Timothy E
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THE TWILIGHT ZONE Season 3 BLU-RAY
Studio: Image
Year: 1961-1962
Rated: Not Rated
Film Length: 950 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audio: English Uncompressed PCM Mono
Release Date: February 15, 2011
The Series
You’re traveling through 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. This is the dimension of imagination. Next stop, The Twilight Zone.
So began the narration of The Twilight Zone in its third season. The Twilight Zone premiered on CBS-TV on October 2, 1959, and aired for 5 seasons until its cancellation in 1964. This fantasy and science fiction anthology series is revered and well remembered 50 years later for its daring social commentary and the twist endings of many of its episodes. The series was created by Rod Serling, who narrated the episodes and, incredibly, wrote a majority of the scripts during its production.
Rod Serling was supported in his screen-writing chores by accomplished authors Charles Beaumont and Richard Matheson. Ray Bradbury also contributed an episode to the third season. The high quality and success of this series is undoubtedly attributable in large part to the efforts of these writers who wrote many original screenplays, as well as adaptations of works by other authors.
The Twilight Zone also benefitted from the acting talent that appeared in the series. Actors in this third season included Charles Bronson, Lee Marvin, Leonard Nimoy, Elizabeth Montgomery, Jack Klugman, Peter Falk, Jonathan Winters, Billy Mumy, Dean Stockwell, Buster Keaton, Robert Redford, Richard Kiel, Theodore Bikel, Cliff Robertson, Carol Burnett, and others.
The Twilight Zone theme song composed by Marius Constant is recognizable today even to many people who have never seen this series. Composers of score music in the third season included Bernard Herrmann(Citizen Kane, North By Northwest, Psycho) and Fred Steiner(Perry Mason).
The episodes appear in this 5 disc set in order of airdate rather than production order. The episodes are organized appropriately in this manner, given the fact that the preview of the following week’s episode hosted by Rod Serling is included just as originally aired at the conclusion of each episode and prior to the closing credits. The closing credits also include original network promos for other CBS TV series of the time such as The Ed Sullivan Show and Gunsmoke, as well as various public service announcements. Each episode also concludes with the original CBS TV logo from 1961 and 1962. A modern CBS Studios logo is also attached but only at the very end of each episode. All episodes seem to be complete and uncut, and the running lengths of each episode seem to confirm this.
Video
The Twilight Zone appears on Blu-Ray in 1080p in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio as originally filmed and broadcast on CBS-TV. The previous DVD editions of this series from Image were so excellent that one might think that there was little room for improvement. Fortunately, Image has taken advantage of this opportunity to present The Twilight Zone in high definition by creating all new 1080p high definition transfers of this third season from the original camera negatives. As with the previous season sets, the result is a film-like image with some grain apparent. The image is so sharp that minor imperfections that were invisible on the previous DVD releases are now visible on a large monitor. When I speak of imperfections, the emphasis is on "minor"; the video quality in these new transfers is as close to perfection as one could hope for on this series. Fortunately, this third season did not have any episodes produced on videotape, which are inferior to those episodes produced on film, as was the case with season two.
Audio
The Uncompressed PCM Mono track is excellent, with none of the crackle, hiss, or inconsistency of sound volume that we expect to hear on television shows from this era. The special features have audio that is more typical of shows from that era, which makes one appreciate the clarity of sound on these episodes.
Special Features
The special features are comprehensive and include all of the following:
Liar’s Club (21:34): This episode aired originally on February 24, 1969, with Rod Serling hosting the show. Betty White and Jonathan Harris also appear in this episode.
Tell It To Groucho (15:11): Rod Serling appeared on this Groucho Marx television series in the early part of 1962.
Famous Writers School (4:37): This short promotional film includes Serling as one of the famous writers.
Marc Scott Zicree Audio Interview With George T. Clemens (Part 3): This is the third part of an interview done by Zicree in 1978 of cinematographer Clemens. The first 2 parts of the interview appeared on the first and season sets of The Twilight Zone on Blu-ray.
Every episode in this third season has special features. Here is a list of all 37 episodes with the special features indicated:
Two (25:47):Audio Commentary by Scott Skelton and Jim Benson, Rod Serling Teaser for Two, Isolated Music Score by Van Cleave, Sponsor Billboards for Colgate and Wildroot Cream Oil, The Twilight Zone radio drama starring Don Johnson.
The Arrival (25:42): Isolated music score, sponsor billboards, The Twilight Zone radio drama starring Blair Underwood.
The Shelter (25:47): Isolated music score, sponsor billboards, The Twilight Zone radio drama starring Ernie Hudson.
The Passersby (25:43): Isolated music score by Fred Steiner, sponsor billboards, The Twilight Zone radio drama starring Morgan Brittany.
A Game Of Pool (25:42): Audio commentary by Jonathan Winters, audio commentary by Marc Scott Zicree and George Clayton Johnson, Marc Scott Zicree interview with director Buzz Kulik and producer Buck Houghton from 1978, sponsor billboards, isolated music score, Jonathan Winters reads the alternate ending from the original script, clip from the 1989 remake with George Clayton Johnson’s original ending.
The Mirror (25:44): Isolated music score, sponsor billboards, The Twilight Zone radio drama starring Tony Plana.
The Grave (25:43): Audio commentary by Gary Gerani, audio commentary by Martin Grams, Jr., isolated music score, sponsor billboards, The Twilight Zone radio drama starring Michael Rooker.
It’s A Good Life (25:541): Audio commentary by Billy Mumy, audio commentary by Marv Wolfman and Marc Scott Zicree, isolated music score, sponsor billboards.
