
American Legends: The Life of Rod Serling
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Narrated by:
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Kenneth Ray
About this listen
A lot of ink has been spilled covering the lives of history's most influential figures, but how much of the forest is lost for the trees? In Charles River Editors' American Legends series, listeners can get caught up to speed on the lives of America's most important men and women in the time it takes to finish a commute, while learning interesting facts long forgotten or never known.
The "Golden Age" of television was in part so named because it was the era in which new technology was pioneered and industry rules were still being written. Here was a fascinating new medium, founded by executives with no previous body of experience, and a myriad of directions in which to proceed. Numerous factions spent the next generation wresting control over content and the content/product relationship. Some envisioned a public service and educational medium, while others sought sophisticated entertainment. With profit as the determining motive, executives and sponsors sought only what would evoke the most lucrative response.
The term "Golden Age" also applies to the reality that much of the television programming in the 1950s was offered up as live performance, a dangerous and exciting time for both writers and actors. As pioneer director John Frankenheimer put it, "There were no old days. We were the old days." Frankenheimer went on to associate with one of the age's best and most prolific TV writers, Rod Serling, an enduring name in the realm of philosophical fright and ironic reflections of human injustice.
©2016 Charles River Editors (P)2017 Charles River EditorsListeners also enjoyed...
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As I Knew Him
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To Anne Serling, the imposing figure the public saw hosting The Twilight Zone each week, intoning cautionary observations about fate, chance, and humanity, was not the father she knew. Her fun-loving dad would play on the floor with the dogs, had nicknames for everyone in the family, and was apt to put a lampshade on his head and break out in song. He was her best friend, her playmate, and her confidant. After his unexpected death at 50, Anne, just 20, was left stunned.
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A Beautiful Tribute to a Wonderful Man
- By Becky on 04-12-20
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The Twilight Zone Companion, 2nd Edition
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Performance
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The Twilight Zone Companion is the complete show-by-show guide to one of television's greatest series. Zicree's well-written account is fascinating listening for even the casual fan. Coverage of each episode includes a plot synopsis, Rod Serling's opening narration, behind-the-scenes stories from the original artists who created the series, and a complete list of cast and credits.
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A Fave-- Glad It's Finally On Audio...
- By Cully Hamner on 11-17-09
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Elegy
- The Twilight Zone Radio Dramas
- By: Charles Beaumont
- Narrated by: Stacy Keach, Blair Underwood
- Length: 47 mins
- Original Recording
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Three astronauts land on a remote asteroid where everyone is frozen in place in the midst of their activities. The only one that moves reveals himself as the caretaker who explains that they are in an exclusive cemetery where the deads' greatest wishes can come true.
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Don't read the Publisher's Summary!
- By Mike T. on 08-14-15
By: Charles Beaumont
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The Zero Hour, Program One
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- Narrated by: Richard Crenna, Julie Adams, Keenan Wynn
- Length: 1 hr and 47 mins
- Original Recording
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Overall
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Performance
-
Story
"Rest your eyes, and listen here....I'm Rod Serling, and this is The Zero Hour." From 1972 to 1974, The Zero Hour brought potent thrillers to the radio waves, edge-of-your-seat original radio dramas from best-selling mystery novels, featuring stars from radio's Golden Age and popular television personalities. Rest your eyes and experience a provocative episode from this legendary radio program.
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Great Fun
- By Linda A. on 03-06-04
By: Rod Serling
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I Am the Night - Color Me Black
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- By: Rod Serling
- Narrated by: Stacy Keach, John Ratzenberger
- Length: 39 mins
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Jagger is a man who is to be hanged after being wrongfully convicted of killing a bigot in self defense. On the day of his execution, the sun does not rise in the morning. There is also still some dispute as to whether or not Jagger is guilty. However, Jagger is hanged anyway, much to the delight of the town. The town Reverend steps in and says that the sky is black because of all the hatred in the world, namely the hatred surrounding Jagger's execution.
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Great episode, BUT DON'T READ THE SUMMARY!
- By Mike T. on 05-09-17
By: Rod Serling
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This Time Together
- Laughter and Reflection
- By: Carol Burnett
- Narrated by: Carol Burnett
- Length: 5 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
This touching and hilarious memoir is 100 percent Carol Burnett—funny, irreverent, and irresistible.Carol Burnett is one of the most beloved and revered actresses and performers in America. The Carol Burnett Show was seen each week by millions of adoring fans and won twenty-five Emmys in its remarkable eleven-year run.
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Do not listen while driving
- By Robin on 08-12-10
By: Carol Burnett
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As I Knew Him
- My Dad, Rod Serling
- By: Anne Serling
- Narrated by: Anne Serling
- Length: 8 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
To Anne Serling, the imposing figure the public saw hosting The Twilight Zone each week, intoning cautionary observations about fate, chance, and humanity, was not the father she knew. Her fun-loving dad would play on the floor with the dogs, had nicknames for everyone in the family, and was apt to put a lampshade on his head and break out in song. He was her best friend, her playmate, and her confidant. After his unexpected death at 50, Anne, just 20, was left stunned.
-
-
A Beautiful Tribute to a Wonderful Man
- By Becky on 04-12-20
By: Anne Serling
-
The Twilight Zone Companion, 2nd Edition
- By: Marc Scott Zicree
- Narrated by: Tom Weiner
- Length: 16 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Twilight Zone Companion is the complete show-by-show guide to one of television's greatest series. Zicree's well-written account is fascinating listening for even the casual fan. Coverage of each episode includes a plot synopsis, Rod Serling's opening narration, behind-the-scenes stories from the original artists who created the series, and a complete list of cast and credits.
