Camera Obscura story

nightgallery2x12b · 1971-12-08

A moneylender (Rene Auberjonois) gets his due thanks to a client's (Ross Martin) unusual telescope. Note: Based on a short story of the same title by Basil Copper Directed by: John Badham. Story by: Rod Serling.

10 total · 5 major · 5 minor

ThemeLevelMotivation
attitude of superiority major Self-confident Mr. Sharsted moneylender was made to see the wickedness of his ways when he was transported into a ghoul infested past.
facing financial ruin major The story centered on an usurious moneylender getting his just comeuppances for bleeding his clients for all they were worth.
greed for riches major Moneylender William Sharsted was financially ruining Mr. Gringold and Old Man Thwait by charging usurious rates of interest on their loans. Sharsted's father was seen to be of the same mold.
predatory financial practices in society major Mr. Sharsted bleed his clients for all they were worth.
punishment in the afterlife major Mr. Gringold trapped William Sharsted in a ghoul infested version of Sharted's past.
remorse minor An attempt was made to make the moneylender feel remorse.
see-anywhere device minor Mr. Gingold had a special camera that could be used to see anywhere.
the desire to repay one's debts minor Mr. Gringold was willing to repay his debts, but in a way he could afford.
time travel minor Mr. Gingold possibly sent Mr. Sharsted back to a ghoul infested version of his past.
what if I saw a glimpse of the past minor One of Mr. Gingold's camera obscuras could be used to see the into past.