Season 1, Episode 34: The After Hours

[kevin]

this one certainly seems to have been one that was the basis for the 80s film Mannequin?

[sauronbaggins]

Not sure, however, they do reference the episode in Mannequin
I think Evening Primrose was more a influence

[willie's ALIVE]

...about midway through where all is silent,
and there are closed shots of the mannequins
(surrounding Marsha) as they're trying to
get her to remember.

These shots in silence quick cut from
one mannequin to the next, increasing in speed
as the camera slowly zooms in closer to their
motionless faces.

The effect of this is a chilling stillness and quiet
intensified to the point where the imagery almost
becomes sound!

By the end of the sequence it almost feels like
someone's screaming.

The release comes as one figure finally says something
like "just who do you think you're fooling?"

Never seen this effect anywhere else...the Lang film 'M'
comes to mind, but that's very different in it's execution.

It's the silence (no dialogue, no music) that makes the
moment so powerful.

It made this episode unforgettable to me, that
and Anne Francis' performance.

In my top 5 episodes.

[SharonLynette]

I'm close to saying that this is my favourite episode. I think I always found mannequins, especially undressed ones, scary as a kid as well as being stuck/lost in a department store with my mum.

I love this episode, it doesn't lose it's creepiness.

[TwilightZoneTom@Cult Labs]

Definitely one of the most atmospheric I think.