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The Howling Man

"The Howling Man" is the fifth episode of the second season of the American anthology television series , written by and directed by Douglas Heyes. It originally aired on on November 4, 1960. Starring as the protagonist David Ellington, as Brother Jerome, Robin Hughes as the , and Friedrich Ledebur as Brother Gregory, the episode depicts Ellington's encounter shortly after during a storm in rural . Seeking refuge in a remote inhabited by the reclusive Brothers of the of St. Vitus, Ellington hears eerie howling from a prisoner confined behind a heavy door secured by a wooden staff. Brother Jerome reveals the captive to be , whom the order has subdued and imprisoned to prevent further evil in the world, including the recent global conflict. Ignoring fervent warnings, Ellington removes the staff, freeing the , who vanishes into the night; decades later, in 1960, the now-elderly Ellington barricades his home against the 's return in human form, only for a housekeeper to unwittingly release him again. The episode's narrative structure frames Ellington's tale as a retrospective confession, emphasizing the cyclical nature of and the inescapability of . Key production elements include its , which heightens the gothic atmosphere through shadowy and dramatic storm sequences, and a runtime of approximately , typical of the series' half-hour format in its second season. Beaumont's teleplay, adapted from his own , draws on classic tropes while infusing , portraying the monastery as a bastion of against worldly doubt. Critically, "The Howling Man" is noted for its blend of campy and philosophical depth, exploring themes of versus , the reliability of religious authority, and humanity's propensity for in the face of malevolence. Heyes' direction employs innovative camera techniques, such as Dutch angles and tight close-ups during the Devil's transformation scene, to build tension and underscore the episode's elements. Carradine's performance as the fanatical Brother Jerome stands out for its intensity, contributing to the episode's enduring reputation as a highlight of 's second season, with an user rating of 8.2 out of 10 based on over 4,600 reviews. Despite minor plot inconsistencies, such as the ease of the Devil's , it remains a fan favorite for its straightforward moral lesson and visual flair.

Episode Overview

Opening Narration

The opening narration for "The Howling Man," the fifth episode of the second season of The Twilight Zone, is delivered by series creator and host Rod Serling in his signature somber tone, setting a foreboding atmosphere for the story. The full narration reads: "The prostrate form of Mr. David Ellington, scholar, seeker of truth and, regrettably, finder of truth. A man who will shortly arise from his exhaustion to confront a problem that has tormented mankind since the beginning of time. A man who knocked on a door seeking sanctuary and found instead the outer edges of the Twilight Zone." This monologue introduces the protagonist, David Ellington, as an intellectual on a personal quest, emphasizing his pursuit of enlightenment while foreshadowing the unintended consequences of discovery. The narration establishes a 20th-century through Ellington's as a undertaking a solitary journey, subtly evoking the post-World War I era of introspection and existential questioning without specifying dates. It hints at moral ambiguity by contrasting Ellington's noble intentions—"seeker of truth"—with the ironic "regrettably, finder of truth," suggesting that uncovering hidden realities may lead to peril rather than resolution. This phrasing underscores the episode's exploration of human fallibility in the face of the , aligning with 's format of moral parables framed within otherworldly dilemmas. Serling's use of evocative language, such as "a problem that has tormented mankind since the beginning of time," invokes timeless philosophical struggles like the nature of evil and , positioning the tale at the "outer edges of " to signal an impending descent into the . By focusing on Ellington's weary arrival at a mysterious , the builds around an eerie encounter without disclosing specifics, drawing viewers into the series' hallmark blend of psychological tension and intrigue.

