'They're Tearing Down Tim Riley's Bar'. Taking up 80% of this episodes' running time, this segment is a lengthy character study, and a Rod Serling original. Character actor William Windom gives a tour-de-force performance as Randy Lane, a WWII veteran and also a veteran sales manager in the plastics business. He's much too stuck in the past, when he thought his life was so much better. (This has all been brought on by the fact that the hangout of his youth, the titular Tim Riley's bar, is being torn down.) His devoted secretary (a radiant Diane Baker) reaches out to him, but he seems determined to wallow in self-pity, as well as the not unfounded belief that after 25 years at his company, he is still under-valued. If it weren't for Windoms' performance, the character wouldn't be as sympathetic. You just want to tell him that his current life really isn't so bad, even if he now has to compete with a smarmy, ambitious young office punk like Harvey Doane (an amusing Bert Convy). Great acting by everybody, in any event, including John Randolph as Randy's boss, and Henry Beckman, as his friendly policeman pal, who, like Baker, tries to reach out to him. Certainly a more emotional episode of this series than people had seen to this date, this is decent stuff that, for once, ends up on an upbeat note that is sure to touch some viewers. Directed by Don Taylor ("Escape from the Planet of the Apes", "The Final Countdown").
'The Last Laurel'. A very short and not-very-sweet segment, scripted by Serling from a story by Davis Grubb. Jack Cassidy is a hoot as a cranky old athlete now confined to a bed due to a crippling injury. He's certain that his hot young wife (cult star Martine Beswicke) is getting it on with every guy in sight, including his current doctor (Martin E. Brooks), so he plans a violent revenge, using a method which we don't see in film or TV all that often. It leads to an absolutely delicious, priceless resolution certain to amuse the audience. This segment packs a fair amount of entertainment into these trim 10 minutes or so of screen time. Directed by Daryl Duke ("Payday", "The Silent Partner").
Seven out of 10.
'The Last Laurel'. A very short and not-very-sweet segment, scripted by Serling from a story by Davis Grubb. Jack Cassidy is a hoot as a cranky old athlete now confined to a bed due to a crippling injury. He's certain that his hot young wife (cult star Martine Beswicke) is getting it on with every guy in sight, including his current doctor (Martin E. Brooks), so he plans a violent revenge, using a method which we don't see in film or TV all that often. It leads to an absolutely delicious, priceless resolution certain to amuse the audience. This segment packs a fair amount of entertainment into these trim 10 minutes or so of screen time. Directed by Daryl Duke ("Payday", "The Silent Partner").
Seven out of 10.