jess-Belle possesses her!

The point is that sometimes love unrequited is painful but genuine affection can't truly be won with spells. Jess-Belle wanted a love from Billy that didn't exist. Sure fondness was there, but not the love Billy has for Ellwyn. So a spell is used, but karma can be a nuisance. Irony of "well if you can go to the witch, so can I" makes perfect sense: Nolan's witch isn't particular to just one person: she's an opportunist.

James Best Always Delivers

[hackraytex · 7/10 · 8 July 2017]

I was 12 when I saw this when it was first on TV and it scared me out of the living room. I first became aware of James Best in Dukes Of Hazard. He did a great job with that part but I certainly hope that does not cause people to not see the other excellent work that he did before and after that. Similar to the image that Elvis Presley has to a lot of people as the image just before he died and that was not the real Elvis either. I was saddened to hear last year that Mr. Best departed this life and may he rest in peace after a life well lived. This was one of this best performances just like all of his appearances in The Twilight Zone.

This was one very well written and acted program, Jezz-Belle, and I really liked how it ended. As a Christian, I appreciate the mention of the faith that many people have and how important it is in their lives.

Rod Serling made TV history with The Twilight Zone and later Night Gallery. Everything he wrote was first class and we lost him too soon at age 50. I only have one thing to say that bothers me. It appears that when he presented stories that were set in rural America that were understood to be contemporary, we were led to believe that the people still lived in houses with wooden cooking stoves and kerosene lamps. I don't know if he thought that is what people watching TV expected or if those around him really thought people outside of the the cities really lived that way in the 60's. This not meant to be disrespectful of Mr. Serling and the Hollywood of that time but it appears that some of them needed to get out into "flyover country" and get a good look at it.

I also wish for Mr. Serling to rest in peace and that his work will always be enjoyed and appreciated.

Haunting tale of love and loss in the Blue Ridge mountains

[mlraymond · 10/10 · 30 December 2006]

Earl Hamner Jr wrote several TZ episodes, including some set in the backwoods he knew so well, and used later in creating his series The Waltons. This is considered by many to be the finest of his TZ episodes, and one of the best of the entire series.

The time period is indeterminate, but it would appear to be the early 1900's. A barn dance is held to celebrate the engagement of Billy-Ben Turner ( James Best) to Elly Glover ( Laura Devon). A beautiful girl with long black hair watches sadly from outside. Jess-Belle ( Anne Francis) was Billy-Ben's lover before he met Elly Glover.

Jess-Belle goes to the cabin of Granny Hart (Jeannette Nolan), to ask for help in winning her lover back. Granny Hart slyly refuses to confirm the widely held belief that she is a witch, but offers the girl a love potion, which she guarantees will make her irresistible to Billy-Ben once more. When Jess-Belle asks the price, Granny Hart's answer is ambiguous. Jess-Belle drinks the potion and returns to the barn dance. The moment she walks in the door, Billy-Ben literally is transfixed by the sight of her. He walks to her, takes her in his arms, and they dance together out of the barn and away into the night, as Elly Glover, her parents and all the rest watch in stunned silence.

Jess-Belle has indeed won back her man. But she is soon to find out just how high a price she has paid.

Every element of this episode is letter perfect, from the acting, to the music and photography, and most of all, the brilliant, poetic screenplay by Hamner. Every word spoken rings true. The hill folk are totally believable and never once portrayed as corny or dumb. The long ago world that Hamner depicts is absolutely convincing, a world where witchcraft is perfectly plausible. The simple story is dramatic and powerful, with the character of the tragic Jess-Belle beautifully captured in Anne Francis' performance. Jeannette Nolan almost steals the show with her knowing, down to earth portrayal of Granny Hart. There is a startlingly sexy aspect to her character, an older woman still attractive enough to nearly seduce Billy-Ben ,when he comes to her, seeking answers.

I cannot praise this episode enough. It is a timeless story of love and heartbreak that will never cease to enthrall any viewer who falls under its spell.

