Dimensions Behind the Twilight Zone: A Backstage Tribute to Television's Groundbreaking Series

i’ve really enjoyed reading this book slowly. Its not a novel.

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'sintroduction 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 inthe chapter entitled "Themes of the Zone", he goes a bit too far trying toshoe-horn TZ's plots into neat and tidy categories. For instance, I wasbaffled 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 companyof 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--- thelittle 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-headedMartian 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 authorpraises "Mr Dingle", "Mind and the Matter" and the ridiculously over-padded "The Bard" as stand-out comedies, while dismissing the trulyfunny "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 intototal 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 theboxing 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.

This is an enjoyable book. It has tons of B&W photos, which look great on the high-quality glossy paper. Also, "Dimensions Behind the Twilight Zone" is slightly oversized (8" x 10") so the photos can be larger.It is not a book detailing the episodes, however, except as they come up in the individual interviews and essays.Contents:1. Biography of Rod Serling2. Biographies of other writers and producers who made this great show happen3. "Themes of the Zone", such as Death & Dying, Redemption, and everything from magic to aliens4. Comic relief. Not a comedy series, but there's quite a bit of humor here and there, particularly if you include wry humor. I'm not counting if you think William Shatner is hilarious in "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet".5. "Beyond Dimensions" covers Rod Serling's career after "The Twilight Zone"6. "Sight, Sound and Mind". This is the largest part of the book, consisting of interviews with 39 people who were involved with "The Twilight Zone": 24 actors, including Cliff Robertson, 4 directors, 1 producer, 2 writers and 1 friend. You also hear from Carol Serling, Rod's widow, and Robert Serling, his older brother. Robert says, "Rod didn't have ego, he had pride, and there's a hell of a difference."7. Appreciation Essays. This is 12 tributes by people not involved in the TV series, but affected or impressed by it. For example, the 1st essay is by Dana Gould, producer/writer/voice actor for "The Simpsons".I enjoyed reading "Dimensions Behind the Twilight Zone", but for me it is an adjunct to, not a replacement for, Marc Scott Zicree's classic  The Twilight Zone Companion . I gave Zicree's book 5 stars. It gives you great background information on all the episodes, shown in order of production.If you don't have a complete DVD set of "The Twilight Zone", I certainly recommend the Definitive Collection. Every episode has an least one extra - there is a LOT of viewing time here! The Twilight Zone: The Complete Definitive Collection Happy Reader

Stewart Stanyard has done us TZ fans a priceless service by researching, putting together, and writing this book. If you're a rabid fan of the series like me, you will have hogged it up in one evening. This impressive series of essays, commentaries, interviews and anecdotes fill in so many of the blanks that all of us were always curious about - what went on behind the scenes, impressions and considerable feedback on all aspects concerned of the show. Stanyard takes a reverential, respectful and thoroughly engaging approach, as well as a guided seriousness in this undertaking. The best place to read it is in bed, at night, and you're once again taken into another dimension (sorry I couldn't resist). Stanyard's achievement is all the more marked in light of the fact that many of the forces, actors and so forth involved have passed into...another dimension (OK enough already). The author has admirably expanded upon Marc Scott Zicree's groundbreaking book, "The Twilight Zone" companion, and laudably, takes a more expansive, all-encompassing view than Zicree's often harsh criticism (the book was marred by too-frequent dismissals of some very fine episodes).Stanyard has done perhaps the ultimate service to "The Twilight Zone": he's provided us with what most likely will be, the most authoritative final thoughts possible. I can't recommend it more highly.

Superb Visual History of the seminal ground breaking original Twilight Zone series.Containing hundreds of rare photographs and interviews with actors and behind the scenes people involved with the show, this is fascinating.Just make sure you buy The Twilight Zone: Unlocking the Door to a Television Classic as well.Very Highly Recommended, a must buy.

Fue un regalo para unos seguidores de la serie

This book was a great read and I recommend to anyone that loves the original Twilight Zone. A good price for a good read!

Please read the Twilight Companion and that one and you 'll be THE twilight zone specialist and connoisseur . Les indispensables ouvrages pour tous les fans dune serie qui ne vieillit pas et qui a inventé un genre.

I received the book in the mail on monday and it was it good condition. Very Happy with the book