“Eye of the Beholder” A Meaningful Masterpiece from “The Twilight Zone”

Paul McComas will speak on the topic, “Eye of the Beholder”: A Meaningful Masterpiece from “The Twilight Zone.”  For McComas (last November’s “Hero’s Journey” program presenter), this 1960 episode is “as good as it gets” –“it” being not just The Twilight Zone, but TV itself.  Series creator Rod Serling’s deft script; powerful ensemble acting (led by a masterful Maxine Stuart); evocative music by frequent Hitchcock composer Bernard Herrmann; and inventive directing by Douglas Heyes all combine to deliver a poignant story and, ultimately, shocking message about the dangers of superficiality, segregation, and enforced conformity. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” yes—but by any beholder’s account, this is Classic TV in every sense.  Paul’s will give his analysis and a lively discussion will follow.

For those who would like to view the segment beforehand, there will be a showing via Zoom by Lake Shore at 9:30.  Just join at that time on the regular Zoom link and watch the show, which lasts 25 minutes.  There will be a short break. The service will start as usual at 10:30.

Paul McComas, media scholar, is also the author of five and editor of two critically acclaimed books of fiction, with a sixth—plus his first nonfiction volume: a scholarly film book for an academic press—under contract.  Paul earned an M.A. in Film at Northwestern, since which his scripts and shorts have won international (Talking Pictures Fest) and national (AFI) prizes.  He is also a musician-songwriter and recording artist on Chicago Acoustic Underground’s CAUDog Records.  He serves on the National Leadership Council of the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) and has taught creative writing at the University of Chicago and media studies/film/classic-TV, literature, and writing at Northwestern and National Louis universities and elsewhere.