I covered The Twilight Zone this past year in celebration of Rod Serling’s centennial birthday on December 25, 2024. The series remains one of the most influential creations in the history of entertainment, in particular horror and sci-fi.
“Night of the Meek” is the 47th episode of the series, first airing on December 23, 1960. It is the most flamboyant of The Zone’s Christmas episodes, with Five Characters in Search of an Exit and The Changing of the Guard being more subtle nods to the holiday only the die-hard fans know of.
Written by Rod Serling, it is also one of six episodes shot on videotape in an effort aimed at cutting costs. As with the others, it gives it a haunting and eerie (albeit cheap) quality. I thought it made the fake snow look realistically oppressive.
The story is predictable when watching today but was fresh for its time of airing. It’s hard to fathom the classics “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Miracle on 34th Street” were a mere dozen or so years before.
Why isn’t there a real Santa Claus?
Henry Corwin (Art Carney) is a department store Santa. Corwin is a downtrodden drunkard, wasting away at the end of a bar. As he slurs his speech to the bartender (Val Avery) Corwin reveals that he loves children and adores his time playing Santa Claus. He appreciates the true meaning of Christmas. “You let that suit go to your head” the bartender surmises, channeling his inner Nick before delivering a bill of $3.80 for 6 drinks and a sandwich.
Giddyup.
A drunk Corwin is late for his shift at the store. “Look mom Santa Claus is loaded!” Yells a brat named Percival Smithers (they don’t have names like that anymore). The manager of the store (John Fiedler) fires Corwin, sending him out into the cold streets alone. Corwin, who is already dressed as Santa, stumbles upon a magic bag of toys, and you are officially into, The Twilight Zone.
Art Carney is an Academy Award winning talent, best known for his role in the sitcom The Honeymooners. Carney demonstrates he’s an amazing presence on screen, a facet not often applied to TZ actors. In 22 minutes, Carney can deliver the wide breadth of emotions applicable to the Henry Corwin character. He achieves the highest of highs and suffers the lowest of lows. And we are along with Carney the entire journey.
Supporting Cast
John Fiedler is known for his role in Twelve Angry Men and for being the voice of Piglet in Winnie the Pooh productions. Robert P. Lieb plays the Irish beat cop, Flaherty.
Burt Mustin is credited as Old Man. I only include Mustin for his many un-lauded accomplishments in cinema. Born in 1884, the character actor first worked in radio and stage. He appeared in over 150 film and television productions in a career spanning from 1921-1977. Mustin was married to Frances Robina Woods from 1915 until her death in 1969. Mustin himself passed away in 1977 at the age of 92.
Giddyup again.
“Night of the Meek” is a touching story. I highly recommend a watch. If you like it, dial up the rest of The Twilight Zone.
