Serling’s surly Sterling is at the wounded heart of “Carol for Another Christmas” (1964). Sterling Hayden plays Daniel Grudge, a 20th century counterpart to Ebenezer Scrooge, in Rod Serling’s update of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”
A damaged Grudge, who suffered a personal loss during World War II, now adheres to a selfish doctrine. He shuns cultural exchange programs, humanitarian aid, and diplomacy (advocated by his nephew, Fred), in favor of isolationism, “America first,” and nuclear escalation. Three spirits – played by Steve Lawrence, Pat Hingle, and Robert Shaw – offer him a chance to connect with his humanity. The all-star cast also includes Ben Gazzara, Percy Rodriguez, Eve Marie Saint, James Shigeta, and Peter Sellers.
We’ll talk about it tonight, alongside one of Serling’s classic “Twilight Zone” episodes, “The Night of the Meek” (1959). Art Carney plays a disillusioned department store Santa, for whom a chance discovery restores meaning to his life – and the spirit of the season for everyone he encounters.
We’ll be hanging our stockings with care for a Rod Serling double-bill, on the next Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner. Leave your lumps of coal in the comments section, as we livestream on Facebook, this FRIDAY EVENING AT A SPECIAL TIME, 7:30 EST.
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