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Title

Messenger from Yesterday

Plot

After a college professor purchases a life-size statue of a pharaoh as a birthday present for his wife, he is amazed when the figure comes to life and begins to do housework. All too soon, his amazement turns into an unhealthy obsession.

Episode

0980

Air Dates

  • First Run - May 16, 1979
  • Repeat - October 11, 1979

Actors

Writer

Listen

Rating

99
81     18


6 Responses to Episode 0980

This is a great episode and deserves a listen. I very much like the ending to this one.

Amy

I love any episode with Teri Keene a wonderful actress

Christian

Great episode I loved the ending. But I think I would have been running fast from the beginning.

Searanger

I rate this episode ★★★★☆ for GOOD. I adore Gerald Keane’s style of storytelling, including his adaptations of LES MISERABLES (Ep. #1275-1279) and THE LAST DAYS OF POMPEII (Ep. #1045-1049). This particular Fantasy-Mystery he wrote was amusing, but a little questionable. For starters, since the Pharaoh statue was able to walk and talk, how did it speak English so easily? Would it make more sense if the Pharaoh spoke the Egyptian language and the characters would translate it for us listeners? Also, why would the Pharaoh statue do housework? Since Pharaohs were rulers, shouldn’t this Pharaoh have commanded the characters to do the chores? I will say that the Ending was surprising and it would’ve been a great episode if it was made for THE TWILIGHT ZONE series. Another way to title this story, would be “Pharaoh’s Homecoming.” In our Host’s Prologue, E.G. Marshall’s topic is questioning life after death for the Ancients. In ACT-1, our main character comes home from Imhotep College. After discovering what the Pharaoh statue can do, our Host guides us when dealing with the unexplained phenomenon. In ACT-2, question if there’s a link between the past and present. Also, is there a link between the statue and the teacher? In ACT-3, understanding a Pharaoh’s power, followed by a tomb scripture that says, “Death does not end all things.” In his Epilogue, he summarized what this episode was about in 1 sentence: An Ancient King returns to reclaim his son. Informative and efficient our Host was. The sound effects of the car honk, tires screech, birds chirping, tableware clinking, rotary phone, vacuum cleaner, tapping on the statue, crickets, door latch, doorbell, footsteps, coffee cups clinking, tea kettle whistling, tool drawer, and the loud mystic blasts were super supportive. Music was phenomenal, especially the mystical tunes to signify both the appearance and the actions of the Pharaoh statue. Onto our cast: Norman Rose (as Professor Ramsey West), Teri Keane (as Gloria West and New Resident), Gordon Gould (as Frank and New Resident), and Russell Horton (as the Pharaoh and Mr. Red Ludlow). Norman Rose was perfect to play the Professor. Teri Keane was wonderful as the concerned spouse. Gordon Gould was great as the Professor’s comrade. Russell Horton was good as Mr. Red Ludlow, but as the Pharaoh, not enough emotion to portray an Ancient ruler. Russell Horton is memorable in the CBSRMT series, but they should’ve picked either Gordon Keith, John Lithgow, or Arnold Moss to play the Pharaoh because these 3 have bold and confident voices. But anyway, it’s still an entertaining story and listeners who enjoy stories involving Ancient Egypt will get a kick out of this one. Until next time…pleasant dreams. =0)

Russell

You're right that it doesn't make sense for the Pharaoh to do chores, lol! That almost turns this episode into a comedy because it's so ludicrous. :D As for the voices of the actors, I agree that the Pharaoh should have had a more impressive voice, but they might not have been able to get the particular actors you suggested for that particular episode. They could have had Norman Rose play the Pharaoh, and the actor who played the Pharaoh could have played the professor. They could have switched their roles.

Amy

I LOVED Mr. Ludlow! “I’m afraid that’s just the point PROFESSOR!”. He was so arrogant and disrespectful, the way he said “professor” just cracked me up!!!

Susan


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