Not a bad horror story;good build up

This was one of the first episodes I heard as a young man when the series was still in production. True "theater of the mind". The scene where the candles are all burning and (Arnold Moss'? character) says "Hunak will not touch candles", then you hear puffs of wind as they are blown out one-by-one...chilling. Then what Mandel Kramer's character says in my first quote as he and his wife are...well, don't want to spoil it for those who haven't yet heard it. I enjoyed this episode.

I rate this episode ★★★★☆ for GOOD. Stella Moss’ story had a good concept of mixing Drama with Superstition. However, it started out slow and it builds up on the 2nd half of the episode. It’s a mystery as to why 2 of her characters, Hunac and his granddaughter Maria Val, spoke in the 3rd-Person rather than say “Me” or “I.” Also, when the dead ancestors attempt to scare the living for meddling on the burial ground, CBSRMT should’ve used the effect of tribal music to make the cave scenes more haunting rather than the cliché ghost “hoo.” And as for the Ending, Rena Karling should’ve left her husband Matthew in the cave and let him pay the price for his greediness. She just wanted to explore, but he wanted more. The episode’s title is catchy, another way to title this, would be “The Illustrious Dead.” In our Host’s Prologue, E.G. Marshall jumps into our story’s main location: Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. In ACT-1, meet our 2 cave explorers and try to understand the mind of 1 of them as to why explore the mysterious cave. In ACT-2, the number 9 is sacred to a Yucatán legend. In ACT-3, only 2 characters survived, the other 2 did not. In his Epilogue, E.G. Marshall states that this story is based on a legend told in Akumal (town in Mexico). If there is a legend about Mayan Underwater Caves, E.G. Marshall should’ve gone deeper into the subject, plus inform CBSRMT fans that this episode is a Cautionary Tale that sacred things can be looked at, but never touch. Sound effects of birds chirping, crawling through the cavernous chambers, falling stones, flock of birds, massive water flow, stepping stones, pottery shards, monkeys, blowing out candles, ocean waves, drop of a Coconut, lamp switch, metal box, and neck chain were very supportive. The music as well, both dramatic and superstitious tunes, including tracks from THE TWILIGHT ZONE series. And finally, our Cast: Mandel Kramer (as Matthew Karling), Ann Williams (as Rena Karling), Arnold Moss (as Hunac), and Elizabeth Lathram (as Maria Val). Both Arnold Moss and Elizabeth Lathram did well and Ann Williams was terrific, just like her performance in #0692-HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL and #0494-CHILD OF FATE. And Mandel Kramer is great, just like in every CBSRMT episode he has done. For those that enjoy mystery stories involving caverns, check this episode out, plus #0034-THE DEADLY HOUR and #0054-THE THING IN THE CAVE. Until next time…pleasant dreams. =0)

The husband and wife cavers sound like two smarmy, know-it-all, arrogant American tourists.

So true

This story really goes overboard with the Ugly American image. The husband is portrayed as the most belligerent self righteous sociopathic know it all relic thief ever concocted by a writer.... almost. I found the ending very satisfying ;)

☆ OK story; reminded me of an episode of "Escape" (in general). I found the accents & 3rd person "tribal" speak a bit off-putting. Mandel Kramer is excellent as usual, but cave explorers & archeologists should know when to leave sacred relics alone & have respect for the culture & beliefs. Then again, we wouldn't have a story. I also found the cavern lake & dugout hard to picture in my mind. Someone mentioned "The Thing in the Cave" as another cave-exploring story; I love that story. Also, Elpseth Eric's "The Deadly Hour" is a good cave-centric story as well.