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I can't believe I never got around to reviewing this episode of The Twilight Zone until now, as it's probably in the top five of the best episodes for the show--proving that even the show was on its last gasps (this is one of the last episodes), it still could show signs of great genius.

A very old and sickly rich man is waiting to die. Instead of enjoying his final days in the bosom of a loving family, he is beset by greedy and selfish relatives waiting for him to die like a pack of vultures. Make no mistake about it, the old guy knows exactly what they are like and has no illusions about their intentions. So, in a final gesture of contempt, he makes them spend an entire evening at his home "celebrating" while wearing grotesque Mardi Gras masks--resulting in a wonderful and satisfying twist.

The acting is excellent but what really makes this stand out are the wonderful writing and direction (by Ida Lupino). With such a simple story, they truly make the most of it and the pacing and execution are perfect.

I've always loved the plots where a group of venomous relatives hang out a dying man who is to be a source of income when he dies. These relatives are about as bad as they can get. Their disingenuous nature makes them prime objects of revenge. It is the end of Mardi Gras and they are forced to wear masks or lose their inheritances. Of course, since it's only two hours, they put up with the old man's warped fancies. In the process we get to see them reveal each of their own worst traits. The conclusion of this episode is one of the most memorable of the series. The back biting and hatred that seeps out of the mouths of these people lets us enjoy this conclusion even more.

I am so glad I have the opportunity to say something good about Robert Keith! His performance in this episode of The Twilight Zone was absolutely great! He portrayed a dying bitter, sarcastic old man in such a way that we can not hate him-quite the opposite, we feel sorry for him, and we admire his honesty in telling his family exactly what he thought of them! He could have portrayed this man in such a way that we hate him, but because of his skill as an actor, he did not portray him that way! The supporting cast was very good, but it was Robert Keith's performance that stood out! I have seen this episode more than once, and I never fail to be in awe of Robert Keith's performance!

Straightforward morality plays were nothing unusual on "The Twilight Zone", but (especially during the last season of the series) most of those tended to be pedantic and unconvincing. Nothing could be further from the truth here.

Dying millionaire Jason Foster (Robert Keith) brings his venal family together on what will likely be the last night of his life, during Mardi Gras. However, rather than allowing them to make their perfunctory goodbyes, the patriarch forces them them to wear masks -- reflecting their true natures (his daughter's self-pity, his son-in-law's avarice, and his grandchildren's vanity and cruelty) -- as a condition of receiving their inheritance.

While this episode could have been unbearably preachy, what prevents this is Serling's well-written script, and the magnificent lead performance by Keith, who plays the role with such sarcasm and Mephistophelean charm that the payoff is richly anticipated, rather than dreaded. Moreover, the payoff itself is worth the price of admission.

Robert Keith stars as Jason Foster, a wealthy but dying man who has gathered his four detested relatives to his New Orleans mansion on Mardis Gras so that a most sinister game can be played out. The four(his daughter Emily, her husband Wilfred, and children Paula & Wilfred Jr.) must each wear specially made masks for the evening until midnight if they are to inherit his wealth, or else they will be cut off. Under protest, they comply, but by the unmasking at the final stroke of midnight may well wish they hadn't... Superbly realized episode has masterful direction by Ida Lupino, incisive script, and a most chilling end, punctuated by a sinister score and excellent makeup.

"The Masks" by Rod Serling has enough inferences and similarities to Edgar Allan Poe's 1842 short story, "The Masque of Red Death" that one can conclude Serling was making a kind of 'homage' to Poe with this episode. As with Serling's teleplay, Poe's story concerns a group of people all gathered together in a remote house with a sinister host who forces them to put on masks and participate in a "game" which turns out to be a morality lesson tailored to each guest's particular sin/flaw. Poe ends his story with everyone dying of the plague while simultaneously horrified how wretched a human being they had become. Bummer huh? Not to spoil it for everyone, but this episode of Twilight Zone pretty much goes there too. It is no wonder that Serling, (clearly not an optimist about humanity!) would be attracted to such a cynical tale. The remarkable part is that this episode ever got on TV at all! Today, this type of moral fable would never make it to production: not sexy enough-too depressing-zero physical action, etc. But that is why this series was SO GREAT! Serling operated outside all accepted conventions of television drama, and somehow did not let network hacks ruin his vision. And that is a rare thing in television, my friends. To get a sense of the genius of Serling as a writer, read Poe's "The Masque of Red Death" first, then see the show.

The Masks remains to this day my favorite episode of The Twilight Zone. Sure, there are other great episodes, but to me this tale and all of these characters are completely intriguing.

