CBS Television

How many times did they actually say “Willoughby” in this feature? I’ll have to go back and count. Update: 44 times. Reported to be Rod Serling’s favorite episode from the first season of The Twilight Zone, here’s another reviewed “movie” where we hear, but never actually see, any railroad motive power. Yep, just old passenger coaches being shoved up and down the track.

Still, trains play a major part in the story of burned-out Advertising Executive Gart Williams (played by James Daly) dreaming of a more serene lifestyle. Where have I seen this guy before? There’s a Star Trek TOS connection, natch.

Be sure to visit this blog next month when I review a Year-2000 remake movie based on A Stop At Willoughby. In color. And now, on with the show!

1960 train and 1888 train interiors. I believe the 1960 car is just a studio set at MGM where most of Twilight Zone was filmed, whilst the 1888 coach was (probably) on Paramount’s back lot. More about that later. Maybe.

Our story opens at the office where everything is going wrong for poor old Gart, starting with his bad haircut or wig or whatever. Oh, yeah, NOW I remember! That’s “Flint” from the Requiem for Methuselah episode of Star Trek TOS, sporting an even worse toupee than in Willoughby.

Just look at that snazzy arm candy Flint/Gart is squiring around. It’s Robotic Rayna Kapec (played by Louise Sorel) ROWF! Zowie!! Schwing!!!, Flint’s “ward” (yeah, right) who eventually catches the lecherous eye of Captain Kirk!

Where was I? Oh, yes. Our first train scene happens at the 6:00 minute mark. After a really rotten day, Mr. Williams heads home on the New Haven Railroad commuter train, snow flying outside. Gart puts on a brave face as the 1960 conductor (played by Jason Wingreen) chats him up.

Dozing off, Gart awakes with a start shouting, “That’s Enough!!” (he’s yelling at his pushy boss in a dream). Great face!

Dream #2. As Gart awakens, the curtain and blowing snow has been replaced by wooden blinds and sunshine. Holy cow, he’s now sitting in a wooden (ex-Virginia & Truckee) coach with kerosene lamps and plush seats!

To his astonishment, Gart raises the window to discover he’s looking at an old-time village named Willoughby, complete with high wheel bicycle rider, bandstand gazebo and two barefoot lads with fishing poles. It’s positively Tom Sawyer-ville.

Why, there’s even a horse-drawn depot bus to take him to the local hotel. Sure enough, the 1888 conductor (played by James Maloney) walks down the aisle calling out, “Willoughby, This Stop is Willoughby.”

Notice the number “19” above the conductor as he exits the coach. At the time of filming, Paramount had an ex-V&T coach #19 on the lot with a short stretch of track. Also IMDb Trivia claims the same station we’ll see later was used in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance 1962.

Now thoroughly mixed up, Garth runs to the end platform to take a look giving us a great view of the coach interior and fixtures.

Just as he starts down the stairs, the train jolts to a start, slamming him hard against the bulkhead. Slack Action!

Gart wakes up just as the 1960 conductor announces “Westport & Saugatuck next stop”. This is an actual station on the electrified, ex-NH, now Metro-North Railroad in Connecticut. This is where he lives, so Mr. Williams puts on his fedora and heads for the exit. End of first train scene at 9:40.

Once home, Gart hits the sauce right away…and why not? Coming down the stairs is his shrewish, social-climbing wife Janie (played with wonderful malice by Patricia Donahue). The old battle axe.

Appealing for sympathy, Mr. Williams gets only scorn and contempt as actress Donahue makes a splendidly cruel retort about her husband’s “…big dream to become Huckleberry Finn.” Bitch.

Our second train scene is at 14:53. Once more heading home, he’s startled by hearing “Willoughby” called out by the 1960 conductor. The train boss was just joshing with him saying he went through all his old employee timetables and couldn’t find such a stop or station.

Well, nap time again and once more he’s back with the 1888 conductor. This time as he walks away, the conductor says, “All off for Willoughby” That means this is the FINAL stop on this dream train. The end of the line, if you catch my drift.

Some nice views of Paramount’s ex-V&T coach end platforms and backlot buildings. As the train pulls out, we pass the Willoughby sign and freight office. Note the pot belly stove just inside the coach door.

CONDUCTOR!! Another great face. Gart is freakin’ and once more finds himself back in 1960. “Willoughby. Next time, I’m gonna get off”, he vows. End second train scene at 17:25.

It’s not a train scene, but when you start seeing your boss in the mirror, it’s time to take up another occupation. Best facial contortions of the entire episode. Particularly from the boss.

Newly unemployed, Mr. Williams is now GLAD to see 1888 coming down the aisle. Willoughby is right out there!

These are our best views OUTSIDE the train… of the equipment. I see 3 ex-VT open-platform coaches on a curve. From color pictures I’ve seen of these cars, I believe they were painted bright yellow.

Everyone is so friendly in Willoughby. Mr. Williams is all smiles as he chats with the boys, passes the depot bay window, is greeted by the bus driver — BY NAME, and heads for the brass band in the pavilion.

I love a happy ending, so I’ll just stop my review right here. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did, researching the train bits.

Despite not being anywhere near the train’s New York City to Connecticut routing, the City of Willoughby, Ohio has an annual festival referencing this episode of The Twilight Zone.

Here is the version I reviewed, if you’d like to watch it:

That is, if it’s still on Daily Motion…

Here’s what IMDb has to say about A Stop at Willoughby:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0734550/

If you have ANY information about this movie you’d like to share, please contact me at: Lindsay.Korst@gmail.com, or leave a comment.  Thanks and enjoy the blog!

THE END