"Crazy as a Soup Sandwich" is the sixty-third episode, and the twenty-eighth episode of the third season (1988–89), of the

television series A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, or cable, excluding breaking news, advertisements, or trailers that are typically placed be ...

The Twilight Zone ''The Twilight Zone'' is an American media franchise based on the anthology television series created by Rod Serling. The episodes are in various genres, including fantasy, science fiction, absurdism, dystopian fiction, suspense, horror, sup ...

''. The episode was written by author Harlan Ellison. In the episode, a

mob boss A crime boss, also known as a crime lord, Don, gang lord, gang boss, mob boss, kingpin, godfather, crime mentor or criminal mastermind, is a person in charge of a criminal organization. Description A crime boss typically has absolute or near ...

contends with a demon. The episode's script was adapted into a segment of the

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in the 1990s.

Plot

A petty con man named Arky Lochner, pursued by the demon Volkerps, begs mob boss Nino Lancaster for help, even though he owes Nino $1.5 million. Arky explains that he made a deal with Volkerps to pick horse race winners in exchange for his soul. The horses all died as they crossed the finish line, either packed full of dope or due to other maladies, which caused Arky to lose all the money lent to him by Nino. Nino decides to help Arky. First, Nino wants to know how Arky found Volkerps. Arky claims beauty shop owner Cassandra Fishbein located the demon for him. Nino threatens to drive Cassandra out of business, forcing her to call on Volkerps. Considering this a betrayal, Volkerps kills Cassanda and then turns his eyes to Nino. Arky and Nino's men flee back to headquarters. Nino arrives, saying he got away using fancy footwork. He orders his men to cover every inch of the office in lead paint. Nino then leaves to procure an item that will defeat the demon. Nino returns with a small stone box and waits for Volkerps to arrive. As the clock strikes midnight, Volkerps appears in the office in a flash of light. Nino demands he cancel the contract with Arky. Volkerps laughs at this. Nino has Arky and his secretary close the door. He pulls something out of the stone box and uses it to strike Volkerps with bolts of energy, driving him into the stone box. Volkerps finds his father also trapped within the box. As Arky thanks Nino, Nino's eyes begin glowing, revealing that Nino is also a supernatural being.

Reception and adaptation

The episode's

teleplay A teleplay is a screenplay or script used in the production of a scripted television program or series. In general usage, the term is most commonly seen in reference to a standalone production, such as a television film, a television play, or a ...

later appeared in Ellison's short story collection '' Slippage''. ''

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'' described the screenplay as "whimsical". K.C. Locke gave "Crazy as a Soup Sandwich" a mixed review, stating that it would have been better represented in comic-book form as opposed to screenplay form. However, Locke also commented that the story does keep with the theme of the collection, and that "the teleplay...is almost as much, and in some cases more, fun than Mr. Ellison's more-traditional presentation of the story." In 1991, the screenplay was adapted into a segment of

' ''Twilight Zone'' comic book, illustrated by artist

Neal Adams Neal Adams (June 15, 1941 – April 28, 2022) was an American comic book artist. He was the co-founder of the graphic design studio Continuity Associates, and was a creators-rights advocate who helped secure a pension and recognition for Sup ...

, whom Ellison personally asked for. In an interview, Ellison said that working with Adams was difficult. Ellison stated that the two would often argue over which minor details to include in the comic, describing Adams as being "even more obstinately singleminded" than he is. However, he would still work with Adams again if given the chance.

References

External links

* {{Harlan Ellison Short stories by Harlan Ellison Television episodes written by Harlan Ellison 1989 American television episodes The Twilight Zone (1985 TV series season 3) episodes fr:Secoué comme des glaçons dans un shaker