<-- Previous EpisodeNext Episode -->
The Twilight Zone: Printer's Devil
A wily old man, hired by a bankrupt newspaper editor, has the knack of predicting headline stories and claims to be the Devil.
| 9.3/10 (3 Votes cast) |
Episode Info
|
Episode number: 4x9 Production Number: 4864 Airdate: Thursday February 28th, 1963 |
Recap
Douglas Winter's newspaper, The Courier, has fallen into financial trouble. A Mr. Smith appears, and after talking with Douglas, decides to help pay off the debts, and run the linotype machine. This Mr. Smith just happens to be The Devil, and offers Winter's a contract that would guarantee a successful newspaper in exchange for his soul. Afraid of losing Mr. Smith's services, he reluctantly agrees. Mr. Smith then starts printing up news and then makes the story come true. He creates all sorts of disasters, and Douglas asks him to stop. Mr. Smith makes him a new offer, he will stop as long as Winters kills himself. He agrees, but then gets a brilliant idea. He sets the type to print out a story stating the devils contract is voided, and that Mr. Smith has been banished from the Earth. He decides to run a legitimate newspaper, and then destroys the linotype machine. ..Read the full recap
Episode Notes
Burgess Meredith was also in "Time Enough at Last," "Mr. Dingle, the Strong" and "The Obsolete Man." He is best known for his roles as the Penguin in Batman, and as the trainer in Rocky I & II.
This episode is based on the short story "The Devil, You Say?" by Charles Beaumont. The story was first published in Amazing Stories, January, 1951.
Episode Quotes
Opening Narration
Narrator: Take away a man's dream, fill him with whiskey and despair, send him back to a lonely bridge, let him stand there all by himself looking down at the black water, and try to imagine the thoughts that are in his mind. You can't, I can't. But there's someone who can - and that someone is seated next to Douglas Winter right now. The car is headed back toward town, but its real destination is the Twilight Zone.
Narrator: Take away a man's dream, fill him with whiskey and despair, send him back to a lonely bridge, let him stand there all by himself looking down at the black water, and try to imagine the thoughts that are in his mind. You can't, I can't. But there's someone who can - and that someone is seated next to Douglas Winter right now. The car is headed back toward town, but its real destination is the Twilight Zone.
Closing Narration
Narrator: Exit the infernal machine, and with it his satanic majesty, Lucifer, prince of darkness - otherwise known as Mr. Smith. He's gone, but not for good; that wouldn't be like him - he's gone for bad. And he might be back, with another ticket to - the Twilight Zone.
Narrator: Exit the infernal machine, and with it his satanic majesty, Lucifer, prince of darkness - otherwise known as Mr. Smith. He's gone, but not for good; that wouldn't be like him - he's gone for bad. And he might be back, with another ticket to - the Twilight Zone.
Cultural References
Title: The title, "Printer's Devil" is a reference made in the printing profession for an apprentice whose tasks would be to perform menial tasks, such as mixing inks and retrieving type.
Other Episode Crew
| • Creator | Rod Serling |
| • Executive Producer | Rod Serling |
| • Producer | Herbert Hirschman |
| • Associate Producer | Murray Golden |
| • Editor | Richard W. Farrell |
| • Set Decorator | Henry Grace | Don Greenwood, Jr. |
| • Director of Photography | George T. Clemens |
| • Art Director | John J. Thompson | George W. Davis |
| • Production Manager | Ralph Nelson |
| • Sound Editor | Franklin Milton | Joe Edmondson |
| • Main Title Theme | Marius Constant |
| • Assistant Director | John D. Bloss |
| • Assistant To The Director | John Conwell |
Reelz Channel Picks Up US Rights To Pillars Of The Earth Sequel
Last year, premium cable channel Starz aired an eight hour mini-series..
Awake's Creator And Star Discuss The Series Finale
Last night saw the ending of one of the most creative new dramas of the last..
The Green Room Guest List - Week Of 5/21/12 - TF Edition
Welcome one and all to the twice weekly guide to which of your favorite..
Info Center | Contact | Advertise | TOS |
Privacy | Copyright | RSS | Banners | Writers Wanted