The key to the success of Rod Serling's original run of "The Twilight Zone" (and its enduring popularity) was ingenuity in all aspects of production. Obviously, the writing was almost always top-notch, with episodes boasting wildly clever premises from genre masters like Richard Matheson, Charles Beaumont, and George Clayton Johnson. Though the budgets were modest, directors employed all manner of trickery and inventive makeup effects to dazzle and/or terrify viewers. Meanwhile, the strange tales conjured by Serling's stable of scribes required fully committed performances from actors both established and new to the scene. They had to roll with the weirdness.
On certain occasions, however, Serling and his collaborators couldn't resort to special effects to transport their audience. Sometimes, they had to shell out some dough and wow 'em with the real thing. And sometimes this forced the director to scramble a good deal more than usual. Such was...
On certain occasions, however, Serling and his collaborators couldn't resort to special effects to transport their audience. Sometimes, they had to shell out some dough and wow 'em with the real thing. And sometimes this forced the director to scramble a good deal more than usual. Such was...
- 11/19/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
As an anthology television series, with new stories and new characters every single week, "The Twilight Zone" never had someone you could call a "main character." Audiences tuned in every week to see Jessica Fletcher catch killers on "Murder, She Wrote," and for Larry David to be a massive a-hole on "Curb Your Enthusiasm," but there was no single star in "The Twilight Zone."
There was, however, one person who appeared throughout the whole series, in pretty much every episode, if only briefly. His name was Rod Serling. He was already one of the most celebrated TV writers in the world when he created "The Twilight Zone," thanks to hard-hitting dramas like "Patterns" and "The Comedian," and his name was probably not unknown to many fans of televised programs when the series premiered. Over the course of "The Twilight Zone," he would introduce new episodes, tease upcoming stories, and generally...
There was, however, one person who appeared throughout the whole series, in pretty much every episode, if only briefly. His name was Rod Serling. He was already one of the most celebrated TV writers in the world when he created "The Twilight Zone," thanks to hard-hitting dramas like "Patterns" and "The Comedian," and his name was probably not unknown to many fans of televised programs when the series premiered. Over the course of "The Twilight Zone," he would introduce new episodes, tease upcoming stories, and generally...
- 10/6/2023
- by William Bibbiani
- Slash Film
You're traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of imagination but of cinematic imperfections. It is the middle ground between reality and illusion, between what is intended and what is captured on film. This is the dimension of mistakes and oversights. It is an area which we call "The Production Zone." In it, mirrors reflect mistakes, film equipment appears at the periphery of vision, continuity wavers, editing stumbles, and stock footage mismatches.
As you journey through this realm, you'll uncover imperfections often overlooked in the iconic series "The Twilight Zone." Known for thought-provoking tales, the series wasn't immune to production hiccups, gaffes, and glitches.
Question the facade of the extraordinary as we explore elusive mistakes -- 14 in total -- across beloved episodes in this "land of shadow and substance." Will you emerge unscathed from this journey into cinematic blunders? Or, like its characters, be forever changed by what you see?...
As you journey through this realm, you'll uncover imperfections often overlooked in the iconic series "The Twilight Zone." Known for thought-provoking tales, the series wasn't immune to production hiccups, gaffes, and glitches.
Question the facade of the extraordinary as we explore elusive mistakes -- 14 in total -- across beloved episodes in this "land of shadow and substance." Will you emerge unscathed from this journey into cinematic blunders? Or, like its characters, be forever changed by what you see?...
- 9/17/2023
- by Maurice Molyneaux
- Slash Film
The Beach Boys were one of the biggest musical groups of the 1960s. But that doesn’t mean they completely dominated the entertainment industry. The band provided the theme song for a short-lived ’60s sitcom that few have heard of today.
The Beach Boys’ massive musical success, including dozens of hit songs and best-selling albums
The Beach Boys were formed in 1961 and were composed of brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and their friend Al Jardine. Brian was the creative mastermind behind the group’s music, while dad Murry Wilson managed them.
