WESTINGHOUSE - DESILU PLAYHOUSE - The Time Element. With William Bendix, Martin Balsam, Darryl Hickman, Jesse White. After so many years, it's gratifying to finally see what Rod Serling had initially written for his proposed series that became a bona fide classic these past 50 years. WESTINGHOUSE - DESILU PLAYHOUSE - The Time Element. I strongly recommend it. Desi was not featured in this and the Westinghouse name wasn't in the titles. 'The Time Element' is a somewhat tentative first step, one that allowed Serling time to coalesce the various ingredients that would go into the new series. Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse season 1 episode 6. The first pilot was an episode of the Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse. Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse The Time Element - Season 1, Episode 6 - 24 Nov. 1958 - Unaired pilot for The Twilight Zone was the story of a man from 1958 who woke up in Honolulu, Hawaii, on December 6th, 1941, the day before Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese Imperial fleet)Introduced by Desi Arnez and starred William Bendix and Duane Hickman, Martin Balsam and Jesse White. Two of its 48 episodes served as pilots for the 1950s television series The Twilight Zone and The Untouchables. Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (1958 - 1969) Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse was an American television anthology series produced by Desilu Productions. Airdate: 12/11/58 Writer: Rod Serling Director: Alan Reisner Starring: William Bendix, Martin Balsam Generally considered as the pilot episode of The Twilight Zone, despite appearing in the series Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse, The Time Element was an hour long time travel story written by Rod Serling that's included in it's entirety in high definition on the UK BD release of The Twilight … Let me know." Add the first question. Also, by this time he was spending weekends away from the family in Del Mar, California. One critic at the time was so mad at that "explanation" he simply wrote, "GO HOME, DESI!" User Ratings The version I saw on YouTube had something that was missing that I read about in the book. The original air date was November 24, 1958. In the 1957-58 season, Desi started the Lucy-Desi Comedy Hours as well as his personal love/hate project, The Desilu Playhouse, an hour … Westinghouse, losing their long-time product with Playhouse 90‘s … One lesson learned apparently was that these kinds of stories were much more effective in a half-hour format; otherwise they felt padded, though this lesson was then forgotten briefly by the time the abbreviated fourth season of 'Twilight Zone' rolled around. As Bendix explains to awesome, his dream stops just as the planes fly over where he is sleeping, having earlier been knocked out by bartender Jesse White for stirring up this fear. It is October, 1958, and "Peter Jenson" (played by William Bendix) is in the office of a New York psychiatrist named "Dr. Arnold Gillespie" (played by Martin Balsam.) Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Imagine, for a second, that you’ve never heard of … Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse is an American television anthology series produced by Desilu Productions. The one-hour teleplay was written by Rod Serling of course, and it contained most of the essential ingredients of later 'Zone' episodes. He tries to warn of the impending attack on Pearl Harbor, but proves to be unsuccessful. The episode, written by Serling, was The Time Element. Air Date/Released: Monday, November 24, 1958: Station/Studio: CBS: Featuring: Joe DeRita (Solo) Sponsor Westinghouse partnered with Desilu Studios to produce this filmed anthology series. It was just "The Desilu Playhouse" and the copy was pretty washed out. This is where things stood when Bert Granet, the new producer for Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse, discovered "The Time Element" in CBS' vaults while The Time Element, November 10, 1958. This was shown as an episode of "Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse." He wakes up just as the planes are coming. An excellent cast helps along the way. The Eighth Doctor, in a meeting with Bill under the name John Smith, claimed to have worked on it, and said they liked him there. Usage Public Domain Mark 1.0 Topics WESTINGHOUSE DESILU PLAYHOUSE Language English. Watched "The Time Element" which is the inspiration for The Twilight Zone. Rod Serling's Twilight Zone was effectively born in this episode of the Desilu PLayhouse. This is where things stood when Bert Granet, the new producer for Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse, discovered "The Time Element" in CBS' vaults while searching for an original Serling script to add prestige to his show. Besides the Westinghouse