The Ray Bradbury Theater (TV Series) The Dwarf (1989) User Reviews

"I've got to think of a way to shake the little guy up."

[classicsoncall · 6/10 · 8 January 2022]

Ralph Banghart's (Miguel Fernandes) euphemism for a dwarf who regularly visits his Mirror Maze is Mr. Big. Shooting Gallery proprietor Aimee (Megan Follows) is curious why Mr. Big spends so much time there, and discovers that the dwarf fantasizes being made taller by the reflection created in a particular mirror. Later she learns that his real name is Mr. Bigelow, a writer of science fiction and fantasy stories which she finds quite enjoyable. Ralph has a mean streak however, and replaces the heightening mirror with one that creates the opposite effect. When Bigelow encounters it, he becomes enraged, and dashes off to grab a rifle from the shooting gallery. He then makes short work of the Mirror Maze, leaving Ralph to contemplate his destroyed business. The ending, which is rather abrupt, almost leaves the episode feeling unfinished and unresolved, except for it's motive of revenge.

Making the Best of Things Is Always Good

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 24 March 2015]

Mr. Bigelow, a dwarf, known to the carnies as Mr. Big, goes every day at the same time to a house of mirrors, where the proprietor, Ralph, has no respect for him. He spends time in front of the mirror that makes him look tall. Aimee, who runs a shooting gallery, gets interested in the little guy. It turns out he is a relatively successful writer. One day she catches up with him and talks to him. She tells him about the stories she loves. She is full of kindness for him and enjoys he work. In some of the stories, he engages in violent behavior. One day, he shares a secret with her, a beautiful little house he has built. It is the right size for him. He begins to write about her. She begins to think about buying a mirror for Mr. Big so he won't have to demean himself by coming to Ralph's place. But one day, Ralph takes the mirror that increases size and pulls a switch to an opposite one. The dwarf gets a gun from the gallery and destroys the house of mirrors. Ralph is left standing there with nothing. This is a better than average episode.