Category: Directed by Richard L. Bare

The Twilight Zone (1959) s01e14 – Third from the Sun

Third from the Sun suffers from a far too obvious ending. The episode forecasts it a few minutes early and then it all falls into line. However, it’s an obvious twist ending and it is a “Twilight Zone” after all, so who knows if it’s just predictable now because of the series having such an impact.

Mostly the episode is Fritz Weaver freaking out about coming nuclear war and having to convince his family they need to escape. Weaver does really well during his paranoia scenes, even though he eventually has to start sharing the episode.

Joe Maross and Edward Andrews show up about the same time. Well, Andrews has a long bit at the beginning too; he’s the villain. Maross is Weaver’s sidekick. Once the paranoia ends for Weaver, both Maross and Andrews have a lot more to do.

Bare shoots everything tilted (more obvious foreshadowing), but it’s good.

So You Think You Need Glasses (1942, Richard L. Bare)

Here’s a strange one.

So You Think You Need Glasses starts off as an instructional short about common eyesight problems and their solutions. It’s of particular note for the opthamologist’s office… which sports much of the same equipment in 1942 it does today.

Art Gilmore narrates the entire short, sometimes to humorous effect when speaking for protagonist George O’Hanlon or, to much better effect, the uncredited actress playing his wife.

But then the short takes a strange turn… O’Hanlon doesn’t need glasses. He needs to be out in the sun more, doing eye exercises. The short says these exercises will cure many afflicted with poor eyesight….

And why does O’Hanlon need good eyesight?

So he won’t be 4-F anymore.

Gilmore does well with the narration and O’Hanlon gives a fine physical performance. Bare’s direction’s adequate.

Glasses just doesn’t resonate as anything but a curiosity.

Like I said, it’s strange.

1/3Not Recommended

CREDITS

Written and directed by Richard L. Bare; director of photography, Lee Barry; produced by Bare and Gordon Hollingshead; released by Warner Bros.

Starring George O’Hanlon (Joe McDoakes). Narrated by Art Gilmore.

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