sponsored “The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show,”- which were specials and technically not part of the Westinghouse-Desilu Playhouse – both the “Twilight Zone” pilot (The Time Element) and this surprise 2-part production based on a true-crime novel by Elliot Ness, “The Untouchables” were also Top Ten productions. Written by Rod Serling, the show's popularity gave Serling the leverage to convince CBS to give the go-ahead to Serling's concept for a science fiction/fantasy anthology series (which was what Serling had in mind when writing "The Time Element") that he called The Twilight Zone which debuted in the fall of 1959. Celebrate Black History Month with some of the most iconic figures in Hollywood. GusF. WESTINGHOUSE DESILU PLAYHOUSE by CBS/VIACOM. It is October, 1958, and "Peter Jenson" (played by William Bendix) is in the office of a New York psychiatrist named "Dr. Arnold Gillespie" (played by Martin Balsam.) | Peter made the appointment since he has been suffering from the same nightmare for the last several nights. Peter made the appointment since he has been suffering from the same nightmare for the last several nights. Unfortunately, the episode seldom appears on television these days. In this one, it's 1958 and Pete Jenson (William Bendix) is seeing a psychiatrist (Martin Balsam) and telling him of the same dream he's been having for about a week. CBS didn't bite on the series idea, but they did buy the script… but didn't produce it. ***SPOILERS*** What was a precursor to the highly successful "Twilight Zone" the "Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse" broadcast of "Time Element" is about a man lost in time who's on the verge of having an total emotional breakdown. 1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Though some of what he says may be partly contradicted by the ending with Jensen's picture at his bar, this was still a nearly excellent outing for the premise. The Time Element (TV) is a film directed by Allen Reisner with William Bendix, Martin Balsam, Darryl Hickman, Jesse White, Carolyn Kearney .... Year: 1958. He also hosted the “Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse” from 1958 until 1960. Shown as an installment of 'Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse' in 1958, 'The Time Element' was meant as the pilot for what would become 'The Twilight Zone.' CBS had passed on the idea as a series, but eventually the show was aired as a one-off. For many, the inclusion of "The Time Element," a 1958 episode of The Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse penned by Rod Serling, will be among the key selling points; never legally available in any format prior to this set, the hour-long story, which stars William Bendix as a man who suffers from a recurring nightmare of being at Pearl Harbor before the attack, has been widely regarded as the unofficial pilot for … TV genius Arnaz approached CBS about his new concept, Desilu Playhouse. It remain perhaps the best and most startling of all the Twilight Zone stories, and contains a fascinating dilemma: If a man in 1958 goes back in time to 1941 and is killed, how can he exist in 1959? The Time Element is a fascinating find for fans of "The Twilight Zone", Exactly like an episode of the Twilight Zone. A series of flashbacks shows him living … “The Time Element” (pilot presentation; originally aired 11/24/1958) In which one man goes back to make it all better. Jesse White plays his usual bartender role, but does it as well as always. TV writer Rod Serling pens the one-hour "The Time Element" for Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse on CBS. Written By: Greg Howell - Jul• 10•17. an intuitive and somewhat ingenious early offering of the type of fantasy Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse season 1 episode 6. So, how can he warn people of the impending doom?Dr. This is where things stood when Bert Granet, the new producer for Westinghouse Desilu … The Time Element (TV) is a film directed by Allen Reisner with William Bendix, Martin Balsam, Darryl Hickman, Jesse White, Carolyn Kearney .... Year: 1958. THUNDER IN … He then dropped out of acting to focus more on production and directing, until his last role in “The Escape Artist” in 1982. Desilu Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA. To do this, Desilu created the Desilu Playhouse. The final two seasons (1958-59, 59-60) they were part of the Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse, but certainly promoted as very special installments. The episode, written by Serling, was The Time Element. He's worried about a dream he's been having which he insists is real. | He was finally given the green light for Westinghouse’s Desilu Playhouse so long as he hosted and I Love Lucy went into hiatus in 1958 for two years. Since I own the book "The Twilight Zone Companion" by