Shattered man fears going to sleep.
Richard Conte was always good at playing intensely driven characters. Here he brings a strong emotional pitch to a man near insanity because of a recurring nightmare. The dream sequences are particularly effective for their surreal stylings and the undisguised sexuality of Maya, the Cat Woman. In the buttoned-down 1950's, these were no small risks for a series, since sponsors avoided anything that might confuse or alienate audiences and potential customers. It's also a reason why TZ deserves a place in the artistic evolution of American TV. The episode itself is a solid one, with a nifty twist ending. However, I can't help feeling that the personal references to Hollywood landmarks suggest more than an exercise of imagination for writer Charles Beaumont.
Richard Conte was always good at playing intensely driven characters. Here he brings a strong emotional pitch to a man near insanity because of a recurring nightmare. The dream sequences are particularly effective for their surreal stylings and the undisguised sexuality of Maya, the Cat Woman. In the buttoned-down 1950's, these were no small risks for a series, since sponsors avoided anything that might confuse or alienate audiences and potential customers. It's also a reason why TZ deserves a place in the artistic evolution of American TV. The episode itself is a solid one, with a nifty twist ending. However, I can't help feeling that the personal references to Hollywood landmarks suggest more than an exercise of imagination for writer Charles Beaumont.