How far would YOU go for 50 grand, a million? What if it meant simply pushing a button?

June 30, 8:13 PMPittsburgh TV ExaminerSean Farren

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"Button, Button" from The New Twilight Zone

One day a stranger appears at your home with a box. Inside that box is nothing more than a button. If you press that button, you'll receive a large cash payoff.

Sounds simple, right?

Not so fast...there's always a catch!

The hook is that after you push that button, not only will you receive your money, but someone you don't know will die.

Deal...or no deal?

That's the premise for the "Button, Button" episode from the largely forgotten The New Twilight Zone (originally airing in 1986) which, in turn, was based on a short story by author Richard Matheson (I Am Legend, What Dreams May Come).

The episode stars Mare Winningham and the late Brad Davis as a down on their luck couple faced with that dilemma. They do need the money, but will their consciences allow someone to die as a result of their pushing the button? I won't spoil the ending, but needless to say, the very last line of the episode is chilling and I've included the entire episode (split into two parts from YouTube) below so you can see for yourself.

Now, I've always been a huge fan of The Twilight Zone and although the 60s version hosted by Rod Serling is considered a classic (don't worry, I love the original more so no arguments), I grew up on the hour long 80s version which ran from 1985-1986 on CBS. "Button, Button" is one of the episodes (paired with the equally fascinating "Profile In Silver" about what would have happened had JFK not been assassinated) which sticks in my memory as being outstanding television.

Matheson, whose material was the basis for some of the classic Twilight Zone outings such as "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" with William Shatner, was reportedly irate over changes in this episode, including the ending. As a huge fan of Matheson's work and a writer myself, I can see where the author might take umbrage to altering his story. However, it's still riveting television.

And why do I mention an obscure episode from a long forgotten show?

Perhaps it's because it's the basis for an upcoming Hollywood big budget film.

This Halloween, moviegoers will be treated to Cameron Diaz and James Marsden taking over the roles played by Winningham and Davis as the poor, beleaguered couple in The Box. Of course, thanks to inflation, the stakes are higher. In the original story, the offer was $50,000. In the 80s, it was $200,000. Now it's $1 million (though oddly the film is set in 1976 which makes the manufacturers behind the box from the 80s look cheap!).

From what I understand, the story has changed a bit too as it delves more into the psychology of why people make the choices they do.

No matter how The Box fares at the box office, it won't diminish the creepy effect the story had on me over 20 years ago on the small screen. Let's see if it has the same effect on you!

 Would you push the button?