In Memoriam: Harlan Ellison
Prolific American writer Harlan Ellison died at the age of 84 on June 28, 2018. He is known for his influential work in speculative fiction, and for his outspoken, combative personality. His published works include over 1,700 short stories, novellas, screenplays, comic book scripts, teleplays, essays, and a wide range of criticism covering literature, film, television, and print media. Ellison won numerous awards including multiple Hugos, Nebulas, and Edgars.
Which of Harlan Ellison’s teleplays do you most associate with him? If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Ellison’s works, which television episode would you most wish to see?
After voting, please share your thoughts regarding Harlan Ellison.
Which of Harlan Ellison’s teleplays do you most associate with him? If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Ellison’s works, which television episode would you most wish to see?
After voting, please share your thoughts regarding Harlan Ellison.
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- DirectorLeon BensonStarsLarry PennellKen CurtisDenver PyleAfter a recent health scare, Nobel-Prize-winning author and former Korean War correspondent Aaron Sparks asks his friends and comrades-in-arms Ted and Jim to teach him how to skydive, for research for a new novel. But is that the real reason for his interest in this dangerous sport?Ripcord: Where Do Elephants Go to Die? - After a recent health scare, Nobel-Prize-winning author and former Korean War correspondent Aaron Sparks asks his friends and comrades-in-arms Ted and Jim to teach him how to skydive, for research for a new novel. But is that the real reason for his interest in this dangerous sport?
- DirectorDon WeisStarsGene BarryGary ConwayRegis ToomeyThe publisher of a girlie magazine is murdered at one of his own key clubs.Burke's Law: Who Killed Alex Debbs? - The publisher of a girlie magazine is murdered at one of his own key clubs.
- DirectorWalter GraumanStarsGene BarryGary ConwayRegis ToomeyPrior to her apparent murder, a practicing witch sends Amos a message predicting her murder with a list of five suspects from the occult arts.Burke's Law: Who Killed Purity Mather? - Prior to her apparent murder, a practicing witch sends Amos a message predicting her murder with a list of five suspects from the occult arts.
- DirectorDon TaylorStarsGene BarryGary ConwayRegis ToomeyPop artist Andy Zygmunt is fatally impaled on the spikes of one of his creations. The discovery that he blackmailed people into buying his works provides a motive and five suspects: his last four customers and the possessor of a missing fifth work.Burke's Law: Who Killed Andy Zygmunt? - Pop artist Andy Zygmunt is fatally impaled on the spikes of one of his creations. The discovery that he blackmailed people into buying his works provides a motive and five suspects: his last four customers and the possessor of a missing fifth work.
- DirectorDon WeisStarsGene BarryGary ConwayRegis ToomeyThe unpleasant Benjamin Glory, one half of the ownership of the Glory Lee fashion house, is found dead in an elevator after it crashes. But he was dead before he ever entered it, killed by "a sharp and blunt instrument".Burke's Law: Who Killed 1/2 of Glory Lee? - The unpleasant Benjamin Glory, one half of the ownership of the Glory Lee fashion house, is found dead in an elevator after it crashes. But he was dead before he ever entered it, killed by "a sharp and blunt instrument".
- DirectorGerd OswaldStarsLloyd NolanMichael AnsaraTim O'ConnorA crossfire of energies accidentally sends two warring soldiers from the 38th Century into the distant past of 1964.The Outer Limits: Soldier - A soldier from the far future is accidentally teleported back to our present. The psychiatrist assigned to examine the soldier realizes that he has been bred purely as a killing machine, but he believes he can reawaken the warrior's humanity. Meanwhile a second soldier arrives, dedicated to hunting and killing his enemy.
- 1964–196852mTV-GTV Episode7.5 (144)DirectorJames GoldstoneStarsRichard BasehartDavid HedisonDavid OpatoshuA scientist on a research facility in Antarctica discovers a new form of sea plankton that turns monstrously large and aggressive if exposed to heat. After the scientist mysteriously disappears, the Seaview is sent in to investigate.Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea: The Price of Doom - A scientist on a research facility in Antarctica discovers a new form of sea plankton that turns monstrously large and aggressive if exposed to heat. After the scientist mysteriously disappears, the Seaview is sent in to investigate.
- DirectorByron HaskinStarsRobert CulpArlene MartelAbraham SofaerContinuance of the human race against alien invaders depends on a man with an incomplete glass computer hand and no memory of his past.The Outer Limits: Demon with a Glass Hand - Days ago Trent awoke with no memory of his past. Since then, sinister men have pursued him constantly. He manages to stay one step ahead of them by following the advice of... his hand! Made of glass and apparently capable of speech, Trent's hand can answer many of his questions. But it cannot tell him who he is or why his enemies seek him until he finds all of its fingers. The only trouble is, they're in the... hands... of his enemies!
