The Twilight Zone Companion

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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

Customer Reviews:

Mixed Bag.......2007-09-04

Zicree's Twilight Zone Companion is alright as a reference guide for information on original airing dates, credits, and backstage tidbits. The organization of the book could have been more user-friendly but nothing to quibble about. Interviews with those associated with the program were also interesting and worth the price of admission.

Zicree is docked two stars for presenting his critiques as anything other than completely subjective. He is welcome to his opinions as we all have favorite episodes and ones that we find less enjoyable. That's the nature of art in any form. For me, the problem is with the fact that Zicree doesn't at least admit up front that his opinions have less to do with the quality of a given story and more to do with a leftist world view. His apologetics for all things Socialist (see his comments on Khruschev and Castro) coupled with a hatred for traditional American culture (see his comments about an episode concerning Custer, for example) are grating to say the least. While one may argue these geopolitical points in a different setting, a guide to a TV series, in my opinion, appears to be an ill chosen forum.

Just a closing comment here: Zicree could not bring himself to find any good thing to say about contributer Earl Hamner's episodes. It seems to me that it may have more to do with Hamner's later work in the Walton's, a series with a very traditional viewpoint that is the antithesis of Zicree's left-wing dogma, than with the quality of Hamner's TZ scripts.

Good background information, but skip Zicree's commentary.......2007-08-09

This book does include a wealth of information on the creation, production, and writing of the Twilight Zone. It contains interviews with producers, writers, and a synopsis of each episode. Unforunately, it also contains Zicree's fatuous comments on which episodes he likes the best. I'm not knocking it because I like episodes he enjoyed, but it's the who cares factor. You or I could write a book summarizing episodes and discussing which ones we like the best. There's nothing that gives Zicree's opinions any weight, so his commentaries should be taken with a grain of salt.

That said, it does contain a lot of behind the scenes information about how the series got off the ground and the changes it went through during its five season run. I recommend it to fans, but with reservations. The background material is engrossing, but the commentaries are rather superficial.

A Must-have for Fans of the Show!.......2007-07-06

I was watching a Twilight Zone marathon the other day and found myself constantly referring to this book each time I saw an actor with a familiar face. This would lead me to look at other interesting tidbits that the author has gleamed. There is a treasure-trove of information about each episode smartly laid out in chronological order with a complete index at the end for easy reference. Each episode has a very well written synopsis so if you find yourself interrupted during an episode you never saw before, you can always read in detail what you missed.

This is well worth the $10.85 that Amazon is offering it for and it is probably the best companion book to a television series that I have ever seen!

Nice Read... with a few minor annoyances.......2007-06-20

This companion book is very necessary for any fan of The Twilight Zone. It offers, interviews, insight, cast lists, dates, EVERYTHING; even an extensive look into the lives and/or backgrounds of Rod Serling and the other writers - which I enjoyed.

Where it annoyed me is the fact that Zicree ends up criticizing and suggesting for us what to think of many episodes. Throughout the whole book, he bashes scripts (eg. "If such and such were changed or taken out, it would have been better." "This script is cliche-ed"), actors and actresses (eg. "...with and uninspired performance by..."), directors (eg. "...in the hands of any other director, this could have been great...").

Zicree even "nit picks" on facts: there's an episode in which he points out that Rod Serling had gotten the distance from Earth to the planet Venus wrong. LOL WHO CARES?!! Serling was an overworked writer (which Zicree makes very clear, but still decides to nit pick), not a NASA engineer! There's also another passage in which he proclaims an episode a disappointment just because the plot is slightly possible. "Any episode that is this grounded in reality, should be considered a disappoinment." Ok, thanks for letting us know Marc. *sigh* Pleeease... Further in the book, he starts off an episode's commentary with, "Despite the basically absurd premise..." WHAT?! It's science fiction! It's the TWILIGHT ZONE! Aren't all the stories based on absurd premises?! Not to mention, that aforementioned quote about being "too grounded in reality" - now the TZ is too absurd for him?!? What an annoying little man this Zicree dude is...