Serling Original

[MovieMan7122 · 23 November 2012]

I saw this for the first time when I was 10 years old and it stuck with me. Back in the day, with TV censorship alive and well, this was original stuff. Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore were only shown or mentioned sleeping in separate beds. The Smothers Brothers and trend setting TV variety programs were not even a concept at that time. In this little play we had a lead character who was a very sexual, animalistic (albeit sympathetic) creature. There were references to powers of lust, a dark theme involving mysticism and a young, naive victim caught in a maelstrom right out of a Greek tragedy. Serling likely had to fight censors to keep content in this play, just like many others. The plot was steeped in irony: what Jess-Belle had done had made the object of her desire lost to her reach even though he now pursued her. The special effects worked then, particularly for TV. You now just have to allow imagination to work; difficult for us today. It was certainly best appreciated in its own time of production. The spoken language wasn't "hokey". Ever been off road into deep Appalachia? Serling elected not to have the typical closing statement. He had remarkable control over twilight zone. I'm sure that for once, he felt the story said it all.

meh

[Qanqor · 6/10 · 6 January 2010]

I'm surprised at the gushing reviews; I didn't think this one was that good. It's a decent story, and it's well done, with good performances and all. I particularly liked Jeanette Nolan as Granny Hart-- just delicious. But the story lacks any kind of twist ending; indeed, by the time we reach the climax, it's pretty anticlimactic. Part of the problem is that the story is rather padded to fill the hour-long format. The whole thing would've been tighter and better if it ended after Billy-Ben (or whatever his name was) shoots the leopard, finds the ring, and realizes he's just actually killed Jess-Belle. Let the story be that she really is dead and gone at that point, the end. Everything that happens after that in the story is really pretty superfluous.

Great psychological tale

[rondaria · 10/10 · 19 November 2007]

I saw this episode decades ago and still remember it as a haunting folktale, beautiful acted and produced. The folk song interwoven throughout the story is probably modern, as is the story itself, but it could be an ancient story; love and jealousy are certainly ancient themes. It reminds me of the production of "Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," the Civil War tale by Ambrose Bierce, also produced for The Twilight Zone, except the Bierce story has almost no dialogue. (See the Wikipedia entry at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Occurrence_at_Owl_Creek_Bridge.) The wicked and good women in "Jess-Belle" could represent the good and bad within any one woman, and at the end, both appear to be present in the body of one woman. But even as just a fantasy tale, it's well worth watching.

I Would Never Have Known That Was Anne Francis

[Hitchcoc · 6/10 · 23 April 2014]

Earl Hamner (creator of "The Waltons") wrote this script. It is pretty light weight. For a Southerner, he depicts the characters as stereotypical hillbillies. Their accents and use of idioms are almost comical. The story begins with a barn dance. A handsome young man delivers a diamond ring to a pretty farm girl and she accepts his proposal. Her father announces that he has given his blessing. Slinking around in the background is Jess- Belle (Jezebel, I suppose, although it really doesn't follow the Biblical narrative), the raven- haired former lover of the young man. She is dark and driven. She confronts her former beau and he tells her kindly that this is over. She threatens him and his bride to be. There is a woman who is known as a spell weaver and a witch. Jess-Belle purchases a potion which will make her irresistible to her quarry. It works, but she pays a huge price. In a latter day take on Cinderella, she turns into a leopard after midnight each night, so even though he is hopelessly in love with her, she must leave him alone each night.

This leads to considerable consequences for all. There are so many questions one should ask. I supposed that since these people are superstitious (rightfully so) and seen as very simple, they have lost the ability to think. Anyway, it's a pretty lightweight effort.

Yet another hillbilly episode...and not a very good one.

[planktonrules · 2/10 · 9 June 2010]

This episode is set in the hills of the South--way down South. This is one of several shows from the series set among the superstitious hill people--the 'hillbillies'. And, like one other episode, this one co-stars James Best.

The show begins with Best announcing that he's marrying another--and Jess-Belle is left feeling sad because he'd previously told her he loved her. She is so heart-broken that she does something that is obviously foolish--she consults a local witch in a scene highly reminiscent of Disney' "Little Mermaid". Like Ariel, Jess-Belle will promise thing to win her man--even when the witch tells her she will let Jess-Belle know later what the cost for a love spell will be! Naturally, the seemingly nice witch has ulterior motives. It seems this help carries a curse as well--Jess-Belle turns into a leopard at night!!

