Sounds and Silences

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“Sounds and Silences”

The Twilight Zone episode

John McGiver as Roswell G. Flemington

Episode no.

Season 5
Episode 147

Written by

Rod Serling

Directed by

Richard Donner

Guest stars

John McGiver : Roswell G. Flemington
Penny Singleton : Mrs. Lydia Flemington
Billy Benedict : Conklin
Francis de Sales : Doctor
Michael Fox : Psychiatrist
Rene Aubry : Ms. Abernathy (Secretary)

Production no.

2631

Original airdate

April 3, 1964

Episode chronology
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"I Am the Night—Color Me Black"	"Caesar and Me"

List of Twilight Zone episodes

"Sounds and Silences" is an episode of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone.

1 Opening narration
2 Synopsis
3 Closing narration
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Opening narration

“

This is Roswell G. Flemington, two hundred and seventeen pounds of gristle, lung tissue and sound decibels. He is, as you have perceived, a noisy man, one of a breed who substitutes volume for substance, sound for significance, and shouting to cover up the readily apparent phenomenom that he is nothing more than an overweight and aging perennial Sea Scout whose noise-making is in inverse ratio to his competence and his character. But soon our would-be admiral of the fleet will embark on another voyage. This one is an uncharted and twisting stream that heads for a distant port called...the Twilight Zone.

”

[edit] Synopsis

A model ship magnate thunders about his home and office, until his ears play tricks on him.

Roswell G. Flemington was raised in a home where he couldn't even have cookies because cookies made too much noise. At least his mother bought brownies. So when he came of age, he went to sea, and his desire to compensate for not making enough noise is driving everyone else mad. He has collected all sorts of sea-themed noisemakers, from bells and whistles to actual recordings of sea battles.

One day, his wife has had enough of his obsession with noise and finally divorces him. Shortly after, every little noise is like an explosion, and he sees a doctor who helps him understand it is all in his head, all he needs to do is overcome the mental block, and he does. The only problem is that he goes too far in the other direction, so that now he can't hear anything at all. He has lost his precious noise!

[edit] Closing narration

“

When last heard from, Mr. Roswell G. Flemington was in a sanitarium pleading with the medical staff to make some noise. They, of course, believe the case to be a rather tragic aberration--a man's mind becoming unhinged. And for this they'll give him pills, therapy and rest. Little do they realize that all Mr. Flemington is suffering from is a case of poetic justice. Tonight's tale of sounds and silences from...the Twilight Zone.

”