By Larry Untermeyer
The Westport Public Library tonight paid tribute to one of Westport’s most famous residents of the 1950s—Rod Serling, creator of “The Twilight Zone,” one of the most memorable programs of television’s Golden Age.
Douglas Brode talks about Rod Serling and “The Twilight Zone” at the Westport Public Library tonight. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com
Douglas Brode, screenwriter, playwright, novelist, film historian and award-winning journalist took a rapt audience on a fascinating journey back in time as he recalled the 1959 debut of “The Twlight Zone” on CBS. It ran for five seasons until 1964.
Working with Serling’s widow, Carol Serling, Brode co-authored a book entitled “Rod Serling and The Twilight Zone: The Official 50th Anniversary Tribute,” published last year by Barricade Books.
The first season of “The Twilight Zone” included an episode called “A Stop at Willoughby”—supposedly Serling’s favorite in the debut season—in which the main character worked as an ad man in New York City and commuted on the train to his home in Westport. A conductor on a train shouts out “Westport and Saugatuck” as one of the stops.
Brode spoke about how Serling was a serious writer who tackled many controversial topics of his times. He said he dealt with such provocative issues as racial prejudice and censorship by using the guise of science fantasy to cloak his true underlying themes.
Originally intended for an adult audience, “The Twilight Zone” and its successor “Night Gallery” held a wild appeal for both adults and teenagers who enjoyed the depiction of characters more realistic than the usual sitcom family portrayals.
Brode showed the audience “Where Is Everybody?,” the first episode of “The Twilight Zone.”
He discussed the many factors that made the series such a success, beginning with the catchy title, derived from a flight term that indicates the moment when the pilot must trust his instruments even though they suggest an action seemingly contrary to his natural instincts.
An additional asset was the use of Serling’s voice and later his on-camera appearance to introduce each episode. High cost ruled out the first choice of Orson Wells and someone recalled that Serling used to do radio announcements and suggested that he do the introductions. 
A Westport Public Library audience tonight watches the first episode of “The Twilight Zone,” entitled “Where is Everybody?,” starring Earl Holliman. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com
The music was another plus for the series. Brode said that Serling learned a lot from the first episode of “Zone”—he saw the need for an extra touch of something not unexplained by the facts of the story and he used this technique in an expanded written version of the episode and future plots.
According to Brode, Serling did not like to be called a science fiction writer, but preferred to have his work termed “imaginative fantasy.” He did not want to be typecast as a one genre writer but preferred to explore many different areas in his work, including westerns.
His well known “Requiem for a Heavyweight,” one of the most praised dramas in TV history, originally was called “Requiem for a Lightweight” and was based on Serling’s own experiences as a bantam weight fighter. But the title change was suggested to make the story more impressive.
Of 156 “Twilight Zone” episodes, Serling wrote 92.
Serling died in 1975. Since his death, his wife Carol has continued working with his literary legacy including consulting and producing within the movie, television and publishing worlds and this commemorative book.
The Serlings lived in Westport from 1954 to 1957, first near the shore and later on High Point Road before moving to Hollywood.
This was a very entertaining talk and presentation. Mr. Brode is an excellent and engaging speaker who helped bring back wonderful memories of times gone by. Thanks to the Westport Library for bringing in so many authors for these terrific talks!
Wish I had known about it, sounds like it was great.
That episode – ‘A Stop at Willoughby’ – speaks to anyone who has ever commuted regularly into the City from the suburbs.
If you want to know about events happening at the Library so you don’t miss ones like this one on The Twilight Zone, just go to the Library website, http://www.westportlibrary.org, middle column at the bottom, and sign up to receive email from the Library. Free, informative, and keeps you from missing all the great events at the Library. Hope to see you next time!