The Twilight Zone season 4 is different, in that it switches to an hour-long format. It also boast some of the best episodes of the entire series. Most notably, Printer’s Devil with Burgess Meredith. Other outstanding episodes include he Thirty-Fathom Grave, The Date Ship, On Thursday We Leave for Home. I have a warm spot for Jess-Belle as well.
No. in season | Title | Original Air Date |
1 | In His Image | January 3, 1963 |
A scientist creates an android that has the qualities which he feels he’s lacking. | ||
2 | The Thirty-Fathom Grave | January 10, 1963 |
A US naval destroyer investigates a mysterious tapping sound coming from a sunken submarine. An excellent episode dealing with ghosts … or survivor’s guilt. | ||
3 | Valley of the Shadow | January 17, 1963 |
A reporter finds himself trapped in a small town where people can reverse time and do many other amazing things. A good episode, with a science fiction premise. Don’t worry – the dog’s okay! | ||
4 | He’s Alive | January 24, 1963 |
Peter Vollmer, a small-time neo-Nazi leader, yearns for more power. Advised by a shadowy benefactor, Vollmer’s following grows, as does his ego. An interesting concept, that’s not half as subtle as it thinks. | ||
5 | The Mute | January 31, 1963 |
A 12-year-old girl who lost her parents in a fire doesn’t speak because she has grown up in a secret telepathic community. A sweet story, with an unexpectedly happy ending. | ||
6 | The Date Ship | February 7, 1963 |
A three-man spacecraft lands on a planet only to discover the wreckage of a spacecraft identical to their own. Two of the crew are convinced that they are dead, but the captain refuses to believe it. An excellent episode, with Jack Klugman and Ross Martin. | ||
7 | Jess-Belle | February 14, 1963 |
Jess-Belle enlists the aid of a local witch who casts a spell that makes Billy-Ben fall in love with her. A sad story. Never make a deal with a witch. Starring James Best. | ||
8 | Miniature | February 21, 1963 |
A lonely man falls in love with a mini museum doll, which he believes is alive. | ||
9 | Printer’s Devil | February 28, 1963 |
Douglas Winter, the editor of a newspaper, makes a deal with the devil. With Burgess Meredith, who plays his role with glee! | ||
10 | No Time Like the Past | March 7, 1963 |
A man travels back in time to try to prevent some of history’s catastrophes. Failing, he decides to avoid the stress of the future by relocating to the past. But the best-laid plans of mice and men … | ||
11 | The Parallel | March 14, 1963 |
An astronaut arrives back on Earth, then notices several differences. | ||
12 | I Dream of Genie | March 21, 1963 |
A man considers several possibilities when offered one wish by a genie. And makes the only choice that will make him happy … A truly sweet, enjoyable episode. | ||
13 | The New Exhibit | April 4, 1963 |
The curator of a murderers’ row in a soon-to-be-defunct wax museum persuades the owner to let him keep the figures for awhile. | ||
14 | Of Late I Think of Cliffordville | April 11, 1963 |
A bored, wealthy businessman gets a chance to go back in time and start over, armed with all the knowledge he’s acquired…an arsenal that’s not as powerful as he thinks. | ||
15 | The Incredible World of Horace Ford | April 18, 1963 |
Toy designer Horace Ford spends most of his time reminiscing about his idyllic childhood. | ||
16 | On Thursday We Leave for Home | May 2, 1963 |
A man named Benteen leads a colony of Americans stranded on a desert planet for 30 years. And the conflict begins once rescue arrives … a bittersweet episode starring James Whitmore | ||
17 | Passage On the Lady Anne | May 9, 1963 |
A husband and wife take a cruise they will never forget. | ||
18 | The Bard | May 23, 1963 |
An untalented would-be writer’s career takes off when the ghost of William Shakespeare writes his script. A scathing indictment of television writing. |
Editorial review of The Twilight Zone episode 4 courtesy of Amazon.com
Rod Serling’s classic, groundbreaking series changes in season 4 from a half-hour format to full one-hour episodes. A few of the standout episodes from season four include “Miniature” with Robert Duvall, “Death Ship” starring Jack Klugman who has a recurring nightmare, “The Bard” a spoof on TV that features Burt Reynolds and “In His Image” about a man who builds an exact robot replica of himself.