Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
From 'Star Trek' to 'The Outer Limits' and 'One Step Beyond', January 26, 2003
Though something of a relic and an antique from my days as a television-loving teenager, this book has proven indispensable to me. Originally written and published in 1977, to my knowledge it has never been revised, updated or reprinted. I have owned my copy of 'Fantastic Television' since 1983, purchasing it off the out-of-print bookshelf at a bookseller here in the Twin Cities. The copy I had read and referred to thousands of times as a teenager belonged to my brother who received it as a birthday gift. Coveting it fiercely I finally came across a copy years later and snagged it immediately. To be honest the book isn't really among the best of its type available and that is largely due to it's age. It does however hold a special interest to those of us who were hooked on science fiction or horror TV programming while coming of age during the 70's.Included in the first part of the book is an introduction to and brief history of such long forgotten but classic shows like John Newland's 'One Step Beyond' and the Boris Karloff hosted 'Thriller', both rarely seen today; other more popularly known programs like 'Batman' and 'Superman', 'Star Trek' and 'The Invaders', 'The Twilight Zone' and 'The Outer Limits' can be found here as well. Cult TV classics like Patrick McGoohan's 'The Prisoner' and Darren McGavin's 'Kolchak: The Night Stalker' are also here. In all there are 16 separate television shows covered within which includes the classic Irwin Allen shows. Each episode of the series is listed with a short one or two sentence descriptive plot summary. The second part of the book has a paragraph length synopsis of many other shows which space did not allow the authors to list each episode of. Does anyone remember either of the excellent TV movies 'Gargoyles' or 'The Questor Tapes'? They're Here! Because also included is a decent collection of classic sci-fi and horror oriented made-for-television movies with a very concise and compact description of each. A special section of the book deals with Saturday morning fantasy classics - both live action and animated, and a short section on British fantasy television including some real rarities. Also containing many photographs and even some rare stills, the book is a real curio and definitely a collectible for any avid TV fan. There are bigger and better (and up-to-date) books available on the subject but don't overlook this gem. The authors genuinely love their subject and really awaken the fanatic in you; it is virtually impossible to put down once you pick it up.
|
|
|
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sci-Fi/Adventure/Suspense: TV shows of the 50s,60s,and 70s, May 31, 2005
This is one of the few books I've owned since my early teens(now falling apart at the seams-I owned the paperback version). Although it is not as comprehensive as some guides on sci-fi, fantasy, and adventure TV, the episode guides on more than a dozen shows makes this a must have. Those shows start at George Reeve's "Superman" and the "fact"-based thriller "One Step Beyond" and follow through into the 70s, with "Kolchak:The Night Stalker"(a heavy influence on Chris Carter's "X-Files") and "Space:1999", (from the days of the original "Star Wars"). There is also an area for the lesser American fantasy/suspense shows and another for the Brits.
These are detailed with a short synopsis of each entry. Included are "Alfred Hitchcock Presents", "The Avengers", "Bewitched", "My World and Welcome To It", and "Science Fiction Theatre", with some of the earliest shows mentioned here: "Lights Out", "Inner Sanctum", "Tales of Tomorrow", "Captain Video", "Space Patrol" and "Quatermass". Also included are sections on kid's programming("Fantastic 4", the original "Space Ghost"-yes, he actually came from the 60s, "Frankenstein Jr", "Korg 70,000 BC", "Ark II", "Shazam!", "Kroft Super Show") and made-for-TV movies("Dead Don't Die", "Fear No Evil", "Ritual of Evil", Frankenstein:The True Story").
Although, again, this is not as comprehensive as some contemporary guides, if you're mostly into shows of the past, this is the one. This is also useful as a link to sci-fi shows, including all of the most important ones. A good partner would be Alex McNeil's "Total Television"(see my review on this one), which lists all TV-daytime and prime time shows, for all genres. It includes more description and has more Saturday morning faire, etc. However, when considering the episode guides, this one is necessary. Due to its usefullness, I purchased another copy on Amazon some time ago. So should you(only get the hardbound, if possible-it will hold up better).
|
|
|
4.0 out of 5 stars
Like an old friend, this is a book you never tire of re-visiting, January 15, 2008
Before the release of Star Wars in 1977, the books available on science fiction on television were but a scant few. This book, fortunately, was one of them. Although dated somewhat, Fantastic Television is a terrific resource for those of us who can recall all the popular sci-fi television of the 50's and 60's.
Replete with episode guides to the originals including Superman, Boris Karloff's Thriller, One Step Beyond, Twilight Zone, Outer Limits, The Prisoner, Rod Serling's "Night Gallery" (yes!) and a rather critical, no-holds barred review and episode guide to Space 1999, Gerani's book is an exploration into the popular television of yesteryear with an interesting foray into many made-for-tv shows as well. Aside from a chapter on "British Telefantasy," showcasing programs like "The Champions," "A is for Andromeda" and Gerry Anderson's "UFO" as well as the BBC's obscure "Moonbase 3," the book also looks at popular made-for-tv programs of the 70's that are fondly remembered: "Trilogy of Terror" with Karen Black, Gene Roddenberry's "The Questor Tapes," and Roy Thinnes, in "Satan's School for Girls".
Another chapter delves into Saturday morning kidfare including "Captain Scarlett," Gerry Anderson's supermarination masterpiece from the UK and the ever-popular Saturday morning "Sid and Marty Kroft Supershow" featuring the likes of "Electra-Woman and DynaGirl" and many other popular features and cartoons including the often discussed but rarely seen "Star Trek: The Animated Series" now, thankfully, available on DVD.
Strongly recommended and a most enjoyable read with an engaging style that takes a look back to television before the days of cable when TV was actually fun to watch!
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
DVD ~ David Hedison
DVD ~ Roy Thinnes
