Submitted for Your Approval

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Summary: "Submitted for your approval, one Rod Serling..."
Review: "Submitted for Your Approval" is a superbly planned and executed documentary about legendary television dramatist Rod Serling (1924-1975), creator of THE TWILIGHT ZONE and of such TV plays as PATTERNS and REQUIEM FOR A HEAVYWEIGHT. From the eerie, TWILIGHT ZONE-like opening sequence to the throat-catching closing one, the viewer is treated to a parade of some of the finest actors of the 1950's and 1960's who performed Serling's work, including Ed Begley, Sr., Kim Hunter, Jack Palance, Richard Kiley, Ed and Keenan Wynn, Art Carney, and Jack Klugman. The excerpts -- some of them lengthy -- from such episodes of THE TWILIGHT ZONE as "Where Is Everybody," "A Passage for Trumpet," "The Eye of the Beholder," "Nothing in the Dark," "Walking Distance" (considered by many to represent Serling at his peak), "The Stop at Willoughby," and "One for the Angels" make one want to see those episodes in their entirety. The documentary deftly ties the last four into Serling's own life, so one sees that "Walking Distance" reflected his desire to "go home again" and "The Stop at Willoughby" his weariness of the Hollywood scene; I also like how excerpts from his semi-autobiographical THE VELVET ALLEY are interspersed throughout the first part of the documentary to mirror Serling's development as a writer. Made in 1995, "Submitted for Your Approval" has all the immediacy of a reality show and none of the pretentiousness. Watching it gives one a good understanding not only of Serling but also of the era which produced him and the atmosphere in which he wrote. Mitch Greenberg co-narrates with a dead-on imitation of Serling's clipped speech.

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Summary: A fascinating look at the work and life of Rod Serling
Review: "Submitted For Your Approval" paints an intriguing portrait of this television pioneer. I always regretted not taping this when it was on PBS' American Master Series. The film combines clips from the finest moments of Serling's career and very interesting interviews with Serling and people who worked alongside him (like John Frankenhiemer and Jack Klugman). As a "Twilight Zone" fan, I was delighted by the insights into Serling's life and how he worked. The problems he faced with censorship and the business of television in the 1950s and 60s are eye-opening. Highly recommended!

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Summary: How one man could be so twisted, so maniacal,so brilliant...
Review: Rod Serling was to television what George S. Patton was to dancing. Rod was a star maker before it was in fashion. Who could forget Burgess Merideth alone with his books only to break his glasses? I was visibly ill.

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Summary: Definately worth seeing
Review: Surprisingly good. Finally, a documentary that doesn't put you to sleep

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Summary: I laughed I cried it was better than Cats!
Review: The editing and sound were superb. I learned alot about Rod Serling, like, did you know Darth Vader was his father?

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Summary: Excellent.
Review: The next best thing to discovering a "Twilight Zone" episode you've never seen before!

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Summary: A superlative look at the man and his legacy
Review: This is a truly wonderful documentary. It examines Rod Serling's life and influences, as well as giving us an intimate look at his visionary show "The Twilight Zone".

Rating:
Summary: A superlative look at the man and his legacy
Review: This is a truly wonderful documentary. It examines Rod Serling's life and influences, as well as giving us an intimate look at his visionary show "The Twilight Zone".

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Summary: First Rate Production a MUST have DVD
Review: This is an excellent biographical documentary about the life and works of Rod Serling. It is brilliantly constructed and edited. This well crafted presentation is a first rate production all around. Rod Serling was a man of great literary and social intellect, somewhat ignored because of the genre he worked within and was famous for. His endearing legacy, "The Twilight Zone" frequently bordered on the edges of science fiction if not immersed in it. Society's values being what they are, science fiction has never been thoroughly embraced by conventional thought as a legitimate literary or cinematic art form until very recently. That is society's loss and Serling's heartbreak. I originally saw this documentary on Public Television and was pleased to find it issued on DVD in this high quality format. Highly recommended!