Twilight Zone Marathon
January 23, 2025, 11 AM – 11 PM, J Wayne Reitz Union Atrium
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Rod Serling (1924–1975), a key figure of The Golden Age of Television and the creator of The Twilight Zone (1959–1964), The George A. Smathers Libraries, in collaboration with the UF Department of English, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Science Fiction Working Group, and the J. Wayne Reitz Union, invite you to a marathon screening of 24 episodes of the original Twilight Zone, 11 AM to 11 PM, January 23, in the Reitz Union Atrium. The Marathon, curated and introduced by UF Associate Professor of English Terry Harpold, is free, family-friendly, and open to everyone. (A few episodes may be too intense for young children. Parental discretion is advised.)
Over its five seasons the series redefined the anthology drama format, combining fantastic elements with nuanced social commentary in a way that had never been tried before at this scale or with this level of artistry. Responsible for most of the series’ scripts – 92 of 156 episodes – Serling worked closely with many of the most talented TV fantasy writers, directors, cinematographers, producers, and actors of the period.
The Twilight Zone has endured in public consciousness like no other anthology series, arguably like no other series in any genre. Print spin-offs – short stories by Serling and others based on the original episodes, comics, novelizations, a long-running monthly magazine – were published during and after the series’ run. It remains a staple of late-night TV. Snippets of dialogue and images from the series permeate American culture. The opening four-note phrase of Marius Constant’s theme for the show is among the most recognized musical sequences of our time.
In addition to the Marathon, Smathers Library West is hosting a curated collection of books by and about Serling, plus DVDs of the complete Twilight Zone and Night Gallery television series and other teleplays and films written by Serling.
For more information about the curated collection and the January 23 Marathon, see “Serling @ 100: The Life & Legacy of Rod Serling (1924–1975).”