I thought that there is definitely foreshadowing of the ending throughout the episode, and it makes sense. Also, what makes it great is how chilling it is (in that department it reminds me of The Eye of the Beholder as well). Also, seeing it reminds me of the Goosebumps episode that i used to watch when I was a kid. This is a great episode, and together with Monsters Due on Maple Street it is perhaps the shows finest 30 minutes.

Ever had a rich relative you were excited to have die so you could get your inheritance? Me either. I actually love my loved ones and, well, none of them are rich. The same can't be said though for the Harper family that has reluctantly visited their dying Father/Grandfather, Jason Foster. Jason appears to have a closer relationship with his personal doctor compared to that of his own daughter that puts the focus of her own minor ailments above his critical status. A very self absorbed family is inconvenienced one final time in the heart of New Orleans on Marti Gras as Jason requests they all wear masks throughout the evening. This is wonderfully written and never slow or dull. An episode that keeps you wondering until the end and shows that sometimes, your inner ugliness can't always be disguised no matter attractive or successful you are.

by Dane Youssef

"The Twilight Zone" was a turning point in television because of its entirely human characters, its situations, its usage of the supernatural and the astronomical and it's perplexing surprise endings which were a study in divine poetic karma.

But what's really made so much of this series stand the test of time and the measuring stick for what the quality of "quality programming" is measured is the fact that the show was a lot like a fairy tale. Or the Bible, or any religious tome.

This time, the "Zone" shines it's twilight on an elderly wealthy man on his last gasp. His doctor tells him how critical his situation at this point. He may not have years or even months... he may not even have more than days or minutes.

This particular rich elder still has a few more tasks and loose ends to tie up before he shuffles off this mortal coil. one final task His family is downstairs. But Mr. Foster is not fortunate enough to be embraced by the bosom of a warm embrace full clan when he makes his way down the stairs. His kin is not there to spend the holiday of Mardi Gras with someone they care for deeply in his last few moments.

They are only there to assure they will inherit everything of value once Jason passes. He is not entirely pleased to see them. He knows why they are all there.

The family are the type who have not only character faults, they wear them quite prominently. The family almost seem to be living embodiments of the seven deadly sins. But they all withhold two precise to heart--greed and absolute evil.

After a magnificent meal, he tells everyone he has a surprise for the whole family. He presents a collection of masks hand-made by an old Cajun.

He informs the family that a custom of Mardi Gras is to wear masks that are the exact opposite of a one's true self. Thereupon, he says sarcastically that these masks are just that. The family refuses. He threatens to disinherit them. They agree.

The masks almost seem inspired by the seven deadly sins. When the masquerade ball itself ends and the masks themselves are to be removed...

This is one of Serling's most famous episodes. And with good reason. There isn't a lot of action and topical subjects such as the Cold War and conformity to be had here. It deals with a timeless subjects such as family and love.

Actors are all fine here, they all seems as big as life--flesh-and-blood. But the show of course belongs to one Robert Keith who plays the terminal Jason Foster.

But of course, the real star of this one is as always the teleplay of one Rodman Edward Serling. The man not only penned the bulk of what was seen on "The Twilight Zone," he raised the bar for what was seen on the tube and what "well written" really meant. He took home six Emmys, more than anyone had in history back then. After him, scripture for television became a respectable pursuit.

NOTE: This review is dedicated to Rodman Edward Serling, a man who not only fought to protect our country and our way of life in WWII and took a fair amount of injury for it. But also fought the censors on TV twice as hard to make sure his vision was seen and heard. When TV was about shows like "Leave it to Beaver" and "Donna Reed," here was a man who wanted to use the box to illuminate serious problems like the cold war, racism, anti-society, paranoia and other destructive elements that come from within us. He was buried with military honors. I hope television honors as well. All he wanted was to remembered as a writer.

Well.... I remember....

--Accepting The Devil's Rejects, Dane Youssef

This isn't one of the episodes that relies on a clever idea, or a moralization, or any kind of surprises... the ending is actually pretty predictable and can be seen coming. The meaning behind the story, too, isn't especially deep-it's satisfying, but simple and no frills, and honestly lacks a bit of meat on the bone. We simply don't have time to get to know all the characters here. We get to know them well enough, but efficiently... the character development is extremely economical and might seem shallow if that's what the episode was riding on. This episode is well shot, to be sure... in keeping with other equally great installments. But this isn't the highlight of this one, either.