I was hoping for more behind the scenes info such as commentary from people who actually worked on the episodes, or how certain effects were accomplished in such an era. While there is a lot of those two things too; I was hoping for a lot more it. And A LOT less of the writer's feelings and bashings of the episodes he felt like picking on.

Still this book is a required read for any fan.

excellent! excellent! excellent!.......2007-02-16

If you are a major fan like myself of the series, or simply a sci-fi enthusiast. This is a gem of a book. It is fantastic...the structure is great..given quotes from the opening and closing scenes, actor info and basic plot outline. Great for that quick reminder of much loved episodes...Rod Serling in a word Genius...Marc Scott Zicree....thank you!!

The Twilight Zone Companion: The Complete Show By Show Guide to One of the Greatest Television Series Ever

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The Twilight Zone Companion: The Complete Show By Show Guide to One of the Greatest Television Series Ever
Marc Scott Zicree
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000W7IOZO

Product Description

33 titles, including: Autumn Leaves * Mona Lisa * Ramblin' Rose * Stardust * Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer * Unforgetta ble * Yes, We Have No Bananas.

Customer Reviews:

EXCELLENT VISUAL BIOGRAPHY OF THE MAN.......2001-04-03

This documentary about one of the greatest ballad singer of his time has all a documentary should have including clips of his widow that tells a lot about what kind of man he really was;revealing television appearances in different shows including his own that was sadly put off by the sponsors after a few years;FRANK SINATRA,ELLA FITZGERALD and HARRY BELLAFONTE also add their opinions.The most important thing here is that new generations can get to know why NATHALIE COLE's father was so much loved in his lifetime.The stories of his attack by white men is shameful and so is the one about their residence in CALIFORNIA,but unfortunally they also are a part of his life.Finally, i would say that hearing STARDUST at the end pleased me a lot since it is probably the best version ever of this song.

King Cole rules forever!.......2000-08-14

I loved this documentary. It was very candid. It profiles Nat's triumphs, but doesn't shy away from the tragedies, either...it captured the life from beginning to end of this larger-than-life entertainer on video, and I loved the clips of Nat singing the songs. It was a little sad to see some of the celebrities who were close friends of Nat's had since died years after this video was made (Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Ella Fitzgerald) but I still enjoyed watching it. Even though they were friends of Nat's it was obvious that they were still in awe of him, as they should be.

Nat King Cole, in my opinion, was the greatest singer that ever lived, and he was a wonderful jazz pianist (even though after 1948, he played the piano less and less). The video goes into a lot of detail, whereas other Nat documentaries somehow leave you wanting to know more. Also featured are interviews with Freddy and Evelyn Coles, Nat's siblings, Maria Cole, Cole's widow, Natalie and Carole Cole, Nat's daughters, jazz pianist George Shearing, Harry Belafonte, Eartha Kitt and Quincy Jones. Also very moving was the final tune, "Stardust", undoubtedly the best version of that song ever recorded. When you heard Nat's voice, footage of his funeral was shown. I honestly broke down and cried, I was so affected.

NAT KING COLE: UNFORGETTABLE is an excellent look at what made this man and his music so special and beloved all over the world. Obviously he made a colossal impact, because his music is still selling, perhaps even better now than it ever did when he was alive. Seeing this video plainly shows why. It is a must-have for Nat's fans, and also makes for a wonderful study in African-American history. Highly recommended.

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Nat "King" Cole Unforgettable: Piano/vocal/chords
Carol (editor) Cuellar
Manufacturer: Warner Bros Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N74GN2

Book Description

From his beginnings in a shotgun shack in Tupelo, Mississippi, to his untimely death at Graceland, Elvis’s life story is stunningly revealed in detail, in words and hundreds of pictures, on a scale that dwarfs anything previously published.

Topics include his childhood and early career, his army years, his rise to superstardom, his Hollywood years (in this section each film is explored in detail and illustrated with stills and posters), Elvis in Las Vegas, his many women, and the industry that has sprung up around his image.

