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The Civil War is nearing its end. The Confederacy, beaten down and fading fast, is slowly realizing their cause is lost. However, there are still those diehards who will fight to the last. Among them is Joseph Paradine, a Rebel Scout who is still getting reconnaissance on Union targets. Ignoring the treasonous advice of his cowardly subordinate Dauger, Paradine decides to stealthily investigate a small town that should be a hotbed of Union activity but is strangely quiet.
Paradine discovers the reason for the stillness is that everyone in the town has been frozen into immobility as if by magic. The only man stirring is a wild-looking old man named Teague, who claims that he is a warlock who has cast the spell of stillness. Teague says that he will be dead before the end of the day, so he gives his book of black magic to Paradine. The old man tells him the book can win the war for the South...but the price may be the very soul of the Confederacy!
"Still Valley" is a fairly average episode of "Twilight Zone" but still boasts some notable performances and images. As Paradine, veteran actor Gary Merrill hits just the right note of weariness and toughness. He also delivers some pretty florid dialogue. Vaughn Taylor as Old Man Teague is pretty creepy and looks like someone who wouldn't have any problem trafficking with the Devil.
The "stillness" of the townsfolk is imperfectly realized. When Paradine inspects a row of frozen soldiers, many can be seen blinking and twitching.
The final denouement is a memorable one and suggests that there IS such a thing as too high a price for victory.
Teague: "You've got the right of it, Johnny Reb. That's just who you're in league with. The Devil! The Devil, you're in league with the Devil! The Devil...."
