I recently discovered a couple old anthology series for free download at archive.org--"Tales of Tomorrow" and "Lights Out". "Tales of Tomorrow" is clearly the better of the two series and few episodes are poor ones. Unfortunately, while "Lights Out" was made by the prestige network of the time (NBC) and "Tales of Tomorrow" the poor upstart network (ABC), more money didn't translate to a better show. While BOTH shows are not available in their entirety (because networks often filmed live and kept no backups or destroyed them soon after re-airing them), enough exist of both to be able to assert that the ABC show was clearly better. However, occasionally "Lights Out" hit a home run--and "The Lost Will of Dr. Rant" (as well as "Dead Man's Coat") are clearly exceptional shows.
The Lost Will of Dr. Rant" is based on the story "The Tractate Middoth" by M.R. James and stars stars Leslie Nielsen. The plot is a bit hard to believe but it worked very well here. An old man comes into the library and demands a copy of some obscure Hebrew text about the Talmud. However, when the librarian (Nielsen) goes to fetch it, another old man has the book and won't give it to him. When Nielsen later tries again to get the book, the same old man is holding it--only this time he sees the man's face and the man is DEAD!! What is going on?! See the show and find out for yourself--as I'd hate to spoil the suspense. Overall, this is a very cleverly written and well-acted show--and really was quite original. Well worth seeing.
The Lost Will of Dr. Rant" is based on the story "The Tractate Middoth" by M.R. James and stars stars Leslie Nielsen. The plot is a bit hard to believe but it worked very well here. An old man comes into the library and demands a copy of some obscure Hebrew text about the Talmud. However, when the librarian (Nielsen) goes to fetch it, another old man has the book and won't give it to him. When Nielsen later tries again to get the book, the same old man is holding it--only this time he sees the man's face and the man is DEAD!! What is going on?! See the show and find out for yourself--as I'd hate to spoil the suspense. Overall, this is a very cleverly written and well-acted show--and really was quite original. Well worth seeing.