Portifoy!


Anyone ever counted how many times Roddy McDowall says the name "Portifoy" in the episode The Cemetery?

reply

I don't know, but it's great every time he says it. My friend and I crack each other up by going "Portifoy!" out in public sometimes. Roddy McDowall was such an awesome character actor.

reply

HaHa! Sounds like something my brother and I would do in public.

reply

My friend is especially hilarious, he sounds just like Roddy.

reply

It would probably make a great drinking game.



"There will be blood. Oh, yes! There will be blood."-Jigsaw; "Saw II"

reply

That reminds me of that really awful episode of Star Trek where Kirk and Spock meet Abe Lincoln. They also meet a Vulcan from history (forget his name) who gets captured and mortally wounded by bad guys. He cries out "Spock! Help me Spock!" but the delivery of the line by the actor was completely wooden. We used to watch Star Trek when it was on originally and the acting was so bad, we started giggling uncontrollably. For years thereafter, one of us at weddings, funerals, what-have-you would call out to the other "Spock! Help me Spock!" and we'd crack up instantly, much to the annoyance of our mom.

reply

Great thread, ryderdvs.

It made me curious so I re-watched this classic & counted right around 34 "Portifoy"s from that bratty character. Ya gotta love the way Ossie Davis says, "Mr. Jeremy".

Those two truly despised each other in this story and with good reason.


"You unlock this door with the key of imagination..."

reply

Myself I'm rather fond of "Back, Jeremy! Back Jeremy! Back into the ground where you belong!"

reply

Oh yes, another great line, delivered chillingly by Ossie.


"You unlock this door with the key of imagination..."

reply

Great atmosphere in this one, with Roddy McDowell and Ossie Davis both superb, memorable twist ending.

reply

Still my favorite episode of Night Gallery. Never been topped though there was some amazing episodes in the series.

reply

Yes, it's probably the most frightening story Serling ever wrote for tv that he didn't adapt from another author's work. Wish he'd done more of this kind of thing, too, but trying to scare the pants off us was very much second in his heart to offering up deadly serious statements about important social issues.

reply

Agreed. It was probably the scariest episode. (The musical score helped as well.) Unfortunately it was also the very first Night Gallery story so one could argue that NG spent its entire run never topping The Cemetery in the chills department (important social issues notwithstanding).

reply

It was probably the scariest episode. (The musical score helped as well.)


Billy Goldenberg's music is exceptional. He helped considerably to make both this and "Duel" the classics that they are.

Unfortunately it was also the very first Night Gallery story so one could argue that NG spent its entire run never topping The Cemetery in the chills department (important social issues notwithstanding).



Indeed, although "The Doll", "Pickman's Model", and "The Other Way Out" are pretty strong runner-ups in my estimation.

reply

I love Roddy McDowall's spine-chilling scream when he sees the painting back on the wall. Hilarious and horrifying at the same time!

reply

We play a drinking game with that episode every time Portifoy's name is said.

reply