"Mr. Denton on Doomsday" is well worth seeing because it stars one of the lesser-known but best actors to have guest starred on "The Twilight Zone"...Dan Duryea. Duryea generally played scummy supporting characters....villains or pusilanimous cowards. But occasionally he got to play roles outside this narrow range...and he never disappointed. Here, he plays a sad drunk who used to be a gunslinger in the 'good old days'.
The show begins out west. A young punk (Martin Landau) is getting his kicks by tormenting the town drunk, Al Denton (Duryea). Again and again, he delights in slapping him around and getting him to sing for a drink...calling him 'rummy' and treating him like dirt. However, when a gun somehow appears in Al's hand, his life story changes....and that is what makes this a nice installment of "The Twilight Zone".
I will admit that this is NOT one of the more memorable stories from the series and it lacks the creepiness we all love. But the acting...well...that is well worth seeing. Landau, as usual, was a great professional but seeing Duryea...that was a treat. Well worth seeing and exceptionally well made.
The show begins out west. A young punk (Martin Landau) is getting his kicks by tormenting the town drunk, Al Denton (Duryea). Again and again, he delights in slapping him around and getting him to sing for a drink...calling him 'rummy' and treating him like dirt. However, when a gun somehow appears in Al's hand, his life story changes....and that is what makes this a nice installment of "The Twilight Zone".
I will admit that this is NOT one of the more memorable stories from the series and it lacks the creepiness we all love. But the acting...well...that is well worth seeing. Landau, as usual, was a great professional but seeing Duryea...that was a treat. Well worth seeing and exceptionally well made.