5 creepiest 'Twilight Zone' creations of William J. Tuttle

The pioneering make-up man supplied many of The Twilight Zone's memorable monsters.

One of Hollywood's earliest make-up innovators, William J. Tuttle was on the cutting edge of what would eventually be called special effects make-up. And even if you've never heard his name, you've certainly seen some of his creations.

Active during Hollywood's Golden Age, Tuttle worked with some of the silver screen's biggest stars, including Judy Garland, Gene Kelly and Katharine Hepburn; oversaw make-up work on iconic films such as Singin' in the Rain, Forbidden Planet and The Time Machine; and was even briefly married to Oscar-winning actress Donna Reed.

Tuttle also was the first make-up artist to receive an Academy Award; the special award was bestowed in 1965 for his work on 7 Faces of Dr. Lao, 17 years before make-up became an official Oscar category.

Of the 12 Twilight Zone episodes for which Tuttle supplied the make-up effects, these are the 5 with creatures that still give us goosebumps.


1. The Masks (1964)

Season 5, Ep. 25

A wealthy, dying man invites his greedy heirs to a party at which he insists they wear hideous masks. Upon finally removing them, the partygoers find that the ugliness of their personalities now manifests itself on their faces. While the big reveal isn't necessarily shocking to the plot, Tuttle's make-up certainly is.

2. Nightmare at 20,000 Feet (1963)

Season 5, Ep. 3

William Shatner is a man recovering from a nervous breakdown who seems to be the only one able to see the monster destroying the passenger jet on which he is flying. This classic episode got a slick makeover in 1983 with Twilight Zone: The Movie, featuring John Lithgow in Shatner's role.

3. Hocus-Pocus and Frisby (1962)

Season 3, Ep. 30

When a lowly gas station attendant with a compulsive lying problem is abducted by human-looking aliens, it isn't long before they believe he is one of Earth's leading intellects. But when the teller of tall tales learns his new friends plan to take him to their planet as a "specimen," a good punch to the jaw reveals the aliens' true—and truly horrifying—appearance.

4. Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up? (1961)

Season 2, Ep. 28

A report of a crashed flying saucer and bus passengers snowed-in at a roadside diner set the stage for this unnerving tale of paranoia. In the episode's final moments, a three-armed Martian and Tuttle's three-eyed Venusian trade barbs over which species will succeed in taking Earth for its own.

5. Eye of the Beholder (1960)

Season 2, Ep. 6

In what is sure to feature Tuttle's most recognizable and affecting work, "Eye of the Beholder" delves into a sinister dystopia in which ugliness is the norm and beauty is forbidden. The story goes that the prosthetic make-up used in this episode was in fact developed for The Time Machine, which was released the same year.


Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
Close

0 Comments

Be the first to leave a comment!
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?