Plot Summary

In the opening scenes of "The Howling Man," set in 1919 Central Europe shortly after World War I, American traveler David Ellington becomes lost during a walking tour amid a fierce storm and seeks shelter at a remote castle known as the Hermitage, home to a secretive order of monks. The monks, led by the stern Brother Jerome, initially refuse him entry at the massive door, citing their vow of isolation, but Ellington's exhaustion forces his collapse, and he awakens inside the dimly lit castle. As he recovers, eerie howling echoes through the halls, drawing him to a cell where a disheveled man pleads for release, claiming the monks have unjustly imprisoned him for no reason other than Jerome's jealousy over a romantic matter. Brother Jerome confronts Ellington and reveals the prisoner's as the , captured at the war's end and confined behind a heavy secured by a "Staff of Truth" that prevents his escape and maintains global peace for the past five years by containing his influence. The , in human form, had previously sown in the nearby village of Schwarzwald, leading to widespread evil until the monks subdued him with the staff during a moment of weakness. Skeptical of Jerome's tale, which he attributes to religious , Ellington feigns agreement but waits until nightfall, when the guarding dozes, to remove the staff and unbolt the , freeing the amid thunderous storm sounds. Upon release, the figure transforms dramatically—his face contorting into a demonic visage, eyes glowing, and body vanishing in a burst of smoke—confirming 's warning as the pins Ellington down and escapes into the night, mocking humanity's folly. laments the consequences, foreseeing the 's return to incite wars and destruction, which manifests in the ensuing decades through events like , the , and the development of nuclear weapons. Haunted by his error, Ellington dedicates his life to tracking the entity, eventually recapturing it after years of pursuit and securing it in a in his modern American home with the retrieved staff propped against the door. The episode, presented in black-and-white format typical of 1960s anthology television, unfolds over approximately 51 minutes with standard act breaks that build tension through the storm-ravaged arrival, the cell confrontation, the release sequence, and the time-jump to Ellington's present-day residence. In the final act, Ellington urgently warns his housekeeper not to touch the staff or open the closet, emphasizing the Devil's deceptive nature, but she dismisses his ravings as delirium and removes the staff out of curiosity, unleashing faint howling once more as the screen fades to black. Rod Serling's opening and closing narrations frame the tale as a cautionary journey into the Twilight Zone.

Closing Narration

The closing narration of "The Howling Man," delivered by series creator and host , serves as a philosophical , encapsulating the episode's of evil's inescapability. The full text reads: "Ancient folk saying: 'You can catch the , but you can't hold him long.' Ask Brother . Ask Ellington. They know, and they'll go on knowing to the end of their days and beyond—in ." This monologue reinforces the episode's cautionary message about human frailty and the seductive pull of , portraying the 's release not as a singular event but as an inevitable consequence of and misplaced . By invoking the folk saying, Serling underscores the futility of attempting to permanently imprison malevolence, emphasizing that vigilance must be unending to prevent its resurgence—a theme mirrored in Ellington's lifelong burden of pursuit. The narration also ties into The Twilight Zone's recurrent motif of thrust into extraordinary moral quandaries, where everyday decisions—such as Ellington's choice to intervene—unleash profound, world-altering ramifications, blending the personal with the to probe deeper questions of and .

Production Details

Development and Writing

"The Howling Man" was written by , a prominent contributor to who penned 22 episodes for the series, second only to creator in output. Beaumont, known for his blending horror with moral quandaries, adapted the teleplay from his own of the same title, first published in the November 1959 issue of Rogue magazine under the C. B. Lovehill. The drew from longstanding motifs of the Devil's imprisonment, reflecting Beaumont's fascination with entrapment and human folly in the face of . Developed during the production of the show's second season in , the script was crafted as episode 5, ultimately airing on November 4, . Beaumont's original concept emphasized subtle psychological tension, with the monks using a to seal the prisoner—portrayed as —in his cell, underscoring themes of faith and doubt. However, to avoid potential backlash from religious groups in the conservative broadcast climate of the era, alterations were made to neutralize explicit . Director Douglas Heyes, tasked with adapting the script for production, replaced the with a "staff of truth" as the containment device, a change he later described as necessary to avoid backlash while preserving the story's essence; Beaumont reportedly disapproved of this modification, preferring the original's symbolic depth. This revision aligned with broader network sensitivities toward on television, ensuring the episode's focus remained on universal moral allegory rather than denominational specifics.

Direction and Filming

Douglas Heyes directed "The Howling Man," employing shadows and dramatic lighting to heighten the episode's atmosphere of isolation and dread, particularly in scenes depicting the monastery's dimly lit corridors and the confined cell of the imprisoned figure. His direction built upon Charles Beaumont's script by emphasizing visual tension through minimalist sets that conveyed the remote European monastery without elaborate construction, using a gothic soundstage layout to foster a sense of . The episode was primarily filmed on soundstages and backlots at (MGM) studios in , with interior scenes capturing the abbey's stark architecture and exterior shots simulating a desolate European countryside to underscore the story's isolated setting. Production adhered to a structured schedule of one rehearsal day followed by three shooting days, allowing for precise execution of key sequences under producer Buck Houghton's oversight. It premiered on on November 4, 1960. Cinematographer George T. Clemens handled the , utilizing close-ups to intensify focus on the Devil's menacing face during scenes and the serving as a barrier, enhanced by shots and filtered effects for a reveal. complemented these visuals, with the echoing howls crafted through extensive audio testing to produce a haunting, dog-like demonic quality that echoed through the sets, amplifying the dread without relying on overt effects.

