The Big Surprise
The Big Surprise is one of those small segments nestled
quietly within a batch of tales featured during the second season of Night
Gallery. I don’t really consider it any worse than a lot of other five-ten
minute segments, but is it that particularly distinguished? Maybe not.
***
But, to
tell you the truth, this tale just creeps me out. It taps into that really
disturbing idea that you are a kid, all by yourself, digging this hole near a
sinister old man’s farm, under a certain tree, the spot’s coordinates given to
him by the owner who promises a “big surprise”, the dig ending with an approach
from an open door that could lead to who-knows-what.
This promised after a wink that seems to convey less-than-honorable intentions (Carradine has this smile and presence that just sends off “dirty old man” signals. You’d think Vincent Van Patton’s kid would hit the bricks but he’s convinced something of value just might be lying in wait…) and a brief conversation that sets up the tale’s mystery and result…what exactly is waiting the kid (he has two other school chums along, neither that enthusiastic about learning what it is, giving up when it seems that nothing is buried in the spot, believing Mr. Hawkins was just pulling their leg) once he digs four feet?
I guess it is the way director Jeannot Szwarc (the director of Jaws 2 and veteran of television) shoots the tale, set in a countryside that is remote, with farmhouses scattered far apart, placing emphasis on the atmosphere of the location (he benefits from an ominous sky that is at times sunny shiny, with clouds that are less luminous, trees and wooden fences, lush green environs, and the wind blesses him often; the location is just a dandy) and the absence of human life for its effect.
Add Carradine to the mix (…in the tale maybe a minute tops but gets the job done because he’s so gifted with that face and screen presence, it’s effortless—all he has to do is appear, cast a certain look, facial expressions that seem to say one thing but mean another, and apply a bit of the ole subtle malevolence. We are so lacking in charismatic screen horror icons today. The Carradines are sadly no more. In just a minute or so, he can do so much to lift a little ten minute tale to such a substantial degree. What a face this guy had; that magic certain horror stars were blessed with (not just horror, Carradine was damn good in westerns as well…) is just missing in the modern era. Kind of depressing.
***
This promised after a wink that seems to convey less-than-honorable intentions (Carradine has this smile and presence that just sends off “dirty old man” signals. You’d think Vincent Van Patton’s kid would hit the bricks but he’s convinced something of value just might be lying in wait…) and a brief conversation that sets up the tale’s mystery and result…what exactly is waiting the kid (he has two other school chums along, neither that enthusiastic about learning what it is, giving up when it seems that nothing is buried in the spot, believing Mr. Hawkins was just pulling their leg) once he digs four feet?
I guess it is the way director Jeannot Szwarc (the director of Jaws 2 and veteran of television) shoots the tale, set in a countryside that is remote, with farmhouses scattered far apart, placing emphasis on the atmosphere of the location (he benefits from an ominous sky that is at times sunny shiny, with clouds that are less luminous, trees and wooden fences, lush green environs, and the wind blesses him often; the location is just a dandy) and the absence of human life for its effect.
Add Carradine to the mix (…in the tale maybe a minute tops but gets the job done because he’s so gifted with that face and screen presence, it’s effortless—all he has to do is appear, cast a certain look, facial expressions that seem to say one thing but mean another, and apply a bit of the ole subtle malevolence. We are so lacking in charismatic screen horror icons today. The Carradines are sadly no more. In just a minute or so, he can do so much to lift a little ten minute tale to such a substantial degree. What a face this guy had; that magic certain horror stars were blessed with (not just horror, Carradine was damn good in westerns as well…) is just missing in the modern era. Kind of depressing.
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