tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post7024747220559356305..comments2024-03-13T23:42:41.022-07:00Comments on We Are Controlling Transmission: The Birth of "Fantastic Television"John Scolerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15830334036783163702noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-55332465181254344222013-02-24T16:34:04.588-08:002013-02-24T16:34:04.588-08:00Didn't know if you were still monitoring ATAD,...Didn't know if you were still monitoring ATAD, so......We got a lot of nice responses from around the industry when we complimented you-all on our website. Check-out question 461 at bobbrakemanmovies.com. We're working on a similar bit for this blog as well.bobbrakemanmoviesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-18982340380711189432012-12-19T04:32:16.538-08:002012-12-19T04:32:16.538-08:00Gary, I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoye...Gary, I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your book. I was a huge sci-fi nut as a youngster, and FT was MUST-HAVE reading on the subject. I especially liked the inclusion of British sci-fi, as many of those shows were NOT available to the average American viewer until the advent of cable televison. So many so-called critical essays are condescending and/or dismissive of sci-fi, so it's really refreshing to discover a true champion of this worthy genre. Looking forward to your next project. a FANAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-34438963421733604212012-03-22T12:28:36.692-07:002012-03-22T12:28:36.692-07:00http://www.facebook.com/DrawbridgeOfTheCastle ...http://www.facebook.com/DrawbridgeOfTheCastle location of a facebook page for castle of frankenstein...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-34123279399830468182011-08-29T09:07:27.377-07:002011-08-29T09:07:27.377-07:00No problem John :)
All the best
AndrewNo problem John :)<br /><br />All the best<br /><br />AndrewAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-35844184895712020242011-08-25T06:36:46.551-07:002011-08-25T06:36:46.551-07:00Hi Andrew -
Can you contact me offline?
blacklea...Hi Andrew -<br /><br />Can you contact me offline?<br /><br />blackleatherrequired AT earthlink.net<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />JohnJohn Scolerihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15830334036783163702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-14028420736149423532011-08-12T08:18:13.351-07:002011-08-12T08:18:13.351-07:00Hello David :)
>>Holy shit ... THE Andrew P...Hello David :)<br /><br />>>Holy shit ... THE Andrew Pixley?<br /><br />Well *an* Andrew Pixley. Not the one on the Falklands taskforce. Not the oceanologist. Not the one executed in Wyoming in 1965. Just the one who writes reams of dull text on rather wonderful TV series ...<br /><br />>>The Andrew Pixley to whom I gave a shout-out in my VIDEO WATCHDOG article on DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS (#120, June-July 2005), seeing as how I plundered the invaluable resource of his DVD booklet, and still marvel at his comprehensivity?<br /><br />Ahhh. Yes. That one. Glad it was of use. It was terrific fun to do. Don't think that's one of the issues I picked up I'm afraid. Sorry ...<br /><br />Anyway, more to the point you're THAT David J Schow who wrote "The Outer Limits Companion" which *I* love and admire to this day. "Who could ask for more?" was the bottom line of my review for "Dreamwatch" back in 1993. So thank YOU sir for all your hard work and devotion and for such an utterly beautiful tome! Plus that gorgeous updated version. One of the benchmarks of documentation for TV shows to my mind.<br /><br />All the best<br /><br />AndrewAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-11597555534565681732011-08-11T18:25:43.687-07:002011-08-11T18:25:43.687-07:00Holy shit ... THE Andrew Pixley?
