Mr. Garrity and the Graves
Encyclopedia
"Mr. Garrity and the Graves" is an episode of the American television series The Twilight Zone
.
with whom, and so forth. The townsfolk grow uncomfortable at the thought of facing problems they thought buried with the dead; when one apparent resurrectee is seen approaching town, his brother, who shot the man himself, bribes Garrity to reverse the ritual, and the figure vanishes. Ultimately, everyone in town similarly pays Garrity to not revive their "loved ones."
Later that night, Garrity and his assistant (who was both wagon driver and "resurrectee") ride away with the money, joking about how they cannot actually bring the dead back to life: they had simply performed a few smoke and mirrors
tricks to con the townsfolk, and used a dog that was alive the whole time but simply knew how to play dead. After they have left the town, the last scene reveals that the dead
really are rising from the grave, with one commenting that the peddler underestimates his own ability.
"Based on a story by Mike Korologos"
First, the episode's credits state, "Teleplay by Rod Serling | Based on a Story by Mike Korologos."
There is no evidence that Mike Korologos ever published any stories. In fact, the only evidence of the existence of a writer named "Mike Korologos" is found in the credits of this episode.
"Uproar in Acheron"
Second, according to Philip José Farmer
, the source for "Mr. Garrity and the Graves" was his own short story "Uproar in Acheron" (The Saint Mystery Magazine, May 1962).
For all practical purposes, the short story (published in May 1962) and The Twilight Zone episode (originally broadcast on 8 May 1964) are identical.
"Mister Lazarus"
Third, the story of "Mister Lazarus," found in Historic Haunted America, identifies a legend from Alta, Utah, as the source of "Mr. Garrity and the Graves."
According to the story of "Mister Lazarus," a mysterious stranger arrived in Alta, Utah, during its heyday as a silver-mining boomtown in the late 19th century—and promised to raise the dead. The story unfolds in the same manner as both "Uproar in Acheron" and "Mr. Garrity and the Graves" but without the clever twist at the end.
The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone is an American television anthology series created by Rod Serling. Each episode is a mixture of self-contained drama, psychological thriller, fantasy, science fiction, suspense, or horror, often concluding with a macabre or unexpected twist...
.
Synopsis
A traveling peddler, Garrity, arrives in the little, recently-renamed town of Happiness, Arizona, offering to bring the townsfolk's dead back from Boot Hill. Initially, they don't believe him, but when he appears to resurrect a dead dog struck by a traveler's horse-drawn wagon, they do believe him. After performing the resurrection ritual, Garrity, in seemingly casual conversation, reminds the people about the dead and departed, almost all of whom were murdered: who died having a score to settleRetaliation
To retaliate is to take revenge.Retaliation or Retaliate may also refer to:*Retaliate , an album by Misery Index*Retaliate , an album by Angerfist*Retaliation...
with whom, and so forth. The townsfolk grow uncomfortable at the thought of facing problems they thought buried with the dead; when one apparent resurrectee is seen approaching town, his brother, who shot the man himself, bribes Garrity to reverse the ritual, and the figure vanishes. Ultimately, everyone in town similarly pays Garrity to not revive their "loved ones."
Later that night, Garrity and his assistant (who was both wagon driver and "resurrectee") ride away with the money, joking about how they cannot actually bring the dead back to life: they had simply performed a few smoke and mirrors
Smoke and mirrors
Smoke and mirrors is a metaphor for a deceptive, fraudulent or insubstantial explanation or description. The source of the name is based on magicians' illusions, where magicians make objects appear or disappear by extending or retracting mirrors amid a confusing burst of smoke...
tricks to con the townsfolk, and used a dog that was alive the whole time but simply knew how to play dead. After they have left the town, the last scene reveals that the dead
Resurrection
Resurrection refers to the literal coming back to life of the biologically dead. It is used both with respect to particular individuals or the belief in a General Resurrection of the dead at the end of the world. The General Resurrection is featured prominently in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim...
really are rising from the grave, with one commenting that the peddler underestimates his own ability.
Original sources
There are three possible sources for "Mr. Garrity and the Graves":"Based on a story by Mike Korologos"
First, the episode's credits state, "Teleplay by Rod Serling | Based on a Story by Mike Korologos."
There is no evidence that Mike Korologos ever published any stories. In fact, the only evidence of the existence of a writer named "Mike Korologos" is found in the credits of this episode.
"Uproar in Acheron"
Second, according to Philip José Farmer
Philip José Farmer
Philip José Farmer was an American author, principally known for his award-winning science fiction and fantasy novels and short stories....
, the source for "Mr. Garrity and the Graves" was his own short story "Uproar in Acheron" (The Saint Mystery Magazine, May 1962).
For all practical purposes, the short story (published in May 1962) and The Twilight Zone episode (originally broadcast on 8 May 1964) are identical.
"Mister Lazarus"
Third, the story of "Mister Lazarus," found in Historic Haunted America, identifies a legend from Alta, Utah, as the source of "Mr. Garrity and the Graves."
According to the story of "Mister Lazarus," a mysterious stranger arrived in Alta, Utah, during its heyday as a silver-mining boomtown in the late 19th century—and promised to raise the dead. The story unfolds in the same manner as both "Uproar in Acheron" and "Mr. Garrity and the Graves" but without the clever twist at the end.
External links
- The Rod Serling Archives at Ithaca College, The Twilight Zone, Season 5, Script 152, "Mr. Garrity and the Graves"