The Lateness of the Hour
1960, sci-fi, NR, black&white
Written by Rod Serling
Directed by Jack Smight
Produced by Buck Houghton
Music by stock
Cast
Inger Stevens as Jana
John Hoyt as Dr Loren
Irene Tedrow as Mrs Loren
Mary Gregory as Nelda
Introduction: "The residence of Dr. William Loren, which is in
reality a menagerie for machines. We're about to discover that sometimes
the product of a man's talent and genius can walk amongst us untouched
by the normal ravages of time. These are Dr. Loren's robots, built to functional
as well as artistic perfection. But in a moment Dr. Loren, wife, and daughter
will discover that perfection is relative, that even robots have to be
paid for, and very shortly will be shown exactly what is the bill."
A retired and isolated scientist lives in a house staffed by human-looking
robots, with her wife and daughter, who wants to know the world outside.
Unhappy and lonely, she demands from them a radical change.
Conclusion: "Let this be the postscript: should you be worn
out by the rigors of competing in a very competitive world, if you're distraught
from having to share your existence with the noises and neuroses of the
twentieth century, if you crave serenity but want it full time and with
no strings attached, get yourself a workroom in a basement and then drop
a note to Dr. and Mrs. William Loren. They're a childless couple who made
comfort a life's work, and maybe there are a few do-it-yourself pamphets
still available - in the Twilight Zone."
Presented in the second season of the series.
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