Walking Distance
- Episode aired Oct 30, 1959
- TV-PG
- 25m
A man, fed up with where he's at in life, finds himself not only in his old hometown, but back to the time when he was a boy.A man, fed up with where he's at in life, finds himself not only in his old hometown, but back to the time when he was a boy.A man, fed up with where he's at in life, finds himself not only in his old hometown, but back to the time when he was a boy.
- Narrator
- (voice)
- Wilcox Boy
- (as Ronnie Howard)
- Man in Park
- (uncredited)
- Wilcox
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writer
- Rod Serling(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe park in the episode is said to be inspired by Recreation Park in Rod Serling's hometown of Binghamton, New York. Like the park in "Walking Distance", Recreation Park has a carousel and a bandstand. There is a plaque in the Recreation Park bandstand commemorating the episode.
- GoofsAfter Sloane eats a little of his three scoop soda, we see the cup placed towards the middle of the counter where he is sitting. When he gets up to leave and the camera angle changes, the unfinished soda is now pushed to the far side of the counter.
- Quotes
Robert Sloan: Martin.
Martin Sloan: Yes, Pop.
Robert Sloan: You have to leave here. There's no room, there's no place. Do you understand that?
Martin Sloan: I see that now, but I don't understand. Why not?
Robert Sloan: I guess because we only get one chance. Maybe there's only one summer to every customer. That little boy, the one I know - the one who belongs here - this is *his* summer, just as it was yours once. Don't make him share it.
Martin Sloan: Alright.
Robert Sloan: Martin, is it so bad where you're from?
Martin Sloan: I thought so, Pop. I've been living on a dead run, and I was tired. And one day I knew I had to come back here. I had to come back and get on the merry-go-round, and eat cotton candy, and listen to a band concert. I had to stop and breathe, and close my eyes and smell, and listen.
Robert Sloan: I guess we all want that. Maybe when you go back, Martin, you'll find that there are merry-go-rounds and band concerts where you are. Maybe you haven't been looking in the right place. You've been looking behind you, Martin. Try looking ahead.
- ConnectionsEdited into Twilight-Tober-Zone: Walking Distance (2020)
'Walking Distance' explores a subject that Serling touched on several times in TZ and 'Night Gallery', that of a man going back to a happier time in his life. Martin Sloan is first seen honking his car horn and looking agitated. He is the vice-president of an ad agency and at thirty-six finds himself by chance within walking distance of Homewood where he grew up. First he meets a little boy (Ron Howard) who says he cant be Martin Sloan and runs away, but Sloan begins to realize the happy days of his childhood are still happening here.
The story is deceptively simple but the message is strong. You only get one unique stab at life and you must cherish the present. Martin Sloan gains a fantastic perspective by chasing after his eleven-year-old self hoping to tell him to enjoy the 'happiest' part of his life. The essence of a carefree childhood can stay a valuable part of you.
The carousel is a good plot device interestingly filmed for showing the elusive and magical quality of childhood happiness that nonetheless is nearer to you than you think. Walking distance actually.
- darrenpearce111
- Feb 7, 2014
Details
- Runtime25 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1