The lively text by Jim Piazza, author of The Academy Awards and Four-Star Movies, includes lots of inside information, behind-the-scenes gossip, and details every Elvis fan needs and wants. A discography, a chronology, and timelines round out this awe-inspiring overview of our most enduring and influential contemporary entertainer. And the eyepopping package—featuring a leather-like binding studded with rhinestones and gold and a lavish, energetic design saturated with color—will be irresistible to every Elvis aficionado, young or old. Every page is 255 square inches of Elvis!

Customer Reviews:

The BEST.......2007-07-20

This is a super piece of Elvis memorabilia at an unbelievably great price. If you have a friend who is an Elvis fan he/she is bound to treasure this book. This is the perfect gift for an Elvis fan. Buy this treasure now before it sells out and beat the Christmas shopping rush!

Masterpiece!!!.......2007-07-13

That is all I can say about this book, buy it and you will see, but be prepare to have the table big enough to read this monster! The book deserves a special place to keep it because it's a museum!

Big Ol' Hunk-A-Book!!!.......2006-01-02

I am an Elvis fan and especially enjoy collecting quirky odd items. This book, of the coffee-table genre, certainly falls into that category. From the "rhinestone" encrusted title on the cover to the size of this thing >>it screams "King Elvis" like no other book! Just be sure that you have a sturdy, large coffee table to display this monster. It's jam-packed with rare pics, Elvis history, odd-ball facts & just generally a FUN Elvis book (It's almost as if he helped in designing it...) If you're an Elvis fan, you'll love this book! If you just like unique coffee-table books, this is one for the "oddities" collector!

Elvis In Texas: The Undiscovered King 1954-1958

Average customer rating:

Worth a look
Sarcastic author sounds unprofessional
Great photos! Frustrating read & sometimes inaccurate text.
Photos are great! Text gets in the way.
ELVIS-Texas sure helped your career!!!!

Elvis In Texas: The Undiscovered King 1954-1958
Stanley Oberst
Manufacturer: Republic of Texas
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1556228872

Book Description

Exciting never before seen photos, interviews, and memorabilia of Elvis' tours of Texas.

Customer Reviews:

Worth a look.......2004-05-25

This a very nice book. There are some great pictures in here. I own a lot of Elvis books and there are some pictures in here I haven't seen before. The text is a bit gossipy but okay. It's not an in depth study of the King but good coffee table fodder. According to this, he really did sow his wild oats in Texas - I wonder how many little Elvi are going about?

It's interesting to see Elvis the boy at the beginning, looking full of life and looking to the future and then look at pictures of him toward the end. Was all the success worth it? Perhaps not.

Sarcastic author sounds unprofessional.......2003-07-20

I bought this book because I'm writing Faron Young's biography and needed information on dates Faron and Elvis worked together. Lori Torrance lost my respect in the very first paragraph of the book, with her statement, "Country music twanged on the radio, Hank Williams crying in his cornflakes again." A few pages later, she says, "At that time, easy listening and my-dog-has-fleas country music monopolized the mass music market." The research was useful but the flippant writing was a turn-off.

Great photos! Frustrating read & sometimes inaccurate text........2002-08-23

Scotty Moore, Elvis' original guitar player and manager, recently said he thought he had seen every photo from that era until he saw this book. That's why I bought it. The photos, mostly performance snapshots, are great. Unfortunately the text is not. At best the writing gets in the way, and at worst it is just plain wrong (which Scotty warned me about). Still, this rare glimpse of one of the greatest American bands merits its recommendation.

Photos are great! Text gets in the way........2002-08-23

Scotty Moore, Elvis' original guitar player and manager, told me he thought he had already seen every photo from that era until he saw this book. That's why I bought it. The snapshots in this book are great, but the writing is so full of itself, it's frustrating to read. I find the photos helpful as a visual reference when reading other books on Elvis' early years.

ELVIS-Texas sure helped your career!!!!.......2002-01-30

Great Book... The chapter on "Devil In A Pink Dress" was really good.. A 'must have' for any true Elvis fan..

