"Twilight Zone" had its share of "sentimental" episodes-- some of them worked; others were embarrassingly preachy, naive and lachrymose. This is one that worked. There is still a certain naivete and predictability about it (well, it was 1962 when it was filmed, after all) but it still has an astonishingly strong impact, even today. Donald Pleasence is immensely effective as the suicidal schoolteacher (his acting job is even more of an accomplishment when you recognize that he only had a half hour with commercial breaks to create the character), and the scene where he is confronted by the shades of former students is chilling, heart-breaking, and uplifting at the same time. Classic episode.

finally got the chance to see this episode. Very good one of the best. touching story of a professor after 51 years of devotion at an all boys school, he is "let go" for aging out. Heartbroken he considers suicide{teaching was his life} then he hears the school bells ringing, it is Christmas break so the school is closed. he goes to his classroom to see some students. they each stand up and tell how his teaching meant so much to them and how it helped them in life. each of the students had him at different times and had died. the professor went home feeling he had accomplished what he wanted all along to reach the students. very touching without getting sappy. one of the sweeter Twilight Zones.  a 4.5

One of the series best. I read a few days ago about a schoolteacher who has taught for 30 years has noticed a significant decline in students willingness to learn, which I can believe. Maybe they should start showing this episode in classrooms.

I kinda like it when they put a little sentimental in my T-Zone epies. Not at all creepy.

I didn't know the lead actor's name. (Thanks to the other reviewers for that) But I have to agree that this is one of the very best episodes ever. Creepy and zonish but warm, touching, uplifting, and very well acted. One of the best.

After 51 years of teaching, professor Ellis Fowler is being forced to retire to make way for new blood on the teaching staff. Feeling out of place and insignificant Professor Fowler contemplates suicide when suddenly he hears a class bell ring. He finds himself overlooking a classroom made up of past students, all having done something selfless for humanity and all now deceased. They stand in turn and tell the professor how something that he had said or something that he had taught them, contributed in their climb to greatness. They tell the professor that during times of great difficulty, heroics, or life and death decisions, his words came back to them and helped to guide them in making their decisions. Through their testimony Professor Fowler grows to understand that his words had not been wasted and his career was not a failure. They restore his will to live and as the students fade away from view the professor is now ready to accept his retirement only now he has a new attitude that life is for living as well as for learning.

A spectacular performance by Donald Pleasance in the lead role makes this more than worth watching. It would have been easy for this episode to have devolved to talky mauldlin nonsense, but solid direction, and Pleasance's professionalism make it very good.