Customer Reviews

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

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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!

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!

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.

First the plus: The interviews with cast and crew are extremely valuable. While the stars may drag on and on about the smallest thing and half of what they say isn't anything informative, the interviews alone are worth the purchase price. The photographs are the best you'll find in any book. Superbly reproduced from the author's private collection and he chose the best.

Now the negative: the history of the series is more of a salute than fact and what little he does feature isn't accurate. His bibliography cites only half a dozen sources and sadly this includes a web-site and Marc Scott Zicree's book which is loaded with errors.

While the author did not do any homework, don't let this book get away from you. Photos and interviews are a must. In short, it is not a perfect companion to consult, but it is a coffee table book.

Only reason I say this is the second best book ever written about Twilight Zone, is because Amazon.com offers the best book. THE TWILIGHT ZONE: UNLOCKING THE DOOR TO A TELEVISION CLASSIC by Martin Grams Jnr. which covers the entire series with 800 plus pages of behind-the-scenes trivia, exclusive interviews with cast and crew and a detail level will exceed anyone's expectation. If you are looking for a book that covers "everything" about the TV series, the Grams book is the one to invest.

Closing comment: Both this is the Grams book floored me. Exceeded my expectations and are worth the purchase price. Only books on Twilight Zone to ever do that and I have every book about Twilight Zone ever written so I know what I am talking about.

This is the type of book you want to read about a classic TV series. Lots of interviews with the folks who were there - the actors, directors, family and other behind the scenes people who walked the walk and talked the talk. It was an interesting read from beginning to end, and I especially enjoyed the little-known tidbits of info that many of the interviewees provided about Rod Serling himself. Dimensions Behind the Twilight Zone is what fascinating books should be made of but often aren't. I really enjoyed this book.

DIMENSIONS BEHIND THE TWILIGHT ZONE: is highly recommended for those who enjoy watching the entire five seasons on dvd will surely love the book it has so much information in to the television series and how rod serling made an amazeing series that is out of this world when it comes to the bizarness of ones imagination the book talks about episodes how they were made with behind the scenes footage production notes turning short stories in to great plays many great actors. stewart t stanyard done a great job putting this book together its well worth having its highly recommended to all readers and those who love the twilight zone series .

This book really gives an insight into the background of the Twilight Zone series. The actors and writers share their thoughts about Rod Serling and his creation, one of the best series of all time. Plus there are pictures never before published. If you already have Marc Scott Zicree's Companion, which mainly covers the episodes and seasons, you will also want this book for the interviews with those who helped create the show with Rod Serling. It's a very personal look at the series from those who knew it intimately. There is so much more to explore in this wonderful series, which many still love today.

All I can say is WOW, What a masterpiece. I'd have paid $50 for this book easily now that I've got it in my hands. Anyone who is a lover of the Twilight Zone won't merely love this book, they will COVET it! The only thing missing is an index at the back of the book, why this was excluded or just plain overlooked is beyond me. This book was obviously a very laborious endeavor, why omit an index? That aside, this book is an incredible find.

Any book about The Twilight Zone has big shoes to fill. Marc Scott Zicree's The Twilight Zone Companion is the bible of The Twilight Zone and, moreover, one of the great books about a television show--any television show. Still, give Mr. Stanyard his due, this is a pretty good book.

Wisely, Mr. Stanyard has followed a different path that Zicree. After a few early chapters on history and analysis of the show, the bulk of the book is taken up by interviews. Over 150 pages of interviews with nearly 40 people involved in the show on various levels, from relatives like Carol and Robert Serling, to writers (Matheson, Hamner, etc.), actors, producers and directors. The last pages are a series of "appreciation essays" written by various people who feel their lives have been impacted by the show as well as speculations by people who knew him of what Rod Serling might have achieved had he lived longer.

Mr. Stanyard has also included a number of interesting photos and a few documents like letters and contracts. Most of the photos are backstage photos from the author's own (inherited) collection. This actually poses a bit of problem. Since the photos Stanyard received cover only a fraction of the episodes, there is a lot of repetition from certain episodes and a whole slew of some very great episodes that have no pictures.

In fact, if I were going to nail down one weakness in the book, it's repetition. Besides the pictures, the interviews also end up being somewhat repetitive as many of the people interviewed have very similar words of praise and descriptions of the show. We're all fans of the show but, with rare exception, the interviews are variations on a theme with not as much enlightenment as I was hoping for.

Still, for a fan of The Twilight Zone this is a difficult book to pass by. There are enough pleasures here to make spending time with this volume worthwhile. For newcomers to the series, I would suggest Zicree's book first.

I purchased this fine book on Amazon last week and read it while on my weekly business trip, this time to North Carolina.

The interviews were illuminating, the pictures glorious, and the paper used for the publication top-notch. In all honesty, I was surprised. I knew this book was coming out months before its release, but there have been many TZ books released in recent years that were letdowns.

This one was most certainly not a letdown!

Marc Zicree, author of The TZ Companion stated that this book was the ultimate companion to his. This is a fair statement, because where the Companion book acts as a reviewers guide with the episodes in chronological order, this book is a visual feast with interviews and essays aplenty.

Anybody who loves the Twilight Zone needs both books for well rounded knowledge and insight into this magnificent television series.

For my money though, this book has taken over as the best book to own for the TZ lover. It has something for everyone.... Enjoy!