Season 1, Episode 12: What You Need

[TwilightZoneTom@Cult Labs]

Season 1, Episode 12: What You Need

Airdate: 25/12/59
Writer: Rod Serling (Based on a short story by Henry Kuttner and C.L. Moore)
Director: Alvin Ganzer
Starring: Steve Cochran, Ernest Truex

Pedott, an unassuming street peddler has a talent for giving people exactly what they need. After witnessing Pedott’s ability a small time crook named Fred Renard plans to exploit it for his own gain.

Post your thoughts, reviews and comments about the episode and/or BD & DVD release for What You Need here!

[TwilightZoneTom@Cult Labs]

The adaptation of What You Need that appears on The Twilight Zone is actually quite different to the source material. The short story was quite different, and was also adapted for a television show the pre dated The Twilight Zone called Tales of Tomorrow.

If you want to do a compare and contrast you can hear a reading of the short story by yours truly HERE.

The episode of Tales of Tomorrow is also public domain now, and you can see it HERE. But a nice little touch on the BD of season 1 is that they've included this episode on the disks too.

[The Reaper Man@Cult Labs]

A classic episode,one of the most satisfying.

Perhaps an influence on Stephen King's short story title,I KNOW WHAT YOU NEED.....

Also features an actor called Fred Krueger!

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Reaper@Cult Labs

Also features an actor called Fred Krueger!

I noticed that and thought it was pretty funny. The episode itself is an effective moral tale of 'greed doesn't pay' and why you shouldn't abuse a special ability. It's really well constructed and has a great last line.

[The Reaper Man@Cult Labs]

One of the best episodes so far.

[bizarre_eye@Cult Labs]

Yes, along with Mirror Image this is one of my favourites from the first season.

I'd also agree that this could of influenced King's Needful Things.