Night Gallery's most successful exploration of Bram Stoker's malevolent creation, "The Devil Is Not Mocked" offers a varied and clever twist on the famous character. Manly Wade Wellman originally penned this story in 1943, two years prior to the conclusion of the Second World War, and 47 years after Dracula's debut. At a time when it may have seemed that only the devil himself could defeat Hitler's marauders, Wellman's story offered readers the satisfying concept of the Third Reich facing its downfall at the hands of a superior, albeit supernatural, evil force.

As Night Gallery's chief staff writer and top assistant to producer Jack Laird, Gene Kearney fashioned an elegant and entertaining tale with this teleplay. While Kearney's triumph was certainly his script for "Silent Snow, Secret Snow," this adaptation should be regarded as being among his most effective work on the series. The writer produced the first draft on May 11, 1971, and the final revision was completed on August 10, 1971. In addition to developing this story, Kearney also directed his own script (as was the case with "Silent Snow, Secret Snow"). Both episodes bear his stamp of quality and ingenuity.

After graduating Harvard in the 1950's, Kearney moved out west in the early 1960's to ply his trade in the entertainment industry. Throughout his career, Kearney worked closely with Jack Laird on such shows as The Chrysler Theatre (1963-67) and Kojak (1973-78). A skilled craftsman and true professional, much of Kearney's work reflects his New York City beginnings: a tough, straightforward style of narrative, laced with a biting, sardonic wit -- the latter being evident in the many comic vignettes he wrote for the series. However, the success of "The Devil Is Not Mocked" is a result of Kearney's deep appreciation and respect for the genre. With the likes of Serling, Laird, and Kearney at the helm of this innovative series, no doubt the same can be said for Night Gallery as a whole.

(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 #34308

Air Date: October 27, 1971

THE DEVIL IS NOT MOCKED

Teleplay by Gene Kearney

Based on the Short Story by Manly Wade Wellman

Directed by Gene Kearney

Music: Paul Glass; Intro: Oliver Nelson

Director of Photography: Leonard J. South

Time: 11:15

Cast:

General von Grunn: Helmut Dantine

Master of the Castle: Francis Lederer

Kranz: Hank Brandt

Hugo: Martin Kosleck

Radio Man: Gino Gottarelli

Machine Gunner: Mark de Vries