Nearly a decade before he starred inThe Godfather, Robert Duvall appeared in one of the best episodes of Rod Serling’sThe Twilight Zone. Robert Duvall has long been a staple of film and television, with incredibly memorable roles in everything from classics likeApocalypse Nowto successful modern movies likeThe Pale Blue Eye.He’s a prolific actor, with roles in nearly 150 movies and TV shows, and he’s earned seven Academy Award nominations and one win, and five Emmy nominations and two wins for his efforts.
One person’slist of Duvall’s best rolescould look wildly different from another’s, considering how many fantastic films he’s appeared in, but most people would probably include his role asTom Hagen inThe Godfathersomewhere near the top. The consigliere to two generations of the Corleone family, Tom Hagen straddles the legal and illegal worlds ofThe Godfather. It’s one of the greatest performances in the film by a young actor who, only nine years earlier, was taking single-episode roles in shows likeThe Twilight Zone.
Robert Duvall’s Role In The Twilight Zone Season 4’s “Miniature” Episode Explained
Charley Parkes Is A Lonely Man Who Discovers An Unlikely Friend
Robert Duvall appears inThe Twilight Zoneseason 4, episode 8, “Miniature” as Charley Parkes, a lonely man who spends his time at the local museum, in part because of the cheap lunch, and in part becausethe exhibits keep him company when others don’t. While walking through the halls one day, he sees something unbelievable: a female doll in a dollhouse come to life. Charley gradually falls in love with the figure, though no one, including the security guard, believes what he says. Eventually, he is committed to a psychiatric hospital after his family learns of his obsession.
Charley fakes getting better in order to be released, but leaves his family’s home one day and doesn’t return. Convinced that he’s returned to the dollhouse, his family goes to the museum, but he’s nowhere to be found. However, later the security guard decides to look into the doll house.There, he finally sees what Charley saw: the female doll come to life, and next to her is a laughing and happy Charley. The guard’s expression of bewilderment transforms into one of happiness. He’s glad to see that this odd man has finally found contentment.
Robert Duvall’s “Miniature” Episode Distinguishes Itself From The Twilight Zone’s Other Best Episodes
“Miniature” Is A Quieter, Sadder, And Sweeter Episode
“Miniature” is not always ranked among the bestThe Twilight Zoneepisodes, but it’s one of thoseThe Twilight Zoneepisodes that deserves to be talked about more. It’s a quieter and more melancholy episode than most other episodes, and while the plot is completely fantastical, it somehow feels more grounded. Dolls coming to life is the plot of theNight at the Museumfranchise, a movie series made for children, and yet,in “Miniature”, writer Charles Beaumont and Robert Duvall craft the story into something relatable and hopeful.
“Miniature” deals with mental health and loneliness in a thoughtful and surprisingly gentle way.
“Miniature” deals with mental health and loneliness in a thoughtful and surprisingly gentle way. Charley is not treated overly harshly by others, and his quirks aren’t exaggerated or used to mock him; he’s just a bit different. He knows it, and others know it, but despite having some support, Charley still struggles to fit into the world. That’s a particularly wise depiction of loneliness and mental health. Sometimes, even with support, it can be hard to fit in. That Charlie finds his happiness is one thing;that someone else celebrates his victory is another part of the episode’s joyful finale.
The Twilight Zone’s “Miniature” Was Hit With A Big Lawsuit That Hindered Its Syndication Success
A Writer Sued The Twilight Zone For Allegedly Stealing The Idea For “Miniature”
One of the reasons that “Miniature” gets somewhat forgotten about is because it was hit with a lawsuit upon release (viaSyfy).The suit alleged that “Miniature” was a rip-off of “The Thirteenth Mannequin”, a script submitted to Cayuga, which producedThe Twilight Zone. Cayuga elected not to use the script, which features a man falling in love with a mannequin that comes alive at night. After seeingThe Twilight Zoneepisode, the writer complained that the plot knocked off their own.
Eventually, the lawsuit was dismissed, but during the long battle, “Miniatures” was kept out of reruns, so the only people who would have seen it were those who managed to catch it when it first ran in 1963. Now, in the era of streaming, it’s much easier to watch, and people who seeThe Twilight Zoneepisode now have almost certainly seen Robert Duvall inThe Godfatherfirst this time.