For the most part, it would be quite correct to say this this show sucked...big-time. First, there wasn't really much irony or suspense. Second, the show came off like merging "The Twilight Zone" with "The Beverly Hillbillies"--a poor blending of genres! I also wonder what folks in Appalacia and the Ozarks think of this and other Hillbilly episodes--especially since these folks are so superstitious and stereotypical. I half expected the show would have done an episode featuring L'il Abner or the Clampett clan if it hadn't been canceled after season five! Dumb and not particularly inspired. The only positive aspects of the show is that the acting is pretty good despite the very weak script and ending. The script is so poor it's a bit hard to watch and probably is the worst episode of season four...or at least a strong contender for that dubious distinction.

By the way, if you are paying close attention, you will see a major mistake in the show. Early on, the head witch freaks out at the sight of silver as apparently it's deadly to witches. However, later in the show, Best pays the witch to get rid of Jess-Belle--and he hands her a bunch of coins--including a silver dollar!! Duh!

Jezebel of the mountains

[maraudertheslashnymph · 8/10 · 6 January 2010]

A supernatural romance-novel of an episode, "Jess-Belle" stars the bewitching Anne Francis as the title character, a mountain girl who loses her man and will do whatever she can to get him back. Looking at it objectively, this episode shouldn't work nearly as well as it does - the dialogue is sometimes laughably melodramatic and Billy Ben doesn't seem handsome, intelligent, or charismatic enough to merit the undying devotion of two beautiful women - but the strength of the acting sells it. The fact that this was filmed in black and white does a lot to add to the spookiness of the story; I can't see it working nearly as well in color. Definitely recommend this one. Oh, and I love the fact that this was originally aired on Valentine's Day!

Bewitched

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 7 August 2023]

In the countryside of USA, Ellwyn Glover, who is the daughter of a rich farmer, accepts the proposal of the local farmer Billy Ben Turner. Her father gives a party in a barn to celebrate their engagement. His former lover Jess-Belle Stone, who also loves him, becomes jealous and looks for the local witch Granny Hart. However, she does not have money to pay for a love potion to bewitch Billy Ben. Granny Hart gives the potion to her and tells to Jess-Belle that there is a high-cost involved, but the woman does not care for the price. She immediately bewitched Billy Ben that leaves Ellwyn alone in her party. But soon Jess-Belle learns the price she has to pay for accepting the deal with the powerful witch.

"Jess-Belle" is a different episode of "The Twilight Zone", with a love story. Jess-Belle and Ellwyn Glover are both in love with Billy Ben Turner. Their main differences are that Jess-Belle has given to him what every man looks for in a woman, while Ellwyn Glover stayed pure and is daughter of a wealthy farmer. Therefore, he selects Ellwyn Glover to get married with him. Jess-Belle gives her soul to a witch to have her lover back and there is no twist in the end as usual in The Twilight Zone episodes. The plot is not pleasant, but sad in the end. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Jess-Belle"

A Low Point

[dwashbur · 1/10 · 14 December 2007]

I love the old Twilight Zones. Most of them are so simple yet so profound. But every so often, they did one like this. For starters, it's built around a ballad-type song that pops in every so often to tell part of the story. YUCK! Anybody who writes an episode of any show that way should be sent to bed without supper. There are some cheesy special effects where Jess-Belle is supposed to either vanish or change into some critter. I can forgive that considering the time and technology. But even back then, it could have been done better.

Basically, Jess-Belle wants Billy-Ben, who is set to marry Ellwyn, so badly she visits the old woman of the village who is reputed to be a witch. She agrees to pay whatever the price will be to win his love, and only too late discovers that she has given up her life, her soul and everything else. Now every night at midnight, she changes into an animal. Obviously, in this state she can't marry Billy-Ben even though he's blindly in love with her now.

The story heats up when the local men go hunting for the animal that's ravaging their livestock. By this time Billy-Ben has figured out who it really is, and believes they've killed her. But of course, we're in the Twilight Zone, so no way it's that easy. She keeps coming back as other things and won't leave the young lovers alone.

Ultimately, Billy-Ben winds up going back to that same witch to learn how to kill Jess-Belle for good. But for some unexplained reason, he gets off easy: all it costs him is a handful of money. Excuse me? Her help cost Jess-Belle everything, and he gets it for straight cash? No massive twist at the end where he turns into a duck or an Oldsmobile or something? Give me a break. There are more holes in this story than a box of doughnuts. The pace is slow, and that song is god-awful. I know they can't all be grand slams, but this one never even gets to the batter's box.

