cover image Outer Limits

Outer Limits

David J. Schow, D. Schow, J. Frentzen. Ace Books, $8.95 (406pp) ISBN 978-0-441-37081-8

Cancelled after a season and a half in 1965, The Outer Limits has remained in syndication ever since, gathering a devoted following. Writers and producers Leslie Stevens and Joseph Stefano created a series more literate, more visually inventive and, on the whole, more baroque and bizarre than almost anything else previously seen on TV. Now after years of interviews, screenings and research, including access to the production company's files, Schow and Frentzen discuss such behind-the-scenes matters as script changes under the pressure of censors, budgets and the network demand for a monster in every episode. A fan's book that is lacking perspective and ploddingly written, this is nevertheless an invaluable sourcebook on one of the bestand weirdestshows in TV history. (December)