Night Gallery (TV Series) Rare Objects (1972) User Reviews

One more to add to the collectiom

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 23 October 2018]

Desperate mobster August Kolodney (superbly played with robust ferocity by Mickey Rooney) seeks sanctuary at the swanky mansion of eccentric wealthy collector Dr. Glendon (a wonderfully urbane performance by Raymond Massey).

Director Jeannot Szwarc relates the engrossing story at a snappy pace. The two leads both bring their considerable A game to the table: Rooney attacks his juicy role with characteristic rip-snorting zeal while Massey projects a smoothly ingratiating charm to his colorful character. Moreover, the witty exchanges between Rooney and Massey provide plenty of additional spark and amusement. Fay Spain acquits herself well as an aging moll who sells Kolodney up the river. Rod Serling's crafty script boasts a clever twist at the end. A worthy episode.

"As a matter of fact, I only collect rare things."

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 9 June 2017]

As a main character, Mickey Rooney didn't fare well when appearing in Rod Serling hosted programs. In a fifth season episode of 'The Twilight Zone', his character made a wish that was filled to a tee, but he really should have specified what he meant when he said he wanted to be big. The story was called 'The Last Night of a Jockey'.

In this one, gangster Augie Kolodney Rooney) figures he'll take up Dr. Glendon's (Raymond Massey) offer to relieve him of the worry of looking over his shoulder for the next assassination attempt by rival mobsters. He needs a little persuading of course, and Glendon greases the skids with a drugged goblet of wine to make the offer seem more inviting.

Glendon himself is a collector of rare antiquities, and part of his trophy collection consists of historical figures of the past, both famous and infamous, who took the good doctor up on his offer. However when the story was over, I had to wonder why Glendon went for a two bit hood like Augie Kolodney, when he could have gone after somebody like Al Capone.

Good Story Marred by a Dragged Out Ending

[chrstphrtully · 6/10 · 27 November 2018]

Although Augie Kolodney (Rooney) is the most powerful gangster in New York, he is also keenly aware of the target on his back from the competition. After dodging the most recent attempt on his life, he becomes desperate to do whatever he can to extend his life. The doctor treating his wounds refers him to the mysterious Dr. Glendon (Massey), who is not only a collector of the eponymous rare objects, but also apparently promises his clients extended life.

"Rare Objects" is a fun story to watch, largely due to a tight Serling script and a nice counterpoint in performance between Rooney's over-the-top energy and Massey's cool elegance. Rooney's performance is anything but subtle, but the script gives him more than enough of a foundation to anchor that energy, giving us a flesh-and-blood character who wants to be larger-than-life, but is grounded by his own fear. On the other hand, Massey is all cool control, with a voice and bearing that never loses its menace, even when he's at his most courtly and accommodating, which gives us little doubt that Augie's fate will not be a good one. Serling's teleplay does a good job of setting forth Augie's predicament with a minimum of platitudes or purple dialogue, makes the progression of events believable (rather upon the more believable of two potential plot contrivances), and sets up a pretty decent twist (though it seems better suited to "The Twilight Zone" than "Night Gallery"). Szwarc's direction is equally impressive, effectively using the production design effectively sets the contrast in Augie's world (tight spaces, confining, dark) with that promised by Glendon. The one weakness is that the finale is dragged out just a little too long (quite possibly padding to fill the half-hour running time). Otherwise, a decent third season episode.

started out strong...

[stones78 · 9 July 2010]

The opening shot of Mickey Rooney eating pasta is rather disgusting, otherwise he portrays a wanted gangster solidly, and may overact a bit at that, but he is both engaging and interesting. He is the scene stealer easily as a paranoid gangster who knows his time may be short, as rivals are out to get him. After a visit to the doctor(after getting shot in the arm), he is informed of his ill health and told there's a way to escape his physical and mental anguish, and is given a piece of paper with a man's name on it. Even though he's skeptical at first, he meets this collector of "rare objects", played by Raymond Massey. The gangster is promised a long life, devoid of worry, for a price of selling everything to the collector. Soon after this meeting, the episode takes a downturn, as the hood is drugged and we meet famous people including Adolf Hitler and Amelia Earhart imprisoned in a strange hallway in this man's house. Guess where the gangster's heading? Underwhelming conclusion in my book.

