In Memoriam: Harlan Ellison
by dan_dassow | created - 29 Jun 2018 | updated - 01 Jul 2018 | PublicProlific American writer Harlan Ellison died at the age of 84 on June 28, 2018. He is known for his influential work in speculative fiction, and for his outspoken, combative personality. His published works include over 1,700 short stories, novellas, screenplays, comic book scripts, teleplays, essays, and a wide range of criticism covering literature, film, television, and print media. Ellison won numerous awards including multiple Hugos, Nebulas, and Edgars.
Which of Harlan Ellison’s teleplays do you most associate with him? If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Ellison’s works, which television episode would you most wish to see?
After voting, please share your thoughts regarding Harlan Ellison.
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1.
Ripcord (1961–1963)
Episode:
Where Do Elephants Go to Die?
(1963)
30 min | Adventure
After a recent health scare, Nobel-Prize-winning author and former Korean War correspondent Aaron Sparks asks his friends and comrades-in-arms Ted and Jim to teach him how to skydive, for ... See full summary »
Director: Leon Benson | Stars: Larry Pennell, Ken Curtis, Denver Pyle, Lynn Cartwright
Ripcord: Where Do Elephants Go to Die? - After a recent health scare, Nobel-Prize-winning author and former Korean War correspondent Aaron Sparks asks his friends and comrades-in-arms Ted and Jim to teach him how to skydive, for research for a new novel. But is that the real reason for his interest in this dangerous sport?
2.
Burke's Law (1963–1966)
Episode:
Who Killed Alex Debbs?
(1963)
60 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
The publisher of a girlie magazine is murdered at one of his own key clubs.
Director: Don Weis | Stars: Gene Barry, Gary Conway, Regis Toomey, Leon Lontoc
Votes: 51
Burke's Law: Who Killed Alex Debbs? - The publisher of a girlie magazine is murdered at one of his own key clubs.
3.
Burke's Law (1963–1966)
Episode:
Who Killed Purity Mather?
(1963)
Action, Adventure, Crime
Prior to her apparent murder, a practicing witch sends Amos a message predicting her murder with a list of five suspects from the occult arts.
Director: Walter Grauman | Stars: Gene Barry, Gary Conway, Regis Toomey, Leon Lontoc
Votes: 68
Burke's Law: Who Killed Purity Mather? - Prior to her apparent murder, a practicing witch sends Amos a message predicting her murder with a list of five suspects from the occult arts.
4.
Burke's Law (1963–1966)
Episode:
Who Killed Andy Zygmunt?
(1964)
60 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
Pop artist Andy Zygmunt is fatally impaled on the spikes of one of his creations. The discovery that he blackmailed people into buying his works provides a motive and five suspects: his ... See full summary »
Director: Don Taylor | Stars: Gene Barry, Gary Conway, Regis Toomey, Leon Lontoc
Votes: 50
Burke's Law: Who Killed Andy Zygmunt? - Pop artist Andy Zygmunt is fatally impaled on the spikes of one of his creations. The discovery that he blackmailed people into buying his works provides a motive and five suspects: his last four customers and the possessor of a missing fifth work.
5.
Burke's Law (1963–1966)
Episode:
Who Killed 1/2 of Glory Lee?
(1964)
50 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
The unpleasant Benjamin Glory, one half of the ownership of the Glory Lee fashion house, is found dead in an elevator after it crashes. But he was dead before he ever entered it, killed by "a sharp and blunt instrument".
Director: Don Weis | Stars: Gene Barry, Gary Conway, Regis Toomey, Leon Lontoc
Votes: 40
Burke's Law: Who Killed 1/2 of Glory Lee? - The unpleasant Benjamin Glory, one half of the ownership of the Glory Lee fashion house, is found dead in an elevator after it crashes. But he was dead before he ever entered it, killed by "a sharp and blunt instrument".
6.
The Outer Limits (1963–1965)
Episode:
Soldier
(1964)
TV-14 | 51 min | Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi
A crossfire of energies accidentally sends two warring soldiers from the 38th Century into the distant past of 1964.
Director: Gerd Oswald | Stars: Lloyd Nolan, Michael Ansara, Tim O'Connor, Ralph Hart
Votes: 739
The Outer Limits: Soldier - A soldier from the far future is accidentally teleported back to our present. The psychiatrist assigned to examine the soldier realizes that he has been bred purely as a killing machine, but he believes he can reawaken the warrior's humanity. Meanwhile a second soldier arrives, dedicated to hunting and killing his enemy.
7.
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1964–1968)
Episode:
The Price of Doom
(1964)
TV-G | 52 min | Adventure, Sci-Fi
A scientist on a research facility in Antarctica discovers a new form of sea plankton that turns monstrously large and aggressive if exposed to heat. After the scientist mysteriously disappears, the Seaview is sent in to investigate.