Marc Scott Zicree, I had a vesting interest in seeing what in essence was the de facto pilot of the show called "The Time Element" which became an episode of "Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse". The Time Element (Pilot) from Desilu Playhouse A man (William Bendix) visits a psychoanalyst, complaining about a recurring dream in which he imagines waking up in Honolulu just prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. starring William Bendix, aired to positive reviews. "The Time Element" was purchased only to be shelved indefinitely and talks of making The Twilight Zonea television series ended. He is very anxious.In this dream, Peter always finds himself at a hotel in Honolulu. Convincing characters and intriguing story. Martin Balsam plays a shrink, & is excellent as well. Mostly, the TV … A man is sent back in time to December 6, 1941 and tries to warn people about the upcoming Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. There's a definite element of mystery throughout this Rod Serling written episode of the "Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse" which led to the still extremely popular anthology series, "The Twilight Zone". But what some of you might not know is … Use the HTML below. Written by My personal answer is that the doctor had seen Jenson's picture sometime before and had a dream. Viewer reaction was so positive (reportedly, the network received 6000 letters) that 'Twilight Zone' was given the go-ahead after all, and the rest as they say is history. The Time Element, about a man, stuck in a dream where he’s trying to warn about the impending attack on Pearl Harbor, struck a nerve – and became one of the most highly rated episodes of the Playhouse. Insisting that everything he says is true Jenson come up with this story of him waking up in an Honolulu Hawaii hotel on December 6, 1941 the day before the Japs bombed Pearl Harbor. He goes down to a neighborhood bar and notices a photo of his patient next to the cash register. In the fall of 1958, "The Time Element". CBS had bought the script for $10,000, then shelved it for roughly a year before Bert Granet convinced them to use it as a Playhouse project. His abuse of alcohol was now a major problem. Air Date/Released: Monday, November 24, 1958: Station/Studio: CBS: Featuring: Joe DeRita (Solo) Sponsor Westinghouse partnered with Desilu Studios to produce this filmed anthology series. In late 1957, months after ending television’s #1 show, I Love Lucy, Desi Arnaz’ hatched a plan to create another significant series from Desilu Studios. 1958 TV writer Rod Serling pens the one-hour "The Time Element" for Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse on CBS. I'll stop there and just say Bendix is mostly good in his role and provides some good humor in his scenes with Jesse White as a bartender. Submitted for your approval here is the canvas upon which the Twilight Zone was born & based. But what would prove popular with audiences and critics in 1959 did not meet network standards in 1957. In a series of flashbacks, we learn that he imagines he wakes up in Pearl Harbor on Dec. 6, 1941. Awards It's interesting that Lucille Ball was indirectly responsible for two all-time great science-fiction series: "The Twilight Zone" and "Star Trek." The Time Element. Peter Jenson (William Bendix) is having a recurring dream that he has gone back in time to December 6, 1941, the day before Pearl Harbor. “The Time Element” (pilot presentation; originally aired 11/24/1958) In which one man goes back to make it all better. The story concern a man, Peter Jensen (William Bendix), who goes to a psychiatrist (Martin Balsam). Gillespie listens patiently and tries to help convince Peter that it is all just a dream, regardless of how real it might feel at the time.Together, the two men smoke a lot of cigarettes as they try to get to the bottom of what all this means... wait for the twist ending!This was a well-done drama. Metacritic Reviews. This FAQ is empty. Plot: An … From the flashbacks, the story Returns to the psychiatrist's office where the Dr. now finds himself alone and perplexed. However, this was actually the second pilot. Like many episodes of the subsequent TV series, this one is a jaw-dropper and features one of the great all-time TV performances through funny man William Bendix who is not at all humorous in this brilliant episode. When he tries to warn people, he is regarded as crazy. Original title: Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse: The Time Element (TV). Synopsis: Though not the pilot episode of Rod Serling's series, "The Twilight Zone," it was Rod Serling's production that lead to "The Twilight Zone" TV series. The show ran on CBS television between 1958 and 1960. External Reviews The Time Element. Rod Serling wrote a teleplay intending for it to be the pilot episode of a new