The Andrew Pixle...Holy shit ... THE Andrew Pixley?<br /><br />The Andrew Pixley to whom I gave a shout-out in my VIDEO WATCHDOG article on DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS (#120, June-July 2005), seeing as how I plundered the invaluable resource of his DVD booklet, and still marvel at his comprehensivity?<br /><br />THAT Andrew Pixley?<br /><br />A long overdue thank-you to you, too, sir.<br /><br />Cheers!DJSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-77839542636949485442011-08-09T09:23:41.870-07:002011-08-09T09:23:41.870-07:00Dear Gary
Just wanted to take some time out to sa...Dear Gary<br /><br />Just wanted to take some time out to say - some 34 years late - a very big "THANK YOU" for "Fantastic Television". From the first time I saw a copy in my local library in Sheffield (UK), I fell in love with it, and my own edition is still one of my most treasured possessions all these years later. It was the work that inspired me to research and compile episode guides of my own (mainly related to UK series) which has in turn allowed me the delight of working as a freelance writer and researcher on archive television and radio for the last 25 years. And I owe so much of all the fun I've had and all the delight I've experienced in viewing all these amazing shows to "Fantastic Television".<br /><br />Your hard work, dedication and affection for this subject is *still* being appreciated now. So pleased I have this opportunity to say "thank you" at long last.<br /><br />All the best<br /><br />Andrew PixleyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-22792724286175760042011-03-17T13:03:51.686-07:002011-03-17T13:03:51.686-07:00Larry R---
Imagine my elation, back in '77, w...Larry R---<br /><br />Imagine my elation, back in '77, when after producing the first TOLAIR---stretched so thin for still coverage that I had to prevail upon my artist friends to produce original representations---Gary entrusted me with a fabulous album of rare TOL 8x10s! (It was something between 100-200, I believe.) Probably one of the most comprehensive TOL collections anywhere, at the time. <br /><br />My copy of FANTASTIC TELEVISION is beginning to crack into individual signatures, so I've got to be careful. But you can still flip it open anywhere and read an entry---see a still---that makes you want to watch something you lament not having ready access to. Wonderful, pionering work.Ted Rypelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-47382963605573935062011-03-17T07:27:31.350-07:002011-03-17T07:27:31.350-07:00Of course "Fantastic Television" was a m...Of course "Fantastic Television" was a mainstay and now I'm looking over my bookshelf and I can't find my copy! It was an invaluable resource when I was at KTLA and Turner -- I wonder if somebody purloined it there when my back was turned? Bastards! :-) I also have that issue of Monster Times with Kirk and Spock on the cover, in my not-so-hermetically-sealed Trek boxes of junk which are currently residing in Nova Scotia. I need to touch these things again, soon! Thanks from a devoted fan to you for all your hard work, dedication and enthusiasm for keeping all of us informed!Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00345830456539347899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-11461896889872512222011-03-16T01:29:08.330-07:002011-03-16T01:29:08.330-07:00GARY--
"Fantastic Television" was (is) ...GARY--<br /><br />"Fantastic Television" was (is) an iconic volume, one which was feasted upon by us legions of enthusiasts who had VERY LITTLE information on our favorite old shows at the time (you can't imagine how thrilling the "Thriller" chapter was to me!) <br /><br />I am now holding my original 1977 copy in my hands (and typing at the same time?); the cover is beat up, pages are falling out, and there are TONS of pencil notations, inscriptions, annotations, etc, especially in the "Thriller, TZ, One Step and TOL" episode guides. It was THE indispensable, go-to volume of its era. Again, a belated thanks for doing it.<br /><br />And the PHOTOS!-- How did you ever assemble this collection--at that time, when interest in these shows was comparatively low and video frame-grabs were still years in the future? Some of the photos are familiar to all, but many others I have never seen anywhere else (the close-up/half-view of the Ebonite on p. 62, for instance--and where's the rest of the face?). I imagine your still collection rivals all others.<br /><br />Anyway, I've enjoyed your copious contributions to WACT and Thriller-a-Day, and plan to check out 100 Top Horror Movies as soon as I can. It's been fun.<br /><br />Say hello to the Jelly Man if you see him walking along any Interstate you happen to be driving.<br /><br />Larry RLarry Rapchaknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-81421378688118503422011-03-16T01:01:24.600-07:002011-03-16T01:01:24.600-07:00Like the others here Gary, I had Fantastic Televis...Like the others here Gary, I had Fantastic Television too. It was my only exposure to many of the less frequently shown shows like Thriller or One Step Beyond, and a fabulous guide to my favourites, like OL and ST, and so much more. I'm a stickler for keeping my books and other collectables in the best of shape, but somehow over the years, my copy of Fantastic Television (signed by Vincent Price while doing a one man stage show in Victoria) went missing. I hope to get it again. Your new books on the top 100 sci-fi and horror movies look great. Thanks for setting the standard with FT all those years ago, and for continuing to create great works!Jim Barwisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06621993116774388708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-83160984554651904592011-03-16T00:09:37.810-07:002011-03-16T00:09:37.810-07:00A million thanks, everyone! And it's funny ab...A million thanks, everyone! And it's funny about Serling, Ted... He also came to dislike "Walking Distance," one of TZ's most elegant episodes, after many of his hard-to-please Ithaca students complained that it was all an excuse for a twist ending. I was going to answer Serling's specific charges myself in the TZ commentary (he mistakes the old counterman's polite silence for an illogical, crazy response), but apparently Marc Zicree did just that. "And When the Sky was Opened" is a first-rate, fiercely acted, ultra-effective ZONE, drawing power from its unanswered questions. I wonder what RS thought was wrong with this one?Gary Geraninoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-752475616622619972011-03-15T23:18:44.599-07:002011-03-15T23:18:44.599-07:00Love this book, it inspired me to write about my f...Love this book, it inspired me to write about my favorite films and television series. Thanks for breaking the ice, Gary!A. Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01124807315659909534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-2438118361404230102011-03-15T22:00:31.462-07:002011-03-15T22:00:31.462-07:00I'll inscribe my endorsement next to PICNIC AT...I'll inscribe my endorsement next to PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, as well. "Disturbing" perfectly characterizes it, Gary. More lasting an impression, I think, than the more easily derived---and of thereby less valuable coinage---"shocking." Peter Weir has a way with that: witness (hah!) THE LAST WAVE.<br /><br />Ditto "And When the Sky Was Opened," and I'll reiterate an earlier comment I made about not understanding why Serling went on record as despising this episode. It's a favorite of mine. What more perfect expression of the oft-repeated theme of lost identity that seemed to thrive on TZ?<br /><br />You're rollin', Gary G! We've got enough heralds on board here to help sell you a generous pile of your worthy volumes, methinks!Ted Rypelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-36270607624650860892011-03-15T21:12:38.908-07:002011-03-15T21:12:38.908-07:00I have the first edition -- I'm looking at it ...I have the first edition -- I'm looking at it on my shelf right now -- and it was one of the earliest books to capture exactly what I was all about. If anything, I wanted more!<br /><br />Great stuff from Gary, who continues to keep us amazed.David Coltonhttp://rondoaward.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-75204417557977487902011-03-15T19:19:22.311-07:002011-03-15T19:19:22.311-07:00Would never question your inclusion of the brillia...Would never question your inclusion of the brilliant PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK. Inexplicable vanishing is a truly chilling thing, both fictional and actual (what DID happen to those three lighthouse keepers?); definitely horror for me. So it follows that "And When the Sky Was Opened" is one of my favorite TZ episodes.<br /><br />My other favorite is "Mirror Image", and perhaps all of these come under the blanket heading of that ultimate nightmare: loss of identity.Larry Blamirenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-6206449836730552412011-03-15T17:42:01.136-07:002011-03-15T17:42:01.136-07:00Thanks again, guys. Yes, Tony Isabella was doing ...Thanks again, guys. Yes, Tony Isabella was doing work for MONSTER TIMES in the early '70s, and I'm sure our paths must have crossed. Chuck McNaughton was the original editor, Allan Asherman lasted about a month, and Joe ("Phantom of the Movies") Kane settled in for the longest stretch, as I recall. I was elevated to "Associate Editor" status after writing TMT's monthly Godzilla column from the Big G's point of view -- truly ridiculous, but hey, money was money. Joe Brancatelli was also hovering about, frustrating DC and Marvel with his INSIDE COMICS publication, a TMT spinoff, which, among other things, functioned as a "watchdog" for the comics industry (Editor Paul Levitz getting caught 'faking' a letter in one of the DC books was big news, for those who cared). So THE MONSTER TIMES offices were indeed hoppin' back then...<br /><br />Yes, KWAIDAN is a remarkable film -- a true epic (183 minutes!), in full 'scope and Eastmancolor that looks like Technicolor. I tried to include as many different kinds of 'fright' movies as I could among the 100; some have questioned my inclusion of PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, where the enigma of totally disappearing from the face of the earth is explored. To me, this is a deceptively quiet, amazingly disturbing brand of horror (TWILIGHT ZONE explored a similar theme in "And When the Sky Was Opened," featuring Rod Taylor, Charles Aidman and Jim Hutton). No monsters, no gore, no violence, but an inexplicable and absolutely horrifying 'disappearing act" scenario that still freaks me out.<br /><br />THE BEST HORROR FILMS EVER MADE blog? Count me in!Gary Geraninoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-28739613372291943142011-03-15T17:09:15.218-07:002011-03-15T17:09:15.218-07:00To this end I cannot recommend strongly enough Mar...To this end I cannot recommend strongly enough Mark Morris' books CINEMA MACABRE (which I'm not in), and CINEMA FUTURA (which I am). Many of the writeups evoke the when-I-was-a-child first contact; some or trite or predictable; many more are deep and thoughtful.DJSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-55038362370272187182011-03-15T17:06:56.748-07:002011-03-15T17:06:56.748-07:00New Blog: THE BEST HORROR FILMS EVER MADE.
