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The Changing of the Guard (The Twilight Zone)
Encyclopedia
"The Changing of the Guard" is an episode of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone
.
. Before he can commit suicide
, however, he is visited by the ghosts of former students, who tell him that he inspired them to become better people. Deeply moved, Fowler accepts his retirement, content that his life is fuller for having enriched the lives of others.
This is the final episode to end with an ascent to the stars and nebulas in the Twilight Zone.
The quote Professor Fowler reads on the statue's plinth, "Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity," is the motto of Rod Serling's alma mater Antioch College
, and was said by its first president, Horace Mann
. Serling accepted a teaching post there after completing this script.
The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)
The Twilight Zone is an American anthology television series created by Rod Serling, which ran for five seasons on CBS from 1959 to 1964. The series consisted of unrelated episodes depicting paranormal, futuristic, dystopian, or simply disturbing events; each show typically featured a surprising...
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Synopsis
Professor Ellis Fowler is an elderly teacher who is forced into retirement by his school. Looking through his old yearbooks and reminiscing about his former students, he becomes convinced that all of his lessons have been in vain and that he has accomplished nothing with his life. Deeply depressed, he returns to his school one last time, intending to kill himself on Christmas EveChristmas Eve
Christmas Eve refers to the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that takes place on December 25...
. Before he can commit suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
, however, he is visited by the ghosts of former students, who tell him that he inspired them to become better people. Deeply moved, Fowler accepts his retirement, content that his life is fuller for having enriched the lives of others.
Production notes
Donald Pleasence was heavily made-up in order to appear much older than his actual age of 42. This was also his first acting appearance on American television.This is the final episode to end with an ascent to the stars and nebulas in the Twilight Zone.
The quote Professor Fowler reads on the statue's plinth, "Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity," is the motto of Rod Serling's alma mater Antioch College
Antioch College
Antioch College is a private, independent liberal arts college in Yellow Springs, Ohio, United States. It was the founder and the flagship institution of the six-campus Antioch University system. Founded in 1852 by the Christian Connection, the college began operating in 1853 with politician and...
, and was said by its first president, Horace Mann
Horace Mann
Horace Mann was an American education reformer, and a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1827 to 1833. He served in the Massachusetts Senate from 1834 to 1837. In 1848, after serving as Secretary of the Massachusetts State Board of Education since its creation, he was...
. Serling accepted a teaching post there after completing this script.