Living Doll (The Twilight Zone)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article or section may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please help improve this article or replace this tag with a more specific message. This article has been tagged since July 2006. (help, talk) |
“Living Doll” is an episode of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone.
[edit] Details
- Episode number: 126
- Season: 5
- Production code: 2621
- Original air date: November 1, 1963
- Writer: Jerry Sohl, credited to Charles Beaumont
- Director: Richard C. Sarafian
- Music: Original score by Bernard Herrmann
[edit] Cast
- Erich Streator: Telly Savalas
- Annabelle Streator: Mary LaRoche
- Christie Streator: Tracy Stratford
- Talky Tina (voice): June Foray
[edit] Synopsis
It's little Christie's birthday and she is excited about her new present. However, as they pull into the drive, her mother, Annabelle, instructs Christie to run upstairs with her new doll. Her mother informs her that her daddy does not need to see the doll now. Nonetheless, mother and daughter are stopped by father, Erich, as they enter the home. Christie is eager to show off her new present, but her father is merely concerned with how much it cost. Christie displays her doll for her father to see, exclaiming that this is "Talky Tina!" Talky Tina proclaims "My name is Talky Tina, and I love you very much!" Christie's father still only wants to know how much Talky Tina cost. Annabelle insists that this is not the time or place to discuss such matters - that she charged it. Erich demands to know how much it cost, stating that Christie does not need another doll. Christie flees the room, leaving Talky Tina behind.
Annabelle follows Christie, and Erich examines Talky Tina, who verbally states that she "does not like [him]." Erich throws Talky Tina across the room. Annabelle reenters the room, and we learn that Erich isn't actually Christie's father. Annabelle expresses her wishes for Erich to treat Christie better, stating that she loves him. Erich replies in a mocking tone, "But I don't love her, because I am her stepfather, and am incapable of loving children." Erich and Annabelle continue with a conversation about how they cannot have children of their own. Erich accuses Annabelle of placing a Walkie-Talkie in Tina and playing a trick on him. She denies his accusations.
At dinner, Christie pretends to feed Tina, as Erich becomes annoyed. Annabelle declares that Tina is good for Christie, that it gives her someone to play with. He states that Annabelle bought Tina as a reminder that they cannot have children of their own. Later, Erich is alone with Tina, and they have a conversation. Erich says to Tina, "My name is Erich Streator, and I'm going to get rid of you." Tina exclaims "You wouldn't dare! Annabelle would hate you, Christie would hate you, and I would hate you." Erich places a match next to Tina, who gasps. Erich later places Tina in the garbage. Christie is looking for Tina, but Erich states that he does not know where Tina is. He receives a phone call, and the voice on the other end says, "My name is Talky Tina, and I'm going to kill you." He checks the garbage can, but Tina is gone. He accuses Annabelle of playing tricks on him, but she insists that she has done nothing. Erich finds Tina in Christie's bed. Christie is asleep, and Tina announces "Christie! Christie! Wake up!" Christie wakes up, and Erich tries to take Tina. Christie cries for her doll as Annabelle walks in. Erich says to Annabelle, "She was with her, it is her doing it!" Christie cries "Daddy...," and Erich yells "I'm not your Daddy!" Erich brings Talky Tina to the basement, where he tries various methods of destroying her. He is unsuccessful.
He places her in the garbage can, and she laughs. Erich places various objects on the garbage can to lock Tina in. He returns to his bedroom to find Annabelle packing her bags. She states that Erich needs to see a psychiatrist. Erich insists that the doll was talking to him. Erich asks if he gives the doll back to Christie, "Will that solve this?" Annabelle replies with "I don't know." Erich takes Tina from the garbage, and Tina states, "My name is Talky Tina, and I don't forgive you."
Erich brings Tina back to Christie, who is being consoled by Annabelle. Erich is awake in bed, when he hears noises. He looks in Christie's room and finds that Tina is gone. Erich walks down the stairs, where he trips on Tina, falling down the stairs to his death. Annabelle screams "Erich!" and runs down the stairs to her husband. She picks up Tina who proclaims, "My name is Talky Tina...and you better be nice to me!"
[edit] Trivia
- Foray also provided the voice of Chatty Cathy, a talking doll manufactured by Mattel that was the inspiration for the doll in this episode.
- Parodied in The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror III Episode "Clown Without Pity."
- Also parodied in the Johnny Bravo episode "Little Talky Tabitha."
The doll used to play Talky Tina was a doll named Brikette that was made by the Vogue doll company, Brikette is a non talker.
[edit] References
- Zicree, Marc Scott: The Twilight Zone Companion. Sillman-James Press, 1982 (second edition)
