User Reviews

Two brothers fighting over their father's farm property is the gist of this episode of "The Veil" called "Genesis", with a little *supernatural guidance* determining the fate of all involved, including where the matriarch of the Haney family, Emma (Katherine Squire), will have to live. James Haney (Peter Miller) is a no-good scoundrel who stole his father's money, returning home hoping to seize upon more if papaw passes away. John Jr. (Lee Farr), who has dutifully carried on attending to the farm, loathes his brother, and will fight James if he attempts to get his hands on any more. "Dueling wills" were made by the deceased and the more recently dated one was written out of anger, but leaves the real property to James as long as Emma is taken care of. All James cares about is selling the farm, moving Emma to a rest home, and pocketing the cash, while John Jr. plans to contest the will, hiring family attorney, Jonas Atterbury (Karloff) to help him, hoping to challenge the clause that their mother will not be treated as their father so desired. A ghostly visit to John Jr, when the case seems to be on the verge of his defeat, by paw might just interfere with James' goals. Mostly a credible story about greed and how it can tear a family apart, with a little of the supernatural thrown in for good measure. Karloff is likable old family friend who is rightfully abhorred at James' plans for the property at his disposal, agreeing to represent John Jr. so that Emma can remain at the place she has always called home. While the outcome is predictable, how it comes to pass thanks to a family bible in the attic, hinted at by the possible apparition of the dead father to John Jr, is rather an interesting idea played to dramatic effect. Not the most memorable of the short series, but I think it has a decent story to tell, and you can feel the intensity of the situation as it plays out between two brothers who couldn't be more different and have hostility for one another.

The story of Jacob and Esau is an excellent analogy of betrayal and in this modern take on the story, two brothers find themselves estranged due to the schemes of the younger brother to cheat the elder out of his inheritance. Boris Karloff hosts and plays the family solicitor who becomes convinced that the older brother has a case. Ghostly visits from the deceased father adds to the suspicions. Utilizing the biblical story is an ingenious metaphor with ethics and the power of forgiveness as interesting themes. Great performances by Kathleen Squire as the mother and Peter Miller and Lee Farr as the sons along with Karloff make this one of the more interesting episodes of "The Veil".

There's something decidedly troubling about this episode. Why wouldn't the senior John Haney (Charles Meredith) have left his estate to wife Emma (Katherine Squire) with his favored son as an alternate in case Emma pre-deceased him? That would have been more logical, but sometimes these programs weren't based on logic. So here we have a slightly different take on the Bible story of Esau and Jacob. Gone ten years from the family homestead, younger brother Jamie (Peter Miller) returns with the news of his father's impending death. He smugly asserts that he's inherited the family farm based on a will his father wrote some time after the father had a falling out with older son John, Jr. (Lee Farr). The sons have a physical altercation, the case goes to court, and it appears that Jamie's will is the one that will be honored. The supernatural aspect of this program occurs when the ghost of senior Haney appears to John with the cryptic message 'Genesis 27'. Searching the attic for the deceased farmer's personal Bible, the sons discover yet another updated will that reverses Jamies's version, and gives the farm to John so it can be kept in the family. All's well that ends well with this episode, except to explain how John Jr. Was able to communicate with his dead father.

Slick no-count opportunist James Haney (a perfectly smug portrayal by Peter Miller) and his more decent morally upright older brother John Haney Jr. (well played by Lee Farr) fiercely clash with each other over their father's will. Director George Waggner and writer Sidney Morse ably craft a nice little morality play on loyalty, ambition, and selfishness that never degenerates into preachy mush. The intense and snappy sparring scenes between the two quarreling siblings pack a strong emotional punch while the mild supernatural element (John sees an apparition of his deceased dad) is treated with the show's trademark restraint and intelligence. Miller and Farr both do excellent work in the lead roles. Boris Karloff likewise impresses in a sizable supporting part as shrewd family lawyer Jonas Atterbury, Katherine Squire is fine as the brothers' worn-out mother Emma, and veteran character actor Morris Ankrum has a neat small role as a no-nonsense judge. Howard Shwartz's sharp black and white cinematography and Leon Klatzkin's spare, moody score bother further enhance the overall sturdy quality of this sound and satisfying episode.

GENESIS is a Biblically-themed VEIL episode that reminded me of Steinbeck novel. The subject matter involves farming brothers battling over an estate following the death of their father. Karloff plays the genial lawyer, while the story that transpires is strictly routine, despite a handful of spookier moments.