Amazon.com: The Twilight Zone Companion is one of the finest examinations of a television series. Author Marc Scott Zicree spent five years researching and writing what is without a doubt the definitive look at this classic horror-fantasy-science fiction show. (The series originally ran from 1959 to 1965, but is still seen in syndication around the world.) Not only is the book an exhaustive episode-by-episode guide, but the author apparently interviewed every living soul who was ever associated with the show. It's quite likely that creator Rod Serling, who died before the book saw publication in 1982, would have been suitably impressed by the respect and dedication that clearly went into this labor of love. Zicree later revised and expanded The Twilight Zone Companion for a second edition in 1989, and discusses both the briefly revived series and the feature film based on the show. --Stanley Wiater
"You unlock this door with the key to imagination...." I bought the 1st edition of The Twilight Zone Companion back in high school and was amazed at the amount of information included. I learned a lot about the show, what went on behind the scenes and aquired a greater appreciation for the genius of Rod Serling and touches on other projects he worked on, including Requium for a Heavyweight and Night Gallery. There is a brief biography about Serling and information about writers Charles Beaumont, Richard Matheson and George Clayton Johnson. All of them contributed stories, though Twilight Zone was Serling's baby.
The only drawback was the fact the shows Zicree personally didn't like, he didn't spend too much time talking about (his opinions would be less biased on the Twilight Zone boxset commentaries). Everybody has their favorite and not-so-favorite episode (my list of favorites would include Nick of Time, The Hitchhiker, The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street, The Fugitive, Time Enough at Last, Back There, To Serve Man, A Passage for Trumpet, Night of the Meek, In Praise of Pip, Walking Distance, On Thursday We Leave for Home, Eye of the Beholder, It's a Good Life and Nightmare at 20,000 Feet). However, it's obvious that Zicree is a passioned fan, as he has obviously spent hours of research to each show.
The latest edition includes information about Twilight Zone- The Movie (I remember watching that with my sister and the It's a Good Life sequence scared the hell out of both of us!) and the Twilight Zone series from the 1980's (there were some good moments, but without the late great Rod Serling, it wasn't the same). In addition, the index includes the different actors in the index in the original series.
The original show includes a long resume of actors including Billy Mumy, Burgess Meredith (he'd become the narrator for the movie version), Agnes Moorehead (she sure looks different without all that black mascara!), Jack Klugman (Oscar Madison), Dick York, Elizabeth Montgomery (both from Bewitched but not featured in the same episode), Art Carney (Ed Norton), Jonathon Harris (Dr Smith), Sterling Holloway, Inger Stevens, Stephen Talbot (Leave It to Beaver), Bill Bixby, Edgar Buchanan, Ann Jilian, Joan Blondell, William Demarest, Ron Howard, Jackie Cooper (fom the Our Gang), Buster Keaton, William Shatner (Captain Kirk), Russell Johnson (the Professor), Richard Deacon, Charles Bronson and many others.
If you're as big a fan as I am of The Twilight Zone, read the signpost up ahead and make your next stop the shopping cart!
Great Book I love this book. The Twilight Zone was a great series with great writers and production. But, beyond the program are the tidbits about the writers, the actors, the scripts, etc. This book has those things along with cast summaries, first air dates, writer credits, etc. There's also a good deal of background on Rod Serling. This book is my companion when I watch the Twilight Zone marathons on SciFi. I read through the piece on the airing episode to catch the trivia bits.
Is what a TV series "companion book" should be . . . What a great surprise! TV series companion books are a mixed bag and most are disappointing. This one, however, is worthy to bear the name of the wonderful classic series it chronicles . . . The Twilight Zone.
The book opens with a biography of Rod Serling, followed by an equally engaging chapter on the conception, creation and birth of the series. Much background information and insights. Very, very well researched and written. Extremely interesting.
Each of the show's five seasons is grouped, and a chapter devoted to each episode - documenting the date, writer, producer, directors, music, and cast. Serling's opening comments for the respective episode are reproduced and then a synopsis with EXTREMELY interesting behind the scenes information. Some of the more famous episodes ("The Invaders" with Ages Moorhead) are given more space and detail.
What makes this companion book so special, I think, is that due to our familiarity with the Twilight Zone, and having re-watched the various episodes multiple times - the average baby boomer can just about open this book at random and within a few sentences is recalling the episode and the details being discussed.
The book closes with an After the Twilght Zone chapter, and then an epilogue. I cannot iterate enough, how well written this book is. Some books of this nature are clinical and boring, others gush with praise but offer no real depth of information. Marc Scott Zicree hit the mark perfectly with this piece of work. Fascinating information that WE are interested in, well written in a conversational matter, well organized. Hundreds of great nostalgic still photos are a bonus.
Highly recommended for even a casual Twilight Zone fan. I bet you won't be able to stay out of it.
Everything you wanted to know..... about the Twilight Zone episodes. Man this book is great. As well as providing great information on the episodes themselves, the book goes deeper as it goes into detail of its conception, life and death of what some may claim to be the best TV series ever. Every TZ fan should have this book already.
Twilight Zone Book - A Rare Find! A real gem for any Twilight Zone Buff! Lists all the actors as well as story line for each episode. If you see this out of print book better grab it! Hopefully now that there is a new DVD compilation out this book will be republished.
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