Born in Syracuse on December 25, 1924, Rod Serling was most famous for his work developing the television shows The Twilight Zone and Night Gallery as well as initial scripts for Planet of the Apes, Seven Days in May, and numerous other films. Prior to mastering the art of science fiction and horror, Serling became a household name in the 1950s by writing award-winning teleplays that explored the nature of humanity. To celebrate Rod Serling’s 101st birthday, the Everson is offering a free lecture and screening of his famed teleplay Requiem for a Heavyweight in collaboration with The Rod Serling Memorial Foundation, SUNY Oswego, Fat Cat Baking, and The Comic Shop.
During his service in World War 2, Serling trained as a paratrooper while also competing as a flyweight boxer. After returning from war, he started his career as a writer, eventually developing teleplay scripts broadcast live to American televisions across the country. On October 11, 1956, the Serling-penned Requiem for a Heavyweight premiered; a teleplay that explored the end of the boxing career for fictional character Harlan “Mountain” McClintock. Requiem for a Heavyweightwon 4 Emmy awards including “Best Single Program of the Year” and claimed the achievement of being the first 90-minute teleplay ever broadcast on television. Critics raved about Requiem for a Heavyweightincluding Jack Gould of the New York Times who claimed that it “was a play of overwhelming force and tenderness…a searing, inspired indictment of the worst side of the prize-fight fame.”
On December 18th, the Everson will host a screening of Requiem for a Heavyweight along with a lecture about Rod Serling’s work by SUNY Oswego professor Ryan Zlomek. The event is free and open to the public as part of the Everson’s Pay What You Wish nights.
For tasty treats during the screening, Fat Cat Baking will be set up selling vegan baked goods for patrons to enjoy.
Doors to the Everson open at 5:00PM, screening and lecture start at 5:30PM.
