The Twilight Zone: Dead Man Shoes (1962)
There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears, and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call ... The Twilight Zone.
The Twilight Zone opening narration
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The Series
The Twilight Zone anthology series ran from 1959 to 1965, featuring a host of actors who later became household names. Robert Redford and Robert Duvall come to mind, as well as Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner. The latter starred in the famous Nightmare at 20 000 Feet installment. Each episode was introduced by creator Rod Serling. Alltogether 156 episodes were made, 92 of which Serling wrote. The series specialised in tales with a twist. Among the best episodes are the Shatner one, The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street and Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up. Well worth catching on the tube.
The Episode
(For notes, quotes and relevant links go to the next page.)
Stevens guest-starred in a third-season episode called Dead Man's Shoes, as Nate Bledsoe. It was aired on January 19, 1962, written by Charles Beaumont, and directed by Montgomery Pittman.
Nathan Edward Bledsoe, of the Bowery Bledsoes, a man once, a spectre now. One of those myriad modern-day ghosts that haunt the [] nights of the city in search of a flop, a hand-out, a glass of forgetfulness. Nate doesn't know it yet but his search is about to end. Those shiny new shoes are going to carry him right into the capital of the twilight zone.
Serling's Dead Man's Shoes introduction
 A homeless man (Bledsoe) sees a carfull of crooks dump a body, and helps himself to its new shoes and a key he finds in its pocket. Turns out that their previous owner is a tenacious fella and he promptly takes over Nate's body and goes back to his apartment - and his bewildered moll, Wilma. Until he takes his shoes off that is, and poor Nate "wakes up" to find himself in a strange apartment. When Nate puts the shoes back on to leave the strange apartment, urged on by Wilma and a gun, the gangster resurfaces. After pausing to put on some clean clothes and slap Wilma around he takes off to the club where he was killed by his partner, intending to return the favour. At the bar he loudly orders Dane's fave drink - tequila with a cube of sugar, and gets himself invited into Bernie's office for a one-on-one. Dane/Nate successfully evades an ambush from behind, but another crook shoots him through a bookcase. Arrogant snook. Now we know how they managed to rub him out him in the first place. Not very bright. Dying again, he vows to come back as many times as it takes. The episode ends with Nate's body being dumped and a bum making a beeline for his new shoes.
There's an old saying that goes if the shoe fits, wear it. But be careful. If you happen to fins a pair of size 9 black and white loafers, made to order in the old country, be very careful. You might walk right into ... the twilight zone.
Serling signing off the episode
Not the best TZ episode, but not the worst either. I'm fond of it. For obvious reasons. :-)
For notes, quotes and relevant links go to the next page.
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