John (William Windom) is two hours late for dinner, upsetting his wife Ellen (Joan Hotchkis). The food has aged poorly in that time, and she is displeased about going to bed on a full stomach. John walks by to hear his daughter Lydia (Lisa Gerritsen) having a nightmare. He explains that nightmares run in the family and tells the story of the nightmares of his Aunt Hester (familiar older character actress Ruth McDevitt, who ran the pet shop in Alfred Hitchcock's classic horror film "The Birds"). She was so afraid of being robbed that she placed all of her valuable belongings outside her door so the burglar wouldn't break in- with an explanatory note. Lydia is worried that her nightmares will come back, prompting her father to say, "You made him up; remember that." She wants him to stay with her, but he says that may not always be possible, "besides you have something much better you can depend on. Your imagination is your strongest weapon. Don't ever be afraid to use it. He then tells the story of Cousin Horace (Eldon Quick) who got all he could from his night visitors. He was visited by Jeremiah (the series' executive producer Sheldon Leonard), a ghost who gave tips on the horse races. Lydia is ready for bed, but John can't quit telling stories. The story of a chain reaction throughout his Columbus house as a child from a screaming nightmare is based on James Thurber's "The Night the Bed Fell".
The comedy is better here than in most. But, as is the case with all episodes, it's about the moral message. This is a great lesson in dealing with nightmares.
The comedy is better here than in most. But, as is the case with all episodes, it's about the moral message. This is a great lesson in dealing with nightmares.