Cold Reading (The Twilight Zone)

"Cold Reading" is the third and final segment of the eighteenth episode from the first season (1985–86) of the television series The Twilight Zone.

"Cold Reading"
The Twilight Zone (1985 series) episode
Scene from Cold Reading
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 18c
Directed byGus Trikonis
Written byMartin Pasko
Rebecca Parr
Original air dateFebruary 14, 1986
Guest appearance(s)

Dick Shawn: Nelson Westbrook
Larry Poindexter (as Lawrence Poindexter): Milo Trent
Janet Carroll: Marilyn Cavendish
Joel Brooks: Jack Holland
Annette McCarthy: Carla
Ralph Manza: Sol
Kevin Scannell: Announcer
Mike Pniewski: Page
Paul Keith: Paul Loomis
Thomas Bellin: Ed Winter
Jon Melichar

Opening narration

Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear, where radio was king and the special effects were as big as your imagination. All recorded live in the studios of...the Twilight Zone.

Plot

1930s aspiring radio drama actor Milo Trent is invited as a last-minute replacement to a famous weekly show Dick Noble, African Explorer. The show is a creation of famous writer Nelson Westbrook, who is known for rewriting the script shortly before the broadcast and authentic props and music. But when Westbrook accidentally wishes for realistic special effects while holding an ancient voodoo artifact, he gets what he wants—and more.

As the actors read their lines, their words come to life. First a vulture appears in the studio, then there is a terrible storm and finally African tribesmen appear, followed by monkeys, parrots, rifles in the distance, etc. Realizing that their safety is in peril, Westbrook feverishly rewrites the show so nothing drastic happens. He removes a plane crash and an earthquake among other things.

With all hazards averted, the cast brings the show to an end and everyone breathes a sigh of relief. The relief is short lived as the show's host announces next week's episode: "Invaders from Mars." Westbrook yells, "NOOOO!" right before a flying saucer crashes into the sound stage.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.