I can tell you that I don’t like this episode. I vaguely remember it. I usually skip it when it is on TV. None of the actors or actresses appear to be names that I am remotely familiar with, which isn’t shocking given the time frame.
Rod Serling’s Opening Narration
Picture of a woman looking at a picture. Movie great of another time, once-brilliant star in a firmament no longer a part of the sky, eclipsed by the movement of earth and time. Barbara Jean Trenton, whose world is a projection room, whose dreams are made out of celluloid. Barbara Jean Trenton, struck down by hit-and-run years and lying on the unhappy pavement, trying desperately to get the license number of fleeting fame.
The Story
Barbara Jean Trenton is a former star, or at least got some decent work. SHe’s wealthy and lives in her film room and just watches films of her performances. Danny Weiss shows up her house and Sally, her maid, lets him in. He’s gonna have a chat with Barbara. He tells her how nice it is outside in Beverly Hills, 84 degrees and he’s in a suit. Fudge that, way too warm. He tries to convince her that her behavior isn’t healthy, just sitting in her room all day watching movies. Wait, that just described me too much. Screw you, Danny! He has an audition or a gig lined up for her, and she is super stoked.
They meet at Marty’s office at 3 that afternoon. Marty offers her not a big role, but a nice showcase. The role is to be of a 40-ish-year-old vibrant mother. She ain’t having it, it’s a waste of her time. She keeps running her mouth and Marty puts her in her place and calls her an aging broad and tells her any role that she will get at this agency will strictly be through charity. Danny is upset at Marty, but Marty was right for being sick of her prima donna behavior.
Back at Barbara’s house, she pretty much says that this is why she is so comfortable at home because she can shut out the outside world. She is living 25 years in the past and she is not a fan of rock n’ roll. She gets pissy at Danny.
The next day, Danny tells Sally that one of Barbara’s former leading men, Jerry, will be paying her a visit. She isn’t interested in seeing friends, but when Danny name drops Jerry’s name, Barbara is super excited and is going to get changed and put on some makeup. She sees Jerry and man, he looks old as hell. She is delusional. She thought that he would be dressed as he was 20 years ago in the movies. Jerry runs some supermarkets outside of Chicago, no more acting for him. She is such an ungrateful bitch to Jerry and tells both men to go away. Jerry says goodbye but she ain’t having it. Danny can’t believe that just happened.
Barbara goes into her film room and watches her and young Jerry. She wishes she could be there with young Jerry. Sally comes to give Barbara some coffee. Barbara is nowhere to be found. Sally is shocked, she screams and she drops her tray. Danny rushes over. Barbara cannot be found in the house, not in the way that Danny and Sally are. Danny is going to run the film now. Sally is familiar looking to me. Oh man, she was in the classic “It’s a Good Life” episode of Twilight Zone as Aunt Amy. Anyway, Danny yells at Film Barbara, and she gets close to the screen, gives a kiss and walks off-screen with young Jerry. Yup, she got her wish and lives inside that one film that she had a copy of that nobody else is going to see. What a terrible wish. Oh, she threw a scarf before she left and Danny found it outside the room. What a TWEEST. Danny seems happy for her. WHY?
Rod Serling’s Closing Narration
To the wishes that come true, to the strange, mystic strength of the human animal, who can take a wishful dream and give it a dimension of its own. To Barbara Jean Trenton, movie queen of another era, who has changed the blank tomb of an empty projection screen into a private world. It can happen – in the Twilight Zone.
Final Thoughts
I find this story to be boring. I don’t like any of the leads aside from Marty. I get why Barbara is like that. As a former local TV star that at least 17 people knew, I get the vibe of being a washed-up celebrity. I get the idea is staying in a room for most of my life just staring at a screen and wishing for glory days. I get it! But it’s still a dumb story. It’s a dumb wish. As I said, nobody is going to watch that copy of that film again, most likely. So she kinda killed herself, and we’re supposed to be happy for her. And I can even get behind that to a certain extent. I am a firm believer in suicide in all honesty. There’s a lot to be said for going out on your own terms. With all of the things that I agree with, none of it makes for a compelling story or episode. That is my biggest gripe. Not every episode can be memorably good. This isn’t for me despite appreciating all of the themes.
Final Rating: 3.7