episode #07, segment 2: Paladin of the Lost Hour

#7b: PALADIN OF THE LOST HOUR written by Harlan Ellison; Directed by Gilbert Cates
A war vet (Glynn Turman) visiting a cemetery saves an old man (Danny Kaye) from a couple of muggers. The old man, named Gaspar, is homeless & dying. He also turns out to be a guardian of a 'lost hour.' He carries a pocket watch which is set at 11:00 and must never tick to midnight, or the world would end.

This is talky & slow (Ellison, remember), going for a poetic approach to explain some mysteries of time & the universe using metaphysical & metaphorical methods. It did win a Hugo for Ellison's novelette, which was written at the same time, and this script won the Writers Guild award.

Twilight Trivia: there were evidently some behind-the-scenes problems with this one; the director is credited as Alan Smithee. Also, in an audio commentary, Ellison revealed that elder actor Kaye was not very giving; he purposely spoiled takes which concentrated on his fellow actor.
BoG's Score: 6 out of 10