Tales from the Darkside (TV Series) The Social Climber (1987) User Reviews

Good but cruel episode

[makersmark-99040 · 7/10 · 2 April 2017]

I have watched this episode several times, and while I think that it is a decent episode and well-acted I dislike the message that dreaming of bigger and better things is inherently bad and should get you punished. Rob the apprentice is always dreaming of fame and fortune and easy street, and the lesson is that for simply dreaming of such things he deserves death? I mean, DEATH?!!? This episode seems especially cruel--Rob otherwise seems like a decent guy. He shows up for work on time (even after being out late the night before), is nice to his fiancé, and seems like a fairly okay person. So he's a young guy uncertain about his future and curious about his boss's magical shoes... I don't think for these minor infractions he deserves punishment, let alone DEATH.

There's also the problem of Anthony, the magical shoemaker and apparently the dictator of morality and success for this episode. Sure, people like the actress were successful because she worked hard, but I'm sure the magical shoes did not hurt. In fact, once you start thinking about it, the whole concept of the magical shoes contradicts the bootstraps-theory that Anthony constantly tells Rob. Can someone really say they made it big *solely* on hard work when you have magical shoes that helped?

Also, who made Anthony God? Why does he get to decide who deserves success, love, and good fortune? I don't know, the more I think about this episode the worse the "moral" becomes. Probably overthinking it, obviously, but that is the beauty of TFTD...they are as silly or as deep as you want them to be, which is the sign of good entertainment.

It proves everything has positives and negatives!

[blanbrn · 6/10 · 1 September 2008]

This "TFTD" episode titled "The Social Climber" is overall pretty interesting, even though it's not spooky and frightening. It twist at the end and it proves a moral that everything has positives and yet negatives can come about. The plot is about a city sidewalk shoe store in which the owner discovers some odd pairs of shoes and he introduces them to his young co worker helper. The young apprentice slowly one by one discovers a new light and new world as each day he tries on a new pair his lifestyle is transformed into the lives of other people. Success and happiness is found yet good times don't last forever, as in the end the old saying proves the shoe is on the wrong foot! As he has to wear them only to find out he will be deceased! Overall good episode that twist well at the end.

The right shoes for the right people

[sol-kay · 6/10 · 20 December 2010]

***SPOILERS*** Working as an assistant to master shoemaker Anthony, Albert Hauge, apprentice Rob, Robert Romanus, feels that he'll be stuck in that not so glamorous and low paying job for the rest of his life. Rob wants to rub shoulder with the high and mighty of society and will do anything to get a chance in getting to doing it! It's when Rob finds out that the shoes that his boss Anthony makes for those who,in Rob's mind, made it big in the world have magical powers in making him become like them, and being accepted in the social world that their in, is when he screws himself up big time!

Secretly trying on the shoes that Anthony made for some of his rich and famous costumers Rob starts to go out on the town and become accepted in places that e never would have gotten into like exclusive nightclubs and restaurants as well as the tab being picked up by the owners of those establishments in him, or his celebrity shoes, taking the time in going there.

Told by Anthony to cease doing what he's been doing and that he's playing with fire by wearing shoes that don't belong to him Rob still has to see what it feels like in being one the city's as well as country's richest man Donald Coventry who's brand new shoes Anthony expects Mr.Coventry's maid Irene Rose, to pick up the next day.

***SPOILERS*** Trying on Mr. Coventry's shoes Rob finds out to his sad surprise that he in fact is going to become him in all his riches and prestige but in a way that he never ever expected!

Okay...

[shellytwade · 6/10 · 9 February 2022]

I didn't hate this episode, it's pretty much saved by it's solid acting. The script alone probably could have used another re-write or two but still it's serviceable. At the same time it would be hard to recommend this episode unless you are completest and feel you need to see every episode of this series.

Tales from the Darkside: The Social Climber

[Scarecrow-88 · 7/10 · 26 September 2015]