"That's an answer. It's not a good answer, but it's an answer."

[Hey_Sweden · 7/10 · 11 December 2021]

Mickey Rooney plays August Kolodney, a big-time racketeer who's been targeted for assassination numerous times in the past. After surviving the latest attempt on his life, he becomes eager to leave his line of work, or else just disappear. A doctor (Regis Cordic) gives him the name of an associate (Raymond Massey) who's supposedly expert at giving sanctuary to people like August.

When August and the viewers find out what Massey's plan entails, it doesn't come as any *great* shock, but it's still fun to watch as the tale (a Rod Serling original) reaches its conclusion. It's especially amusing to peruse the Massey "collection".

Directed by Jeannot Szwarc, one of *the* most prolific of all 'Night Gallery' directors, 'Rare Objects' is really nothing special (the series had done a segment somewhat similar to this one in the past), yet it does entertain. Massey is a joy to watch as the dapper, urbane Dr. Glendon, and Rooney a hoot as usual in what amounts to an explosive performance. Other familiar faces like Fay Spain and Victor Sen Yung also make appearances.

Seven out of 10.

Collector's Items

[BandSAboutMovies · 6/10 · 30 June 2023]

Originally called "Collector's Items" -- a title that spoils the surprise -- this episode of Night Gallery feels like it almost belongs on The Twilight Zone.

Directed by Jeannot Szwarc and written by Rod Serling, "Rare Objects" is the story of August Kolodney (Mickey Rooney), an organized crime figure who is barely surviving all of the attempts on his life. A doctor (Regis Cordic) removes the slug that someone put in him and tells him that his blood pressure is so off the charts that even his body could betray him at any minute.

Is there a way out? Well, the doctor knows a guy, but the price is steep.

Dr. Glendon (Raymond Massey) has the criminal to his home, shows him his many collections and invites him to stay, as Kolodney himself is a very rare item. He'll have a long life free of worry, but he just has to give over anything and everything. But by the time he tries to leave, it's too late. The drugs in his drink have kicked in and soon he may just live forever, surrounded by Princess Anastasia, Amelia Earhart and Adolph Hitler. Now, he's a bird in a cage for just one person, no longer a person but instead an object.

Szwarc's direction is solid and this is tension-filled the whole time. Ah -- it's so good when Night Gallery is great.

Starts out strong!

[mm-39 · 6/10 · 17 May 2024]

Rare Objects starts out strong! Strong acting by Micky, with old school mob set up at the bar. The episodes back ground developmental storyline creates the feel of grit/desperation of gangster who's about to be rubbed out! There was a way out for the aging gangster, but at a price. The plot device of what way out keeps the viewer guessing, and glued to the t v screen. Then I remembered watching the ending of this episode years before, while in high school watching a rerun from an independent t v station form North Dakota. OOO that ending! In true old School, old Twilight Zone, Rod Serling lame plot twist ending fashion. The gangster will be part of a Zoo for this rich dude. Memorable but lame. Good enough to be remember, but so lame I remember the episode because of lame ending. 6 stars.

Be Careful What You Wish For!

[hgmickey · 10/10 · 16 December 2022]

Mobster August Kolodney survives a gunshot wound in the latest attempt on his life in a deserted restaurant. He later confronts his girlfriend, Molly Mitchell, and accuses her of turning down his dinner invitation because she already knew of the upcoming hit attempt. After he dismisses Molly, Kolodney calls his right hand man, Tony, to take him to a doctor.

