RIP Joseph Stefano
Written byPosted on August 30, 2006
Filed Under Obits
Joseph Stefano, the man behind some of the great episodes of the original Outer Limits and, of course, the script for Psycho, has passed away.
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Books To Jump Up and Down Over
Beyond Heaving Bosoms by Sarah Wendell and Candy Tan. The famed writers behind Smart Bitches, Trashy Books have written a very funny and thoughtful volume about romances, both Old Skool and New Skool. Here is a book that any smug and humorless literary manboy beating his flabby passive chest over Banville or Bolano should probably read pronto, if only for the distant possibility that he might get over himself. While the Choose Your Own Adventure segment at the end caused me to have a very disturbing dream involving Shelley Long (don't ask), Sarah and Candy did have me rethinking many of my own misperceptions when I wasn't busy laughing. They're not afraid to take on the New York Times Bok Review or even the groupthink within certain sectors of the romance community.
Alice Fantastic by Maggie Estep. This wild and highly enjoyable narrative involves two sisters (presumably, the third one was still being rented out by Chekhov), a hippie ex-junkie mother who lives with seventeen dogs, a murder, gambling, and libidinous Hollywood actresses who live in Woodstock. But this is the wonderful Maggie Estep we're talking here. And what seems at first like a quirky yarn becomes something unexpectedly moving about connectivity. What I love about Estep's work is the way that she'll juxtapose an extremely astute observation (now that you mention it, why do cab drivers always have somebody to talk with on the phone past midnight?) with an often outrageous story development.
Generosity by Richard Powers. It doesn't come out until September 29th, but Richard Powers's latest will have anyone committed to books reconsidering their literary fervor. I foresee some animosity from the vanilla critics hostile to idea-driven novels, but book bloggers, YouTube chroniclers, and MFAs would do well to plunge into this chance-taking narrative, which introduces vital questions about what the reader's relationship is with media, scientific dissection, and "creative nonfiction." Are we rats fleeing to happy cities? Or can we find the humanism within the purported plague?
Pieces for the Left Hand by J. Robert Lennon. Lennon is one of the most underrated fiction writers working today. Much as On the Night Plain proved that Lennon had a lot more in the toolbox than heartfelt (and often very funny) suburban satire, this slim but fascinating volume juxtaposes 100 small-town anecdotes -- arranged by category -- in a manner that reads, at times, like Nicholson Baker's passions for minutiae and, at other times, Stewart O'Nan's concern for psychological detail. The result is fiction that makes us wonder about whether one person's subjective view of particulars can entirely be trusted. This book never found a publisher in 2005. But thankfully, Graywolf has released it in the United States, along with Lennon's latest novel, The Castle.
Wonderful World by Javier Calvo. This wonderfully raucous volume has been completely ignored by the Washington Post, the New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times. But it's probably one of the most delightful reading experiences I've had this year. Calvo cavalierly mashes up multiple genres and manages to mix up familial subtext with larger-than-life, almost cartoonish characters. (Indeed, one might argue that one mobster's penis is a character of its own in this sprawling novel.). This is not an easy thing to pull off, but Calvo makes it work. And it's helped immeasurably by Mara Faye Lethem's idiom-specific translation. (See longer post.)
The Means of Reproduction, Michelle Goldberg This thoughtful book tackles the complicated (and little discussed) subject of reproductive rights from numerous angles, which includes a number of unpleasant but necessary ones. The upshot is that there isn't a quick fix solution for declining birth rates and fundamentalist abuses. Just about every political faction has contributed to the friction. But you'll want to read this book anyway to refamiliarize yourself with the topic, but also to understand just what's occurred during the past several decades to get us where we are today. (See also podcast interview with Goldberg.)
Contact Ed by email.
Or send materials to:
315 Flatbush Avenue, #231
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Or send materials to:
315 Flatbush Avenue, #231
Brooklyn, NY 11217
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to marylin & don
the family of Barbara & William Brown,
Our love and deepest sympathy in the lost of a one in a million masterpiece, for those who knew him in person as we did or just by a few great movies, endless love, laughter,and family values of ups and down on the true meaning of life’s journey on the planet earth.
from
lorna (the little black orchid)
His ‘outer Limits” taught me there are no limits to the heart.
love always,
barbara, bill, lorna and the rest of our family
Joe Stefano is the reason why “The Outer Limits” is the standout anthology show in sixties television and the finest science fiction series ever produced. He wrote or rewrote most of the scripts in the wonderful first season. All of its most memorable characters were created and/or shaped by him and he was the man most responsible for the lucid dream quality of the show- he was undergoing transactional analysis in the mornings before he settled into the bungalow to work and he brought much of what he recalled from his dreams to the production. Fans of his work on “The Outer Limits” can say that he shaped their dreams and through them the way we have viewed the world ever since. I am so sorry to read that we have lost him on this planet but in my dreams he still participates in a great adventure, full of the awe and mystery.