Casting and Performances

The principal cast of "The Howling Man," the fifth episode of the second season of which aired on November 4, 1960, featured as Brother Jerome, the authoritative leader of a monastic order; as David Ellington, the skeptical American traveler; and Robin Hughes as the enigmatic Howling Man, revealed to be the in disguise. Supporting roles were filled by Frederic Ledebur as Brother Christophorus, another monk, and Ezelle Poule as the housekeeper. John Carradine's portrayal of Brother Jerome drew on his extensive experience in horror cinema, including his role as a mad scientist in the 1944 Universal film House of Frankenstein, to deliver a commanding performance marked by his distinctive basso voice and a shift from reserved intensity to fervent zealotry. H.M. Wynant effectively captured David Ellington's arc as a disoriented skeptic transformed by haunting regret, enhanced by convincing aging makeup in the framing sequences that underscored his earnest conflict. Robin Hughes brought a charismatic menace to the Howling Man, evolving from a sympathetic to an eerie entity through intense delivery and visual transformation effects. Casting decisions, made under producer Buck Houghton and director Douglas Heyes in 1960, prioritized actors who could sustain the episode's small ensemble and Gothic atmosphere, with Heyes encouraging full commitment from the performers to amplify the dramatic tension.

Themes and Reception

Central Themes

The episode "The Howling Man" delves into the perennial conflict between , portraying the not as a horned monstrosity but as a seemingly innocuous figure who exploits human compassion and skepticism to further his aims. This depiction serves as a for temptation's insidious nature, emphasizing how evil thrives on humanity's and tendency to question established warnings in favor of personal judgment. As philosopher Saul Traiger notes in his analysis, the narrative probes moral ambiguity, where the line between benevolence and malevolence blurs through the protagonist David Ellington's misplaced mercy, ultimately releasing into the world. Central to this theme is the symbolism of the Staff of Truth, a simple wooden prop barring the Devil's cell that represents the unyielding barrier of faith and veracity against deception. In the story, the monks, led by Brother Jerome, maintain this vigil as an act of unwavering conviction, while Ellington's doubt—fueled by the Devil's pleas of wrongful imprisonment—leads him to remove it, allowing evil to escape. The staff thus contrasts spiritual vigilance with rational skepticism, illustrating how the absence of belief can dismantle protections against temptation; originally envisioned by writer as a , it was altered to a neutral "staff" to sidestep religious controversy while retaining its emblematic role as truth's restraint on lies. The episode further examines and through Ellington's post-release existence, transforming his isolated encounter in the remote into a lifelong marked by the weight of his error. Having unwittingly loosed the , Ellington dedicates years to recapturing him with a duplicate staff, only for his housekeeper to repeat the cycle of , perpetuating his remorseful burden and underscoring the enduring personal toll of yielding to deceptive appearances. This motif highlights how individual lapses in judgment ripple into broader human suffering, with the persistent evoking the inescapable auditory pull of unresolved temptation.

Critical Analysis and Legacy

Upon its premiere on November 4, 1960, "The Howling Man" received acclaim for its atmospheric tension and moral depth, contributing to the second season's strong performance with viewership typical for the series at the time. Critics and audiences appreciated its Gothic horror elements and exploration of , positioning it as a standout amid the show's format. In subsequent retrospectives, the episode has consistently ranked in the top 20 of fan polls, such as #9 in TV Insider's all-time list and #25 in Stacker's IMDb-based ranking of the 100 best episodes. Scholarly examinations have delved into the episode's resonance with Cold War-era paranoia, interpreting the monks' efforts to contain the Devil as an allegory for suppressing perceived threats like or nuclear peril. In Marc Scott Zicree's The Twilight Zone Companion, it is noted as one of the series' finest, with its themes of disguised evil reflecting mid-20th-century anxieties about hidden dangers infiltrating society. The narrative's influence extends to horror tropes of malevolent deception, as analyzed in philosophical works like The Twilight Zone and Philosophy, where the Devil's persuasive innocence underscores ethical dilemmas of perception versus reality. The episode's legacy endures through widespread reruns on networks like , sustaining its appeal in marathon broadcasts. It was included in early 2000s DVD collections, such as Image Entertainment's multi-volume sets starting in 2002, and later high-definition releases like the 2010 Blu-ray of Season 2, with commemorative editions tied to the show's 60th anniversary in 2019. Modern media nods include inspirations for films like The Keep (), which echoes the containment of ancient evil, while 21st-century reevaluations, such as in Paste Magazine's 2023 ranking, praise its subtle religious undertones and timeless warning against releasing latent malevolence.

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