The group dominated the charts in the ’60s with hit singles like “Surfin’ U.S.A,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “I Get Around,” “Help Me, Rhonda,” and “California Girls.” The Beach Boys have sold over 100 million records worldwide and still tour today.
The Beach Boys provided the theme song for ‘Karen,’ a one-season sitcom from the ’60s
Undeniably,...
The Beach Boys’ massive musical success, including dozens of hit songs and best-selling albums
The Beach Boys were formed in 1961 and were composed of brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and their friend Al Jardine. Brian was the creative mastermind behind the group’s music, while dad Murry Wilson managed them.
The group dominated the charts in the ’60s with hit singles like “Surfin’ U.S.A,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “I Get Around,” “Help Me, Rhonda,” and “California Girls.” The Beach Boys have sold over 100 million records worldwide and still tour today.
The Beach Boys provided the theme song for ‘Karen,’ a one-season sitcom from the ’60s
Undeniably,...
- 3/8/2023
- by India McCarty
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
There are times when something that’s almost human is more terrifying than an actual monster. After all, uneasiness often stems from things that come eerily close to resembling humanity. Roboticist Masahiro Mori explained why people feel this way with his 1970 essay about the “uncanny valley” effect, and ever since, society has better understood why they feel uncomfortable around things such as lifelike dolls.
The living doll shows up infrequently in the horror genre, but when it does, people take notice. They’re ultimately torn between curiosity and repulsion as these puppets gain sentience and carry out their sinister missions. Chucky and others have all skittered across the big screen, but these stories, from five different anthology series, are a reminder of how toy terror also lives on television.
The Twilight Zone (1959-1964)
Living Doll
Even on its last legs, Twilight Zone — by then, the series had already dropped the...
The living doll shows up infrequently in the horror genre, but when it does, people take notice. They’re ultimately torn between curiosity and repulsion as these puppets gain sentience and carry out their sinister missions. Chucky and others have all skittered across the big screen, but these stories, from five different anthology series, are a reminder of how toy terror also lives on television.
The Twilight Zone (1959-1964)
Living Doll
Even on its last legs, Twilight Zone — by then, the series had already dropped the...
- 11/30/2022
- by Paul Lê
- bloody-disgusting.com
Today, it seems audiences know "Bye Bye Birdie" only from the prominent mention of it on "Mad Men," when the Sterling Cooper agency tried to copy Ann-Margret's minimalist opening number for a diet soda commercial. But when the movie musical premiered 50 years ago (on April 4, 1963), it was a huge smash. It made an instant star out of the Swedish-born actress, as well as boosting the fame of co-stars Dick Van Dyke and Paul Lynde. Based on the Broadway hit musical, "Bye Bye Birdie" was seen as a trenchant pop cultural satire at the time. Everyone knows that Conrad Birdie, the hip-swiveling rocker who is drafted into the Army, and who stages a publicity stunt on the Ed Sullivan show by agreeing to kiss a teen fan before reporting for duty, is inspired by Elvis Presley, who had to put his career on hold in 1958 when he was drafted. But...
- 4/4/2013
- by Gary Susman
- Moviefone
"I hate you Conrad, I really do," goes one of the many great songs in Bye Bye Birdie which stars singer-dancers Ann-Margret and Dick Van Dyke at their absolute best. The Motion Picture Academy is premiering a new digital restoration of the 1963 musical comedy classic on April 27 at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. Critic Stephen Farber will host the presentation, followed by an onstage discussion with stars Ann-Margret and Bobby Rydell. The film, which was an adaptation of the Broadway musical, was directed by George Sidney and was nominated for both Music and Sound Oscars. Jesse Pearson, Janet Leigh, Paul Lynde and Mary Laroche also starred. Below, check out the Bye Bye Birdie clip that was featured in Mad Men's "Patio Cola" ...
- 4/6/2011
- Thompson on Hollywood
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