WAY OUT {'WAY OUT}: 20/20 (TV)

Summary

One in this fantasy/science fiction anthology series, hosted by Roald Dahl. In this episode, nebbishy encyclopedia salesman Hervey accidentally shows up on the doorstep of a very quirky taxidermy parlor. When he tries to peddle his "anthropological encyclopedia volumes" to the eccentric couple who run the place, he is informed that the pair have no interest in anthropology, the study of man; they prefer animals to people, they tell him. Before the uncomfortable Hervey has a chance to slip out the door, the odd couple are showing him their collection of dangerous pets, and Hervey becomes intrigued by a toothy viper named "Mahatma." Finally, Hervey leaves for home. Once there, he is subjected to a torrent of verbal abuse from his new wife, who openly discusses her hatred of Hervey. Hervey gets so fed up that he leaves home for the night -- and ends up back at the taxidermy parlor. In the middle of his long conversation with the offbeat proprietors of the shop, the female lets it slip that the deadly animals that they keep as pets can be rented to undertake "missions." Sick of the abuse he takes at home, Hervey decides he wants to hire Mahatma to kill his ungrateful bride. His plan turns out to be far from foolproof. Includes commercials, promos, and a public service announcement.

Cataloged in memory of Reuben Joseph, who shared this with his son.

Details

• NETWORK: CBS
• DATE: July 14, 1961 Friday 9:30 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:29:16
• COLOR/B&W: B&W
• CATALOG ID: T:61551
• GENRE: Drama, fantasy/science fiction
• SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, fantasy/science fiction; She Made It Collection (Jacqueline Babbin)
• SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1961
• COMMERCIALS:
  • TV - Commercials - L&M cigarettes
  • TV - PSA - Drivers Kill and Cripple More Children Than Any Disease
  • TV - Promos - "The Ed Sullivan Show"
  • TV - Promos - "The Twilight Zone"

CREDITS

• David Susskind … Executive Producer
• Jacqueline Babbin … Producer
• Fred Wardenburg … Associate Producer
• Paul Bosner … Director
• Jerome Ross … Writer
• James Reichert … Music (Misc. Credits), Music Supervisor
• Luening, Ussachevsky, Dockstader … Music (Misc. Credits), Electronic Music by
• Robert Cobert … Music (Misc. Credits), Original Music by
• Roald Dahl … Host
• Milton Selzer … Cast, Hervey
• Ruth White … Cast, Stephanie
• Frederick Rolf … Cast, Mr. Jellifer
• Sudie Bond … Cast, Mrs. Jellifer
• Tom Shirley … Cast, Huddleston