Director: James Goldstone | Stars: Richard Basehart, David Hedison, David Opatoshu, John Milford
Votes: 125
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea: The Price of Doom - A scientist on a research facility in Antarctica discovers a new form of sea plankton that turns monstrously large and aggressive if exposed to heat. After the scientist mysteriously disappears, the Seaview is sent in to investigate.
8.
The Outer Limits (1963–1965)
Episode:
Demon with a Glass Hand
(1964)
TV-14 | 51 min | Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi
Continuance of the human race against alien invaders depends on a man with an incomplete glass computer hand and no memory of his past.
Director: Byron Haskin | Stars: Robert Culp, Arlene Martel, Abraham Sofaer, Rex Holman
Votes: 1,096
The Outer Limits: Demon with a Glass Hand - Days ago Trent awoke with no memory of his past. Since then, sinister men have pursued him constantly. He manages to stay one step ahead of them by following the advice of... his hand! Made of glass and apparently capable of speech, Trent's hand can answer many of his questions. But it cannot tell him who he is or why his enemies seek him until he finds all of its fingers. The only trouble is, they're in the... hands... of his enemies!
9.
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962–1965)
Episode:
Memo from Purgatory
(1964)
TV-PG | 48 min | Crime, Drama, Horror
Wannabee writer Jay Shaw arrives in NYC. He decides if he's going to write fiction about juvenile delinquent gangs, he'd best learn what they're really like. Using the alias Phil Beldone, ... See full summary »
Director: Joseph Pevney | Stars: Alfred Hitchcock, James Caan, Lynn Loring, Walter Koenig
Votes: 472
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour: Memo from Purgatory - The teleplay was adapted by Harlan Ellison from his autobiographical story "The Gang", which appears in his book "Memos from Purgatory". Fresh college graduate and wannabee writer Jay Shaw moves to early 1950's New York and decides that if he's going to write fiction about juvenile delinquent gangs, he'd better learn what they are really like. Becoming tough-guy Phil Beldone, he moves to a rough section of Brooklyn and seeks to join the Barons, a violent youth gang led by Tiger. During his three-step initiation into the gang, he gains Tiger's trust and respect and begins to fall in love with one of the gang's "debs". However, he makes an enemy of the gang's second-in-command, and risks exposure of his true identity.
10.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964–1968)
Episode:
The Sort of Do-It-Yourself Dreadful Affair
(1966)
TV-G | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
Solo is attacked by a cyborg (a mostly electronic being with some human organs) while on a mission. Later, it's discovered that a Thrush front company is seeking a $1 billion loan. ... See full summary »
Director: E. Darrell Hallenbeck | Stars: Robert Vaughn, David McCallum, Leo G. Carroll, Jeannine Riley
Votes: 93
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.: The Sort of Do-It-Yourself Dreadful Affair - Solo is attacked by a cyborg (a mostly electronic being with some human organs) while on a mission. Later, it's discovered that a Thrush front company is seeking a $1 billion loan. Eventually, Solo and Kuryakin uncover a plot to mass produce cyborgs.
11.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964–1968)
Episode:
The Pieces of Fate Affair
(1967)
TV-G | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
A young woman's novel reads uncomfortably similar to UNCLE cases involving Thrush. UNCLE investigates whether the woman, who has lost her memory following an attack, may have had access to secret Thrush records.
Director: John Brahm | Stars: Robert Vaughn, David McCallum, Leo G. Carroll, Sharon Farrell
Votes: 75
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.: The Pieces of Fate Affair - A young woman's novel reads uncomfortably similar to UNCLE cases involving Thrush. UNCLE investigates whether the woman, who has lost her memory following an attack, may have had access to secret Thrush records.
12.
Star Trek (1966–1969)
Episode:
The City on the Edge of Forever
(1967)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
When a temporarily insane Dr. McCoy accidentally changes history and destroys his time, Kirk and Spock follow him to prevent the disaster, but the price to do so is high.
Director: Joseph Pevney | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Joan Collins, DeForest Kelley
Votes: 6,583
Star Trek: The City on the Edge of Forever - When a temporarily insane Dr. McCoy accidentally changes history and destroys his time, Kirk and Spock follow him to prevent the disaster, but the price to do so is high.
13.
