In preparation of watching a couple of Rod Serling's TV films on the internet, I thought I'd rewatch this "American Masters" episode on his life and career, especially of the show he is most famous for. Presented entirely in black-and-white, Lee Grant narrates the first and last segments while other passages taken from Serling quotes and writings are spoken by Mitch Greenberg in an uncanny impersonation of Rod. We also get photos of him at home, in Hollywood, in New York, as a paratrooper during World War II, and near the end of his life when he looks aged and maybe a little tired. Well chosen scenes of the show itself provide astute commentary on Serling's philosophy and attitude and show what a brilliant writer he really was. We also get scenes of his earlier TV successes, "Patterns" and "Requieum for the Heavyweight". Various actors, directors, producers, and other writers who worked on Serling's shows provide their own commentary on Rod and Mike Wallace gives his take on his interview with him just before "The Twilight Zone" premiered. The most poignant ones, however, come from widow Carol and his two daughters as well as surviving brother Robert. So if you're interested in a good documentary on the life and career of this vastly talented man, "Rod Serling: Submitted for Your Approval" is a fine place to start. P.S. I got a kick out of seeing clips of Serling's teleplay "The Velvet Alley" that featured future Odd Couple stars: original Broadway Felix Unger, Art Carney, talking to TV's Oscar Madison, Jack Klugman.