series called The Twilight Zone. At the end, Gillespie finds himself alone in his office, apparently never having spoken to Jenson, then learns Jenson is dead, having been killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor. A strange set-up, the idea played out, then the twist at the end. However, "The Time Element" was purchased only to be shelved indefinitely. | William Bendix is excellent in the lead role. The original air date was November 24, 1958. After its broadcast, CBS received more viewer response for it … Imagine, for a second, that you’ve never heard of The Twilight Zone. Celebrate Black History Month with IMDb's exclusive galleries, recommendations, videos, and more. Bert Granet of Desilu was introduced to Rod Serling and had asked if he had written anything worthwhile. It is Christmastime, and gossip columnist Hedda Hopper visits the Desilu Studios. A man is sent back in time to December 6, 1941 and tries to warn people about the upcoming Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Plot: An … Initially shocked by his prediction, shock quickly turns to anger as people witnessing his tirade are furious over his attempts to start panic. | It's in a hotel in Honolulu on what he later finds out is December 6, 1941, the day before Pearl Harbor. The Time Element (Pilot) from Desilu Playhouse. With this script, Serling drafted the fundamental elements that would distinguish the series still to come: a science-fiction/fantasy theme, opening and closing narration, and an ending with a twist. Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse reluctantly bought “The Time Element” script and put it into production in the 1958-59 season. The show ran on CBS television between 1958 and 1960. (24 Nov 1958). Unfortunately, this seminal TV play has never been included in any of the various Twilight Zone DVD collections that have come out. A man is sent back in time to December 6, 1941 and tries to warn people about the upcoming Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The date is December 6th, 1941, which is the day before the Pearl Harbor attack. Unfortunately, the episode seldom appears on television these days. FAQ In 1957, he submitted a teleplay entitled “The Time Element” to CBS, hoping to launch the series. Origin of a Classic: The Time Element (Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse, 1958) Everyone knows that The Untouchables got its start on CBS' Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse, even though the series ended up going to ABC. Was this review helpful to you? THE TIME ELEMENT PART 1.mp4 download. CBS received over 60,000 letters of praise. (PROSE: Mordieu) One of the show's episodes, "The Time Element", served as a pilot for The Twilight Zone. A patient visiting a psychiatrist complains of recurrent dreams in which he imagines he is living in Hawaii just before the attack on Pearl Harbor. THE TIME ELEMENT PART 2.mp4 download. "The Time Element" featured a man who travels through time and is sent back to Honolulu in the year 1941. The package would include a season of anthology shows, as well as new hour long specials with Lucy and Ricky Ricardo. Often identified with Comedy, this is a serious role for Bendix. Besides the Westinghouse sponsored “The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show,”- which were specials and technically not part of the Westinghouse-Desilu Playhouse – both the “Twilight Zone” pilot (The Time Element) and this surprise 2-part production based on a true-crime novel by Elliot Ness, “The Untouchables” were also Top Ten productions. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Shown as an installment of 'Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse' in 1958, 'The Time Element' was meant as the pilot for what would become 'The Twilight Zone.' Directed by Allen Reisner. He relays the dream in all its details to a psychiatrist, Dr. Gillespie (Martin Balsam), insisting he is not really dreaming but time travelling. The Time Element Search for "The Time Element" on Amazon.com, Title: Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. A patient visiting a psychiatrist complains of recurrent dreams in which he imagines he is living in Hawaii just before the attack on Pearl Harbor. CBS had passed on the idea as a series, but eventually the show was aired as a one-off. Balsam also is compelling as the psychiatrist especially when he proposes a theory of what would happen if someone actually came back in time and died in the past. One ingredient that is definitely missed here is Serling's presence as host and narrator. He asks who the man is, and the bar tender says he is Peter Jensen and that he was killed at Pearl Harbor in 1941. View production, box office, & company info. It was Desi Arnaz' explanation of what just happened: "We wonder if Pete Jenson did go back in time or if he ever existed.