Science Fiction Theatre: Television Program

From 1955 to 1957, Science Fiction Theatre, a semi-documentary series, explored the "what ifs" of modern science. Placing an emphasis on science before fiction, television viewers were treated to a variety of complex challenges from mental telepathy, robots, man-eating ants, killer trees, man's first flight into outer space and the possibility of visitation from outer space. Hosted by Truman Bradley, a former radio news commentator, Science Fiction Theatre became an influential program for the time, courtesy of Ivan Tors, a man with a healthy regard for science and nature. 

Hollywood actors Gene Barry, Ruth Hussey, Gene Lockhart, Basil Rathbone, Howard Duff, William Lundigan and Vincent Price are but a few who lent their talents. This 530-page book documents the entire history of the television program with biographies about Fred Ziv, Ivan Tors and Truman Bradley; behind-the-scenes production details; and an episode guide for all 78 episodes including dates of production, fake science props, cast list, salary fees, location shooting, and much more!

I am not exaggerating about the details. The talent fees for every actor who appeared on the series is provided. The dates of production, location shooting, behind-the-scenes trivia, original story treatments and plot proposals that later became actual shooting scripts, and much more. The photographs are magnificent. All behind-the-scenes photos reveal the inner workings of the series and this is the cream and sugar on a meats and potatoes book. Grams continues to set the standard of how books on retro television should be written and published.

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Barbara Payton: Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye

Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye: The Barbara Payton Story is the heartbreaking saga of the wild and free-spirited actress who hit Hollywood in the late 1940s, equipped with little more than a suitcase full of dreams, a ravenous hunger for fame and a devastating beauty---only to see each one of her dreams destroyed by a disastrous private life that led her straight through the gates of Hell. Gutsy, vulnerable--and doomed--Barbara Payton blazed across the motion picture stratosphere in record-time, only to collapse in a catastrophic free-fall from which she would never recover.

Payton first gained notice in the 1949 film noir, Trapped, co-starring Lloyd Bridges. In 1950, she was given the opportunity to make a screen test for John Huston's production of the forthcoming MGM crime drama The Asphalt Jungle. She wasn't chosen and the part of the sultry mistress of a mob connected lawyer went to Marilyn Monroe.

After being screen-tested by James Cagney and his producer brother William, Payton starred with Cagney in the violent noir thriller Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye in 1950. William Cagney was so smitten with Payton's sensual appeal and beauty that her contract was drawn as a joint agreement between William Cagney Productions and Warner Brothers who together saw fit to bestow on Payton a salary of $5,000 a week; a large sum for an actress yet to demonstrate star power at the box-office.

Rumor has it that Hollywood is in the process of making a big screen bio pic about Barbara Payton with Scarlet Johanssen in the lead. I hope it works out. I never heard of Barbara Payton until I got this book and read it (took me four days to read). 470 pages thick and small print. And I enjoyed every bit of this book. The author, John O'Dowd, should be commended for his hard work because it shows. Archival photos from USC, UCLA, the Library of Congress and many others were consulted and they are reprinted with glorious quality. Another winner from Bear Manor Media.

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Boris Karloff: The Man Remembered

Since his death in 1969, Boris Karloff remains one of Hollywood’s most famous figures. He is still revered for his talent, his many qualities that earned him admiration and respect, and, of course, his landmark role as the Monster in the 1931 movie classic Frankenstein.This biography, the result of many years of interviews and extensive research, examines Karloff the person, as well as the actor. His work (which lasted more than half a century) in films, radio, television, and the theater is covered in detail, highlighted with accounts by many who knew him and worked with him. Among the contributors are Robert Anderson, Peter Bogdanovich, Ray Bradbury, Julie Harris, Tony Randall, Ronald Reagan, Eli Wallach, and Jonathan Winters. With the support of the Karloff family, Gordon Shriver pays tribute to this much-loved performer who will never be forgotten.

Gord Shriver wrote a facinating look at Boris Karloff and is perhaps the most obscure of the Karloff books out there. This is a result of a small press that doesn't market the book very well. Every Karloff historian who thinks they have every Karloff book ever printed might be surprised to discover they don't have this one. The book is loaded with interviews with cast and crew who worked with Karloff, offering a perspective most books don't offer. A great read and not dry with facts like an encyclopedia. A great read.

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American Old-Time Radio Networks

This book is a history of commercial broadcast radio networks in the United States from the 1920s to the present. It covers the four transcontinental webs that operated during the pre-television Golden Age, plus local and regional hookups, and the developments that have occurred in the decades since, including the impact of television, rise of the disc jockey, the rise of talk radio and other specialized formats, implications of satellite technology and consolidation of networks and local stations.

I am not a fan of the history of old-time radio, but I enjoy listening to the shows. This book is not centered on any specific genre or radio program. It covers all the larger and independent radio chains such as the Texas State Network, the Don Lee Broadcasting System and the Liberty Broadcasting System, among others. Lengthy chapters on ABC, Mutual, CBS and NBC are included. A chapter about the FCC and their earliest efforts at censorship are included. The best part was on page 191 that documents (briefly) Ed Wynn's Amalgamated Broadcasting System.

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