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

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

In the chronicles of television’s history, Rod Serling’s Twilight Zone is considered by far the medium’s quintessential creation. The CBS series that debuted in 1959 and aired for 156 episodes offered black-and-white morality plays both terrifying and poignant. Each week the ominous voice and brilliant mind of writer Serling took audiences on a trip through his surrealist realm of fantasy and science fiction, beyond the boundaries of imagination.

Dimensions Behind the Twilight Zone is a visually stunning backstage glimpse through time and space, into the history and making of the Twilight Zone. Author Stewart T. Stanyard, creator of The Twilight Zone Archives online, invites readers to explore a portion of the archives collection: over 300 original behind-the-scenes production stills taken during the filming of the show. Accompanied by insightful captions, the book includes rare documents and interviews with 40 producers, directors, writers, and actors who worked on the series, such as Dennis Weaver, Bill Murray, Shelly Berman, Earl Holliman, and Earl Hamner, Jr.

The book also features candid interviews with Serling’s wife Carol, brother and writer Robert, and Serling’s influential teacher Helen Foley. Aside from five informative and analytical chapters by the author, it features tribute essays by several Hollywood personalities, including Rush drummer Neil Peart, Simpsons producer Dana Gould, and Star Trek: Next Generation writer Robert Hewitt Wolfe.

Genres: Nonfiction

308 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Barrita · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Twilight Zone es una de esas experiencias que te parece familiar porque muchísimos otros medios han intentado copiarla, pero hasta que la ves por ti misma descubres que tenía todo lo que debía tener en su justa medida y en perfecto equilibrio.

A veces me cuesta imaginar los detalles de como era crear una serie hace décadas. ¿Cómo conseguían ciertos efectos? ¿Cómo era el mundo para los actores entonces? ¿Qué temas de la vida cotidiana influenciaban las ideas que después veíamos plasmadas en pantalla? ¿Como se medía la influencia de algo en esos tiempos?

Aunque no te das las anécdotas me llamaron por igual, hay algo fascinante en asomarse a través del tiempo y sentir pequeños momentos de reconocimiento. Esto lo he visto antes, lo conozco. Lo vi en la dimensión desconocida.

[Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of this groundbreaking series and excited for the upcoming series hosted and produced by Academy Award Winner Jordan Peele. This book has photos and never before scene pictures of not only of the late Rod Serling, also of the actors involved. Reading the words from actors Bill Mummy, Earl Holman, and the done of the people behind the series is a treat. You will not be disappointed and no gossip or negativity for a change. This is a must read for new and old fans of The Twilght Zone.

[Mikey James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic book about The Twilight Zone. With essays written by people who were involved with it to interviews for as many of the people who are still alive today (or at the time of printing) to talk about what it was like to be part of the show. Wonderfully written, but definitely one for the fans of the Twilight Zone.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good photographs. It is interesting that many of the actors shared their recollections from the series. Gives us a whole new take on the filming of the series (which was wonderful!)

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

First the positive. The photos are wonderful. Best behind-the-scenes photos you will ever see. Reveals a lot about the production but sadly focus only on the first three seasons. The author explains in the beginning of the book that his collection of photos only spans the first three seasons. Second the interviews. Some of these actors, producers and friends of Serling told great stories. However some were generic ramblings. But this is invaluable.

Now the negative. The book is NOT an episode guide or a true behind-the-scenes companion. The author reprints material from Zicree's book which happens to be the same mistakes being reprinted over and over. The author did not do his own research and makes readers assume the wrong information is a fact, being reprinted again.

Solution: "The Twilight Zone: Unlocking the Door to a Television Classic" by Martin Grams Jnr. Hands down the solid work that deals with the entire series as a whole, with an episode guide in such detail level your jaw will drop.

While Grams book beats everyone's, this is the second best but don't expect nothing more than a coffee table book. (and avoid the Zicree book!!)

[Shaun Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

The negative reviews about this book confuse me. Yes it isn't an episode guide, but it never claims to be! What the book claims to be is an a backstage tribute to the series, and that it does amazing well. So if you are looking for an episode guide, yes look elsewhere, if you want insight into the series set around some amazing backstage photos this is the book for you.

The first couple chapters explore what The Twilight Zone is and isn't. Then it moves swiftly into interviews with various people involved in the production of the show. Framed around all this is various photos from the set. It's pretty rare to see any photos from a 50+ year old reproduction so those were the highlight to me. My only gripe was I would have loved to seen more if these photos in a larger format.

Highly recommended to anyone who has ever been amazed by the Twilight Zone or Rod Sterling.

[Neil · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good in some ways, not in others. It has lots of information about the germination of the show and the writers (particularly Rod Serling of course) and directors. The pictures are good, although a few more in larger formats would have been nice. After a while, the appreciations, some from people who had very little contact with the show, became a bit tired. The information about the episodes is there, but not in any organized fashion, and I would have preferred an organized chronological set of annotations on each of the episodes. Something like a list of the top twenty five episodes would also be fun.

[Jim Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wide assortment of people share memories of working with Rod Serling, watching and being influenced by the Twilight Zonew. Starring in episodes and being grateful they had a chance to be a part of TV history. Most knew the material was good, not all ever believed it would become the phenomenon it became. Brought back happy memories for me!

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mainly a collection of remembrances and interviews with people integral to THE TWILIGHT ZONE, along with a presentation of rare behind the scenes pictures from the production of the show during its run. A must for fans of Rod Serling and the ZONE.

[whit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really great stories and recollections from the people that were part of the Twilight Zone series. Lots of great pictures, too.