Easily one of the best "Twilight Zone" episodes ever

[preppy-3 · 10/10 · 16 September 2013]

In the Blue Ridge hills blonde Ellwyn (Laura Devon) is going to marry hunky Bill Ben Turner (James Best). However another girl named Jess Belle (Anne Francis) wants him. She goes to the local witch named Granny Hart (Jeanette Nolan) and gets a potion that makes Billy fall for her and reject Ellwyn...but at a horrible price.

Haunting and eerie "Twilight Zone" episode. It's one of the hour long episodes and works beautifully. There's some beautiful black and white cinematography here that helps the mood of the story and all the acting is great--especially Nolan who is having lots of fun playing a witch. There's even a song that goes along chronicling the events of the story. Most of the "Twilight Zone" episodes are pretty boring and predictable...but this one sure isn't! Also I don't scare easy but this one really creeped me out! Recommended.

Satisfyingly Haunting

[brownrecluse62 · 8/10 · 29 May 2007]

'Such stories are best told by an elderly grandfather on a cold winter's night by the fireside, in the southern hills of the Twilight Zone.'

These are the words with which Rod Serling introduces this episode, and they are a perfect summation of what follows.

For a long time I have been enthralled by stories of the supernatural, and I've been struggling to find perfect specimens of such storytelling in the annals of film. I have found several good examples, but few great successes that could fully satisfy my yen for the perfect sort of supernatural world. Possibly the best supernatural film I've come across is the Ealing classic 'Dead of Night' (1945). Since 'Dead of Night' is typically classified as 'anthology' horror, it seems fitting that I should venture toward 'The Twilight Zone,' one of the landmark anthology TV series, to find a similar kind of satisfaction. (A bunch of 'TZ' material seems to take inspiration from works like 'Dead of Night'; in particular, the episodes 'Twenty Two' and 'The Dummy' exhibit very strong influence from that film specifically.)

The idea of a 'Twilight Zone,' a secluded realm for all that is abnormal and mysterious, is in a way exactly what I seek. Unfortunately, many episodes themselves don't quite live up to the brilliant promise of the driving premise of the show. 'Jess-Belle' is one that does. As Serling explains at the opening, this one takes us back to the roots of supernatural storytelling. Perhaps the best and purest way of experiencing it is to listen to ghost stories told around a fire. That is exactly what 'Jess-Belle' does, and maybe that's why it is so satisfying. Its presentation of what could very well be an actual spooky old folktale is wonderfully authentic, right down to the storytelling device of the song heard throughout the episode.

Another film that tries to channel that purity is 'Ghost Story' (1981); however, that film does not quite satisfy, partly because it never fully realizes the potential of employing the old art of the telling. It is notable, though, for one reason: the phenomenal performance of Alice Krige as the ghost figure. Her face and voice brilliantly embody the seductive power of these eerie tales; for that reason, I strongly suggest you check it out. Some elements of the device used in 'Ghost Story' are present in 'Jess-Belle': what is scary is embodied by a beautiful woman, whose dark power draws a man – and the viewer – toward her, and how thoroughly we are seduced makes it all the more haunting. Even in the first few moments when Jess- Belle slides through the crowd and into view for the first time, it can be felt, and it's presented with great subtlety, quietly indicating that there is more to come.

I initially made the connection to 'Ghost Story' at the climax of 'Jess-Belle,' when the possessed Ellwyn's face brightens and her eyes gleam threateningly as she tries to entice Billy-Ben to dance with her – saying some things very similar to what Krige says at particularly eerie parts of 'Ghost Story.' The light of Ellwyn/Jess's face in the dark bears a striking resemblance to that of Krige, but it's extremely effective, I would guess, even to those who have not seen 'Ghost Story.' It is a supremely captivating moment in an overall captivating episode.

'Jess-Belle' tells a simple tale, but it tells that tale impeccably, with an engrossing power near to that of a well-told fireside ghost story – one that takes us, as we listen, enthralled, into the Twilight Zone.

James Best, babe magnet.

