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

Stewart T. Stanyard (Author), Neil Gaiman (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2007

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.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Looking through these behind-the-scenes photos brings back many fond memories of Rod Serling and those early days working on such a remarkable piece of television history. -- William Shatner ("Nick of Time," "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet")

Stanyard's book is an amazing, insightful journey into the creation of what is perhaps the best show ever on television. Brimming with behind-the-scenes anecdotes and rare photos, Dimensions Behind The Twilight Zone is an absolute must-have for any fan of Serling's. I loved it! -- J.J. Abrams (Creator of Lost, Alias, and Felicity)

A worthy addition to Twilight Zone lore. The arrival of this treasure trove of "lost" photographs and interviews with the Zone inhabitants is therefore a stupendous event. -- Carol Serling, wife of Rod Serling

"It appears Stewart Stanyard has done his homework. I think my old friend Rod and so many of his actors (now in their own "Twilight Zone") will be happy and relieved. Stewart has `got it right.' -- Cliff Robertson ("A Hundred Yards over the Rim," "The Dummy")

Dimensions Behind the Twilight Zone is an amazing in-depth look into the most unique and arguably best television series ever made and the visionary who created and guided it. Stewart Stanyard has pulled out all the stops here. Packed with an abundance of rare behind-the-scenes photographs and fresh interviews with those who were there, it brings insights to the myth of Rod Serling. This is a good book, a real good book. Read it, or I'll send you to the cornfield! -- Bill Mumy ("Long Distance Call," "It's a Good Life," "In Praise of Pip")

Dimensions Behind the Twilight Zone is a keen look into the making of a classic television series by people who were there. Stanyard asks the right questions and gets insightful answers from a fantastic array of superbly talented people -- the photos are priceless. I give high praise to ECW Press for choosing to publish this important book. -- George Clayton Johnson (Twilight Zone core writer)

Stewart Stanyard's marvelous book Dimensions Behind the Twilight Zone provides a terrific look behind the scenes of one of the greatest TV shows ever made, chock-full of previously unpublished on-set photos and personal reminiscences of those who made the show a classic. If my book is the Companion to the Twilight Zone, then Stewart's is the ideal companion to the Companion. -- Marc Scott Zicree, author, The Twilight Zone Companion

About the Author

Stewart T. Stanyard serves as a board member for the Rod Serling Memorial Foundation and is the creator of The Twilight Zone Archives, a personal collection of memorabilia large enough to fill a museum. He is the illustrator of Clive Barker's graphic novel The Life of Death and the Savings & Loan Scandal trading cards. He created storyboards and digital art for the video games Hellraiser: Virtual Hell, Falcon 4, and Star Trek: Birth of the Federation. He lives in Sebastopol, California.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: ECW Press (April 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1550227440
• ISBN-13: 978-1550227444
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #255,815 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marvelous Guide to An All-Time Classic TV Show!, August 21, 2007

By 

Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" (Wausau, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dimensions Behind the Twilight Zone: A Backstage Tribute to Television's Groundbreaking Series (Paperback)

Arguably Rod Serling's "Twilight Zone" is the finest television show of the early 1960s; certainly the one all us baby boomers remember most fondly. Every week, under the guise of science fiction or fantasy, Serling & Co. would present little morality tales that were, in turn, insightful, horrifying and touching. Stewart Stanyard revisits the "Twilight Zone" in this marvelous visual tribute published by ECW Press.

Some years ago Marc Scott Zicree wrote THE TWILIGHT ZONE COMPANION, which many feel is the definitive book to Serling's creation. Zicree's book is basically an episode guide marked by insightful commentary and a genuine fondness for the subject matter.

Stanyard's book is more of a general history and appreciation of the show and complements Zicree's volume quite nicely. It certainly outshines it in terms of photographic material. Syanyard's book features over 350 rare production and behind-the-scenes photos showing Serling, cast and crew in action. What a treat!

Another plus of Stanyard's book is the collection of interviews he did with surviving cast and crew such as Carol Serling, Richard Matheson, George Clayton Johnson, Earl Holliman, Cliff Robertson, Bill Mumy, and others. It's a shame so many "TZ" alumni such as Buck Houghton, Burgess Meredith, John Anderson, etc. are gone since Stanyard is a gifted interviewer. (But why no interview with Jack Klugman who is still living?)

Lastly, the affection and respect so many viewers had for Serling and his creation are showcased in 12 appreciation essays that wrap up the book. The comments by George Clayton Johnson and the sons of Charles Beaumont and Buck Houghton are especially noteworthy.

In short, this book is a 24-carat treat worthy of Serling, who was one of America's finest writers. It is an essential purchase for fans of the series! Read and enjoy!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! An awesome book!, April 21, 2007

By 

crabfan "crabfan" (Raceland, KY USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Dimensions Behind the Twilight Zone: A Backstage Tribute to Television's Groundbreaking Series (Paperback)

I don't even know where to start in expressing how cool this book is.

Since there really isn't any detailed description of the contents (at least as of this date), you might be hesitant to take the chance on this one. Please don't make that mistake.

If you are a fan of Rod Serling or the original Twilight Zone television series, prepare to be completely blown away. Over 350 photos and images, most of which have never been published anywhere before. Tons of really in-depth conversations with actors, producers, directors, and writers who worked on the series. Good stuff!

I'm a longtime fan of the series with dozens of books related to The Twilight Zone and Rod Serling in my personal library. I'm on my third copy of Zicree's episode guide "The Twilight Zone Companion" - having worn the first two out. Of course I've got every episode of the entire series on my shelf (DVD and VHS! haha).

In my opinion this is the most exciting Twilight Zone book published since the series originally aired. Definitely check this one out!

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Submitted for Your Approval, May 6, 2007

By 

C. C. Black (Princeton, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dimensions Behind the Twilight Zone: A Backstage Tribute to Television's Groundbreaking Series (Paperback)

Stanyard's "Dimensions" cannot, and does not intend to, replicate Mark Scott Zicree's indispensable "Twilight Zone Companion," which is among the finest assessments of any popular television show ever written. What Stanyard offers are copious interviews with a plethora of the surviving actors, writers, and other craftsmen who made Rod Serling's Zone sing. Serling's wife Carol and brother Robert are also on hand with fascinating comments about the man behind The Zone. The book's other bonus--and here it excels Zicree--lies in its hundreds of photographs, many behind the scenes (such as Serling taking direction from John Brahm for the lead-in to "Shadow Play"). The book's overall effect is like attending one, long, joyous TZ reunion where everyone reminisces their favorites moments. I read the book in a single sitting and enjoyed every page of it.