The Twilight Zone (1959) 1.04

The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine

starring Ida Lupino, Martin Balsam

directed by Michael Leisen

Barbara Jean Trenton (Ida Lupino), aging and past her prime movie star, spends most of her time sitting at home watching her old movies. She dreams of returning to that life but doesn't think that it's possible until Danny Weiss (Martin Balsam), her agent, arranges for a meeting with a studio head.

Barbara takes the meeting but quickly discovers that they don't want her to star in a movie. They want her to play a supporting role. She walks out indignant.

Jerry Hearndan, an actor with whom she made three films 25 years before, comes to visit. She gets excited when she hears he is coming but when she sees him and learns that he is no longer and actor she loses all hope. She returns to watching her movies until something magical happens.

Thoughts

This story feels very much like an alternate take on the story of Norma Desmond from Sunset Blvd (1950). I enjoyed that movie and this episode very much. The twist in the end didn't fully satisfy me but Martin Balsam's performance really sold it.

Notes

This is the only episode of The Twilight Zone (1959) in which Ida Lupino appeared but a few years later she directed an episode of the show. She also directed two episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) and nine episodes of Thriller (1960). I've seen five films in recent years in which Ida Lupino appeared. My favorite is Road House (1948).

This is the first of two episode of this show in which Martin Balsam appeared. He also appeared in a two episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) and two episodes of The Twilight Zone (1986). He has also been in a few films I have seen including 12 Angry Men (1957), The Six Million Dollar Man (1973), and Taking of the Pelham One Two Three (1974). 

This is the first of three episodes of this show that Michael Leisen directed. He also directed two episodes of Thriller (1960).