Rating: 
Summary: Great Reference Guide But Pompous Commentary
Review: I can not echo the five star reviews of this book, because while this book is ultimately a fascinating look at a great show with lots of wonderful information, I have to say something about Zircee's evaluation style. He writes in a very pompous fashion in which his own subjective, personal biases about each episiosde are meant to be taken as the Gospel Truth. This results in some fine episodes ("Escape Clause") getting short-shrift while other episodes get loads of attention. What is really pompous of Zircee though is when he suddenly starts taking Serling to task for writing unflattering depictions of Nikita Khruschev in "Nothing But The Truth" and Fidel Castro in "The Mirror." Indeed, I was ready to throw my copy across the room when I saw this indignant comment of Zircee's that Serling "did Castro a disservice" in "The Mirror." Really, as though murdering his subjects and forcing the survivors to live in the world's last Stalinist dictatorship didn't already do him a disservice. Get real, Marc. Get real.
Rating: 
Summary: A sci-fi Bible!
Review: I give "ten" to this book 'cause it's just a classic for its fans. The writer made a very good job! This book is important for whom like me, an italian fan of "Ai confini della realta'" (The Twilight Zone in Italy). I've never known many episodes of the serie, 'cause in Italy last TV appareance was in the Sixties...and I'm 'only' 27. A very, very nice book, good organization and many pictures. Buy it!
Rating:
Summary: A Must Have For TZ Fans
Review: I got a copy of the Twilight Zone Companion back in the 80's, probably not long after publication. It has been very helpful as my goal is to see every TZ episode. As of today, I have seen 145. I have used mine so much it fell out of its binding years ago. Zicree took the time to put this book together in a very helpful format.I only wish that he would have put the episodes in order of their airing date. There were a few mistakes (left out words) in the first edition text with Rod Serlings opening and closing episode dialogs. Hopefully this has been corrected in the second printing. I have been in search for a new one and am so excited to find I can order one. If you are a die hard TZ fan, get your copy today.
Rating:
Summary: Still using this reference since 1983
Review: I have the 1st edition book club hard cover published in 1982. After 21 years I find myself still checking for information and trivia. The 2nd edition has 20 additional pages -- the website review says it has information about the 2nd TV series and the movie. I recommend this book for anyone who has the slightest interest in the original Twilight Zone series. There is wonderful information about each episode plus additional mention of the episodes in other parts of the book -- things you would never know. There is so much background information regarding the actors, the writers, regarding the politics (i.e., "reds under the bed"), at the time, etc. The only improvement I wanted was for the index to list the actors and the 2nd edition (1989) sold here does just that. I think I will order the newer edition just for that reason. It is the same price I paid back in 1983 for the 1st edition.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent series guide
Review: I like this book for the background it gives on Rod Serling and his Twilight Zone series, but I LOVE it for the fact that it gives wonderful summaries of each episode, with both intros and afterwords, and discussions of each. Zicree's writing style is very direct and doesn't labor too long on any one point - he provides just the right amount of information, especially in showing Serling's journey from a young hopeful to a major force in television. Plenty of photos are provided as well. Serling's short story adaptations of his screenplays and the original tales by other TZ contributors (Matheson, et al.) are currently out of print, and if I can't have the stories, at least I get these synopses. Definitely a worthwhile investment.
Rating:
Summary: Great companion when watching the series
Review: I love this book. I refer to it and make my own notes in it when I watch each episode so that someday I will have watched them all. One thing that I have a question about. This is regarding the few episodes that were taped rather than filmed. The author says they were taped then transferred to 16mm film for broadcast. I just don't understand why they they wern't just broadcast from the original tape. This way they would not "look like a copy of something" rather than an original tape. You would think that with today's technology restoration could be made of these tapes to make them look other than a cheap Kinescope from the past. Otherwise, thanks for a great book.
Rating:
Summary: Submitted for your approval.....
Review: I made the mistake of lending my only copy of this book to a Serling-phile who never returned it back in the late 80s. Pat, if you're reading this, be a mensch and return it. It's easy to see why he kept it. Not only is the book a fascinating read because it gives the behind-the-scenes dish on particular episodes in terms of actors, writers, and myriad scholarly details, it also has all the Rod Serling introductory remarks for each episode as well as the closing remarks. Before Pat stole my copy, I had memorized several (a great thing to come up with, by the way,when someone shoves a video camera in your face and expects you to "perform"). Give them a little Rod, and it makes for a good time. Who could forget some of those gems? Case in point: "In just a moment, this sad-faced perennial punching bag, who missed even the caboose of life's gravy train, will take a short constitutional into that most upredictable region we refer to as .... the Twilight Zone." Great stuff. And the book goes a long way to show Serling's own craftsmanship and his respect for the written word and the people who labored for this unusual program trying to capture something about the human condition. Do yourself a favor: buy this book and a copy of "Night of the Meek" for someone you love this Christmas. Art Carney plays a good-hearted, down-on-his-luck department store Santa Claus who gets ahold of some Christmas magic courtesy of the Twilight Zone, where all things are possible.
Rating:
Summary: Must Have For Any Fan
Review: I purchased my copy in 1986, and was very happy to find it still in print! This is such a great book, it gives you so much information...then you can go and amaze your friends! I can't wait to purchase the revised edition....if you buy this book you will not regret it!
Rating:
Summary: BEST 'ZONE' RESOURCE OUT THERE
Review: I read this book from beginning to end the first time I got it. Twilight Zone is, in my opinion, the best television show ever. For those like myself who know the episodes by name, then you have to get this book. The background information on everybody involved with each episode is extensive. Zicree must have spent an ungodly amount of time researching for this book. Very impressive. Reading through this book reads almost like a chronology. There are little tidbits interspersed within the episode guide that tell what was happening to the show, things that were changing, the changing quality of the show, trends, etc. The only improvements I recommend are listing the episodes in the order they were televised, or maybe present a timeline. I also recommend a more structured method of reviewing each episode. It is clear there are some the author liked and disliked and these could be presented better. Maybe make a list of the each episode's strengths and weaknesses, and then an all-conclusive statement. The reason is there are many episodes I like but the author quickly dismisses them.
Rating:
Summary: 5 Stars
Review: I read this book in virtually one setting, I would recommend to anyone who is a big Rod Serling fan!
|
