I’m planning on doing a series of posts that put the spotlight on the screenwriters. They, usually, deserve most of the credit for how good a movie/TV show turns out. Yet, they are mostly unknown except some rare cases.
We’ll start off the series with a pretty much unknown writer, Charles Beaumont. His credits include the 7 Faces of Dr. Lao and a ton of great Twilight Zone episodes.
I just saw his Twilight Zone episode, “Person or Persons Unknown,” last night. It was among the best of the series. It has a unique “what if” start. Then the story progress and it ends with a cool (but kind of predictable) twist.
In addition to the episode I saw yesterday, Mr. Beaumont had written several episodes that struck me as good to great writing. Each time, I would see his name at the beginning and be a little disappointed that it wasn’t a Rod Serling written episode. Then after the episode played, I’d realize that it was actually really good. His solid writing in the series turn me into a fan.
Today, I decided to see what else Mr. Beaumont had done. It turns out that in his short life (he only lived to 38 years old due to a brain disease), he wrote mostly for the Twilight Zone, but also did the underrated adaptation, 7 Faces of Dr. Lao.
If you get the chance, take a look at some of Beaumont’s work. If you are at all interested in Spec-Fic, you will be greatly pleased with what you find.
December 7, 2007 at 12:43 pm |
Oh! I didn’t know he did 7 Faces of Dr. Lao, but now that I think about it the movie does remind me a lot of Twilight Zone writing. We should check out the stuff he wrote for Hitchcock sometime. Maybe it’s on Netflix Watch It Instantly.
December 7, 2007 at 1:07 pm |
I was also thinking about checking out one of his short story collections (see the Wikipedia entry).
Of course, before I can read that, I’d have to finish Dexter, read Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs, and read the other Tim Dorsey book dad gave me.
Makes me think I should spend more time reading than I have been. Maybe cut down on wasted TV time.
December 7, 2007 at 3:03 pm |
Charles Beaumont? Dude, are you a fifty year old man? Twilight Zone and 7 Faces of Dr. Lau? What decade is this?
December 7, 2007 at 3:23 pm |
I went obscure for the first one. I’m going to hit some of the better known writers in future posts. The point is to get some people to notice the talents of the writers.
If you get the chance check out some of Beaumont’s work. You won’t be disappointed.
December 7, 2007 at 3:27 pm |
This isn’t one of those things where you say check it out, but then it is only something that you and Patti enjoy is it? Like some other Narettas who recommended League of Gentlemen.
December 7, 2007 at 3:48 pm |
Dude, everyone likes Twilight Zone. Mr. Beaumont’s are near the top of the heap of Twilight Zone episodes.
Of course, it could just be my tastes. As I said, you have to be into the spec-fic. If you dig that stuff, then it is worth watching.
It’s pretty interesting how many episodes of T.Z. I haven’t seen.
Anyway, just set the DVR to tape an episode of T.Z. (you can view the Beaumont ones/schedule on the IMDB link). At worst you lose a half hour. At best, you are entertained.
It’s a low risk, high reward situation.
December 7, 2007 at 3:52 pm |
when the hell is twilight zone even on? And what channel?
December 7, 2007 at 4:02 pm |
Sci-Fi channel. It comes on at weird times in the A.M. Like maybe 4 AM or something.