Last one I have. Kind of cool to see a 1950's TV studio step outside of the box.

An early experiment in TV.

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Reviewer: Htos1av - favorite favorite favorite favorite - June 21, 2018

Subject: Tales of Tomorrow - The Window Now that was different, I wish we saw more of this today. I'd even watch dramatics like this. - June 21, 2018Tales of Tomorrow - The Window

Reviewer: I_h8_screen_names - favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 26, 2013

Subject: The Window - ToT This is a different turn for the show. It is a show within a show. It is interesting. But it is really not clear who of the trio we visit in "the window" is worse.



I noticed one thing for sure... When Rod Stieger and Virginia Vincent are on camera alone it is hilarious how hard Stieger keeps trying to cover her face so that he is the only one on camera!

He did everything except take off his pants and stick them over her head! - November 26, 2013The Window - ToT

Reviewer: toby jug - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - January 7, 2012

Subject: A classic piece of originality Taking into account when this was produced, it is a superb sample of experimental TV.I would have loved to have been in on the meeting when the idea was suggested!!! As a child of the late 50's in the UK acting styles on TV were in their early days, however to those used to the slick and sometimes antiseptic acting and scripts of today with all the CGI effects and political correctness it must seem laughable. 5 out of 5. - January 7, 2012A classic piece of originality

Reviewer: rtjrrt - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 7, 2009

Subject: This is one helluvan episode!! In spite of what campy emoting and acting, when I first saw this episode on SciFi (they used to play this and Lights Out episodes at 4 to 5am on early Saturday morning some years back), the transition from the opening sequence to seeing the actual ABC studio and staff REALLY WOKE ME UP!! That is one hell of a concept, based on the theory of sound and picture waves bouncing out in space after the original transmission. God Bless those who spared this kinescope recording from being destroyed!! WOW!!! If I can give it 10 I would !! - November 7, 2009This is one helluvan episode!!

Reviewer: fedupwithgarbage - favorite - August 24, 2009

Subject: Bad quality videos This has the beginning of "The Lost Planet" and the rest of "The Window". Would anyone happen to know if a correct version of either one of these episodes exists? - August 24, 2009Bad quality videos

Reviewer: perlster - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - August 22, 2009

Subject: stunning I don't give five stars easily (if ever before). This is simply great television. - August 22, 2009stunning

Reviewer: BellonaTimes - favorite favorite favorite - December 21, 2008

Subject: Near-great production

Cast:

Mort Abrahams ... TV Producer

Merle Albertson ... Daughter

William Coburn ... Father

Roger De Koven ... Announcer

Robert F. Lewine ... Agency Executive

Frank Maxwell ... Al (mean drunk guy in Window)

Rod Steiger ... Henry (drunk's guest)

Virginia Vincent ... Jean (mean drunk's wife)

Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner

(cast listing from



Schaffner later directed "Planet of the Apes" (1968), 1970's "Patton", & 1973's "Papillon"



Compare this episode to the excellent radio dramatization of John Cheever's "The Enormous Radio" in Archive's Old Time Radio section (CBS Radio Workshop).



This is also similar to a couple of movies made in the 1980's, one about a homegrown terrorist attack on Charleston, SC starring Ed Flanders, the other based on War of the Worlds. Both feature realistic news broadcasts interrupted by these fantastic events Just wish they had rehearsed this one more. Or maybe it was meant to look more realistic with all the bad acting.Cast:Mort Abrahams ... TV ProducerMerle Albertson ... DaughterWilliam Coburn ... FatherRoger De Koven ... AnnouncerRobert F. Lewine ... Agency ExecutiveFrank Maxwell ... Al (mean drunk guy in Window)Rod Steiger ... Henry (drunk's guest)Virginia Vincent ... Jean (mean drunk's wife)Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner(cast listing from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0717086/fullcredits) Schaffner later directed "Planet of the Apes" (1968), 1970's "Patton", & 1973's "Papillon"Compare this episode to the excellent radio dramatization of John Cheever's "The Enormous Radio" in Archive's Old Time Radio section (CBS Radio Workshop). http://www.archive.org/details/CBSRadioWorkshop This is also similar to a couple of movies made in the 1980's, one about a homegrown terrorist attack on Charleston, SC starring Ed Flanders, the other based on War of the Worlds. Both feature realistic news broadcasts interrupted by these fantastic events - December 21, 2008Near-great production

Reviewer: IAmTheRedDragon - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 5, 2008

Subject: Amazing bit of early TV I've been working my way through these Tales of Tomorrow episodes (my thanks to the uploader for these great and interesting shows) and this one has to be one of the most fascinating examples of early TV. The way they came out of the fake 'Lost Planet' story and revealed the film studio to the audience, with all of the crew, even the hapless-looking Kreisler watchband ad presenter, taking part 'live' in the strange mystery that was unravelling, was brilliant TV and had me glued to the screen throughout. And, there's the extra bonus of a young Rod Steiger in the play-within-a-play! Definitely a 5-star episode. - November 5, 2008Amazing bit of early TV

Reviewer: 2muchtv - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - October 14, 2008

Subject: What TV was like before "Lowest Common Denominator" programming This might be one of the most unusual items in the Internet Archive Classic TV collection. While none of the plot devices employed in this episode are particularly remarkable, the sheer number of dramatic risks taken by the producers is awe-inspiring. The writers showed a remarkable level of confidence in the ability of the audience to accomplish two particularly difficult tasks.



The first, of course, was the task of accepting the jarring and confusing flow of the three story lines; the faux-show that we thought we were watching when the "Lost Planet" title appeared and we saw the man and woman discuss impending doom, the pulp-novel crime of passion unfolding in 'the window' and the reality show-esque vignettes of the performers portraying the TV studio personnel trying to cope with a disrupted production. That's a lot to squeeze in to 23 minutes.



Second was the fascinating peek behind the curtain to see television production of the day. We saw an acknowledgement of the constant pressure applied by sponsors to air their 'spots.' We saw the unexpected tiny-ness of the sets and the enormous amount of equipment employed behind the scenes. We saw roles like floor manager and agency executive played out. The audience was expected to accept this narcissistic introspection and even take a moment to reflect on the state of the industry as it was now revealed.



Wow.



Watch it! - October 14, 2008What TV was like before "Lowest Common Denominator" programming