Pamela's Voice/Lone Survivor/The Doll

Episode five of the series returns to three segments.

The first "Pamela's Voice" stars John Astin as a man who is finally happy to be rid of his nagging shrill wife who has recently died. However, shock she returns and unloads on him, and he learns that all is not what it seems. This one is very short and man does Phyllis Diller ham it up, its pretty much just made up of them arguing until we get to the twist which isn't bad.

The second "Lone Survivor" is about a man who is picked up by the RMS Lusitania, however in a weird sort of events he is in a life boat labeled Titanic, which would mean the man would have been on the lifeboat for over three years. Once we figure out whats going on the story becomes very interesting, and the conclusion great. John Colicos pretty much carries the episode with a wonderfully crazy performance.

The final "The Doll" is about a British Colonel who returns back to England from war in India. He discovers that his niece has obtained a very horrifying and ratty doll. We then learn in a shocking Revelation that the doll is really meant for him sent on a mission of revenge. One of the most notorious and best segments of the series, the doll is very creepy and terrifying, and best of all we get the great John Williams who I could watch in anything with his fancy British accent. The twist is also very fun.

All in all, one of the series best episodes because of "The Doll" with "Lone Survivor" being highly enjoyable as well.

After watching this episode, I still wonder if I had or not already seen such a Night Gallery story so close to Twilight Zone genre. Let me explain. In NG, you usually deal with occultism and spiritism, very different from the Twilight Zone atmosphere. Two series, though being written by the gruesome Rod Serling, are very different. Hrere, I was at last amazed by the second segment, with the Titanic, Lusitania and the other cruiser which I don't remember the name....Ye this second story does belong to TZ and not NG. Good point.

'Pamela's Voice'. John "Gomez Addams" Astin stars as Jonathan, who's begun to be haunted by his dead wife Pamela (comedienne Phyllis Diller), who continues to be the nagging shrew that she was in life. A Rod Serling original, this short and not-so-sweet segment is noteworthy for a funny performance by Diller, and Serlings' sardonic, witty dialogue. Granted, the "big reveal" in this segment is no Earth-shattering surprise for the viewer. Directed by actor Richard Benedict ("Ocean's Eleven").

'Lone Survivor'. Canadian actor John Colicos ("The Changeling") plays a man adrift in a lifeboat, picked up by the ship The Lusitania during the first World War. It turns out that he was a survivor from the Titanic, and has been at sea, alive, for three whole years. It seems impossible, but the survivor realizes what his current situation really is: a punishment. Another sharp Serling teleplay results in a genuinely creepy and atmospheric segment, worthy of Serling's legendary 'Twilight Zone' series. The best part of the story is that it has a cyclic quality. Directed by TV veteran Gene Levitt, the creator of the series 'Fantasy Island'.

'The Doll'. Here, Serling adapts a tale by Algernon Blackwood. A British colonel (John Williams, "Dial M for Murder") learns that his niece (Jewel Blanch, "Against a Crooked Sky") has received a doll in the mail. He knows he didn't send it, and in truth it's a hideous-looking thing. It turns out that the doll has a sinister purpose, explained by a character named Pandit Chola (Henry Silva ("The Manchurian Candidate"), typically amusing). Directed by Rudi Dorn, who usually worked in the art department on various TV series, this is good fun that knows how to get you with its final punchline. That big money shot is truly a hoot.

Overall, this is a solid and very well-acted episode.

Eight out of 10.

This episode of Night Gallery is above average, featuring three entertaining tales of the supernatural.

The first is a short but fun story starring John Astin and Phylis Diller, the latter playing the ghostly deceased wife of the former. Pushed to breaking point by his wife Pamela's constant nagging, Jonathan turns to murder but finds that this doesn't stop the woman from making his life, and his death, a misery. Diller is perfectly cast, her grating voice enough to send most men doolally.

Story number two is very 'Twilight Zone', with John Colicas (later of Battlestar Galactica) as a cowardly survivor of The Titanic, destined to spend eternity being picked up by doomed ships. Calicos's superb performance makes this one more effective than it might otherwise have been.

The last tale revolves around that hoary horror cliche, the evil doll, but works well, largely because the doll in question is genuinely disturbing. For some reason, Monica, niece of military man Colonel Hymber Masters, isn't frightened of the creepy doll, but the colonel knows better, the toy having been sent to his home by the vengeful brother of a fanatic that he ordered to be shot whilst serving in India. This one has a neat twist at the end, the colonel giving the brother a taste of his own medicine.

'Pamela's Voice" has John Astin celebrating his wife's (Phyllis Diller) death because he couldn't stand her voice. Diller was known for her loud voice and grating laugh but the director told her to tone it down (for some reason). It drains the segment of any point.

"Lone Survivor" is an OK story about a ship finding a lifeboat with one survivor. They bring him aboard...and things get weird. Well-acted but the set is cheaply done and looks it.

"The Doll" is easily one of my favorite NG episodes. A British colonel (John Williams) comes home from India to find his young girl has a new doll. Unfortunately the doll is evil and things go horribly wrong. VERY scary and frightening episode.