Visionary Rod Serling wrote more Twilight Zone episodes than any other talented writer working on his busy TV production staff. Incredibly, Serling crafted 92 TZ scripts in all. If there is ever a show nurtured with the bold, creative stamp of its creator, it’s The Twilight Zone. His Emmy Award winning television show became legendary and it’s never quite left our collective consciousness. A new version of TZ is now being produced on the streamer, Paramount +.
The incomparable black and white (mesmerizing film noir like) filmed classic version is still one of the most memorable television shows ever and it remains an all time favorite of mine. Epic stories of alien abduction, psychic insight, chilling horror, intergalactic starships, time travel, artificial intelligence, supernatural phenomenon, inter-dimensional travel - now common today - shocked and enthralled loyal viewers.
Twilight Zone actors alone impress as a who’s who of Hollywood’s finest, including, Jack Klugman, Carol Burnett, Robert Redford, Martin Landau, William Shatner, Mickey Rooney, Robert Duvall, Elizabeth Montgomery and Charles Bronson - to name a few - with some turning in their first major onscreen role.
The Midnight Sun spins a terrifying tale where our Earth moves ever closer to the sun. Soon, our fragile reality will boil over and burn up into a flaming cinder. Things are beyond bleak. However, if you’re a well versed Twilight Zone fan, you know every finale provides a twist to make things all the more bizarre. Submitted for your approval, indeed.
What’s the harsh reality for all of us these steamy days? Earth’s inhabitants sorely need to beat the heat. Temperatures are rising around the planet. Heat waves seem to be more common and oppressive than ever before. Did Rod Serling cannily predict the coming of global climate change by penning The Midnight Sun? Most importantly of all perhaps, what are you doing to keep your slice of life cool?
If you’ve never seen this jarring episode, it’s about time you gave it a good watch or proper re watch. The writing and acting are so dynamic you could imagine it as material basis for a feature film or even a long form series. C’mon my dedicated Zoners. Let’s talk about surviving a nightmare world of inescapable heat and the certain steam room doom of getting ever hotter.
'The Midnight Sun' - Twilight Zone's Heat Wave Episode