With pestilence infecting our house on New Years Day, it was inevitable we would tune in to "The Twilight Zone Marathon." Of course, I had to watch "Living Doll," or, as I call it, "Talking Tina," where Telly Savalas Erich Streator, recently married to Anabelle (Mary La Roche), who has a daughter named Christie, played by Tracy Strattford. Erich has all the warmth of an SS officer, and Savalas' performance is so chilling in its meanness, that, when his demise comes, it is welcomed with outright applause!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good riddance to bad rubbish.
Now, isn't it interesting that the wife's name is Anabelle? The current franchise owes much to this episode, and, I am certain, was inspired by it.
Mary La Roche is moving and sympathetic as the emotionally abused spouse. She stands up to Erich, speaks in support of Christie, and is never nasty, or has an unkind word for Tina.
So, why does the doll threaten her with, "My name is Talking Tina....and you had better be nice to me." There are several possibilities.
She didn't leave her husband, as originally planned.
She let the abuse go on to long for Christie, as far as Tina is concerned.
She wants to establish who is boss.
The story needed a plot twist.
Here is June Foray (who also voiced Judy Jetson!!!!!) on "portraying" Talking Tina!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Be nice to each other, dolls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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