How do you describe the distinctive character of the landmark television series, The Twilight Zone (1959-1964)? Well, it has everything to do with its unique literary quality. And how to best speak to that? Charles Beaumont (1929-1967), one of its celebrated writers, is a perfect example. Let’s look at a new collection of his work, published by Penguin Classics, “Perchance to Dream: Selected Stories by Charles Beaumont.”
What a treat this book is for any Twilight Zone fan since here you have some of the original stories by Beaumont that went on to become classic episodes. And you also get them in the context of his work for various magazines of the era, a total of 23 stories in this collection. Consider the title piece, “Perchance to Dream,” first published in Playboy, October 1958, and then turned into a TZ script and broadcast November 27, 1959. A distraught man enters a psychiatrist’s office in fear that he will die if he falls asleep. He is certain this will happen since he sees things that tell him so. For instance, if he stares long enough at a painting, the figures will move around and talk to him. Here, perhaps Beaumont borrows a little from “The Golgotha Dancers,” by Manly Wade Wellman, first published in Weird Tales, October 1937. It’s just enough to fuel another strain in the tradition of weird fiction dating back to Gothic literature. In this case, we have a man in a contemporary setting who has been reduced to a quivering heap as his only solace, to dream, has been denied him.
Rod Serling was a writer on the rise, already with a reputation for first-rate work like “Requiem for a Heavyweight,” when he decided to try something new. It was to be an anthology series of science fiction and fantasy, the best possible route for him to continue to pursue his social commentary. When Serling approached Ray Bradbury for advice, Bradbury presented him with four books by authors he should know: Ray Bradbury, John Collier, Richard Matheson, and Charles Beaumont. Dark fantasy is what Serling was seeking. Beaumont seemed to be dark fantasy incarnate. He was a brash young aspiring writer when Bradbury took him under his wing. In a year’s time, Beaumont was well on his way. In 1950, at 21, he sold his first story to Amazing Stories. And, in 1954, Playboy magazine selected his story “Black Country” to be the first work of short fiction to appear in its pages. His astonishing trajectory would end by a mysterious condition that would cut his life short, at 38, in 1967. A fascinating documentary by Jason V Brock provides great insight into this unique life and career.
Browsing through the titles, you’ll find a wealth of creativity spanning many genres, all of them embracing a sense of the macabre. The opening lines to “The New People” (1958) lure you in with the misgivings of Hank Prentice over buying his first home, that embodiment of the American Dream. Instinctively, he fears for his wife and son: “Too late for what? It’s a good house, well built, well kept up, roomy. Except for that blood stain, cheerful.” And so commences a fine piece of horror with a fine bite of social commentary. Conformity has brought each member of the neighborhood together. However, in order to cope with and stave off boredom, we discover this group gives new, and bloody, meaning to the quaint notion of “community.” In the same spirt as Richard Matheson, Beaumont conjures up a fable that questions our so-called dreams and aspirations.
Charles Beaumont’s work has a distinctive style and it is far from formulaic. What he did was follow a certain way of revealing a greater truth. Beaumont confronted that clean wall of 1950s conformity. He looked closer to see the stress cracks forming. He responded with fiction that helped to tear that wall down.
“Perchance to Dream: Selected Stories by Charles Beaumont” is published by Penguin Classics. For more details, visit our friends at Penguin Random House right here.
Beaumont did some of my most favorite TTZs. A truly great mind – “dark fantasy incarnate” is right.. 😀
What an intense and joyful man he must have been! Judging by what his fellow writers had to say, he was the life of the party before his health started to fail.
I think that I’ve got this book, but I’m not sure where I’ve left it. Still, it is so that a lot of what makes The Twilight Zone the memorable show it is is Beaumont’s voice.
The Twilight Zone is quite a multi-layered thing. And Charles Beaumont is a vital part of it!
Beaumont, as well as Serling, was so ahead of his time. I need to find this and check it out. TZ is my favorite TV show ever and CB had so much to do with that. The Howling Man is my all time fave ep, too. I have never seen that illustration before. Very cool! This was a great post, Henry!
Ah, a Beaumont fan! I know they’re out there. The Twilight Zone is certainly worthy of all the interest in it. A case of something with so many factors working in its favor. The illustration is mine, part of a book I’m working on. More details to come in 2016. The first installment of George’s Run, showcased here, is part of it.
Awesome! Very nice. Looking forward to more info and details. Best of luck with the project. Please keep us posted, Henry! Really like the illustration 🙂
Will do! I really appreciate your kind words.
For anyone who likes TZ they should read Sands of Time a collection of thought provoking stories.
By Beatrice C Snipp
An incarnation of TZ
I see this book just came out. Looks interesting!
I especially like the story about trousers that could make you a millionaire
Larry, I’m sorry but I don’t seem to recollect that one. Which story was that?
He buys a pair of trousers and every time he puts his hand in the pocket he pulls money out.
The police and the Bank of England get involved.
My wife likes the one of the blind man who can smell the future.
Stay safe in these worrying times
Larry