TWILIGHT ZONE, THE: THE OLD MAN IN THE CAVE (TV)
Summary
One in this science fiction/fantasy anthology series hosted by Rod Serling.
Ten years after an apocalyptic nuclear war, a small community of survivors struggles to eke out an existence in the ruins of society. They are aided by a mysterious old man who lives in a nearby cave who communicates only with Goldsmith, one of the community’s leaders. Of paramount concern is the issue of irradiated food and drink, which the old man chiefly advises them on. Goldsmith returns and warns the community about an upcoming rainstorm of radioactive precipitation, and that their most recent batch of foodstuffs are all contaminated by radiation. A jeep full of soldiers pulls up to the community led by a Major French, who claims that he is part of a division attempting to “organize” the fractured United States into a semblance of order. Major French asks for lodging for himself and his men for a short while, claiming he is part of an operation to set up a system of military control over the United States, with himself as constabulary of the local area. Goldsmith agrees to give him room for the night but asks him to leave the following day. Major French strikes Goldsmith and threatens to execute him if he interferes with their efforts.
Goldsmith tells Major French about the authority of the old man in the cave, and Major French likens their behavior to that of cults and lunatics he has encountered elsewhere in the United States. He believes the old man does not exist and mocks Goldsmith, although Goldsmith defends the judgment of the old man. Major French decides to take everyone up to the cave to investigate whether he exists or not. The cave is protected by a seemingly impenetrable steel door, and Goldsmith claims he does not know how to open it and communicates with the old man via notes. Major French attempts to blast open the door with a hand grenade, but does not succeed. They return to the village, where Major French convinces the townsfolk to open the cans of contaminated food despite Goldsmith’s pleas for them to stop.
The townsfolk drink and feast until late into the night, leaving Goldsmith morose and defeated. Major French proclaims that the old man in the cave does not exist and was fabricated by Goldsmith. He and the townsfolk ask Goldsmith to open the cave and reveal what’s inside, and Goldsmith is cajoled into compliance. They learn that the “old man” is actually a computer, and Major French convinces them to destroy it in order to earn their “freedom.” In a matter of days, everyone except Goldsmith dies from radiation poisoning, and he is left alone to contemplate their terrible fate. Includes commercials.
(This program contains audiovisual imperfections. It represents the best quality available at this time.)
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: November 8, 1963 9:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:29:01
- COLOR/B&W: B&W
- CATALOG ID: B:34423
- GENRE: Drama, fantasy/science fiction
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, fantasy/science fiction; Nuclear weapons; Computers
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1959-1964
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Bert Granet … Producer
- Alan Crosland Jr. … Director
- Rod Serling … Created by, Writer
- Harry Slesar … Based on the short story "The Old Man" by
- Rod Serling … Host
- James Coburn … Cast, Major French
- John Anderson … Cast, Goldsmith
- Josie Lloyd … Cast, Evie
- John Craven … Cast, Man
- John Marley … Cast, Jason