A Tribute to Rod Serling, The Genius Creator of The Twilight Zone

Rod Serling, as you know, was the creator of the Twilight Zone TV series which were aired between 1959 and 1962 and he was a genius, so let's pay a tribute to the man who is considered by many as the creator of the best TV series ever done, which decades later lead to the creation of the Tower of Terror.

Interviews of Rod Serling are rare but i found two for you, one in B&W from the Mike Wallace show in 1959...




...and this other one in color filmed in 1970.




One of the most famous episodes of the Twilight Zone was titled "To Serve Man". Most of you have probably seen it but if you didn't you must see it now!




But before The Twilight Zone series were aired, Rod Serling did for Desilu - the company of Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball - some medium length movies like this one titled "The Time Element" telling the story of a man going to see a psychiatrist because he do each night the same dream. Totally "Twilight Zone" in his spirit and script with a "twist" at the end, The Time Element is considered by many as a Twilight Zone Episode 00 or "pilot" and there is no doubt that it was probably used to convince CBS for the upcoming Twilight Zone series. You have the full episode below, and i'm sure you will enjoy it if you've never seen it!





Videos: copyright CBS, Desilu

Twilight Zone Creator Rod Serling Discuss Writing and Storytelling in These Rare Videos !

If there is something on which we all agree, it's that the Twilight Zone 1960's TV series are among the best TV series ever aired and that Rod Serling, its creator and for many episodes the script writer, was a genius. Unfortunately Rod Serling died at 50 in 1975 and interviews of him are rare to find.

But today i've found something even better than an interview and it is a series of conversations between him and apparently some script writing students, titled 'Writing for Television, Conversations with Rod Serling". Which is great as Rod gives precious advices on how to write a script! I've embedded the playlist so normally each part should play one after another , if not jump to Youtube HERE.





In bonus, i don't resist to post this great Twilight Zone 1960's comic book cover!

New Twilight Zone movie , thanks to Leonardo Di Caprio ?

Those of you who love the Twilight zone series - and, honestly, who don't like these magical Rod Serling TV series ? - will be happy to know that a new movie is probably on its way. And thanks to who? To Leonardo DiCaprio who is not only the gifted actor that we know, but also have very good taste as the "Twilight Zone" is his favorite show.

Will Leo play in this new movie? I hope so, but we don't know yet.

More details about this new Twilight Zone production in this Hollywood Reporter article excerpts:

Leonardo DiCaprio eyes the 'Zone'
Warners, Appian Way in early stages of 'Twilight' feature

By Steven Zeitchik

Could the eerie music of "The Twilight Zone" soon be playing again at the movies?

Warner Bros. and Leonardo DiCaprio's production company Appian Way are in the early stages of seeking material for a feature take on one or more episodes from the classic TV series.

The studio and production company are quietly putting out word to creators that they are looking for pitches and script ideas based on the show for feature development.

The companies are not seeking to remake an episodic movie, as the only big-screen version of the show did 25 years ago, but rather hope to build one continuing story line based on one or more episodes.

Warners is negotiating for rights to the Rod Serling-penned episodes, which is owned by the Serling estate. The episodes comprise the bulk of its 1959-64 run. The Serling shows include famous episodes such as "To Serve Man," about giant aliens who land on Earth to serve humans as food, and "Eye of the Beholder," about an inverted society where the attractive are considered ugly. About 155 episodes of the original series exist.

A feature adaptation could be a passion project of sorts for DiCaprio, who in interviews has cited "Twilight Zone" as his favorite show.

From and copyright The Hollywood Reporter

A Twilight Zone - Rod Serling tribute

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is now open at the WDS, and i thought it was the perfect time to give a tribute to a man and his genius: Rod Serling, the creator of the beloved TV series.

So, below, here is a rare tv interview of him, in 1959, when the Twilight Zone series began. He is not only talking about it, but, too, about the script writer job, how he must fight censors, etc...

And as you will see, how a great human being he was!

If you wish, you can find on you tube another great documentary about him called "Rod Serling Documentary" , in 10 parts of 8 minutes each. Just click here to access to part one.



And now a special note for my french readers: Universal just released a 3 DVD set of the whole season 1 of the original Twilight Zone series. It includes great special features, like the rare " Time Element " film who is at the origin of the series, and also an audio recording of a confrerence of Rod Serling , talking with script writing students about the first "pilot" episode.
The good news is that the other seasons of the Twilight Zone series will be released in France, too , with season 2 coming in april or may 2008. If you've not bought it yet, go right away to the nearest store to do it! It's a treasure, and it's hard to live without the whole Twilight Zone series!