The Dummy

Description: Season 3, Episode 33

Air Date: May 4, 1962

Plot Summary: A ventriloquist goes crazy after he becomes convinced his dummy is alive.

Review: Although they are incredibly similar, and I mix them up from time to time, this episode is not to be confused with "Caesar and Me" from season 5. The story is supposed to be scary here, but I think "Caesar and Me" was able to pull it off slightly better; and obviously both stories pale in comparison to "Living Doll." Anyway, we meet a ventriloquist named Jerry and his little friend, Willie. That doesn't sound right. Although Jerry has a successful gig going on, he has bumbled the fame by becoming an alcoholic. At the same time, Jerry appears to be going insane--completely convinced Willie is alive. No one believes this notion to be true as they attribute Jerry's shenanigans to heavy drinking and probably needing psychiatric help. However, this is the Twilight Zone after all, and Willie really is alive through some kind of tulpa phenomenon--willed into existence or whatever. I did like that aspect to the plot, but it's ill-defined and brushed over far too quickly. In the final twist it is revealed that Willie and Jerry have traded positions of dummy and ventriloquist. I suppose that might freak out the kiddies in '62. I wish they spent more time toying with the scares rather than stressing the alcoholic angle but oh well...at least the background dancers were hot. Overall, this is a decent episode. It needed a bit of polish, but it had a decently creepy atmosphere and tone.