-
-
A Fave-- Glad It's Finally On Audio...
- By Cully Hamner on 11-17-09
-
Elegy
- The Twilight Zone Radio Dramas
- By: Charles Beaumont
- Narrated by: Stacy Keach, Blair Underwood
- Length: 47 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Three astronauts land on a remote asteroid where everyone is frozen in place in the midst of their activities. The only one that moves reveals himself as the caretaker who explains that they are in an exclusive cemetery where the deads' greatest wishes can come true.
-
-
Don't read the Publisher's Summary!
- By Mike T. on 08-14-15
By: Charles Beaumont
-
The Zero Hour, Program One
- The Desperate Witness
- By: Rod Serling
- Narrated by: Richard Crenna, Julie Adams, Keenan Wynn
- Length: 1 hr and 47 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
"Rest your eyes, and listen here....I'm Rod Serling, and this is The Zero Hour." From 1972 to 1974, The Zero Hour brought potent thrillers to the radio waves, edge-of-your-seat original radio dramas from best-selling mystery novels, featuring stars from radio's Golden Age and popular television personalities. Rest your eyes and experience a provocative episode from this legendary radio program.
-
-
Great Fun
- By Linda A. on 03-06-04
By: Rod Serling
-
I Am the Night - Color Me Black
- The Twilight Zone Radio Dramas
- By: Rod Serling
- Narrated by: Stacy Keach, John Ratzenberger
- Length: 39 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jagger is a man who is to be hanged after being wrongfully convicted of killing a bigot in self defense. On the day of his execution, the sun does not rise in the morning. There is also still some dispute as to whether or not Jagger is guilty. However, Jagger is hanged anyway, much to the delight of the town. The town Reverend steps in and says that the sky is black because of all the hatred in the world, namely the hatred surrounding Jagger's execution.
-
-
Great episode, BUT DON'T READ THE SUMMARY!
- By Mike T. on 05-09-17
By: Rod Serling
-
This Time Together
- Laughter and Reflection
- By: Carol Burnett
- Narrated by: Carol Burnett
- Length: 5 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This touching and hilarious memoir is 100 percent Carol Burnett—funny, irreverent, and irresistible.Carol Burnett is one of the most beloved and revered actresses and performers in America. The Carol Burnett Show was seen each week by millions of adoring fans and won twenty-five Emmys in its remarkable eleven-year run.
-
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Do not listen while driving
- By Robin on 08-12-10
By: Carol Burnett
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Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up
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- Length: 37 mins
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Overall
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Performance
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Following a frantic phone call about a crashed spaceship, two policeman try to determine who among the passengers of a bus at a snowed-in roadside diner is from another world.
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good story and performance, doesn't feel too dated
- By Calliope on 01-14-15
By: Rod Serling
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The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man
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In 1986, Paul Newman and his closest friend, screenwriter Stewart Stern, began an extraordinary project. Stuart was to compile an oral history, to have Newman’s family and friends and those who worked closely with him, talk about the actor’s life. And then Newman would work with Stewart and give his side of the story. The only stipulation was that anyone who spoke on the record had to be completely honest. The result is The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man—revelatory and introspective, personal and analytical, loving and tender in places, always complex and profound.
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A lot of navel gazing, and yet….
- By Ben on 10-24-22
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The Midnight Sun
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Overall
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Performance
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The Earth's orbit has suddenly changed, drawing ever closer to the Sun, promising eminent destruction ... or has it?
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good
- By Anonymous User on 05-03-24
By: Rod Serling
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The Obsolete Man
- The Twilight Zone Radio Dramas
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- Original Recording
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
In a future state where religion and books have been banned, a librarian is judged obsolete by the Chancellor and sentenced to the execution of his choice.
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Good
- By Anonymous User on 11-19-21
By: Rod Serling
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The Zero Hour, Program Two
- Face of the Foe
- By: Rod Serling
- Narrated by: Jessica Walter, Judy Carne
- Length: 1 hr and 46 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
"Rest your eyes, and listen here....I'm Rod Serling, and this is The Zero Hour." From 1972 to 1974, The Zero Hour brought potent thrillers to the radio waves, edge-of-your-seat original radio dramas from best-selling mystery novels, featuring stars from radio's Golden Age and popular television personalities. Rest your eyes and experience a provocative episode from this legendary radio program.
-
-
Great listen during a long car ride.
- By Amazon Customer on 08-21-16
By: Rod Serling
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Leonard
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Shatner brings to life an amazing tale about a talented, hardworking man!
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The residents of a quiet street suspect an alien invasion is imminent - and that one of their own is a monster leading the attack.
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Read the fine print.
- By buyer2024 on 12-15-18
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Excellent filmography of a successful career
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A great biography of a great man
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Worth a listen, but only as a postscript to Curtis
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What listeners say about American Legends: The Life of Rod Serling
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
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Performance
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- Max
- 06-30-20
Memory Lane revisited
I was a teenager in the early 60's and thrived on Serling's work. I remember the excitement at age 18 of meeting a woman who had been a classmate of his, and her description of the writer's creative genius. This audio book has inspired me, now age 72, to purchase the DVD collection of Twilight Zone stories and relive that creative genius. Thank you, Audible!
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