The Twilight Zone Scripts of Rod Serling: As Timeless As Infinity (As Timeless As Infinity)

Rating:
Summary: Serling's Scripts Unleashed!
Review: Ever since the release of "The Twilight Zone Companion" by Marc Scott Zicree twenty-two years ago, followers of THE TWILIGHT ZONE and Rod Serling have awaited the possible release of a second opinion, if you will. Zicree's comprehensive volume covers the series in depth, and everyone who calls themself a fan of THE TWILIGHT ZONE has a copy of this book. "The Companion" has been criticized for its brevity and lack of thorough coverage of many episodes, possibly due to publisher requests that the book serve as a casual episode guide.

Other attempts have been made in recent years to expand upon what "The Companion" did. Most recently and notoriously, the horridly-written and overpriced volume by Presnell and McGee (1998) and several other books on the series that have included episode guides with commentary. 2001 and 2002 marked the release of Richard Matheson's TWILIGHT ZONE SCRIPTS, and in 2003 Earl Hamner's eight scripts were released. The scripts of Charles Beaumont are also scheduled for publication (edited by Roger Anker, to be published by Gauntlet Press), the three TWILIGHT ZONE scripts written by Jerry Sohl (edited by Chris Conlon, to be published by Bear Manor Media), as is a collection of eight scripts written by non-mainstream writers compiled by Andrew Szym (to be published by Bear Manor Media). The eight ZONE scripts and stories written by George Clayton Johnson were released a number of years ago, in 1976.

Tony Albarella undertook the project of introducing all ninety-two scripts written by Rod Serling. Having gotten a warm-up on the art of commentary writing as editor of Hamner's TWILIGHT ZONE SCRIPTS (Cumberland House, 2003), Albarella's commentaries here are excellent. Although not cast as an episode guide, this looks to be the finest analysis of TWILIGHT ZONE episodes to date. After audiences have taken Zicree's words as 'the last words on TWILIGHT ZONE' for many years, Tony Albarella gives a particularly insightful look at each episode. He has taken the time to interview many actors who appeared in/starred in each segment. His analysis of the episode "The Big Tall Wish" (the only TWILIGHT ZONE episode to star black actors) is particularly impressive; this episode is largely downgraded in fan circles for its problematic and flawed plotline, but here receives a thorough explanation for why it succeeds.

Included in each volume are the original, unedited, typewritten copies of Serling's scripts, sometimes with handwritten annotation. Bonus items include a photo gallery with production and publicity stills, and short but touching tributes to Serling and the series by actors. Also included are nice essay appreciations by well-known TV and sci-fi writers.

After years of being bottled up and not readily available, this series of script books surely looks to be one of the finest of TV script collections available.

Rating:
Summary: Details involving this series...
Review: For those interested in the particulars, the following press release (courtesy publisher Gauntlet Press - www.gauntletpress.com)lists the details of this series as a whole and volume one in particular:

Gauntlet Press is thrilled to announce we will be publishing all 92 of Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone scripts, authorized by his wife Carol Serling. This will take the form of a 10 volume signed, limited edition set entitled AS TIMELESS AS INFINITY: THE COMPLETE TWILIGHT ZONE SCRIPTS OF ROD SERLING.

Except for The Twilight Zone Magazine and a few textbooks, this is the first time that Carol Serling has authorized (and will take an active role in) the publication of these scripts. Each volume is limited to a run of 750 copies. Each copy is hand-signed by Carol Serling and hand-numbered. The books are edited by Tony Albarella, one of the Board of Directors for the Rod Serling Memorial Foundation and the co-author of THE TWILIGHT ZONE SCRIPTS OF EARL HAMNER.

AS TIMELESS AS INFINITY will offer a unique and definitive look at Rod Serling's landmark The Twilight Zone teleplays. The classic scripts will be reprinted directly from Serling's personal collection, currently housed in the Special Collections Archive at Ithaca College. As editor, Albarella worked closely with Carol Serling to bring out material that has never before been made available to the public.

