On this date, one hundred years ago, the great Rod Serling was born. This legendary writer ushered us into “The Twilight Zone” and the “Night Gallery” and contributed mightily to the success of such classics as “Requiem for a Heavyweight” (the 1956 television play and the 1962 feature film) as well as the original “Planet of the Apes” (1968).
I can’t think of a more fitting way to honor Rod Serling‘s genius on this centennial anniversary than to share a memorable episode of “The Twilight Zone“: “Night of the Meek,” starring the incomparable Art Carney. This second season installment first aired on December 23, 1960.
There were other Christmas-themed episodes in the original series (and in the 1985 revival, which provided a reboot of the Carney installment). And Serling also wrote a controversial modernization of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” with the 1964 television film, “A Carol for Another Christmas“, directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and scored beautifully by Henry Mancini.
But this particular episode has a special poignancy. In his narrative coda, Serling says:
A word to the wise to all the children of the twentieth century, whether their concern be pediatrics or geriatrics, whether they crawl on hands and knees and wear diapers or walk with a cane and comb their beards. There’s a wondrous magic to Christmas and there’s a special power reserved for little people. In short, there’s nothing mightier than the meek. And a Merry Christmas to each and all.
In the twenty-first century, we can still enjoy this holiday classic, thanks to Daily Motion (with ads). It’s at this link.
“And a Merry Christmas to each and all …”
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