4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
In defence of the radio version, June 26, 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: The Twilight Zone Radio Dramas Collection 3 (Audio CD)
After reading the review on Amazon entitled "Go watch the damn originals!" I felt compelled to add my opinion regarding this radio version of the Twilight Zone.
In the above mentioned review it makes it very clear that it is better to watch the Twilight Zone than to experience the audio only version. I disagree on several counts:
1. I prefer to listen than watch as it exercises my imagination and lets me create my own version of the images rather than have them force fed to me (all be it superbly done in the original TV version).
2. The Twilight Zone stories are ideal for audio only. Indeed, it is amazing that an audio only version has never released before as I can think of few TV shows that were more suitable for radio.
3. Sometimes a visual medium is not on option. For example if you are traveling down the freeway at 60mph you can enjoy these episodes of the Twilight Zone whereas to be watching it as you drive is neither practical nor recommended.
I found this series of the Twilight Zone to be highly entertaining and enjoyable. I did not find the acting to be below-par and felt that the producers had done an excellent job of being true to the original scripts whilst at the same time making it appropriate for a non-visual medium.
My only criticism would be the inclusion of the commercials. I felt this was intrusive and, to a small degree, made it that bit harder to lose yourself completely in the story. Other than that I think they are very enjoyable indeed.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
1 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Go watch the damn originals!, June 6, 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: The Twilight Zone Radio Dramas Collection 3 (Audio CD)
Let's just say that this set was not worth the [money]
I paid for it. Why listen to them if you can go watch
the originals on DVD or VHS? The radio versions are
pretty much nothing different from the originals, except
for a small amount of added dialogue here and there plus
some added sound effects. While listening to them, all
I could think about was how they were different from the originals. You can't top perfection, and that's what the TV series was. I ask, what's the point of doing them on radio??
"I Am the Night, Color Me Black" - in the original version starring Michael Constantine, Ivan Dixon, Terry Becker, George Lindsey, and Paul Fix, the actors make a rather mediocre story about a bunch of small-town rednecks who get their jollies by watching a man being hung. In the radio version, it sounds like the actors are all reading off of idiot cards. John "Cliff Claven" Ratzenberger sounds like he's bored to death and counting the minutes until he gets his paycheck.
"Escape Clause" - David Wayne is PERFECT in the original by Serling. Not the most imaginative of stories, and not the most Twilight Zone-ish, but Wayne makes the story ten times better than it is. In the radio version, Mike Starr puts us all to sleep.
"A Stop of Willoughby" - One of the best of the original series, and one of Rod Serling's best...it was a story about Rod himself, wanting to escape the pressures of the world. The radio version has some good sound effects for the sequences on the train, and the added bonus that Gart Williams (the main character) meets a girl onboard, one who's much better for him than his shrewish current wife.
"Cavender is Coming" - the original version with Carol Burnett was a mistake...Serling at his very worst. The radio version tries to [improve it], and it doesn't work. Movie theaters don't have usherettes anymore. The guardian angel gimmick works in "It's a Wonderful Life" and a select small number of other films.
Hopefully future series' will be better. I heard that some actors from the original series have done some of the in-production dramas...let's hope they do them some justice...
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
