Throughout his career, Rod Serling frequently tackled, in a variety of guises, the subject that stirred the most passion within his heart -- the ugly reality of bigotry. In his Emmy-award winning "A Town Has Turned to Dust," (1958) a fictional variation on the Emmett Till lynching case, Serling examined the extreme consequences of prejudice. Unfortunately for the author, CBS found this tale too controversial, and after several severe alterations, the finished product ultimately bore little resemblance to the original concept. A dismayed Serling later said, "By the time 'A Town Has Turned to Dust' went before the cameras, my script had turned to dust." One year later, however, The Twilight Zone gave Serling the forum he desired without network constraints. Through such tales as "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street," (1960) "He's Alive," (1963) and "I Am the Night -- Color Me Black," (1964) the writer was able to delve deeply into matters of the darkened heart by use of allegory and framed within the context of fantasy, therefore avoiding the wrath of network censors.

By 1971, network standards had relaxed to a large degree and Serling could now confront social issues with greater honesty. This script, in particular, reflects that pull-no-punches attitude. In "Class of '99," the issue of prejudice is thoroughly examined utilizing a futuristic academic setting; gleaming white and antiseptically organized. The writer envisions a world in the midst of depopulation, whose only hope of survival is through the creation of androids who will carry on the very best -- and worst -- of man's knowledge and attitudes. However, the story is not just an explication of race relations. Serling keenly explores all forms of human bias: social, economic, and personal.

Clearly inspired, Serling wrote this teleplay quickly and efficiently. He finished the first two drafts in less than a week, and the final draft was completed on June 4, 1971. Along with "The Academy," "Class of '99" deserves to graduate with honors, joining Serling's earlier dramas, as some of his finest work in the area of social commentary.

(NOTE: For the purpose of maintaining the integrity of the original source material, all typographical errors made in this script have been left intact.)

NIGHT GALLERY #33510

Air Date: September 22, 1971

THE CLASS OF '99

Written by Rod Serling

Directed by Jeannot Szwarc

Music: John Lewis

Director of Photography: Lionel Lindon

Time: 18:47

Cast:

Professor: Vincent Price

Johnson: Brandon de Wilde

Elkins: Randolph Mantooth

Clinton: Frank Hotchkiss

Barnes: Hilly Hicks

Miss Fields: Suzanne Cohane

Miss Peterson: Barbara Shannon

Bruce: Richard Doyle

Templeton: Hunter von Leer

McWhirter: John Davey

Miss Wheeton: Lenore Kasdorf