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• When television sets were set to rule the world

  • SoOld79
  • 12/4/12

  The film industry messed up in not getting into the television business when they had the opportunity, so when CBS and other radio stations jumped at the chance...well, the rest is history as they say. And of course we have a gem of a movie that many (rightfully) exclaim as a slightly extended Twilight Zone episode about the horrors of television. A brilliant gem that has many faults, but it's a 1950s sci-fi treat that succeeds in whisking you back into a strange and somewhat uptight time of morality and monster insanity. Enjoy!

• Like an extended Twilight Zone episode

  • Brent
  • 12/2/12

  Strange but effective 50's political fantasy about a philosophy professor who finds his TV set is running his life - stopping him drinking and smoking, ordering him a women, and protecting him from bill collectors or anything else "harmful". Since the prof. teaches about Liberty & Individualism, the TV (apparently some kind of alien? - the plot takes maybe 30 seconds) represents conformity & mass opinion - in other words American TV culture. Hans Conreid is very effective as the henpecked prof. The effects are dreadful (worthy of a 50's Sci-FI TV show-maybe it's deliberate?) The whole thing is actually better than I expected in a modest way. Recommended.

• TWONKY

  • ATC
  • 12/28/10

  As A young kid growing up in the early and mid fifties certain movie's stay burned into my formative mind. Twonky is one such movie than invoked fear and gave reason to fear everyday furniture and objects in ones own home. Disregarding the logical and practical reasoning that any older person may have had, which should give more reason to bring forth hilarious laughter vs a child's fear. As Kid I remember the fear of the possibility that our Similar looking TV set sitting in the corner Living room was capable of thinking and moving about our home! I would love to see this film again as well as many others that were a very real part of my world, growing up in the Fifties. Anthony C

• This Movie scared me to death as a child.

  • Ironworker
  • 10/25/09

  I saw this movie at age 5 in 1959. We owned a T.V. very similar to the Admiral used in the movie, it to was on a small table with legs. After seeing this movie one Saturday afternoon by myself I was terrified of our T.V afterwards. Especially when Dad would turn it off and that lingering "Dot" would appear in the center of the screen. I would run out of the room for no apparent reason for a long while after that. I would even run past the T.V. or avoid that room altogether whenever it was turned off. I saw it for the first time Saturday and really appreciated the writing and the funny situations Twonky created for itself. I tried to find a reference to this movie a few times but always thought it was called "The Walkin Television". Hope everyone else enjoyed seeing this strange little gem as much as I. Rod

• An Odd Little Movie I Really Like

  • Steve
  • 9/17/09

  The Twonky is an odd little movie based on an SF short story. Short version is that the purpose of the Twonky, which looks like a TV set, is to protect and take care of its owner. The movie stars the great character actor Hans Conreid (Wrongway Feldman for you Gilligan's Island afficianados). The movie is poorly directed, filmed and edited but never-the-less it has a certain charm that seems to cry out for a DVD release. I highly recommend you see this strange little movie about an over zealous living room appliance being a little TOO protective of it's owner. Movies with a somewhat similar thems are The Monitors (1969) and Click (2006).

• Gotta See It!!!

  • Bruce Reber
  • 4/16/09

  I absolutely, positively must see The Twonky! I read synopsis and it must be one of the most out there, off the wall films ever! It must be totally weird, even for a 50's B-movie! Show it again soon TCM!

• The TWONKY needs to be on dvd NOW!

  • bobx
  • 3/10/09

  Off the wall Arch Ober flick that stars the always over the top Hans Conried.Plot involves the menace of that new fangeled invention television (This is 1950 we're talking about here!) The new TV that is delivered has a mind all it's own and is in reality,and outer space alien! Oddball? You bet! Fun! All the way! Too much man!!

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