While in a single location almost exclusively (as is often the case with the limited-budgeted Tales from the Darkside), the message rang true to me. I think that will be either the reason it resonates with you or doesn't because "The Social Climber" is built on a lowly shoemaker employee (Richard Romanus) yearning for the finer things while his boss (Albert Hague) preaches to him exhaustively about how it is hard work and dedication to a craft that lends to happiness and/or accomplishment. Romanus isn't a rotten guy, here, but his desire to be affluent and a socially relevant figure often muddies the waters of a potentially glorious marriage with a pretty diner waitress (Talia Balsam). Hague insists Romanus embrace what he does have (a solid relationship that could end up being a wonderful marriage if he just wises up), instead of always dreaming of having it all (money, prestige, and a glamorous lifestyle). In the backroom of the shoestore, Hague has a magic hammer and nails that provide the one wearing them a possible blessed life (if he thinks they deserve it). Shoes on a shelf catch the eye of Romanus, and when he wears them, he infiltrates the position of those who will (have, or are certain to) wear them…this will lead to a startling and unfortunate ending. All around I think the performances are good, and the characters really appeal to me. I get why Romanus feels the way he does, but I also adhere to the philosophy that true happiness isn't always about how wealthy or "made" you are. Still, having lots of money doesn't hurt, and I can't fault Romanus for pining to have more than he currently does. Sweeping the floor and clean-wiping the countertops of a shoe store isn't exactly economically fruitful. I think that is why I really liked the Balsam character and appreciated the Leslie Chain character (she is a successful actress who made it despite doubts, with a little help from a magic nail hammered in the right shoe by Hague)…Balsam accepts Romanus as he is, while Chain has the uncharacteristic humility of an actress who didn't just gain success without working for it. The final scene—where Romanus is told over and over to *not* wear the shoes and yet the lure once more to do so is too seductive to resist—is one of those tragic twists of fate an anthology series is known for. It left me rather sorrowful, yet the music applied to the entire episode does seem to build to this conclusion. Hague, as the grounded and wise shoemaker frustrated with Romanus for not seeing what he does have, could be viewed as a bit overbearing but he means well. Romanus did seem like someone who needed a mentor to stir him in the right direction…too bad the kid just wouldn't listen.

Didn't do much for me at all.

[poolandrews · 3/10 · 3 May 2008]

Tales from the Darkside: The Social Climber is set in New York where a shoemaker's assistant (Robert Romanus) dreams of being rich & famous but as a shoemaker's assistant he's going nowhere fast. His boss is named Anthony (Albert Hague) & is a nice old man content with his lot in life, he also possesses a magical gold hammer & nails which he uses to make & repairs people's shoes. A magical hammer & nails that make the shoe wearer's dreams come true, while trying on a pair the assistant realises this & becomes hooked on the magical power he gains. But he learns a harsh lesson that you should be content with what you have...

Episode 19 from season 3 this Tales from the Darkside story originally aired in the US during March 1987, directed by Antonio Mastroianni this is yet another light hearted Disney style fantasy that I dislike so much. The script by Ellen Sandhaus spends the majority of it's duration trying to preach the moral message about being content with what you have in life & that nothing comes easy & without hard work. It's nothing that hasn't been seen before, it's nothing that particularly thrills & is as far from a horror based storyline as you could think of. I just don't understand who these light whimsical fantasy stories are meant to appeal to, don't get me wrong as I am sure there is an audience out there for stories such as The Social Climber but for me I found it twenty minutes of overly moralistic tedium in which virtually next to nothing happens.

Like many Tales from the Darkside episodes The Social Climber is set in a single location, in this case a shoe shop. It's all rather basic & forgettable stuff without any scares or excitement to liven things up. The acting is alright as usual from no-one of any interest.

The Social Climber is yet another dull Disney style fantasy Tales from the Darkside episode that I find so tiresome & unlikable. I am sure there will be people out there who would enjoy this but for me I couldn't recommend it.

A one-note idea, mishandled

[Leofwine_draca · 4/10 · 21 June 2015]

THE SOCIAL CLIMBER is, yet again, a disappointment for fans of THE TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE TV series. Yes, it has a supernatural plot, but it singularly fails to be frightening, mystifying, magical, or amazing. It involves an ordinary who discovers an extraordinary power when he tries on somebody else's shoes and finds himself living their life. He soon uses this new-found power to the max, but there's a sting in the tale.

Everything about this story is sub-standard: the boring dialogue, the unfunny quirkiness of the situation, the lack of resolution, the poor twist, and the general poor calibre of the acting. It's not that it's totally unwatchable, because it isn't, it's just that it feels like one of those filler episodes rather than an episode with a proper story to tell or something to say.

Moralistic rubbish

[dave-48711 · 2/10 · 7 May 2022]

"If you dislike the fact that someone owns half of Manhattan while you have nothing, you deserve death." Is this the lesson I'm supposed to take home from this episode? Because if it is, whoever wrote it can piss off. And what was up with that ending, anyway? Made zero sense.

Neat episode

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 21 November 2014]

Restless young apprentice Rob (an excellent and engaging performance by Robert Romanus of "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" fame) works for feisty old shoemaker Anthony (ably played with delightful zest by Albert Hague). Rob discovers that the shoes Anthony makes have the magical ability to make whoever wears them live the lives of their owners.

Director Armand Mastroianni keeps the nifty fantasy premise moving along at a steady clip and maintains an amiable whimsical tone throughout. The smart and thoughtful script by Ellen Sandhaus makes valid points about the virtue of hard work, the potential dangers of wanting too much out of life, and how one should earn whatever success they achieve in life. Hague and Romanus do fine work in the leads, with sturdy support from Talia Balsam as Rob's sweet fiancé Gail and Leslie Chain as famous, yet humble actress Laura Grant. The grim surprise ending packs a startling punch. A worthwhile show.