“A 16mm Double Feature Tribute to Rod Serling & James Earl Jones: TWiLiGHT ZONE Pilot + THE MAN (1972)” October 11, 2024
Friday, October 11 – MOViES FOR MANiACS presents
A 16mm Double Bill Tribute to Rod Serling & James Earl Jones (R.i.P.)
Hosted by Jesse Hawthorne Ficks
Come celebrate James Earl Jones (R.i.P.) & Rod Serling, the creator of the greatest science fiction TV series of all time: The Twilight Zone. The first episode changed the face of television forever, premiering in October of 1959. Over the past 65 years, Serling’s eerie, elaborate and existential writing has inspired countless writers and filmmakers such as Stephen King, David Lynch, Jordan Peele and David Cronenberg. The Twilight Zone also laid the groundwork for TV shows as Black Mirror, The X-Files and Game of Thrones. Brace yourself for some pretty special prizes and special treats.
Twilight Zone - Episode One: Where Is Everybody? 7:00 pm
Released in 1959, Rated NR, 30 minutes long
Directed by Robert Stevens Written by Rod Serling Cinematography by Joseph La Shelle Containing Earl Holliman, James Gregory, Garry Walberg
We begin with an extremely rare 16mm “network” print of the very first episode of THE TWiLiGHT ZONE entitled “Where is Everybody?”. Airing in October of 1959, the set-up is simply “a man who finds himself walking alone on a dirt road, with no memory of who he is or how he got there.” This evening’s screening is especially exciting because “a network 16mm print” means it will be complete with the original TV commercials still inserted in the show and is not available anywhere else.
The Man 8:00 pm
Released in 1972, Rated PG, 93 minutes long
Directed by Joseph Sargent Written by Rod Serling Cinematography by Edward Rosson Containing James Earl Jones, Burgess Meredith, Barbara Rush
Our next extremely rare screening is Rod Serling’s prophetic 1970s sci-fi obscurity THE MAN (1972). Hot off the heels of his celebrated TV series, THE TWiLiGHT ZONE, Serling adapted Irving Wallace’s 1964 sci-fi novel that follows a US senator who unexpectedly becomes America’s first Black president.
Showcasing a brilliant performance by James Earl Jones, who finds himself smack-dab in the middle of a shocked White establishment, a continuing Black Power movement and global tensions with South Africa’s apartheid. This truly fascinating look at an un-United States of America, also foreshadowed the real-world elevation of vice president Gerald Ford to the presidency by just two-years.
Add to that chilling performances by Burgess Meredith, Martin Balsam, Barbara Rush & Janet MacLachlan as well as spotlighting a forgotten musical score by Jerry Goldsmith, this made-for-TV, yet released theatrically treat, has never been released on any home media format (VHS, betamax, laserdisc, DVD, Blu-Ray, 4K). Directed by Joseph Sargent (THE TAKiNG OF PELHAM ONE TWO THREE), this extremely rare 16mm screening will be the first time it has played in the Bay Area theater in more than 50-years. Running Time: 93 minutes. Screening courtesy of Paramount Pictures.
