The Twilight Zone (1985 & 2002)

The release of Twilight Zone: The Movie spurred a television revival; one thing that complicates writing about its special make-up effects is the fact there aren't really any special makeup credits on the episodes! Jack Wilson was credited under 'makeup' only for the undead soldier makeups in 'Nightcrawlers', which could have fell under a makeup role.

Wilson was also credited for make-up on 'Teachers Aide', in which a stone-like makeup job, along with a prosthetic nose and brow, were applied on Adrienne Barbeau as the gargoyle-possessed teacher.

Things start to get a little more complicated with the episodes covered here from 'Gramma' onwards; 'Gramma' was clearly a special makeup effects job, with a sculpted mask and gloves. Jeff Farley (@obscureartifacts on Instagram) got in touch with me and clarified that this was the work of James Cummins, under whose team Farley worked under for the episode.

To quote Farley's direct message, 'From what I understand, the entire episode had been shot (or was nearly wrapped) and they were having trouble with the concept of the “Gramma” character. They planned on not showing much from what I recall being told and were using a rather large performer in an old-age makeup… I don’t know at all who did it and production realized that they were in trouble as it wasn’t working at all. They knew they needed a more extreme version and I’m not sure how James was contacted or even considered for the job. They could have had numerous bids from other places and James just happened to place the best estimate ($35,000.00 from what I recall) for the week-and-a-half’s work. James did a design as I recall… he was very good at that.

The entire creature was a suit and cable-controlled head with gloves to cover the performers hands. I was immediately placed on working on hand sculptures and then put onto something else as required. I did a little of everything. As far as crew goes; Bryan Blair, Brian Wade, Larry Odien, Dirk von Besser and myself. There may have been one or two others. The foam fabricated suit was done a few blocks from James place… all in my neighborhood and I wasn’t aware up until then. After Dirk & I made the core for the head mold, that was sent off to The Burman Studio to run & bake the foam latex pieces.'

(Farley also suggested that there was no 'special makeup effects' crediting due to the rushed nature of the assignment; as well as for the other episodes, they could not have been crediting due to budget reasons, as individual credits cost money. I would like to thank Farley for at least solving this mystery!)

Meanwhile, the demons of 'Personal Demons' were a series of latex masks sculpted to have a withered, scowling appearance; again, there is only a 'make-up artist' credit for Charlene Roberson, but no idea if the demons were her work or not!

More prosthetic demon makeups were made for 'Dead Run', albeit partly obscured by the riot helmets they wore; Lance Anderson was credited for the creature makeup, making this the only episode included here with any special makeup effects credited.

The insect aliens in 'A Day in Beaumont' were realizd as masks and gloves; again, only a 'makeup' credit is given for this episode but surely it's more complex than that indicates?

The demon in 'Crazy as a Soup Sandwich' was realized as a prosthetic makeup, with heavyset eyes and a ridged forehead.

The series was rebooted again in 2002, but the only episode with notable special makeup effects work was a remake of the original series episode 'Eye of the Beholder'; this time the disfiguring prosthetics were designed as a little more 'realistic'. Oddly, this episode has no special makeup effects credit at all.