After the doctor removes the slug from Kolodney's arm, he tells the mobster that not only did the bullet narrowly miss a main artery that surely would have killed him, the doctor also advises Kolodney that his blood pressure is dangerously high and suggests that he retire. Kolodney responds that he wants out of the rackets, but even if he got out Kolodney knows that there would always be rivals gunning for him. The doctor gives Kolodney the name of a contact that might be able to help him. He says that it will cost Kolodney a lot, but he'll stay alive.

Later, Kolodney arrives at the mansion of Dr. Glendon. After being shown several pieces of Dr. Glendon's collection of rare art and statuary, Kolodney tells Dr. Glendon immediately that he does not like the secrecy of the meeting, and does not like that Dr. Glendon insisted that Kolodney meet him alone. Eventually, they get down to business: Dr. Glendon offers Kolodney an amazing long, stress free life with uninterrupted physical comfort for as long as he lives...in exchange for all Kolodney owns. As Dr. Glendon offers Kolodney a glass of wine, Kolodney tells him that he'll need some time to think about it. Dr. Glendon reminds Kolodney of all of the recent attempts on his life and his luck may not hold out beyond the next week.

Dr. Glendon clinches his case by telling Kolodney that Tony is the one who has been selling him out to his rivals. While Kolodney struggles with this realization, he begins feeling ill. It is at this point that Dr. Glendon has sprung the trap: the wine was laced with a tranquilizer. Dr. Glendon tells Kolodney that he will be the recipient of a drug that he has used for the past 73 years which will add untold years to the normal life span. At this point, Kolodney is too drugged to put up any fight.

Dr. Glendon (along with his butler) takes Kolodney to a secret corridor which has barred cells, each housing a well-known missing person, long-presumed dead. Dr. Glendon's "collection" here includes the Grand Dutchess Anastasia, Boss Joseph Crater, Roald Amundsen, Amelia Earhardt, and even Adolf Hitler. Then, Dr. Glendon leads Kolodney to a cell that has AUGUST KOLODNEY on the nameplate. Dr. Glendon tells Kolodney that he no longer has any pressure or fear to worry about ever again, and will now live a very, very long time. He then walks off, leaving Kolodney to ponder his "retirement." Oh, the irony.

This was one of the better episodes of Night Gallery's final season, and both lead actors played well off each other. Mickey Rooney was perfect as the bombastic, ill-tempered, and intimidating Kolodney, and Raymond Massey was a perfect match as the urbane Dr. Glendon, who's untold menace was perfectly camouflaged by his outer charm.

Needed one more person

[specterman · 9/10 · 13 February 2021]

I bet if they made this episode 5 years later Jimmy Hoffa would have been apart of Dr. Glendon's collection.

Basically Disappointing Plotting

[Hitchcoc · 5/10 · 19 June 2014]

Mickey Rooney, who just died recently (2014), plays a big time crime boss. Unfortunately, there seems to be a big price on his head. At the beginning, he barely escapes with his life. He has a doctor on the payroll who tells him that he has a bad heart and the bullet that hit him barely missed a main artery. It is recommended that he make a decision about his future. The doctor tells him that he can live a long life and be protected from his assailants if he turns himself and his property to a guy, played by Raymond Massey. When Rooney get there we know he is doomed, even though he tries to negotiate. Massey's character is richer than rich. While Rooney is discussing his terms, the man tells him that if he waits a week, he will probably not survive. I won't spoil the ending but assure you that when all options are taken away and the character loses his ability to at least confront his fate, it fizzles. This one fizzles.

Rare Indeed

[AaronCapenBanner · 5/10 · 13 November 2014]

Mickey Rooney stars as fugitive gangster August Kolodney, who is on the run because rival gangsters have marked him for death, and August, who is paranoid, realizes he has been betrayed, and now alone with a bullet wound, seeks treatment from his doctor who tells him his blood pressure is dangerously high, and he will die soon if he doesn't retire. He suggests that a Dr. Glendon(played by Raymond Massey) will offer him a lifetime sanctuary for a price, which is much higher than he ever realized...Uneven tale has a fine performance by Rooney, and starts off strong(so to speak) but falls apart by the silliness of the twist ending, which just doesn't work.