[BA_Harrison · 5/10 · 10 April 2022]

James Best was quite the ladies man in The Twilight Zone: in The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank he courted the drop-dead gorgeous Sherry Jackson, and in Jess-Belle he gets to canoodle with stunning blond Laura Devon AND the delightful Anne Francis.

Best plays (hill)Billy Ben Turner, who proposes to Ellwyn Glover (Devon) at a barn dance, much to the dismay of Turner's former lover Jess-Belle (Francis). Unable to accept that Billy Ben loves another woman, Jess-Belle visits local witch Granny Hart and purchases a love potion, paying for the magical elixir with her soul, which causes her to turn into a leopard at midnight. Jess-Belle wins Billy Ben's affection, but is unable to marry him for fear of him finding out what she has become.

Jess-Belle is an atypical episode of The Twilight Zone, a gentle supernatural folk-story lacking the show's by-now expected twist ending. It's the kind of tale one can imagine being told around a campfire in the deep South, and passed on from generation to generation. It's a haunting slice of Southern gothic romance that is entertaining enough, but it feels like it sits on the very fringes of The Zone rather than in the heart of it.

Don't Stop At Granny Hart's!

[cchristi2 · 10/10 · 13 July 2020]

One of the best Twilight Zone Episodes ever, and several special effects that were especially frightening at the time, considering how difficult it was to produce this episode. Not to miss. Anne Francis, James Best, Laura Devon, Virginia Gregg, and Jennifer Nolan rattled everything they could out of Earl Hamner's script. Nolan's Granny Hart may have held some aspects of her earlier Lady Macbeth portrayal.

Easily the worst TZ episode of all time

[pledgerock · 1/10 · 28 April 2020]

Wow ok this is the worst one. Easily. By far. First off it is cheesy as hell. Southern charm, taking someone's daughter's hand in marriage gotta ask out the father first. Southern belles. Oh! But this story has a witch! A young scorned lover tries to win back the love of her life by visiting a woman who swears she is not a witch but when we are introduced to her it's 1000% clear she be a witch. So she gives her a love potions but at midnight she turns into a leopard or something dumb. Then later she's a rat or a spider. It's long, it's dumb. But at least there are a few grating, endless cloying country songs about what you are seeing on your screen. Did you know? When a shooting star appears it means a witch just died. No. No I don't believe that has ever been a thing ever. Twilight Zone is the greatest show ever but my lord this one is a D U D. Avoid like the plague.

Jeanette Nolan should have given lesson on how to act like a witch!!

[mja58 · 9/10 · 1 January 2022]

I remember seeing this as a 10 year old kid, and I saw it recently on a New Years marathon on a cable channel.

Although it has been 50 years since I first saw it, I think it's rather unusual, if not a bit fascinating to watch.

JEANETTE NOLAN stole the show with her portrayal of Granny Hart (the Witch). She was rather scary when I saw her as a kid, and she still is now!!

Give it a look if it comes around....

9/10.

Bewitched

[nickenchuggets · 9/10 · 12 October 2023]

