"Tales of Tomorrow" The Horn (TV Episode 1952) Poster

(TV Series)

(1952)

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6/10
Decent...but not outstanding.
planktonrules16 October 2012
Apart from starring an established star (Franchot Tone), there isn't a lot to make this episode stand out from the rest. Now I am NOT saying it's bad--just not especially remarkable.

A weird scientist works for a company during the day and is allowed to work on his experiments at night at the complex as well. What exactly he's working on, no one knows, but the owner is convinced that the scientist (Tone) is a decent guy and allows him to use their facilities. However, at the same time, Tone's direct boss is a hateful jerk and does everything to get him fired. However, when Tone develops a wonderful new horn with almost magical properties, this supervisor changes his tone--and for the worse.

All in all, this is a very original episode but it is hampered by some one-dimensional characters and a plot that never excited me. Not brilliant but worth seeing. And, you can see more episodes from this excellent series by following the links on IMDb.
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5/10
Horn of Plenty--Maybe?
Hitchcoc8 August 2013
Let's see. A guy works in his off ours at a musical instrument factory. While producing violins in the daytime, he slaves away at a French horn (I think it is a French horn) that allows the player to establish a mood in single person or in a group setting. It brings about a transfer of emotions from the player to the listener. The music is above the human range so nothing can be heart by its audience. The thing could be used for the good of mankind, but there is a fly in the valve oil. A jealous foreman, bitter for whatever reason, has declared war on the quiet inventor and gets in the way. The consequences are very strange and contrived and the conclusion quite unsatisfying. I never quite got how the emotional transfer was to be initiated. How does one plan an emotion anyway--artificially produce it. This is where the whole plot comes tumbling done. Good premise; poor execution.
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4/10
"Someday the whole world may be grateful."
classicsoncall21 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Talk about simplistic! This is a rather crudely constructed story with not a lot going for it. A musical inventor (Franchot Tone) has been working for the past two months after hours from his regular job to invent an instrument that he claims will have worldwide repercussions for humanity. He draws the ire of his immediate supervisor (Stephen Elliott), not only for his secretive work, but also as a potential rival for the affection of the business owner's daughter (Barbara Joyce). However, the owner (Joseph Latham) likes him and allows the work to continue for two more months. The result is that Martenson (Tone) comes up with a French horn looking instrument that allows the transfer of emotions from the user to the recipient of the soundless vibrations played. Seeing the potential of the instrument, Lippitt (Elliott) wants to use it to accumulate wealth and power. The resolution here is rather clumsy with Lippitt making a stand on the ledge of their business headquarters. The clumsy jerk loses his footing and falls to his death six stories below, convincing Martenson that his invention would not be the benefit to mankind he once envisioned. You know, I'd like to give some credit to 'Tales of Tomorrow' for pioneering early sci-fi television, but a lot of these programs were hit or miss. This one was definitely a miss.
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