Dimensions Behind the Twilight Zone: A Backstage Tribute to Television's Groundbreaking Series
by Stewart T. Stanyard
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Book Summary Information
Author: Stewart T. StanyardForeword: Neil Gaiman
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-04-01
ISBN: 1550227440
Number of pages: 300
Publisher: ECW Press
Book Reviews of Dimensions Behind the Twilight Zone: A Backstage Tribute to Television's Groundbreaking Series
Book Review: A real Treasure Trove
Summary: 5 Stars
Back in 1983 I received a type-written catalogue in the mail that advertised sets of proof sheets from the Viacom archives...namely the "Twilight Zone"! - Hundreds of rare, behind-the-scenes photos from the 1st three seasons of the show were being offered for sale! Unfortunately, I was "between jobs" at the time and was unable to purchase any of the photos. Some of the sets from the more popular episodes were already marked "SOLD" in the catalogue, and I have always assumed that the remaining ones were snatched up quickly by collectors.
WRONG! Most of them are IN THIS AMAZING BOOK! Author Stewart Stanyard's
introduction explains how he happened to acquire this fabulous collection,
and even though Stanyard's writing is merely passable(he's not a professional author), the PHOTOS are INCREDIBLE! And there are LOTS of them, too!
I have always been fascinated by behind-the-scenes stuff, and as I paged through this book, I could not believe my eyes. I have now spent hours staring at full-page, elevated shots with cast, crew and sets from episodes such as "Death's-head Revisited", "The Purple Testament", "Static", etc....and an unbelievable shot of the dual break-away set of "A World of Difference"; great stuff!
And even though the quality of the writing is only so-so, the author at least arranges and presents his material in an intersting format. But in
the chapter entitled "Themes of the Zone", he goes a bit too far trying to
shoe-horn TZ's plots into neat and tidy categories. For instance, I was
baffled by Stanyard's assertion that bookworm Henry Bemis (of "Time Enough at Last") is a "social misfit" who gets what he deserves when he breaks his glasses, since he spent most of his life shunning the company
of his wife, co-workers, etc. Astounding! That's just NOT RIGHT!
Henry Bemis is the quintessential "Everyman", the little-guy who is hounded and misunderstood by the world, who finds comfort and solitude in reading because the real world is a harsh and uncaring place. Doesn't he try to interest his customer in the opening scene in "David Copperfield?" Doesn't he attempt to share his love of poetry with his thug-like wife, who cruelly feigns interest only to shatter her hapless spouse when he discovers that she has defaced his beloved volume of poems?
NO---Bemis' story is an example of the most cosmic sort of tragedy--- the
little guy who is crushed by the most cruel and ironic hand of fate.
Anyway, Mr. Stanyard also mixes up the two actors who play the 2-headed
Martian in "Mr Dingle the Strong"; Douglas Spencer is the guy on the RIGHT (remember him as "Scotty" in the 1951 "Thing from Another World?...the guy who says "Keep Watching the Skies" at the end?)
Also...I realize comedy is a very subjective thing.....but the author
praises "Mr Dingle", "Mind and the Matter" and the ridiculously over-padded "The Bard" as stand-out comedies, while dismissing the truly
funny "ShowDown with Rance McGrew" as merely silly. I think "McGrew" is a comic gem, with marvelously controlled performances by Blyden, Cornthwaite and Johnson in roles that could have easily veered into
total caricature. And Jesse James' arrival at the end as McGrew's agent and the subsequent change in the script cracks me up every time.
BUT WHO CARES ABOUT THE TEXT?!! It's the Photos that allow us to step back in time and peek in on the production of the legendary "Twilight Zone"! SEE Joseph Schildkraut reading his off-camera lines for "Death's Head".....SEE Brian Aherne and Pippa Scott rehearsing their night club encounter in "The Trouble with Templeton"....SEE numerous shots of Fritz Weaver being assualted in the final scene of "Obsolete Man"....SEE Ivan Dixon as boxer Bolie Jackson being photographed from UNDERNEATH the
boxing ring in "The Big, Tall Wish".....the list goes on!
GET THE BOOK!
PS. There is also a nice selection of interviews with actors, writers and technicians who worked on the series, plus a very cool reminiscence by Charles Beaumont's son Christopher.
More Dimensions Behind the Twilight Zone: A Backstage Tribute to Television's Groundbreaking Series reviews:
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Summary of Dimensions Behind the Twilight Zone: A Backstage Tribute to Television's Groundbreaking Series
In this tribute to Rod Serling?s quintessential television show The Twilight Zone, more than 300 original behind-the-scenes production photographs shot during the filming of the show are accompanied by insightful captions, rare documents, and exclusive interviews with producers, directors, writers, and actors who worked on the series. Featuring candid interviews with Serling?s widow, Carol, his brother and cowriter, Robert, and his influential teacher, Helen Foley, this special glimpse into a historic realm of imagination and brilliance presents Hollywood appreciation and insightful analysis that will appeal to both longtime fans and those discovering the show for the first time.
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