Season 1, episode 5 of The Twilight Zone series is titled, “Walking Distance.” It originally aired the night before Halloween on October 30, 1959.
This episode starred Gig Young, Frank Overton, Irene Tedrow, and Ron Howard (Yes, that Ron Howard) The episode was written by Rod Serling and directed by Robert Stevens.
I really enjoyed this feel-good story of the series. The theme centers around a man who works in the big city and comes back to his hometown. There he discovers his hometown hasn’t changed at all, in fact it’s exactly how it was when he was a child. He soon discovers that he is back in time and even sees the younger version of himself.
In the end, he receives great advice from his father who tells him that you have to look forward instead of back and that there are positives to living as an adult.
While it would be strange to go back and see your younger self, it would also be surreal but amazing feeling. I think given the chance, most people would like to do it, even if just for a day to relive their childhood. Some may want to go back just to give their moms and dads a hug since they may no longer have that opportunity.
Rod Serling once again does a great job tapping into the hearts and minds of viewers with this episode.
HFH Score: 4.8/5