"Miniature" is episode 110 of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone. It originally aired on February 21, 1963, on CBS. The story centers on a man's obsession with a dollhouse whose figures seem to be alive. The episode was originally withheld from syndication due to a plagiarism lawsuit that was later dismissed for lack of merit. Upon re-release in 1984, it became an early example of film colorization.
Opening narration
Plot Charley Parkes believes that he sees a figure in a museum dollhouse that comes alive. He returns to the museum numerous times and gazes into the dollhouse, repeatedly witnessing the doll in the house become animated. A guard tells him that the doll is not mechanical, but merely carved from a single block of wood, but this does not dissuade Charley.
Charley gradually falls in love with the figure, a woman portrayed by Claire Bradley Griswold, who is in an abusive relationship with a male figure in the dollhouse. In an attempt to rescue the female doll from the male doll, Charley breaks the glass and is subsequently committed to a psychiatric hospital. He pretends to be rehabilitated and is returned to the care of his mother.
On the evening of his return home, Charley's family discovers that he has secretly left the house. They contact Charley's psychiatrist and surmise that he has returned to the dollhouse. At the museum, Charley reveals his feelings for the doll.
The family, psychiatrist and museum guards search the museum for Charley but find nothing. However, one guard glances into the dollhouse and sees Charley, now a miniature figure, finally together with his love in the dollhouse. Smiling, the guard resolves to never reveal what he has witnessed, knowing no one would believe him.
Closing narration
Cast Robert Duvall as Charley Parkes Pert Kelton as Mrs. Parkes Barbara Barrie as Myra William Windom as Dr. Wallman John McLiam as Museum Guard Barney Phillips as Diemel Claire Griswold as The Doll (Alice) Lennie Weinrib as Buddy Joan Chambers as Harriet Gunderson Chet Stratton as Museum Guide Nina Roman as The Maid Richard Angarola as The Suitor Sally Kellerman as Office Worker
Lawsuit The "Miniature" episode was not included in the syndication package for The Twilight Zone because of a pending copyright lawsuit over an earlier script titled "The Thirteenth Mannequin" that had been submitted with allegedly the same concept. In 1967, the lawsuit was dismissed and judgement affirmed on appeal that there was no substantial similarity between the two scripts.
Colorized version The episode was included in the 1984 The Twilight Zone Silver Anniversary Special with the dollhouse scenes colorized in an early public demonstration of the film colorization process.DeVoe, Bill. (2008). Trivia from The Twilight Zone. Albany, GA as Bear Manor Media. Grams, Martin. (2008). The Twilight Zone as Unlocking the Door to a Television Classic. Churchville, MD as OTR Publishing. Zicree, Marc Scott as The Twilight Zone Companion. Sillman-James Press, 1982 (second edition). The colorized scenes are included as a special feature on the DVD release; it was not, however, carried over to the Blu-ray release.
References
External links
Transcript DB episode