Reel Elvis!: The Ultimate Trivia Guide to the King's Movies

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Reel Elvis!: The Ultimate Trivia Guide to the King's Movies
Pauline Bartel
Manufacturer: Taylor Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0878338527

Amazon.com

Did you know that The Reno Brothers was the original title of the Elvis Presley film Love Me Tender? That Charro is the only film in which Elvis sports a beard? Or that Raquel Welch made her film debut in Roustabout? Reel Elvis! contains these and thousands of other fascinating facts about the 33 films (31 features and 2 documentaries) that Elvis made before becoming "disenchanted with making movies." Author Pauline Bartel dedicates an entire chapter to each film, including plot summaries, song lists, trivia, and photos to fill readers in on all that there is to know about Elvis's movies. The book ends with "The Elvis Master Quiz," which anyone who reads this guide should pass with flying colors.

Everything Elvis: Fantastic Facts About the King

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you won't believe how much is in it!
Everything Elvis rocks!
The only Elvis book you'll need

Everything Elvis: Fantastic Facts About the King
Helen Clutton
Manufacturer: Virgin Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0753509601

Customer Reviews:

you won't believe how much is in it!.......2004-10-26

I came across this book kinda by mistake but I'm so glad I did. It's a little gold book with a beautiful shot of young Elvis on the cover, and the inside is even better. It covers every aspect of the King's life and beyond - from cars to Graceland, from the impersonators to the merchandise, from girls to stamps. It's obviously written by a fan but she doesn't make him a saint - she's funny, affectionate and touching in turn.
You may think you know all there is to know about Elvis but I guarantee there'll be something new in here. And if you're a new Elvis fan, this is a fantastic place to start. Go buy it.

Everything Elvis rocks! .......2004-10-22

Even if you thought you knew all there was to know about Elvis, this book is so full of information there's bound to be something new for you to discover. It's a great reference for lifelong fans, and a fantastic introduction to the King for new converts. It covers not only his life, but his influence on popular culture, the impersonators, Elvis Presley Enterprises, the merchandise, Elvis tourism - the whole phenomenon. A great little book.

The only Elvis book you'll need.......2004-09-13

This fabulous little book really lives up to its title. It tells you all about Elvis, the legend, his influence, his music and so much more, all in perfect bite-size chunks. The writer is obviously an Elvis fan but she certainly hasn't made him a saint. It's funny, affectionate, mind-blowing and moving in turn. A must for anyone who loves Elvis, loves music, or simply loves life and popular culture.

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Elvis Presley - The King of Rock'n'Roll
Elvis Presley
Manufacturer: Hal Leonard Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0793594103

Book Description

Note-for-note transcriptions of 25 top hits: All Shook Up * Blue Suede Shoes * Good Luck Charm * Heartbreak Hotel * Hound Dog * Little Sister * Love Me Tender * My Baby Left Me * Mystery Train * more.

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Dancing with Obscurity
Spencer M. Clarke Jr.
Manufacturer: Trafford Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 1553692829
Release Date: 2006-07-06

Book Description

Elvis\'s Son Got His Voice August 2002 marks 25 years of the passing of one of the greatest entertainment legends that ever lived. You will soon find out that 25 years later the final chapter is just the beginning.

E is For Elvis: An A-to-Z Illustrated Guide to the King of Rock and Roll (Plume Books)

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E is For Elvis: An A-to-Z Illustrated Guide to the King of Rock and Roll (Plume Books)
Caroline Latham , and Jeannie Sakol
Manufacturer: Plume
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Elvis Religion: The Cult of the King
Gregory L. Reece
Manufacturer: I. B. Tauris
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1845112563

Book Description

The cult of Elvis Presley has, since his death, become ever more pervasive in American culture. From Graceland to Las Vegas, from fans to impersonators, from novels, films and popular music to websites, outsider art and tabloid conspiracy theories, Elvis Religion explores this frequently bizarre phenomenon and investigates how the King of Rock 'n' Roll became a god-like figure. Elvis, we discover, is found everywhere. Not just an icon for late night lonely hearts in Memphis, or Elvis impersonators on a Vegas stage, he is the inspiration behind the violence of movies like Mystery Train and Wild at Heart, the kitsch sanctuary of Graceland Too, the music of Kirsty MacColl and Paul Simon, and the Internet church for whom he is a supernatural being dwelling in the constellation of Orion.
Gregory L. Reece makes a journey to discover the Jumpsuit Jesus for himself, taking him into the heart of fan obsession. Along the way, he discovers that if Elvis Saves, it is because the Memphis Messiah seems like a prophet for our times.