- DirectorJoseph PevneyStarsAlfred HitchcockJames CaanLynn LoringWannabee writer Jay Shaw arrives in NYC. He decides if he's going to write fiction about juvenile delinquent gangs, he'd best learn what they're really like. Using the alias Phil Beldone, he moves into a flat in a rough section of Brooklyn and seeks to join the Barons, a violent gang led by Tiger. During his gang initiation, he gains Tiger's trust and respect and begins a relationship with one of the gang's "debs". He also makes an enemy of the gang's second-in-command and risks exposure of his true identity.The Alfred Hitchcock Hour: Memo from Purgatory - The teleplay was adapted by Harlan Ellison from his autobiographical story "The Gang", which appears in his book "Memos from Purgatory". Fresh college graduate and wannabee writer Jay Shaw moves to early 1950's New York and decides that if he's going to write fiction about juvenile delinquent gangs, he'd better learn what they are really like. Becoming tough-guy Phil Beldone, he moves to a rough section of Brooklyn and seeks to join the Barons, a violent youth gang led by Tiger. During his three-step initiation into the gang, he gains Tiger's trust and respect and begins to fall in love with one of the gang's "debs". However, he makes an enemy of the gang's second-in-command, and risks exposure of his true identity.
- 1964–19681hTV-GTV Episode6.8 (98)DirectorE. Darrell HallenbeckStarsRobert VaughnDavid McCallumLeo G. CarrollSolo is attacked by a cyborg (a mostly electronic being with some human organs) while on a mission. Later, it's discovered that a Thrush front company is seeking a $1 billion loan. Eventually, Solo and Kuryakin uncover a plot to mass produce cyborgs.The Man from U.N.C.L.E.: The Sort of Do-It-Yourself Dreadful Affair - Solo is attacked by a cyborg (a mostly electronic being with some human organs) while on a mission. Later, it's discovered that a Thrush front company is seeking a $1 billion loan. Eventually, Solo and Kuryakin uncover a plot to mass produce cyborgs.
- 1964–19681hTV-GTV Episode7.1 (79)DirectorJohn BrahmStarsRobert VaughnDavid McCallumLeo G. CarrollA young woman's novel reads uncomfortably similar to UNCLE cases involving Thrush. UNCLE investigates whether the woman, who has lost her memory following an attack, may have had access to secret Thrush records.The Man from U.N.C.L.E.: The Pieces of Fate Affair - A young woman's novel reads uncomfortably similar to UNCLE cases involving Thrush. UNCLE investigates whether the woman, who has lost her memory following an attack, may have had access to secret Thrush records.
- DirectorJoseph PevneyStarsWilliam ShatnerLeonard NimoyJoan CollinsWhen a temporarily insane Dr. McCoy accidentally changes history and destroys his time, Kirk and Spock follow him to prevent the disaster, but the price to do so is high.Star Trek: The City on the Edge of Forever - When a temporarily insane Dr. McCoy accidentally changes history and destroys his time, Kirk and Spock follow him to prevent the disaster, but the price to do so is high.
- DirectorCharles R. RondeauStarsStuart WhitmanPercy HerbertRandy BooneMarshal Crown, during the course of a hauntingly foggy night, hunts for a killer who is butchering his victims. Francis tells Crown about how police in London were unable to solve a similar set of killings earlier that year -- by someone who called himself Jack the Ripper.Cimarron Strip: Knife in the Darkness - Marshal Crown, during the course of an hauntingly foggy night, hunts for a killer who is butchering his victims. Francis tells Crown about how police in London were unable to solve a similar set of killings earlier that year -- by someone who called himself Jack the Ripper.
- DirectorBruce KesslerStarsSally FieldMarge RedmondMadeleine SherwoodSister Bertrille crash lands on a remote and seemingly deserted island after the wind dies on one of her flights. Unfortunately her cornette lands in the water and is torn, and she is thus stranded at least until her cornette is repaired and is dried and starched. But she is not alone as she sees a footprint in the sand. Her island mate turns out to be Carlos Ramirez, who is also stranded on the island as his date, April Chance, pushed him off his yacht when he got too fresh with her and sailed off without him. So now it's a matter of survival for the pair. They manage to build a fire and catch fish for food. But when they go in opposite directions to find fresh water, Sister Bertrille stumbles on yet another person on the other side of the island. It's April, who accidentally sank Carlos' yacht. She too is stranded. Sister Bertrille keeps the two feuding lovers apart and unknown that the other is on the island. They all individually try to repair Sister Bertrille's cornette, while the sister tries to mend the fences between the two ex-lovers. The sister's efforts fail and eventually Carlos and April see each other on the island, and their feud begins once again. It isn't until they need to bond together to save Sister Bertrille, who has fallen into quicksand, that Carlos and April end their feud and rekindle their romance. Their efforts to repair, dry and starch (using coconut milk) the cornette are eventually successful and the sister can finally fly off the island to get help.The Flying Nun: You Can't Get There from Here - Sister Bertrille crash-lands on a remote and seemingly deserted island after the wind dies on one of her flights. Unfortunately her cornette lands in the water and is torn, and she is thus stranded at least until her cornette is repaired and is dried and starched.
