Twilight Zone episode review — 2.3 — Nervous Man in a Four Dollar Room
Episode 2.3 “Nervous Man in a Four Dollar Room”
Original air date: October 14, 1960
Writer: Rod Serling
Director: Douglas Heyes
Rating: 5/10
The second season of the groundbreaking anthology series wasn’t off to the best start. Indeed, anything would have seemed a letdown following the heights of the first season. But don’t worry; it picks up really quickly.
“Nervous Man in a Four Dollar Room” is basically a two-man drama between a man and himself. Joe Mantell (Marty) plays Jackie Rhoades, a two-bit gangster hired by George (William D. Gordon) to commit a murder. He’s a sad and pathetic man, and he doesn’t want to kill, but George easily intimidates him.
In his cheap hotel room, Jackie meets a different version of himself in the mirror. This version is confident, strong, and every bit as intimidating as George. This version of Jackie knows that something will go wrong with the murder, and tries to persuade him to be let out. This version can stand up to George and say no, the idea of which terrifies the real Jackie.
The whole plot of the double has worked better in other episodes. Indeed, this episode is remarkably similar to season five’s “Last Night of a Jockey,” an episode that I find works a lot better because of Mickey Rooney’s powerhouse performance.
Eventually, Jackie spins the mirror and backs away, terrified, as the double approaches him. When George shows up to scold him for not doing the job, Jackie quits and punches George in the face. It’s revealed that the real Jackie is now held in the mirror, with the double having taken over.
It’s very middle of the road, nothing really special. The acting is okay, but not too special. The only thing that really stands out in the episode is the original musical score by Jerry Goldsmith (Planet of the Apes, Chinatown). I wouldn’t consider this episode either a high or a low, but it’s probably closer to a low point for the series.
