Night Gallery - Rare Objects

Finally in the Third Season of Night Gallery... ...we got a Rod Serling written episode. Not one of his best by any means, but still it was nice to see a contribution from the recognizable host and true genius. There is a clever bit of business at the end that might bring out a grin even if it is quite outlandish.

I think most will remember “Rare Objects” for its twist at the end—which I found rather silly but nonetheless amusing. Mickey Rooney avoids assassination on his life at a lavish Italian cuisine restaurant, feeling the vice on his life ever so tightening daily. He admits to a doctor who visits him at his former squeeze’s digs that he imagines he’ll end up with throat cut, bleeding out on a floor. The doctor (Regis Cordic), with glimmer in eye and a touch of glee in his presentation of a “way out”, offers a route to survival…a collector of rare artifacts and objects d’art named Dr. Glendon (Raymond Massey). Glendon definitely reminds me of another Massey character in Night Gallery lore, from an episode where he’s a big game hunter, “Clean Kills and Other Trophies”. In this episode, “Rare Objects”, Glendon never fails to point out to Rooney’s on-the-edge kingpin, “Auggie” Kolodney, each prized possession, its heritage, vintage, and dynasty. A vase, goblet, wine, portraits, sculptures, paintings, and much more does Dr. Glendon own…and Auggie will soon “join” that collection, alongside the likes of Amelia Earhart and Hitler! Rooney was also in a Twilight Zone episode called “The Last Night of the Jockey”, written by Serling, so his connection to Rod seems to be another nice footnote for this episode of Night Gallery. Still as intense as ever, Mickey Rooney isn’t quite as volatile and explosive as he was in “The Last Night of the Jockey”, but still there are moments where he points at people with great manic purpose, even frightening poor David Fresco’s waiter, Blockman, at the restaurant before a shootout commences, spilling into the street as guns fire, few bullets hitting the intended mark. Fay Spain withers when he approaches her, but Rooney doesn’t even need to raise his voice much, as just the threat of him going off is enough to keep her anxious and quiet. So I don’t think Auggie’s fate will be mourned and at least Glendon has a very satisfied feeling of victory, having acquired another one-of-a-kind human objects d’art for his own personal collection. Shades of the Twilight Zone episode with Roddy McDowell, “People Are Alike All Over” sprung to mind with the conclusion. Auggie, drugged and barely able to walk upright, can only look on behind an orange cell with his lower lip quivering…couldn’t have happened to a better guy. On top of Glendon getting a new exhibit he also recieved Auggie's holdings and moneys! Very good day indeed! 3/5