Marius Constant Movies
- 1985
- Add The Twilight Zone [TV Series] [1985] to QueueAdd The Twilight Zone [TV Series] [1985] to top of Queue
Twenty-one years after its network cancellation, Rod Serling's classic sci-fi/fantasy anthology The Twilight Zone was revived by CBS -- minus Serling, who had passed away in 1975. Unlike the black-and-white half-hour original, the new Twilight Zone was seen in full color in a 60-minute weekly slot. Also unlike the first version, which featured a single story per episode, the remake generally offered from two to three different playlets per program. Finally, whereas Rod Serling had appeared on-camera to host the old series, the new series had no "host," merely an off-camera narrator, actor Charles Aidman; and as for the series' "classic" theme song, it was folded into a new opening theme, performed by the Grateful Dead. Debuting September 22, 1985, the new Twilight Zone initially boasted Harlan Ellison as its creative consultant (Ellison, in fact, wrote the opener, "Shatterday);" unfortunately, Ellison angrily left the series early on, citing network interference in the Christmas episode. During its second season, Twilight Zone tinkered with its length and format, with three half-hour episodes, each containing a single story, broadcast in December of 1986. After a brief hiatus, the series returned to its one-hour, multi-story format in February of 1987, retaining this format until CBS canceled the series on July 17 of that same year. In the fall of 1988, Twilight Zone resurfaced in off-network syndication, once again reduced to a weekly half-hour. Though many of the syndicated episodes were abridged versions of network originals, 35 new episodes were filmed inexpensively in Canada. During its syndicated run, Twilight Zone was narrated by Robin Ward, whose voice was also dubbed over the network reruns. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Aidman, Robin Ward, (more)
- 1959
- Add The Twilight Zone [TV Series] [1959-1964] to QueueAdd The Twilight Zone [TV Series] [1959-1964] to top of Queue
"You're traveling to another dimension...a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind...a journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. Your next stop: The Twilight Zone." Originally telecast on CBS from October 2, 1959, to September 18, 1964 (not counting a brief spate of network reruns in the summer of 1965), The Twilight Zone was one of the foremost filmed dramatic anthologies on TV and one of a precious few that specialized in fantasy and science fiction. Created by Rod Serling, whose previous TV writing credits included such classic live dramas as Patterns and Requiem for a Heavyweight, the series specialized in concise, economical playlets dealing with the offbeat andsupernatural, many of them with surprising and ironic climactic twists. Many of the individual episodes have stood the test of time as indisputable classics, among them "Eye of the Beholder," "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street," "The Invaders," "It's a Good Life," "To Serve Man," "The Invaders," and "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet." Rod Serling served as the series' host and narrator, and also wrote most of the dramas. Other noteworthy contributors included Richard Matheson, Charles Beaumont, and, on one memorable occasion (the episode "I Sing the Body Electric"), Ray Bradbury.
A veritable constellation of guest stars brought the stories to life; among those making multiple appearances were Burgess Meredith, Jack Klugman, William Shatner, Martin Landau, Anne Francis, Bill Mumy, Ed Wynn, and Lee Marvin, while many more showed up for memorable single performances including Charles Bronson, Elizabeth Montgomery, Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, James Coburn, Mickey Rooney, and Dennis Hopper. The series' famous theme music (heard from the second season onward) was composed by Marius Constant with unforgettable incidental music provided by the likes of Bernard Herrmann and Jerry Goldsmith. Although the series' title has become a household word and many of its episodes are acknowledged masterpieces, Twilight Zone was never a huge ratings attraction during its network run. Indeed, after only three seasons, CBS decided to yank the show. It was saved at the last minute and brought back as a mid-season replacement, expanded from 30 to 60 minutes per week in the process. For its fifth and final season, Twilight Zone returned to its familiar half-hour format, still playing to appreciative but comparatively small audiences. It was not until the series went into off-network reruns that Twilight Zone truly built its fan following, which has increased many times over in the ensuing years. Twilight Zone was revived twice with new, full-color episodes, first as a CBS (and later syndicated) weekly in 1985, then on UPN in 2002. Rod Serling was not involved with these revivals, having passed away in 1975; the 1985 version had no host, though its narrators included Charles Aidman and Robin Ward, but the 2002 version was hosted by Forest Whitaker. In addition, a theatrical feature, Twilight Zone: The Movie, was released in 1983. ~ All Movie Guide
A veritable constellation of guest stars brought the stories to life; among those making multiple appearances were Burgess Meredith, Jack Klugman, William Shatner, Martin Landau, Anne Francis, Bill Mumy, Ed Wynn, and Lee Marvin, while many more showed up for memorable single performances including Charles Bronson, Elizabeth Montgomery, Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, James Coburn, Mickey Rooney, and Dennis Hopper. The series' famous theme music (heard from the second season onward) was composed by Marius Constant with unforgettable incidental music provided by the likes of Bernard Herrmann and Jerry Goldsmith. Although the series' title has become a household word and many of its episodes are acknowledged masterpieces, Twilight Zone was never a huge ratings attraction during its network run. Indeed, after only three seasons, CBS decided to yank the show. It was saved at the last minute and brought back as a mid-season replacement, expanded from 30 to 60 minutes per week in the process. For its fifth and final season, Twilight Zone returned to its familiar half-hour format, still playing to appreciative but comparatively small audiences. It was not until the series went into off-network reruns that Twilight Zone truly built its fan following, which has increased many times over in the ensuing years. Twilight Zone was revived twice with new, full-color episodes, first as a CBS (and later syndicated) weekly in 1985, then on UPN in 2002. Rod Serling was not involved with these revivals, having passed away in 1975; the 1985 version had no host, though its narrators included Charles Aidman and Robin Ward, but the 2002 version was hosted by Forest Whitaker. In addition, a theatrical feature, Twilight Zone: The Movie, was released in 1983. ~ All Movie Guide
