“The Twilight Zone” is one of the most influential creations in the history of entertainment. It broke boundaries with prime-time network television when it premiered on October 2, 1959. Created by Rod Serling, the anthology series crossed multiple genres including horror, science fiction, comedy, and even westerns. 65 years later, it continues to shape the minds of writers like myself. Even if you have never watched a single episode, you know lines, plots, or characters from their simple existence in the cultural zeitgeist.
2024 marks Rod Serling’s centennial. Serling was born on Christmas Day 1924 in Syracuse, NY. The family relocated to Binghamton, NY which is where he spent most of his time. The city of Binghamton is home to several locations and exhibits that honor the man. Serling was a paratrooper during WWII and won several high honors for his service. Known for his progressive views and stories, he clashed with the network executives over many issues including gender roles, race, censorship, and America’s military presence. Many episodes revolve around an unfounded fear of outsiders, and its messages are prescient for today’s world.
Rod Serling – who smoked 4 packs of cigarettes a day – passed away on June 28, 1975 at the age of 50. It’s sad to think of all the great creations we have missed out on in the decades since his death. In Twilight Zone style, I would sell my soul for a chance to share a drink with the man. That people still watch and discuss the show today emphasizes his impact on our culture.
“The Twilight Zone” was an instrumental show, bringing horror and science-fiction to mainstream audiences for the first time. It boasts great writing and production value, despite the era it was from and the limitations of network TV. It launched the careers of many big-name stars of Hollywood, including Ron Howard, Charles Bronson, Robert Redford, George Takei, Burt Reynolds, Carol Burnett, Elizabeth Montgomery, Mickey Rooney, Martin Landau, Burgess Meredith, William Shatner, Robert Duvall, Leonard Nimoy, Dennis Hopper – among others. Serling was joined by powerhouse writers Richard Matheson, George Clayton Johnson, and Charles Beaumont. Legendary composer Bernard Herrmann handles the score.
I stumbled across the series as kid, and still remember the New Years and July 4th marathons on the Sci-Fi Channel. I acquired the VHS tapes and became obsessed with the show. It became my biggest influence as a writer. I remember watching the unique stories and twist endings and thinking that I wanted to create things like that. I know the series almost as well as I know Seinfeld, and that’s saying a lot.
There are 156 episodes, and most are hit or miss. I struggled to craft a list of the Top 60 and ranked them accordingly.
60 – The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine
An aging Hollywood starlet longs for her cinematic past. The great Martin Balsam co-stars in a pre-Psycho performance.
59 – Little Girl Lost
A child vanishes into another dimension. The episode played a heavy influence on ‘Poltergeist’
58 – A Stop at Willoughby
Overworked and in a loveless marriage? Move to the simplicity of Willoughby, CT.
57 – A Penny for your Thoughts
Dick York stars in one of the best comedy episodes. A man gains the ability to hear people’s thoughts.
56 – Escape Clause
The sixth episode of the series and the first with an iconic twist ending.
55 – The Rip Van Winkle Caper
Unintentionally funny, my boy Oscar Beregi, Jr leads a gang of gold robbers into an unknown future.
54 – Person or Persons Unknown
Lots of episodes deal with someone trapped in a world where no one knows who they are. This one is the best.
53 – Perchance to Dream
A guy fears falling asleep because his nightmares will kill him. Sounds like Wes Craven watched this.
52 – On Thursday We Leave for Home
One of 3 worthy 4th season episodes. James Whitmore stars as Captain Benteen, the egotistical leader of a settlement of galactic pioneers.
51 – To Serve Man
“It’s a cookbook!”
50 – The Masks
Offers one of the grisliest comeuppances in the entirety of the series.
49 – Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up
A whodunit caper taking place in a snowed-in diner.
48 – The Changing of the Guard
16 years before “Halloween,” Donald Pleasence stars as a teacher in crisis.
47 – The Shelter
Showcases the brutality of those in a crisis.
46 – The Obsolete Man
Burgess Meredith appeared in 4 Twilight Zone episodes; this is one of two that make the Top 60 as he battles a totalitarian state