Elvis! the Last Word: The 328 Best (And Worst Things Anyone Ever Said About "the King")

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Elvis! the Last Word: The 328 Best (And Worst Things Anyone Ever Said About "the King")
Sandra Choron
Manufacturer: Carol Publishing Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0806512806

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Elvis: A Tribute to the King
Susan Thomsen , and Ariel
Manufacturer: Andrews Mcmeel Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0836252349

Customer Reviews:

Eyewitness to history in the making.......2006-08-29

A very interesting ride through two decades or so of turbulent history as seen by a perpetually curious reporter. John Simpson worked hard to discover the competing versions (and visions) of truth and to tell a compact and concise story, both in written and visual media. One suspects that the duality of his media methods reinforced each other.

In chasing the emerging stories, Mr. Simpson tells how he got from apartheid to Northern Ireland, Libya to Tehran, and all over eastern Europe in 1989. In the wake of that amazing year, Mr. Simpson then traveled throughout Eastern Europe see civilizations adjust, come apart, go through wars, and try to rebuild.

From hilarious anecdotes about how to properly pronounce the names of places like Phouc Me, Vietnam, to stories of barely surviving violent crowds, this book is a great read of modern journalism. Mr. Simpson, of course, wants to portray the profession at its most noble, but is more than willing to admit to the blemishes and warts that accompany any human enterprise. His insightful perceptions of the war in northern Ireland, Provos versus IRA versus British Army are very keen (see page 108 "Our idiotic army think this is a war and they can win it by shooting down the enemy. Bloody fools, they're as bad as the Yanks in Vietnam. It's not a war, it's a police action and they're in to for a long haul. We are all.")

In this day where we are all deeply concerned about the future of Iran, Mr. Simpson's chapter on Revolutionaries is to be commended, and is worth deeply reading and re-reading. His understanding of the people, from Ayatollah Khomeni to the Shah, are a mix of history, social anthropology, and simple good writing.

Moving to Asia, Mr. Simpson's tragic chapter on China is a beautiful read on a people, indeed peoples, trying to survive Maoist Communism and move forward in the inevitable march of Chinese history. His account is history in the making, and if you want a clear and concise understanding of how China got from the Cultural Revolution to the modern bustle of Shanghai, this is as good a primer as I have seen.

The lately added chapter on Kosovo is also worth reading for the fin-de-siecle of Balkan hatred and violence that erupted after 1989. No one comes off terribly well in this chapter, but it is good eyewitness reporting with a keen eye to both past history and future implications in this troubled region.

Most memoirs tend to be very self serving, self centered and of only passing interest. This one is a must read in the modern "Industrial Age."

Interesting Read.......2001-02-16

John Simpson seems always to be "where it's at" He has covered a remarkable number of world events in far flung countries. With this book he brings to the reader a greater understanding of both what was going on during those times and what life is like as a BBC correspondent. I highly recommend this book, though I would also recommend having a good dictionary on hand while you are reading it. Some of the accounts Simpson gives also assume a greater amount of background knowledge than the average American is likely to have, especially in the recounting of the Irish issue. However, no matter the depth of your understanding of world affairs, the many interactions Simpson has with vastly different peoples brings forward, sometimes poignantly and other times brutally, that despite a sometimes bewildering chaotic and deadly atmosphere, most people are generous and just trying to go about their lives the best they can.

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Strange Places, Questionable People
John Simpson
Manufacturer: Macmillan U.K.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

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ASIN: 0333781589

Book Description

John Simpson, BBC World Affairs Editor, reads the first volume of his autobiography. With his uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time, this is a ring-side seat at all the major events in recent global history, including the Tiananmen Square massacre, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the release of Nelson Mandela.

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STRANGE PLACES, QUESTIONABLE PEOPLE
JOHN SIMPSON
Manufacturer: PAN
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000S37DWW

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