Panel...New Blog: THE BEST HORROR FILMS EVER MADE.<br /><br />Panel?DJSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-20235206975442330842011-03-15T16:33:01.131-07:002011-03-15T16:33:01.131-07:00Allow me to pile on to the recommendations for Gar...Allow me to pile on to the recommendations for Gary's Top 100 Horror Movies (I've belatedly added ordering links for that and Top 100 Sci-Fi Movies to the bottom of the post). <br /><br />The minute I saw it in its full-color glory I knew I had to have a copy. And I still feel that way despite Night of the Living Dead failing to crack Gary's top 5. ;) <br /><br />I can only assume the Sci-Fi companion will be more of the same, so I'm anxious to receive my copy of that as well! <br /><br />I actually think Gary should start a blog going through his Top 100s day-by-day... can you imagine the kind of commentary that would elicit!John Scolerihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15830334036783163702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-66643810463788034832011-03-15T15:20:38.367-07:002011-03-15T15:20:38.367-07:00Wonderful recounting of your yeoman's effort t...Wonderful recounting of your yeoman's effort to bring FANTASTIC TELEVISION to fruition. I still manage to treat my copy delicately enough to keep the spine from cracking---no mean feat in that I refer to it quite often, even after all these years. <br /><br />Yes, Carlos Clarens' book seemed to legitimize our weird interests, didn't it? Serious scholarship about a field we'd been told we'd eventually be forced to snap out of! Always loved the choice of the CURSE/NIGHT OF THE DEMON creature on his cover.<br /><br />When you wrote for MONSTER TIMES, was my old friend Tony Isabella editing for them? It seems to me he did, for a stint, around that time. He's another writer---mainly comics---who hails from Cleveland (though now a longtime Akron resident).<br /><br />I must get your TOP 100 HORROR MOVIES (thanks, Walker, for the solid endorsement/reminder). The mere mention of the inclusion of KWAIDAN---a favorite I've had on laserdisc for years (is ANY horror film more beautifully photographed?)---certifies that you did your usual homework. Thanks in advance, Gary, for yet another splendid research-and-insight book!Ted Rypelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-2623777426245926662011-03-15T11:38:22.966-07:002011-03-15T11:38:22.966-07:00Good stuff, Gary. I had that issue of TMT and I st...Good stuff, Gary. I had that issue of TMT and I still recall how bloody unique it was at the time. Amazing how influential the Clarens book was--still have mine.Larry Blamirenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-30220858067561602662011-03-15T10:09:51.047-07:002011-03-15T10:09:51.047-07:00While talking about Gary's book, TOP 100 HORRO...While talking about Gary's book, TOP 100 HORROR MOVIES, I forgot to mention that this is not just the usual recent list of horror movies from the 1970-2010 years. For instance the book discusses 5 silent and 15 horror movies from the 1930's. In other words the coverage is comprehensive and knowledgable.Walker Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16089880902426182100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-84389127919753518282011-03-15T09:57:32.979-07:002011-03-15T09:57:32.979-07:00Yes, there WAS a FANTASTIC TELEVISION commercial t...Yes, there WAS a FANTASTIC TELEVISION commercial that ran in New York! I was living with my girlfriend Casey at the time, and we both watched it during a telecast of THE INDESTRUCTIBLE MAN on Channel 5's CREATURE FEATURES on a Saturday afternoon. Now that was a kick. I'm not surprised Ch. 11 ran it late-night during the week, especially since STAR TREK used to follow ODD COUPLE (if memory serves). And you're right... RBCC was the first place I saw a published episode guide for a TV series. Those guys were the true forerunners of the form...Gary Geraninoreply@blogger.com