SADLY,once again,someone extraordinarily special in the world of AMERICAN entertainment (and my life) has passed away. I cannot possibly explain to the rest of the world what the spectacular television show ‘THE OUTER LIMITS’ has meant to me. Much of the way my life has unfolded, of what i became, i became because of MR.STEFANO and the wondrous creation of a tv show,that,has (and never will !!!) see its equal. as a child, i was more interested in the fact that there were ‘monsters’ in the show (almost every episode)and that was my main interest at the tender age of 8. Later on,as an adult, i realized the enormous literary value of the series,and was in awe of its scope, production and most importantly,the ‘moral to the story’ in every episode! Who could ever forget ‘DEMON WITH A GLASS HAND?’ There isnt a week goes by that i watch a couple of the amazing episodes produced in the 1960s,and,like a child,again, still get a ‘wondrous chill’ at the end of each episode when hearing the ‘moral’ once again.you had to be alive,and young,in the 1960s,and to have lived through this,to really appreciate the greatness of this series. i will never ever forget my personal favorite episode:’THE MAN WHO WAS NEVER BORN’ as a visually stimulating,extremely literate,hauntingly dreamy tv masterpiece of writing and story.It remains my ‘absolute favorite tv presentation of ALL TIME ! mr. STEFANO was,and is an AMERICAN ‘original’, and his like will never be seen again. GOD BLESS YOU for all you have given us, SIR.
BRAD SAVAGE — collector and dealer in ‘memorabilia’.
Joe has left us all with a gift. He has put something in all of our pockets. Love, appreciation for life, honesty, literature, music, movies, spirit. He was more than a screenwriter and producer. He, in my heart, was more than a man. He left huge footprints. He will always be with us. Thank you Joe for reaching so high, and deep. You have inspired so many.
Love you forever,
Your Huckleberry Friend / Son #2
To Lorna, Starship Ed, & Brad:
It brought tears to my eyes to read what you all wrote about my beloved husband – to know how he affected people’s lives, positively, is the greatest legacy anyone can leave, & he will live on in people’s minds & hearts for as long as there is an opportunity to see his works. He had no idea (you might be surprised to know how modest he was about his creative abilities) that he reached so many people, & he was genuinely surprised & delighted that they got what he was writing or producing, & that it helped them. He loved to help people, & it came across easily.
Thanks so much for your posts – our son Dominic & daughter-in-law Britt will also appreciate how you felt about him, as did most people who ever met him.
Marilyn Stefano
I have been an enormous fan of Joe’s work since I was a scared child hiding behind the couch during episodes of the Outer Limits. His work has had a profound influence on me and an entire generation of Hollywood filmmakers who admired his mastery of the psychological thriller, his boundless imagination and his penchant for the cautionary tale. I do not think this influence can be underrated, as it can clearly be felt in such wide-ranging works as The Silence of the Lambs and The Terminator. Joe, yours was a life well lived. Rest In Peace, My Friend. John Simpson, Nashua, NH.
After reviewing my previous post, I realized that I left the most important element of Joe’s work out. Regardless of how dark or scary his stories might have been, I would be severely remiss to note that love, hope and humanity were at the heart of his work, and that is the highest accolade of all. He may have been a great storyteller, but I believe from his work that he was a humanist of the highest order. “Nuff said. John Simpson, Nashua, NH.
Marilyn,
Thank you so much for your kind note. I am delighted that you have found these messages. It’s a happy chance for me to be able to tell you directly what Joe meant to me.
I see that your son is named Dominic. He must be named after OL co-producer Dominic Frontiere. What a talent! His expansive theme for OL has been a big influence on me, just as Joe’s writing was. You know, just Saturday afternoon I was playing a performance with a friend, scoring a silent movie at the local theater, and I said to him, “Play this part big and celestial, like “The Outer Limits” theme.” He knew what I meant.