The scripts will appear in their original format and will not be typeset or altered in any way. In many cases this includes Rod's handwritten changes or notations. The Ithaca material also includes some revisions and earlier script drafts that differ, to varying degrees, from the final shooting scripts. Variant details will be included where appropriate to document the creative process and track the evolution of the stories.

A commentary will accompany each rare script; in many cases this will include interview material with cast, crew and select comments from Serling himself. In addition, many of Rod's friends and colleagues will pay tribute to the man and his work. Included will be appreciations from contemporaries that worked with Serling as well as current talents that were inspired by him. Participating in volume one will be legendary author Richard Matheson and Rockne S. O'Bannon (creator of the television series Alien Nation, Sea Quest DSV, and Farscape, as well as a principal writer for the 1980s revival of The Twilight Zone).

Preparation for this ambitious collection began in early 2002. Since then, scores of exclusive interviews have been conducted and the gathering of unique material is an on-going process. A few surprises will be offered along the way, including examples of Serling's personal correspondence, vintage communications from CBS, rare production photos and much more.

Rod Serling was a true visionary - one of the pioneers of early television - and The Twilight Zone showcased some of his finest creations. AS TIMELESS AS INFINITY will present these ageless tales in a tribute worthy of Serling's legacy.

The list of scripts to appear in Volume One is as follows:

1) "The Time Element"
This hour-long was not an official Twilight Zone, but the widely accepted unofficial pilot. A Desilu Playhouse production from 1958 about time travel, it recieved surprisingly good ratings and that's what encouraged CBS to consider Serling's "sci-fi/fantasy" proposal. This show is seldom seen and has never been offered in print in any form.

2) "Where is Everybody?"
(the official pilot)

3) "Eye of the Beholder"

4) "Third from the Sun"

5) "The Purple Testament"

6) "The Big, Tall Wish"

7) "A Most Unusual Camera."
Two versions of this script are included with the book - one that is the "final shooting script" and one that is a complete, alternate version that varies from the other in several respects.

8) "The Mind and the Matter"

9) "The Dummy"

Volume One is 488 pages in length.

Rating:
Summary: Serling's Legacy in Good Hands
Review: Rod Serling rode the leading edge of culture in his era. His work still resonates today, forty-five years after the debut of his masterwork. That masterwork has been on the air continuously ever since.

Serling's passionate commitment to equality and justice--and especially his willingness to fight The Powers of the Day for these beliefs--anticipated the social turmoil and progress of the Sixties. His use of fantasy to illustrate relevant points about the real world, transformed drama.

That's one hell of a legacy to document, but "As Timeless as Infinity: The Twilight Zone Scripts of Rod Serling I"s up to the task. Its finest touch may be presenting the master's work in its original hand-typed and pencil-edited form. The script pages are as blurry and old-fashioned looking as the black-and-white episodes of Twilight Zone. And Serling's brilliance shines through this time-frozen fog as clearly on the page as it does on the screen.

The scripts are the core of this book, but they have elegant support: touching tributes, heart-felt appreciations, and sublime treats such as original clippings of ads and reviews and telegrams and contracts. And of course production photos. There is something for everyone in this volume, the first of a projected ten. These additional pages lend an unusual authenticity to the book; they frame the time that surrounded yet could not restrain The Twilight Zone.

Perhaps the finest aspect of this book that is external to Serling's work is the editor's commentary which follows each script. Tony Albarella is a lifelong fan and affianado of The Twilight Zone. He offers the same thoughtful analysis that he gave to Earl Hamner's Twilight Zone scripts in an earlier book, and so much more. You are treated to production notes, snippets from interviews, historical background, philosophical comment.

I found myself entranced by the tale of how the projectionst for "Where is Everybody?" got so wrapped up in the story that he left CBS President William Paley sitting in the dark between reel 2 and reel 3 of the audition screening. And my mouth dropped open at the real-life twist regarding Cliff Robertson's brush with death before production of "The Dummy."

You want the details? Buy the book. There's a treasure on every page.