Maddyclassicfilms
One Step Beyond is an anthology series which aired between 1959 and 1961. The series focused on spooky and unexplainable events just like The Twilight Zone. Unlike the Twilight Zone though the episodes in this series were based on real documented events that couldn't be explained. That gives this series an edge because these events actually happened.Each episode was introduced by series host John Newland, he comes across as very formal and I think that adds something to the series because he's treating it very seriously and that also makes you remember that these episodes are based on real events.Many of the episodes are really creepy such as The Devil's Laughter, and The Clown. The others really make you think about what you've been watching and make you realise that often the truth can be stranger than fiction.
John T. Ryan
THERE HAS ALWAYS been a need to be scared. Whether it was the telling of ghost stories around the old campfire, reading poems or stories by Edgar Allen Poe, listening to an old time LIGHTS OUT Radio Show or screening Todd Browning's Dracula with Bela Lugosi; the result is all the same. We get scared, if just a tad.SO TOO, TELEVISION has had its share of chiller thrillers. We still see reruns of THE TWILIGHT ZONE daily, here in Chicago. Other than that, we had THE OUTER LIMITS, THRILLER, ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS and Rod Serling's second entry in the category, NIGHT GALLERY.SO, AS WE just discovered, ONE STEP BEYOND lasted a full three seasons. Series host/guide/narrator, John Newland, also Directed the episodes; being all 90 half hours. That would make Mr. Newland a most prolific Director.BEING THE LATE 1950's to early '60's, there was a much stronger link and identification with sponsors. Hence, during ONE STEP BEYOND's three year run on ABC TV Network, the series was always called by the name : ALCOA PRESENTS: ONE STEP BEYOND.NO REVIEW OF this series would be complete without the music. Written by Harry Lubin and Edited by Gilbert D. Marchant, it was haunting, highly memorable and thoroughly appropriate for the series. Whether it be the theme or any of the incidental, it was as responsible for the show's success as anything else.
Mogul Cast
A great little TV series starting off the thriller TV genre leading to other greats such as the Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits. The main difference is this show stated each episode was based on 'facts'.It is clear there is a difference of opinion as to the merits of The Twilight Zone and One Step Beyond, but I don't agree that difference keeps one from being a true television fan or historian. There are going to be die hard fans of any show for many different reasons and I would see it as a stretch to take any difference as rising to the value of someone not being able to see past the nose on his or her face. As I see it, anyone might have a vast knowledge of television heritage, digested both shows and just feels a bit different than someone else might.Each show had a different premise; one stating it is based on fact and the other a made up story. If one did a little research on the 'facts' of each OSB episode, one might find it hard to find the scientific and government reports behind each episode. One might even feel a few gimmicks were thrown in to make the show more interesting.Going against the grain with one review on this one, I don't see being a television historian, former business owner in classic TV video sales and a Professor of Media Arts, rises ones take on the shows to necessarily being worth more than that of anyone else.This type of TV programing was new ground at the time and part of OSBs mission had to have been to just make sure it stayed on the air to be viewed again the following week. I might add that with any enjoyable discussion, there is never "Enough said!" However, after watching both TV programs you might agree that OSB is the truly better show to watch and rate as the clear supernatural TV champ.
lonelycozy
Anyone who has ever had a chance to see any of the original episodes of One Step Beyond has truly experienced great television, the way it should be even today in our so called "state of the art" world.It really doesn't take a whole lot to make a great, convincing program. The mood and music and stories behind each episode is disturbing even now. My hubby found a 2 CD box set of the series that only cost us $5.00! But what great episodes they are. I would really like to own all of the series, if they are still available.Once again, One Step Beyond was real television. Forget about the new reality shows of today. I'll gladly take one step beyond back to the way real great t.v. shows were meant to be.