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| Author: Stewart T. Stanyard
Creator: Neil Gaiman
Publisher: Ecw Press
Category: Book
List Price: $21.95
Buy New: $13.35
You Save: $8.60 (39%)
New (30) Used (11) from $13.28
Avg. Customer Rating:  20 reviews
Sales Rank: 382755
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 300
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.9
Dimensions (in): 9.9 x 7.9 x 0.8
ISBN: 1550227440
Dewey Decimal Number: 791.4572
EAN: 9781550227444
ASIN: 1550227440
Publication Date: April 1, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Absolutely Brand New & In Stock. 100% 30-Day Money Back. Direct from our warehouse. Ships by USPS. 1+ million customers served-In business since 1986. Happy Customers is Our #1 Goal. Toll Free Support
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| Customer Reviews:
Great book on a timeless classic April 7, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
This was a program I had grew up on and I say thanks for the behind the scene cover stories and pictures.
A real Treasure Trove March 29, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
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.
a peek behind the curtain February 19, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
I was first struck by the weight of it - high quality softcover and beautiful bond - even before opening the book - I knew I was in for a treat - This is the perfect celebration of the great series. Rod would be honored by the care and reverence, by the personal recollections thick with respect and admiration for his genius. Stanyard has formatted each section brillantly - the interviews and essays are a perfect compliment to his own contributions. And the photos - pure magic. But I was struck with a twinge of sadness because for all these years I was convinced that each episode came from the ages - certainly not from prodcuers, actors, cameramen - but they're all right there - Stanyard has pulled the curtain aside.
The Best Television Show in History February 13, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
I was too young to truly appreciate the Twilight Zone when it first aired, but I loved it nonetheless. And over the years, watching the show through syndication and, eventually, purchasing the DVDs, I came to understand the subtle messages that Rod Serling and his crack team of writers planted in every episode under the guise of science fiction. The network censors weren't smart enough to figure it out! I didn't think it was possible, but after reading this book, with its interviews of key directors, writers and actors and loving essays, I have an even great understanding and appreciation of the TZ, my all-time favorite television show.
Really amazing voyage to Twilight Zone January 7, 2008
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
Fantastic, very details, more photos, copy of historic documents,
very substantial and rich text materials for every one who loves these
unique old TV series. Special recommendation and my personal reference.
Very good work and special thanks for Author and for Amazon crew for distribution and nice sales.
With best regards!
Miroslav Jan Swigon
from Zabrze, Poland
miroalien1973@yahoo.com
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