Nope. For me, what makes this episode great is the tone of the episode coupled with one of the best performances. The main character's sharp, incisive, witty brand of snark is so well done that it reminds me of one of classic Tarantino scenes. It just goes on and on, like a drumbeat of him laying into his family, as the plot marches toward a conclusion that is never really in doubt, but feels really well-earned nonetheless and this elevates it to a spot among the really great episodes of the series. Maybe not for everyone, but if you like seeing a real PERFORMANCE dominate a story as it plays out, well then put this one high up on your list of ones you've got to check out. This one won't blow your mind or have you question the meaning of everything or gasp as the plot pulls the carpet out from under you... but it will have you laugh out loud, and be sitting on the edge of your seat with every word.

Decent episode of the storyline with an unexpected ending. Makeup effects were great and the characters well acted.

I had seen this episode of "The Twilight Zone" a couple of times, when I was a young boy. I adore the show, but this episode in particular (amongst a handful of others) really stood out to me, and haunted me to this very day. It's absolutely brilliant, and I don't want to spoil anything for anyone about it. You have to go into this one knowing nothing to really be shocked by it. However, I recently showed the episode to my grandfather, and we both enjoyed it-even though I knew what was going to happen and he didn't.

All of the actors were exceptional, here-especially the old man who's dying and asks his family he despises to where these foreign masks until midnight of the day he'll supposedly die. That actor absolutely killed it, and is the biggest highlight, for this one. I can't imagine anyone else playing that role the way he did. The only thing I would have changed about the cast is the despicable family's son. The dude looks like he's in his forties, and I believe they're mentioning that he's supposedly in high school! It just doesn't work, and is the only standout problem for this entirely perfect episode.

The tone of this episode is very, very dark. If you aren't ready for it, be ready-at the very least-for the chills it will give you. Modern filmmaking and television have absolutely NOTHING on this mere twenty-five-minute-long episode of black-and-white TV from so long ago. It's a shame, but this is proof of such.

The music is so tense, here. It adds to that thick, scary, eerieness the episode swims in, and I absolutely adore it-every second of it!

The writing of the many characters it balances in such a short time are well-crafted, and their conversations truly reveal what kind of awful, thankless people they truly are. I'd even go as far to say that the dying grandfather in the story is not close to being the good guy. He's angry, and he's meticulous, and he's hurt by so many wasted years where his own family haven't cared about him whatsoever. It's just such powerful subject matter, and there's no other way this could have been more well-executed.

This. Episode. Is. Brilliant.

If you haven't seen anything from "The Twilight Zone" before, this is a wonderful place to start at. I think most of the collections of stories the show has to offer are excellent, but this one is timeless. This one has themes that mankind will always hate, but will always be exposed by. This episode-"The Masks"-will make you self-analyze to see how you treat those you claim to love-in OR outside of your family.

What a damned fine classic of filmmaking-TV or otherwise. There's nothing like it, anymore.

This is unfortunately the worst and sickest episode of TWILIGHT ZONE, which is surprising, considering it was directed by Ida Lupino, and very hands on work done by Rod Serling as writer.

These two are usually very forward thinking, and look down on the very self righteousness they display in this episode. It is the opposite of what we usually get from Ida, which makes me feel she deliberately wanted to show the piece for what it was, an ironic piece to appease and make fun of the very people who would enjoy it.

A man is dying. His last wish is an evil obsession to play God with the lives of four people in a horribly meaningless way. Maybe they are as bad as he says, but all we get is his self righteous and prejudiced judgment. In the end, he makes their lives a Hell after he dies. He could just leave them out of his will, but "No", he intends to play God.

Ida Lupino usually chose scripts in which people were taught better than to judge others. So, I'm sure she wasn't thrilled with this venomous piece.

Perhaps I don't know the upper class well enough. It isn't that I would like the four people who are sentenced to a man made Hell, it's just that it's the exact opposite of a Christian script. It's a story for control freaks, about the ultimate control freak, and those he judges are supposed to be "evil", but all we really see is this old man deciding in advance they would be evil. It wouldn't matter what they would do, he was going to decide they be unworthy.

It doesn't matter how callous the four are, the script makes no sense. In the end, the only people who would enjoy this or praise, are the very personalities of the four people they would sentence to a Hell. That's the ironic part. To like it, you would be judging yourself. It is a total hate piece, and has no value. No one should have the right to control others to that extent. It's a story of a man playing God, and actually cheered on by what are supposed to be objective observers, but that again is what makes this piece so sick. Maybe Rod knew four people he wanted to judge this way, but this is the sort of judgment that is called a "self fulfilling prophecy". If you push people into a corner, they will ultimately behave as defensively as these four did. In the end, no matter how bad they were, a sane person can't pull for the sick monster who plays God with their lives.

This one is as bad as it gets. Almost all the episodes of the Zone are great, and none are less than 6/10, and most of the films Ida directed are potential classics, and again none less than 6/10, but this one stands alone. It looks like a personal vendetta against some people, and it isn't well executed at all.