Green Fingers/The Funeral/The Tune in Dan's Cafe

Even though this segment seems like Jack Laird directed and/or wrote it, although he did not, he did have a small starring role as Ygor. I've read the he and Rod Serling often clashed over the direction of the Night Gallery over the comedic segments. Let me say that I enjoyed the first part of this story, which was more serious, than the second part, which was more "funny", although it's really not that funny. Horror writer veteran Richard Matheson has a writing credit, and you know he adds credibility, and I wonder if he also wrote the "funny" parts. Werner Klemperer and Joe Flynn both shine here, especially Klemperer as a cool 70's vampire. Flynn looks a lot older than 47 years old, and would tragically drown just 2 years later, but he gave a good performance as well. The funeral parlor setting was done real well, and from what I recall, it was rather eerie looking, with sinister music playing. If you paid attention, you should notice that same music was played in another episode titled "The Flip-Side of Satan", and it's perfect in both episodes. My young son was even slightly impressed with the graphics, even though it's from 1972, so there's that.

I too enjoyed this episode of Night Gallery. I thought at first it was from The Twilight Zone until I went through the episode list. IMDb made finding the correct listing easy and I appreciate it. I also feel SciFi should pick up Night Gallery. This episode reminds me of "Imminent Domain" issues in our country. The plot disturbed me greatly as a young teen...the idea that there are those who will go to most any means to get what it is they want without considering others. The acting in this episode was excellent; very believable and sincere. Rod Serling is the preeminent of psychological mind bends...he is not Hitchcock of course, but he can hold his own.

This "NG" episode from 1972 is most memorable for it's segment called "Green Fingers" as it involves a man named Mike Saunders who's mean and cruel and wants to build new structures on an existing property. However to do this he must put an old lady and her current little home to pasture and waste! The episode becomes cruel however it twist with guilt and it turns with some revenge don't want to say more and spoil it for those who haven't seen it! Overall well done episode.

Green Finger: This is a terrific episode... up until the ending. The twist itself is wonderful and for the most part well executed... Except for one thing. The voice of Michael J. Saunders clearly isn't coming from the actor's mouth. He barely moves his mouth at all. For whatever reason the voice was recorded and played on top of the video killing all believability. Also, I have no idea why his hair changed.

The funeral was amusing.

I haven't watched the third part yet but will soon. I have to type some stuff now to get to enough characters. So here are some characters. They are mostly letters.

In "Green Fingers, " Elsa Lanchester, who played the bride of Frankenstein, is a wonderful little lady who isn't about to give in to a land developer who refuses to take no for an answer. He tries every method get her to give up her little piece of property. He is putting up a huge array of buildings and she is standing in the way. While he tries his usual intimidation, she talks about her wonderful garden. He is totally insensitive and has only his business dealings in mind. Failing to achieve his goals he hires a hit man to get rid of the old lady. What happens next is quite an experience. Lanchester is fantastic and shows she still had acting chops

In "The Funeral," a strange man, played by Werner Klemperer arranges a funeral with Joe Flynn, an upscale undertaker. After a series of conditions, it is revealed that the funeral is for Klemperer who is obviously a vampire. He has a guest list, including a hunchback, a witch, and other sordid monsters. The service itself is a hoot. For pure fun, this isn't half bad.

"The Tune at Dan's Cafe" has a bored married couple, who are heading for divorce, arriving at a cafe where there are no other customers and a mysterious proprietor. The star is an aged juke box that keeps playing the same forgettable love song over and over again. The juke box has a history and that is played back in increments. It tells the story of a hoodlum and his ill fated romance with a woman who has been under his thumb for a long time. The parallels between the couples is interesting. This is an eerie presentation with many surprises and a very satisfying ending.