Tales of Tomorrow (TV Series) Another Chance (1953) User Reviews

Very good TOT episode with a wonderfully menacing Robert Middleton

[mrb1980 · 8/10 · 27 August 2023]

Small-time crook Harold Mason (a little overplayed by Leslie Nielsen) is at the end of his rope: his marriage is a mess, he's just stolen a piece of jewelry that he cannot possibly sell, and the police are hot on his trail. When he sees a newspaper ad that says, "I'm Sure I Can Help You!", he decides to answer the ad as a last resort.

Mason arrives at the office of Dr. Borrow (Robert Middleton), who tells him he can send him back in time seven years using a special chair Borrow has invented. Borrow explains that his memory will be erased and that he can start over with no worries. Mason gives the stolen gem as payment and soon finds himself 7 years younger with a new future and new name (Jack Marshall). However, Marshall learns nothing during the next 7 years and finds himself right back where he started. The ending has a real twist and is very satisfying.

The first part of this episode is a little tedious and confusing, consisting mostly of Nielsen displaying various states of anxiety and confusion. However, once Mason visits Dr. Borrow the fun really starts. Imposing actor Robert Middleton really makes this episode work with his performance as the mysterious and ultimately evil Dr. Borrow. It's great fun for those who love vintage sci-fi.

A neat little twist on time travel and the like--just be sure to stick with this one.

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 14 September 2012]

Leslie Nielsen plays a two-bit criminal who is hiding from the law. He has stolen a locket and cannot sell it--it's simply too hot an item to sell. His life is a complete mess and he sees a strange ad from a doctor in the paper that says it can help people in trouble. Having little other choice, he goes to see this doctor (Robert Middleton). The Doc informs him he has a device where he can erase a person's past--letting them keep their abilities but getting rid of bad memories and allowing them to go back in time seven years for a whole new start! The machine actually works, but when Nielsen works his way back to 1953, there is a twist--a really neat twist.

This is a great episode but it starts slow and is a bit confusing. STICK WITH IT. The amoral doctor and his attitude about his job and results is what makes this one a deliciously dark show--one I recommend you see.

He Doesn't Have a Chance!

[Hitchcoc · 5/10 · 11 August 2013]

One of the weaknesses of this series is the thoughtful twists that good writing could create. Even average writing. In this particular episode, Leslie Nielsen is a bad boy. He has stolen a diamond brooch and lives in abject fear, thinking the police are going to be there any minute. He has the obligatory harpy wife who makes his life an even bigger hell. He is a whiny little rat caught in a cage with no prospects for the future. Just when he thinks there is no hope, he spots a want ad from a guy saying, "I can help you." In exchange for the brooch, he is given a second chance. All memories of the past are erased and he is given a new name and a new lease on life. The problem with this is that since he has no knowledge of what he was, he has no chance to change. This is not fair writing because it takes away any volition on his part. Other than his name and a few bucks, he is still the same guy, not really a blank slate. But what about his moral character? Anyway, it's lacking in basic storytelling and completely unsatisfying.

A leopard can't change its spots

[kapelusznik18 · 5/10 · 18 November 2016]

***SPOILERS*** Leslie Nielsen plays petty crook Harold Mason who's life is about to end when he reads a notice in a newspaper about this Dr. John Borrow, Robert Middleton, who claims he can help him out of his troubles. Told to sit down on what looks like a barber chair in Dr. Borrow's office Mason instead of getting a haircut, which he desperately needs, gets sent back some seven years in time to start a new life and forget what he did, in screwing himself up , up until now.

Like a yo-yo it's then that Mason goes back seven years and in like a second is now back in the present and would you or Mason know it he's still the same petty crook and wife beater that he was in his previous existence! And now as before his long suffering wife Carlotta, Virgina Vincent,threatens to walk out on him if he doesn't clean up his act. Now again Mason, who's now Mr. Marshall, goes to see Dr. Borrow to again give him another chance in life but this time around it's no dice for him.

***SPOILERS*** It's then explained by Dr. Borrow to Marshall/Mason that it's two strikes and your out who in fact in knowing what's to happen to him had expected Marshall/Mason to show up and give him a bit of sound advice. It's that you can't change the past in what to are and did but you could change the future which the confused and almost suicidal Marshall/Mason has completely overlooked! And with that returning back to his low rent-$15.00 a month-apartment instead of changing his life for the better Marshall/Mason makes it even worse by going from a petty crook to murdering his nagging wife as the police-With a search warrant- broke into his pad.