Cimarron Strip (1967–1968)
Episode:
Knife in the Darkness
(1968)
TV-PG | 73 min | Western
Marshal Crown, during the course of a hauntingly foggy night, hunts for a killer who is butchering his victims. Francis tells Crown about how police in London were unable to solve a similar... See full summary »
Director: Charles R. Rondeau | Stars: Stuart Whitman, Percy Herbert, Randy Boone, Jill Townsend
Votes: 73
Cimarron Strip: Knife in the Darkness - Marshal Crown, during the course of an hauntingly foggy night, hunts for a killer who is butchering his victims. Francis tells Crown about how police in London were unable to solve a similar set of killings earlier that year -- by someone who called himself Jack the Ripper.
14.
The Flying Nun (1967–1970)
Episode:
You Can't Get There from Here
(1968)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Fantasy
Sister Bertrille crash lands on a remote and seemingly deserted island after the wind dies on one of her flights. Unfortunately her cornette lands in the water and is torn, and she is thus ... See full summary »
Director: Bruce Kessler | Stars: Sally Field, Marge Redmond, Madeleine Sherwood, Alejandro Rey
Votes: 35
The Flying Nun: You Can't Get There from Here - Sister Bertrille crash-lands on a remote and seemingly deserted island after the wind dies on one of her flights. Unfortunately her cornette lands in the water and is torn, and she is thus stranded at least until her cornette is repaired and is dried and starched.
15.
The Young Lawyers (1969–1971)
Episode:
The Whimper of Whipped Dogs
(1971)
60 min | Drama
Aaron gets a call from a former girlfriend, who has become a heroin addict, is in jail and needs someone to bail her out. He hocks pretty much everything he has and raises the money. ... See full summary »
Director: Jud Taylor | Stars: Lee J. Cobb, Zalman King, Judy Pace, Phillip Clark
Votes: 10
The Young Lawyers: The Whimper of Whipped Dogs - Aaron gets a call from a former girlfriend, who has become a heroin addict, is in jail and needs someone to bail her out. He hocks pretty much everything he has and raises the money. Everyone believes she is a lost cause, but Aaron is determined to help her get clean and turn her life around. Complications ensue.
16.
Circle of Fear (1972–1973)
Episode:
Earth, Air, Fire and Water
(1973)
60 min | Drama, Horror, Mystery
A collective of six artisans find a trunk containing six colorful glass containers. Each chooses one, and soon, one by one, their art becomes more disturbing until the artist vanishes.
Director: Alexander Singer | Stars: Frank Converse, Joan Blackman, Tim McIntire, Tyne Daly
Votes: 106
Ghost Story: Earth, Air, Fire and Water - A collective of six artisans find a trunk containing six colorful glass containers. Each chooses one, and soon, one by one, their art becomes more disturbing until the artist vanishes.
17.
The Starlost (1973–1974)
Episode:
Voyage of Discovery
(1973)
60 min | Sci-Fi
Devon tours a huge spaceship, the ark, to discover who built it and where it's taking them. In Each episode Devon meets someone and finds out a little bit more about it.
Director: Harvey Hart | Stars: Keir Dullea, Gay Rowan, Robin Ward, Sterling Hayden
Votes: 67
The Starlost: Voyage of Discovery - Condemned to be stoned to death for heresy (daring to question the Elders), Devon escapes Cypress Corners with his love Rachel. Her betrothed, Garth, follows to bring her back. They find they're on the Earthship Ark, headed for destruction.
18.
Logan's Run (1977–1978)
Episode:
Crypt
(1977)
TV-G | 60 min | Adventure, Sci-Fi
The runners find an underground room with six survivors of the nuclear holocaust cryogenically frozen. A series of earthquakes complicate efforts to rescue the frozen humans.
Director: Michael Caffey | Stars: Gregory Harrison, Heather Menzies-Urich, Donald Moffat, Randy Powell
Votes: 97
Logan's Run: Crypt - The runners find an underground room with six survivors of the nuclear holocaust cryogenically frozen. A series of earthquakes complicate efforts to rescue the frozen humans.
19.
The Twilight Zone (1985–1989)
Episode:
Teacher's Aide/Paladin of the Lost Hour
(1985)
TV-PG | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
"Teacher's Aide": A teacher at a tough inner-city school is possessed by a malevolent spirit. "Paladin of the Lost Hour": An old man with a special watch bonds with a tormented veteran.
Directors: Gilbert Cates, Bill Norton, Robert Downey Sr. | Stars: Adrienne Barbeau, Adam Postil, Miguel A. Núñez Jr., Josh Richman
Votes: 496
The Twilight Zone: Paladin of the Lost Hour - An old man with a special watch bonds with a tormented veteran.
20.
The Twilight Zone (1985–1989)
Episode:
Gramma/Personal Demons/Cold Reading
(1986)
TV-PG | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
A boy is terrified of his odd, sinister, bed-ridden grandma. / A hack with writer's block is tormented by impish hell-raising creatures that only he can see. / An understudy copes with radio director's insistence on real sound effects.