Although the hour long episodes in Twilight Zone's lineup are mostly forgettable and have a tendency to rehash plotlines the show has done many times before, one hour episode I will always defend is Jess-Belle. Not to be confused with Jezebel, this tale of Southern romance has much in common with what I consider Bette Davis' most enticing role, as both her and the female protagonist of this episode are victims in their own ways. Jess-Belle begins with a farmer named Billy-Ben (James Best) asking his fiancee Ellwyn (Laura Devon) to marry him. A jealous girl with jet black hair named Jess-Belle (Anne Francis) watches in silent rage. Jess-Belle is Billy's ex, and wants a chance to start over with him, but he doesn't feel the same way. Jess-Belle decides to go to a mysterious old woman whom most people in the town are afraid of because of her habit of brewing strange potions. Granny Hart (Jeanette Nolan) hears the plight of Jess-Belle and says she can make Billy love her so much he'll never be able to be apart from her. However, the potion Granny tells Jess-Belle to drink isn't free and she has to pay. Although she doesn't know it yet, the price of the potion is so great she'll soon wish she never accepted the offer. For the time being, the liquid does its job and when Jess and Billy next meet, they dance right in front of an infuriated Ellwyn and her parents. Billy now wants to marry Jess-Belle, but the latter discovers the price of his affection: she is forced to transform into a leopard every day at midnight. Jess goes back to Granny Hart, upset at being lied to as she thought the potion came with no strings attached. Hart explains that she's a witch and now Jess-Belle is a witch too. Transactions with witches always require a payment, and in this case, it was Jess' soul. Now doomed to become a wildcat every night, Jess tries to convince Billy not to marry her but is unable to tell him why, only confusing him further. Jess-Belle eventually agrees to a wedding, but late one night, a posse tries to look for the leopard that has been rumored to be skulking around the area. Billy and some others find Jess in her cat form and shoot her. Disappearing into a cloud of smoke, no one is sure what to think of Jess' apparent death. A whole year goes by. Billy has forced himself to forget about Jess and decides to get back to Ellwyn. He is visited by Jess-Belle's mother who tells him a witch can't die as they just keep inhabiting more bodies, even if they're animals. On his wedding day, Billy spots a large spider on Ellwyn's dress and crushes it, only to find it goes up in smoke. As he and his new wife arrive home, a white rat suddenly causes a grandfather clock to fall over, nearly hitting Ellwyn. She's left no doubt confused and certainly terrified. Billy, convinced Jess' spirit is unhappy with his marriage, goes to confront Granny Hart. The latter tries to con Billy out of his soul (just like she did to Jess) when he asks how to permanently kill a witch, but he's too smart for her. Billy pays her with actual money, and Hart begrudgingly tells him to acquire a dress formerly worn by Jess and stab it in the heart with silver. Then she will be gone for good. Billy rushes back home. Upon arriving, he finds a possessed Ellwyn in his front yard, who asks him (in Jess-Belle's voice) if he'll dance with her. Billy runs through the front door, locks it, and puts what was supposed to be Jess-Belle's wedding dress on a mannequin. After taking one of her silver hairpins and stabbing it, Jess appears in the dress and then vanishes. Ellwyn then wakes up and is back to normal. Both she and her husband see a comet in the night sky; a sign a witch has died. While I'd be hard pressed to find an episode of the Twilight Zone that genuinely scares me, Jess-Belle doesn't need to be overly frightening to get its point across. If I'm being honest, Anne's character is more likely to make you pity her rather than induce any kind of fear in you. All she wanted was to be with Billy but got ripped off. Granny Hart (played amazingly by Nolan) didn't tell her she'd end up losing her soul to be with him. Even a year after her "death", she won't rest until Billy is her's permanently, so she takes hold of Ellwyn. This episode shows perfectly well how love can create many things, but can also create much anguish. On another note, this is the only TZ episode to not have Serling's voice at the end.

Witch or bitch?

[searchanddestroy-1 · 4/10 · 17 April 2019]

I really don't know what to think of thi episode. Does it really belong to the TWILIGHT ZONE scheme? yes maye, maybe. Ann Francis is outstanding in htis difficult character, but something missis in this topic. But the series also searched the largest audiences, so maybe this explains that. This tale will satisfyfemale audiences I guess. A little tribute to Jacques Tourneur, for Val Lewton atmosphere addicts.

One of my favorite TZ episodes

[praisercheri · 10/10 · 1 January 2022]

I have tried to find out who sang the hauntingly beautiful song which tells the story, to no avail. She had a lovely voice.

All the actors delivered great performances. But Anne Francis especially conveyed the tortured soul who paid the ultimate price to win the man she loved.

Backwoods bumkin.

[valstone52 · 3/10 · 4 July 2022]

Never thought James best was a good actor. Even on the Andy Griffith show, he always played a yokel. Have seen him in other movies, but still comes off as the deputy on dukes of Hazzard. Can't take him seriously.

Decent episode

[ericstevenson · 8/10 · 13 September 2021]

This was a rather uh, strange episode of "The Twilight Zone". The plot was that an ex named uh, Jess-Belle got a love potion from a witch to make a man named Billy fall in love with her. She doesn't realize that she's sold her soul. The spell makes her turn into a leopard at night. She (as the leopard) is eventually killed. She then takes on more forms to try to stop Billy's true love. I will admit the acting was pretty good.

The second half was easily better. It did seem kind of weird how villainous Jess-Belle turned out to be. At first, she seemed to be a lot more remorseful for her actions. Also, why did they wait a year to get married? Well, it does have a pretty good happy ending which might be rare for TTZ. Not one of the best, but serviceable. ****