Tony's Timeless Thursdays: The Twilight Zone's 'The Big Tall Wish' — The Faith to Believe

Some episodes of television tell a story. Others leave a legacy.

Today’s Tony’s Timeless Thursdays shines a spotlight on one of the most emotionally stirring episodes in television history: The Twilight Zone’s “The Big Tall Wish.” Originally airing on April 8, 1960, and written by Rod Serling himself, this black-and-white tale of a boxer, a little boy, and a miracle remains one of the most underappreciated yet profound gems of the series. It wasn’t just about a fight in the ring—it was about the fight for belief, for hope, and for second chances in a world that rarely offers them.

In a time when Black representation on television was nearly non-existent, this episode placed Black actors at the heart of the story—quietly, unapologetically, and powerfully. But even beyond that historic casting choice, “The Big Tall Wish” offers a message that is as relevant in 2025 as it was in 1960: belief requires courage, and sometimes, we are our own worst enemies when it comes to accepting good things.

The Premise

The Big Tall Wish tells the story of Bolie Jackson, a weary, broken-down boxer played by the incredible Ivan Dixon. Bolie is past his prime, with scarred hands and a spirit weighed down by too many disappointments. He’s living in a crumbling apartment complex and barely scraping by. But he’s loved and admired by a young boy named Henry Temple, portrayed by Steven Perry, who sees Bolie as a hero despite the world having passed him by.

As Bolie prepares for one last shot in the ring, Henry makes a wish—a “big, tall wish”—that Bolie will win. Miraculously, the wish comes true. Bolie, who had been beaten badly and was on the verge of a knockout, suddenly finds his opponent on the mat and his own hand raised in victory.

But Bolie can’t accept the idea of magic, miracles, or a child’s faith overturning reality. He denies the miracle. He insists on realism. And in that moment, the wish is undone. The reality resets, and Bolie is knocked out—just as everyone had expected.

Henry is heartbroken, and Bolie is left staring at a world where belief wasn’t enough—not because it failed, but because he refused to let it succeed.

A Quiet Revolution on Screen

In 1960, television almost never centered Black lives in serious, nuanced stories. Most Black characters were stereotypes or background figures. But in “The Big Tall Wish,” Serling cast two Black actors—Ivan Dixon and Steven Perry—as the emotional and narrative center of the story. Their performances weren’t caricature; they were real, human, and tender.

Ivan Dixon would go on to a celebrated career in film and television, including Nothing But a Man and Hogan’s Heroes. But in this early role, he brought a world-weariness and dignity to Bolie that elevated the character from a washed-up boxer to a man trapped between hope and reality.

The set wasn’t polished. The apartment walls were thin. The ring wasn’t glamorous. But the storytelling was intimate, the emotions raw, and the message universal.

Rod Serling, who had always been outspoken about racism and injustice, didn’t need to preach in this episode. He just needed to tell the truth—and let the audience feel it.

The Power and Cost of Belief

At its heart, “The Big Tall Wish” is about belief—not religious belief, but the belief that something better can happen. That faith and hope are not wasted emotions. That children aren’t foolish when they dream big, and that maybe, just maybe, we should listen to them.

Henry’s belief in Bolie wasn’t naïve—it was pure. He believed in someone when the world didn’t. He believed in possibility when reality said “no.”

And Bolie, like so many of us, struggled to receive a miracle. He was beaten down by life, by hardship, by disappointment. When something good finally happened, he couldn’t believe it. He couldn’t trust it. He couldn’t let the wish stand.

This story hits home for anyone who’s ever self-sabotaged. For anyone who’s ever questioned whether they deserved something good. For anyone who’s ever been handed a miracle and handed it back, afraid it wasn’t real.

A Message for Every Generation

More than 60 years later, “The Big Tall Wish” still speaks.

In a world that often tells marginalized people that their dreams are too big, that their hopes are unrealistic, or that their victories are undeserved, this episode whispers a different truth:

Sometimes, belief is the bravest thing you can do.

It reminds us that dreams matter. That children’s voices matter. That the small, quiet faith of a little boy can challenge the hard, cynical reality of the adult world.

It also reminds us how easy it is to un-wish our blessings. To shut down joy before it blooms. To be so used to loss that we can’t recognize when we’ve won.

Historical Context and Personal Reflection

When “The Big Tall Wish” aired in 1960, America was in the middle of a civil rights awakening. Just five years earlier, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. That bold act of civil disobedience helped ignite the Montgomery Bus Boycott, led by a young Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—a campaign that would launch him into national prominence and mark a turning point in the modern civil rights movement.

Just three years prior to the episode, the Little Rock Nine had integrated Central High School in Arkansas. A year before the episode aired, the Greensboro sit-ins began. And just a few months later, Ruby Bridges would walk into an all-white school in New Orleans under the protection of federal marshals. The fight for equality was beginning to enter the national consciousness—but television was still far behind.

This makes The Twilight Zone’s decision to center a story on two Black characters—not as background, not as sidekicks, but as fully realized leads—nothing short of revolutionary. At a time when network executives were fearful of offending audiences in the South, Rod Serling stood firm in his belief that stories about dignity, justice, and humanity belonged to everyone.

Interestingly, both Ivan Dixon and Steven Perry had roles connected to A Raisin in the Sun, the iconic play by Lorraine Hansberry. Dixon would go on to perform in socially conscious works throughout his career. His presence in both that story and this episode speaks to his lifelong commitment to portraying Black humanity with honesty and grace.

Final Thoughts: Make the Big Tall Wish

This is my favorite episode of The Twilight Zone. It speaks to me and moves me every single time I watch it. It speaks volumes about how we live in this world and why faith is so very important. As Jesus told us, faith can move mountains—physically, mentally, and spiritually.

The Twilight Zone had its monsters, its time travelers, its robots and aliens. But sometimes, its most powerful moments came from the simplest stories.

In Rod Serling's epilogue for the episode: "Mr. Bolie Jackson,183 pounds. Who left a second chance lying ona canvas at St. Nick's Arena. Mr. Bolie Jackson, who shares themost common ailment of all men: The perverse disinclinationto believe in a miracle. The kind of miracle to comefrom the mind of a little boy. Perhaps only to be found inthe Twilight Zone. "

“The Big Tall Wish” wasn’t about science fiction. It was about faith, heartbreak, love, and redemption. It was about second chances—and the cost of turning them down.

In today’s world, where doubt runs high and cynicism runs deep, we need stories like this. We need reminders that it’s okay to hope. That believing in someone else—really believing—is a form of magic all its own.

So today, I ask you:

What’s your big tall wish?

And more importantly—do you believe it can come true?

If this post moved you, I invite you to discover my original superhero series, S.O.L.A.D.™: Soldiers of Light Against Darkness™, where belief, courage, and spiritual warfare take center stage. Books I and II are available now—get your autographed copies at: 👉🏾 www.tyronetonyreedjr.com/the-shop

Until next time, keep dreaming, keep believing, and never stop making the big, tall wish.