The Outer Limits (1963) 1.13

Tourist Attraction

starring Janet Blair, Henry Silva, Ralph Meeker

directed by Laslo Benedek

John Dexter (Ralph Meeker) leads an expedition in San Blas with the help of marine biologist Tim Evans. Lynn Arthur (Janet Blair), Dexter's secretary is also along for the ride. In the depths of Lake Aripan they find a large fish. Dexter kills it and brings it back with them. He has it put on ice. He wants to transport it back to the United States but General Mercurio (Henry Silva) the ruler of San Blas steps in and declares the creature a national treasure.

Dexter, despite being forbidden from removing the creature from the country attempts to move forward with his plan. The creature comes back to life during the night and calls to it's brethren in Lake Aripan. They come for it just as Dexter is trying to move it. Dexter tries to kill them but in the end he is forced to allow the captured creature its kin return with to Lake Aripan.

Thoughts

The only thing fun about this episode was the giant fish costumes. There were also some underwater shots, possibly the first for this show.

This episode is sorely lacking. I was shaking my head throughout. The performances by the cast, lead and supporting, are suboptimal. The plot is thin. It never really grabbed me. I can kind of see where they were going with this one but it was very poorly constructed and executed in my opinion. 

Notes

This is the only episode of this show in which Janet Blair appeared. 

This is the first of two episodes of this show in which Henry Silva appeared. He also appeared in episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955), The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Night Gallery, and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. He appeared in a few movies I have seen including Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai (1999).

This is the only episode of this show in which Ralph Meeker appeared. He appeared in four episodes of Alfred Hitchcock presents, the first of which was 1.01 Revenge. I've also seen him in The Night Stalker (1972).

This is the second of three episodes of this show that Laslo Benedek directed. The other two episodes were 1.04 The Man with the Power and 2.08 Wolf 359.