Deaths-Head Revisited (25:40): Audio commentary by Marc Scott Zicree and Neil Gaiman, Marc Scott Zicree interview with producer Buck Houghton from 1978, isolated music score, sponsor billboards, The Twilight Zone radio drama starring H.M. Wynant.
The Midnight Sun (25:42): Audio commentary by Lois Nettleton, audio commentary by Gary Gerani, isolated music score by Van Cleave, sponsor billboards.
Still Valley (25:43): Isolated music score by Wilbur Hatch, sponsor billboards, The Twilight Zone radio drama starring Adam West.
The Jungle (25:42): Audio commentary by William F. Nolan, John Tomerlin, and Marc Scott Zicree, audio commentary by Scott Skelton and Jim Benson, isolated music score, sponsor billboards, The Twilight Zone radio drama starring Ed Begley, Jr.
Once Upon A Time (25:42): Audio commentary by Martin Grams, Jr., isolated music score by William Lava(played by Ray Turner), sponsor billboards.
Five Characters In Search Of An Exit (25:45): Audio commentary by William Windom, Marc Scott Zicree interview with director Lamont Johnson from 1978, isolated music score, sponsor billboards, The Twilight Zone radio drama starring Jason Alexander.
A Quality of Mercy (25:44): Audio commentary by Leonard Nimoy, isolated music score, sponsor billboards.
Nothing In The Dark (25:42): Audio commentary by George Clayton Johnson and Marc Scott Zicree, Marc Scott Zicree interview with writer George Clayton Johnson and director Lamont Johnson from 1978, isolated music score, sponsor billboards.
One More Pallbearer (25:43): Isolated music score, sponsor billboards, The Twilight Zone radio drama starring Chelcie Ross.
Dead Man’s Shoes (25:50): Clip from 1985 remake "Dead Woman’s Shoes", isolated music score, sponsor billboards, The Twilight Zone radio drama starring Bill Smitrovich.
The Hunt (25:41): Audio commentary by Earl Hamner and Marc Scott Zicree, Marc Scott Zicree interview with Earl Hamner from 1978, isolated music score by Robert Drasnin, sponsor billboards.
Showdown With Rance McGrew (25:53): Audio commentary by Robert Cornthwaite, isolated music score, sponsor billboards.
Kick The Can (25:43): Audio commentary by George Clayton Johnson and Marc Scott Zicree, isolated music score, sponsor billboards, The Twilight Zone radio drama starring Shelley Berman and Stan Freberg.
A Piano In The House (25:57): Audio commentary by Scott Skelton and Jim Benson, Marc Scott Zicree interview with Buck Houghton and Earl Hamner from 1978, isolated music score, sponsor billboards, The Twilight Zone radio drama starring Michael York.
The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank (26:41): Isolated music score by Tommy Morgan, sponsor billboards.
To Serve Man (25:41): Audio commentary by Jeff Vlaming and Marc Scott Zicree, Marc Scott Zicree interview with director Richard L. Bare from 1978, isolated music score, sponsor billboards, The Twilight Zone radio drama starring Blair Underwood.
The Fugitive (25:37): Isolated music score, sponsor billboards.
Little Girl Lost (25:48): Audio commentary by Marc Fergus and Marc Scott Zicree, isolated music score by Bernard Herrmann, sponsor billboards.
Person Or Persons Unknown (25:42): Isolated music score, sponsor billboards.
The Little People (26:03): Marc Scott Zicree interview with producer Buck Houghton from 1978, isolated music score, sponsor billboards.
Four O’Clock (25:41): Isolated music score, sponsor billboards, The Twilight Zone radio drama starring Stan Freberg.
Hocus-Pocus and Frisby (25:56): Isolated music score by Tom Morgan, sponsor billboards.
The Trade-Ins (25:43): Interview with Edson Stroll, isolated music score, sponsor billboards, The Twilight Zone radio drama starring H. M. Wynant and Peggy Webber.
The Gift (25:56): Isolated music score by Laurindo Almeida, sponsor billboards.
The Dummy (25:44): Audio commentary by Cliff Robertson, isolated music score, sponsor billboards, The Twilight Zone radio drama starring Bruno Kirby.
Young Man’s Fancy (25:45): Isolated music score by Nathan Scott, sponsor billboards.
I Sing The Body Electric (25:43): Audio commentary by Marc Scott Zicree, Marc Scott Zicree interview with producer Buck Houghton from 1978, isolated music score by Van Cleave, sponsor billboards.
Cavender Is Coming (25:10): Original laugh track, audio commentary by Martin Grams, Jr., isolated music score, clip from The Gary Moore Show.
The Changing of the Guard (25:07): Audio commentary by Len Wein and Marc Scott Zicree, isolated music score, sponsor billboards, The Twilight Zone radio drama starring Orson Bean.
Also included is a foldout illustrated booklet with a list of the episodes on each disc with original airdates, plot descriptions, and lists of special features associated with each episode.
The Twilight Zone radio dramas, isolated music scores, and many of the audio commentaries are new to this release. The audio commentaries by actors Jonathan Winters, Bill Mumy, Lois Nettleton, William Windom, Leonard Nimoy, and Cliff Robertson were produced for the DVD releases and have been ported over to this new set.
Conclusion
Even though The Twilight Zone may have evidenced some creative fatigue in its third season, this season still includes its fair share of classic and memorable episodes. This season of The Twilight Zone has never looked and sounded better than it does in this Blu-ray set. The video and audio transfers of these 37 episodes are consistently excellent and definitely a big step up from the previous versions on DVD. As with the first and second season sets on Blu-ray, many of the special features included here are new to this release and may be considered essentials for fans of this series. This set comes about as close to perfection as one might hope. As with the earlier sets, The Twilight Zone Season 3 on Blu-ray comes highly recommended.