If I could get the world leaders into one room and force everyone to watch a single screenplay, it would have to be Joe’s own original script for “A Feasibility Study.” It might just save the world. Thinking about that episode now, I’m moved to go grubbing about in boxes of VHS tapes to find that show, to watch it again (for about the twentieth time.) Joe wasn’t just a rare original thinker in television, he was a man able to access a wonderfully kind, sensitive and noble heart and bring it to work with him, share truly precious things via the most demanding commercial media.
Joe Stefano deserves to be remembered with the likes of Truffaut, Kurosawa and Capra. Those of us who know honor him. He was a great, great talent.
I want to put my thoughts and feelings into this forum to say The Outer Limits is the most significant show I have experienced. Being six years old and holding onto my brother while watching The Galaxy Man, It started me on a journey that to this day has made the Outer Limits a sort of religious experience. The writers, actors, directors, consultants, et al have a common goal to create a story that is profound and serious in connecting humanity to a greater understanding of ourselves, and beyond.
I sincerely thank you for bettering mankind.
WOW! I’m so moved & touched by all the messages, especially the new ones. I didn’t know Charlie, Joe’s longest-lasting “mentee”, had written such a lovely heart-felt tribute to Joe. You all sound llike you could have been Joe’s “mentees”, & he would have been so happy to see how he had unknowingly helped you to be the appreciative sensitive people you are.
Thanks so much,
Marilyn
WOW! I’m so moved & touched by all the messages, especially the new ones. I didn’t know Charlie, Joe’s longest-lasting “mentee”, had written such a lovely heart-felt tribute to Joe. You all sound llike you could have been Joe’s “mentees”, & he would have been so happy to see how he had unknowingly helped you to be the appreciative sensitive people you are.
Thanks so much,
Marilyn
P.S. to Edward Kyle
No, our son Dominic was already born when we met Dominic Frontiere – our son was named for Joe’s father, but I couldn’t agree with you more about Frontiere’s music – it was as much an integral piece of the OUTER LIMITS as was Bernard Hermann’s music for PSYCHO.
Does anybody have a contact for Dominic Frontiere? Like to get this message to him.
Thanks
http://www.SandySinger.biz
Hi Dom,
I was hooked the second I heard that first chord, or should I say, dis-chord. That September day, in 1963, when I discovered Dominic Frontiere. One of Nashville’s leading musicians told me I have the biggest ‘ears’ of anybody he ever met. My lack of formal training sometimes makes it difficult to play everything I hear. I am intrigued by the orchestral set-up you used for the themes for The Outer Limits. I hear a full string compliment — violins, cellos, double basses [galore], trumpets, trombones, French horns, flutes, drums, harp, vibes, bells, an occasional clarinet and your instrument, the accordion and some kind of electronic oscillator. I am particularly interested in the chord progressions for Yvette’s Theme in Architects Of Fear — have the melody down pat, but am totally lost on the progressions. One of my all-time favorite sound tracks is Hang ‘Em High, in which I believe you used a similar orchestral configuration. My mentor in broadcasting was Marvin Miller–Marv told me you used to be neighbors, and that Elizabeth worked with Georgia on many charity projects. Hope this finds you well–we are both 77, yet I feel like a 20 year old. My brain is as active as ever–still into a little broadcast activity–playing a lot of piano and still wondering how Art Tatum did his thing. Would love to do a phone interview with you for an upcoming radio show, subject being, the history of, development and how the music for The Outer Limits was conceived.
Peace…
Sandy
http://www.SandySinger.biz
http://www.UltimateOldiesRadio.com
First of all I didn’t realize Mr. Stefano has passed away,I don’t remember seeing it on the news.That is beside the point because from watching the ORIGINAL Outer Limits show you can tell he was a very talented man.He has to be if he worked with Hitchcock. I was 10 when the series started and it still remains one of my most favorite TV shows.It was written with such insight, creativity,imagination and soul that you don’t find in today’s sci-fi shows.I own the complete set of shows and can watch them over and over and never be bored.As a child and now as a artist I feel this show helped to spur my desire to become a fine artist,illustrator & musician.Even though he is missed by his family,friends and fans I have a feeling he is sitting on a star.Still being creative.Thank you Mr. Stefano for your talents.
Sincerely,
G.P.Hartman
To Marilyn:
It’s been so long since I’ve talked to you. I heard rather quickly when Joe passed. I still have the Los Angeles Times obit. I tried to contact you but your numbers had changed and the viewing was private. I hope you’re well. I miss you and Joe. I’ll always remember how you two were there for me on my 29th birthday. I’ll always remember the great and hilarious conversations we all shared. I hope this finds you and I hope you are well and happy. Take care.
Heath Silvercloud