Directors: Bradford May, Peter Medak, Gus Trikonis | Stars: Barret Oliver, Darlanne Fluegel, Frederick Long, Martin Balsam
Votes: 408
The Twilight Zone: Gramma - A boy is terrified of his odd, sinister, bed-ridden grandma.
21.
The Twilight Zone (1985–1989)
Episode:
Crazy as a Soup Sandwich
(1989)
TV-PG | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Underworld kingpin Nino Lancaster battles an angry demon named Volkerps for the soul of unfortunate Arky Lochner.
Director: Paul Lynch | Stars: Anthony Franciosa, Wayne Robson, Susan Wright, Laurie Paton
Votes: 239
The Twilight Zone: Crazy as a Soup Sandwich - Underworld kingpin Nino Lancaster battles an angry demon named Volkerps for the soul of unfortunate Archie Lochner.
22.
Babylon 5 (1993–1998)
Episode:
A View from the Gallery
(1998)
TV-PG | 44 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
A day in the life of Mack and Bo, two maintenance workers on Babylon 5. As the station comes under attack from an unknown race of aliens, they encounter the command staff and the ambassadors each dealing with the crisis.
Director: Janet Greek | Stars: Bruce Boxleitner, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs
Votes: 671
Babylon 5: A View from the Gallery - A day in the life of two maintenance workers on Babylon 5; as crisis arises, they encounter the command staff, and the ambassadors each dealing with the crisis.
23.
The Hunger (1997–2000)
Episode:
The Face of Helene Bournouw
(1998)
TV-MA | 26 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
When three celebrities suffer tragedy, a reporter discovers that they were all involved with the same woman.
Director: Richard Ciupka | Stars: Terence Stamp, Stephen McHattie, Jayne Heitmeyer, France Castel
Votes: 90
The Hunger: The Face of Helene Bournouw - When three celebrities suffer tragedy, a reporter discovers that they were all involved with the same woman.
24.
The Hunger (1997–2000)
Episode:
Footsteps
(1998)
TV-MA | 26 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
A female vampires feeds upon seduced men while visiting Paris. She meets and falls in love with an unusual vegetarian who convinces her to change her ways.
Director: Jim Kaufman | Stars: Terence Stamp, Paul Anthony Stewart, Sofia Shinas, Cédric Noël
Votes: 87
The Hunger: Footsteps - A female vampire feeds upon seduced men while visiting Paris. She meets and falls in love with an unusual vegetarian who convinces her to change her ways.
25.
Silver Surfer (1998)
Episode:
Antibody
(1998)
TV-Y7 | 20 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The Surfer is the only person who can save a dying Galactus. But will he assist his former master, and can he even save him?
Director: Roy Allen Smith | Stars: James Blendick, Paul Essiembre, Tara Rosling, Alison Sealy-Smith
Votes: 151
Silver Surfer: Antibody - The Surfer is the only person who can save a dying Galactus. But will he assist his former master, and can he even save him?
26.
Babylon 5 (1993–1998)
Episode:
Objects in Motion
(1998)
TV-PG | 44 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Garibaldi and Lise are going to get married. He'll run her late husband's company. An assassin is hired to kill Lise. Zack has a plan to smoke him out, but another person wants G'Kar dead ... See full summary »
Director: Jesús Salvador Treviño | Stars: Bruce Boxleitner, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs
Votes: 531
Babylon 5: Objects in Motion - Garibaldi and Lise are going to get married and he will run her late husband's company. An assassin is hired to kill Lise. Zack has a plan to smoke him out, but another person wants G'Kar dead as well. Both attacks are prevented. Garibaldi deals with the people who ordered the hit on Lise. G'Kar and Lyta leave the station.
27.
Masters of Science Fiction (2007)
Episode:
The Discarded
(2007)
TV-14 | 43 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Based on a short story by seven-time Hugo Award winner, three-time Nebula Award winner and Science Fiction Grand Master Laureate Harlan Ellison ("A Boy and His Dog," "Star Trek"). Story of ... See full summary »
Director: Jonathan Frakes | Stars: Stephen Hawking, Vicky Lambert, Alex Zahara, Donny Lucas
Votes: 346
Masters of Science Fiction: The Discarded - Story is based on a short story by seven-time Hugo Award winner, three-time Nebula Award winner and Science Fiction Grand Master Laureate Harlan Ellison ("A Boy and His Dog," "Star Trek"). Story of despised minorities forever adrift in the darkness of outer space. As a last resort born out of their loneliness and despair they are forced to make an ominous pact with those responsible for their plight, in the hope that they will finally be offered refuge at home on Earth.
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