- DirectorJud TaylorStarsLee J. CobbZalman KingJudy PaceAaron gets a call from a former girlfriend, who has become a heroin addict, is in jail and needs someone to bail her out. He hocks pretty much everything he has and raises the money. Everyone believes she is a lost cause, but Aaron is determined to help her get clean and turn her life around. Complications ensue.The Young Lawyers: The Whimper of Whipped Dogs - Aaron gets a call from a former girlfriend, who has become a heroin addict, is in jail and needs someone to bail her out. He hocks pretty much everything he has and raises the money. Everyone believes she is a lost cause, but Aaron is determined to help her get clean and turn her life around. Complications ensue.
- DirectorAlexander SingerStarsFrank ConverseJoan BlackmanTim McIntireA collective of six artisans find a trunk containing six colorful glass containers. Each chooses one, and soon, one by one, their art becomes more disturbing until the artist vanishes.Ghost Story: Earth, Air, Fire and Water - A collective of six artisans find a trunk containing six colorful glass containers. Each chooses one, and soon, one by one, their art becomes more disturbing until the artist vanishes.
- DirectorHarvey HartStarsKeir DulleaGay RowanRobin WardDevon tours a huge spaceship, the ark, to discover who built it and where it's taking them. In Each episode Devon meets someone and finds out a little bit more about it.The Starlost: Voyage of Discovery - Condemned to be stoned to death for heresy (daring to question the Elders), Devon escapes Cypress Corners with his love Rachel. Her betrothed, Garth, follows to bring her back. They find they're on the Earthship Ark, headed for destruction.
- DirectorMichael CaffeyStarsGregory HarrisonHeather Menzies-UrichDonald MoffatThe runners find an underground room with six survivors of the nuclear holocaust cryogenically frozen. A series of earthquakes complicate efforts to rescue the frozen humans.Logan's Run: Crypt - The runners find an underground room with six survivors of the nuclear holocaust cryogenically frozen. A series of earthquakes complicate efforts to rescue the frozen humans.
- 1985–198949mTV-PGTV Episode7.0 (526)DirectorsGilbert CatesBill NortonRobert Downey Sr.StarsAdrienne BarbeauAdam PostilMiguel A. Núñez Jr."Teacher's Aide": A teacher at a tough inner-city school is possessed by a malevolent spirit. "Paladin of the Lost Hour": An old man with a special watch bonds with a tormented veteran.The Twilight Zone: Paladin of the Lost Hour - An old man with a special watch bonds with a tormented veteran.
- 1985–1989TV-PGTV Episode6.5 (441)DirectorsBradford MayPeter MedakGus TrikonisStarsBarret OliverDarlanne FluegelFrederick LongA boy is terrified of his odd, sinister, bed-ridden grandma. / A hack with writer's block is tormented by impish hell-raising creatures that only he can see. / An understudy copes with radio director's insistence on real sound effects.The Twilight Zone: Gramma - A boy is terrified of his odd, sinister, bed-ridden grandma.
- DirectorPaul LynchStarsAnthony FranciosaWayne RobsonSusan WrightUnderworld kingpin Nino Lancaster battles an angry demon named Volkerps for the soul of unfortunate Arky Lochner.The Twilight Zone: Crazy as a Soup Sandwich - Underworld kingpin Nino Lancaster battles an angry demon named Volkerps for the soul of unfortunate Archie Lochner.
- DirectorJanet GreekStarsBruce BoxleitnerJerry DoyleMira FurlanA day in the life of Mack and Bo, two maintenance workers on Babylon 5. As the station comes under attack from an unknown race of aliens, they encounter the command staff and the ambassadors each dealing with the crisis.Babylon 5: A View from the Gallery - A day in the life of two maintenance workers on Babylon 5; as crisis arises, they encounter the command staff, and the ambassadors each dealing with the crisis.
- DirectorRichard CiupkaStarsTerence StampStephen McHattieJayne HeitmeyerWhen three celebrities suffer tragedy, a reporter discovers that they were all involved with the same woman.The Hunger: The Face of Helene Bournouw - When three celebrities suffer tragedy, a reporter discovers that they were all involved with the same woman.
- DirectorJim KaufmanStarsTerence StampPaul Anthony StewartSofia ShinasA female vampires feeds upon seduced men while visiting Paris. She meets and falls in love with an unusual vegetarian who convinces her to change her ways.The Hunger: Footsteps - A female vampire feeds upon seduced men while visiting Paris. She meets and falls in love with an unusual vegetarian who convinces her to change her ways.
- DirectorRoy Allen SmithStarsJames BlendickPaul EssiembreTara RoslingThe Surfer is the only person who can save a dying Galactus. But will he assist his former master, and can he even save him?Silver Surfer: Antibody - The Surfer is the only person who can save a dying Galactus. But will he assist his former master, and can he even save him?