MovieChat Forums > The Twilight Zone (1985) Discussion > Button, Button - Spoiler Warnings

Button, Button - Spoiler Warnings

posted 15 years ago by CZuck83
10 replies | jump to latest

Just curious what people thought of this episode, especially those who have read the short story as well. It is a well known fact that Richard Matheson disliked the new ending created for the episode, however, I personally liked it more...

As I read the short story, I imagined an ending somewhat like this episode... **SPOILER WARNING** Upon pushing the button, the couple receives the promised payment, and is told that the person who gets the button next, will not know them, implying that if the button is pressed again, Norma will be the next person to die. I thought this would be an interesting, and breathtaking ending to such an interesting plot. **END SPOILER**

I'm unsure as to why Matheson disliked this ending, I always felt that his original ending was a bit of a let down, like he tried too hard to have an unexpected twist.

[–] zeta1983-1 15 years ago

I have not read the short story, how is the ending different. I thought this was a good ending took me a minute to get it. THen I was like oh they die next! I wonder what would happen if they didn't press it. I guess the next person who presses it would still kill whoever last pressed it.

[–] vinchenzo19 15 years ago

This story is being made into a film right now which will be ruined by...Cameron Diaz!!

Would only work as a short story anyway I think.

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Royale with cheese!

[–] Danimal_77 12 years ago

No, SHE dies next. I guess you didn't get what happens after all ;). SHE pushed the button, NOT her husband and if you listened carefully, only 1 person dies, not 2.

[–] masuka-fan 14 years ago

I think the TZ ending is absolutely chilling. I haven't read the original story but I read about the ending and it doesn't sound as good. The TZ episode is a perfect, tight little story with a fantastic punch at the end.

[–] GetSmarter 14 years ago

From Wikipedia -

In the original short story, the plot is resolved differently. Norma presses the button, and receives the money — after her husband dies in a train incident where Arthur is pushed onto the tracks (the money was the no-fault insurance settlement, which is $50,000 instead of the $200,000 in the Twilight Zone episode). A despondent Norma asks the stranger why her husband was the one who was killed. The stranger replies, "Did you really think you knew your husband?"

Matheson strongly disapproved of the Twilight Zone version, especially the new ending, and used his pseudonym Logan Swanson for the teleplay.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] masuka-fan 12 years ago

Yeah, that sounds a bit contrived, although I'd have to read the story to be sure. I like the ambiguity of the teleplay. Well, in a way it's ambiguous, but it's strongly suggested that she may very well be the next victim. But you don't know for sure.

[–] Northerner335 12 years ago

Interesting. I've never read the short story. As I was watching the segment, I was trying to guess the ending. I figured that one of them would push the button and the other one would end up being killed because they didn't really "know" one another. I got that sense from how they were always fighting with each other and frankly seemed not to like one another's company very much. So, I can see why Matheson would have chosen that ending. It's what I thought was coming. In any event, I did like the TZ segment ending, as well.

[–] Danimal_77 12 years ago

But Matheson's name IS credited?

[–] Balibari 10 years ago

TZ ending is great for me. The acting on the other hand...