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The Twilight Zone: Unlocking the Door to a Television Classic ReviewThe shelf in my bedroom is inundated with all things Twilight Zone. I have every book, magazine and DVD featuring Twilight Zone. I am highly qualified to judge a good book versus bad bearing the Twilight Zone name. And I am proud to say this is the best d*** book ever written on the subject. As far as price goes, it made my wallet creak, but I just ordered a second copy because I know I am going to wear this out.
In his introduction, the author makes it apparent that this is not a biography about Rod Serling. It focuses solely on Twilight Zone. Chapter One begins with Serling winning the "Dr. Christian" script writing contest, featuring in script form the dialogue exchange between Jean Hersholt and Serling on the May 18, 1949 broadcast. From there the history picks up momentum.
The detail level is freakin' exceptional. Proposed summer rerun schedules. CBS contract terms. Short stories and plot summaries proposed and purchased that never became Zone episodes. Day-by-day chronology of Serling's publicity tours. Neilsen ratings. Hugo Awards. Sponsor contracts. The contents of each 60s and 70s comic book. List of network affiliates. Telegrams and letters from Theodore Sturgeon, Steve Allen, Phil Baker and others are reprinted. (As far back as 1958, Sturgeon suggested "To Serve Man" to Serling for adaptation!)
While this kind of detail may not interest casual fans, the trivia will. Why the first season features two different openers. The battle between Kuppenheimer and Eagle Clothing for wardrobe credit. Community Fund spots and radio promos. How "Playboy" magazine got involved. Details behind the six taped shows in the second season. Serling's failed attempt to bring "The Time Element" to the big screen with Kirk Douglas. Why Hirschman quit producing the hour-long season (he was fired, if one wants to call it that). Why Republic Studios was considered a prime source for wardrobe, props and sets. Censorship battles. Princess Twilight Zone on tour in 1963 was apparently interviewed with great behind-the-scenes stories. Reprints of comic strips spoofing Twilight Zone.
The best part of the book is the episode guide. Each entry in detail with production costs (broken down -- director fees, talent fees, script fees, etc.). Dates each episode was filmed and rehearsed. Complete cast lists (who played who) includes actors not credited onscreen. Studio lots and sound stages. Production credits. All of the music scores and cues, names of composers, length of time, in the order they appear. Props and costumes that were reused for multiple episodes. Proposed casting that was never assigned. In-jokes that can be found on screen. Bloopers and microphones that appear on screen.
Serling wrote an unproduced screenplay in the mid-sixties based on "The Lonely." A casting call sheet is reprinted. Explanation why "Eye of the Beholder" also features the onscreen title of "A Private World of Darkness." Lawsuits brought about from various episodes. The automobile featured in "Third From the Sun" was a George Barris custom initially created for "The Time Machine." The 1951 radio script, "The Button Pushers" was the influence for "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street." "The Mighty Casey," "To Serve Man" "No Time Like the Past" "It's a Good Life" and "I Sing the Body Electric" were refilmed after rough cuts were viewed, adding further expense to ensure quality. Robert Cummings loved "King Nine Will Not Return" so much he was disappointed when it was not submitted to the Academy for the Emmy Awards, losing Serling's chance to feature Cummings as the star of "The Loner." The space ship in "Probe 7 - Over and Out" was originally constructed for "Specimen: Unknown" on "The Outer Limits." Origin of stock footage. Why Bernard Herrmann composed the music score for "Little Girl Lost" from Paris, France. Story origins that remained a mystery are finally revealed.
The book was clearly written with a labor of love. Serling's generosity as an exceptional human being shines. When a viewer in New Jersey wrote to him asking for the chance to learn how involved set decoration was, and promised to arrive in California once she graduated from art school, he mailed her his personal home number and arranged with set decorator Ralph Nelson to give her the required tour. When Theodore Bikel was verbally attacked on a talk program, Serling as a guest the week after on the same program defended Bikel in a manner that would make any racist blush. I always thought the Zicree book was the closest thing to a complete reference guide, even with the errors. I was wrong. This is the best book ever written and it will never be surpassed.
The Twilight Zone: Unlocking the Door to a Television Classic OverviewVery few television shows withstand the test of time, and Rod Serling'sÂTHE TWILIGHT ZONE is one of the notable exceptions. Proven to be an important part of American culture since its debut on CBS in October 1959, many Hollywood producers, screenwriters and directors have been inspired and influenced by this series. Comic books, magazine articles, numerous television revivals, a major motion picture and even modern audio productions have been produced, showcasing the continuing popularity of this television classic. This definitive history presents a portrait of the beloved Rod Serling and his television program, recounting the major changes the show underwent in format and story selection, including censorship battles, production details, and exclusive memories from cast and crew. The complete episode guide recalls all 156 episodes of the series in detail that has never before been accomplished in any publication. This book will make you want to look back at the episodes once again, whether you are a casual fan or serious enthusiast of the series. Unlock the door to a television classic by reading about the in-jokes, bloopers, and other trivia associated with the behind-the-scenes production of . . . THE TWILIGHT ZONE!
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