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      Twonky

      1953 1h 12m Sci-Fi Comedy List
      Reviews 19% Audience Score Fewer than 50 Ratings Kerry West (Hans Conried), a philosophy teacher at a university, acquires a new television. His wife, Carolyn (Janet Warren), goes on a trip, so he tests it out alone, only to discover that it has unexpected powers. The television, nicknamed "Twonky," is capable of performing an array of tasks -- from vacuuming to producing money -- but is equally adept at mind control and physical violence. Despite efforts from the police and the football team, Twonky begins to take over. Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

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      Eddie Harrison film-authority.com …Arch Oboler’s dated, often wayward yet surprisingly on the money satire is worth looking at for Luddites and technology embracers alike… Rated: 3/5 Nov 26, 2023 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Some films are so moronic that even seeing is not believing how foolish they are. Rated: D Apr 20, 2009 Full Review Shane Burridge rec.arts.movies.reviews Would have made an ideal hour-long episode for Rod Serling's Twilight Zone. Oct 27, 2003 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Audience Member All the characters are played as very broad, cardboard creatures, most even adopting wacky accents or styles of speech. It is a ham-handed slap at television and how it could control our lives. Conried, like always, chewed up the scenery. But, as an actor he was not built to carry a whole show by himself. Lastly, the music and sound effects were annoyingly obtrusive. They could have toned that way, way down. IF they had a serious message to relay, the quashed it with the children's television sound effects and practical effects. I doubt this is worth a re-viewing if you already saw it before. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Audience Member Not much to look at, think Blobbo. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member Not very funny comedy about Hans Conried, best know as the voice of Captain Hook, and his misadventures involving a television that becomes possessed by a spirit. The TV becomes mobile and sentient and then begins taking over his life. This probably could have been a funny half-hour episode of "The Twilight Zome" but even at 72 minutes it felt overlong and not all that funny or clever. Conried is probably the only reason to watch this film. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Completely entertaining 1950s piece on the horrors of television (a new and growing medium of which the film industry was terrified). It's all very silly but a great time capsule and a look into recent history. Best to catch it on TCM some late night preferably after a few drinks and/or smokes. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Audience Member The Twonky is a very strange and humorous little film. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Audience Member a very foolish and moronic pic-don't bother Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Twonky

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis Kerry West (Hans Conried), a philosophy teacher at a university, acquires a new television. His wife, Carolyn (Janet Warren), goes on a trip, so he tests it out alone, only to discover that it has unexpected powers. The television, nicknamed "Twonky," is capable of performing an array of tasks -- from vacuuming to producing money -- but is equally adept at mind control and physical violence. Despite efforts from the police and the football team, Twonky begins to take over.
      Director
      Arch Oboler
      Screenwriter
      Arch Oboler
      Genre
      Sci-Fi, Comedy
      Original Language
      English
      Runtime
      1h 12m
      Aspect Ratio
      Flat (1.37:1)