Charles Beaumont: The Short Life of Twilight Zone's Magic Man

I thought I knew a bit about Charles Beaumont. I read Best of Beaumont way back in the mid-1980's. I knew, of course, that Beaumont penned some of the best episodes of The Twilight Zone. I knew that he adapted Charles G. Finney's The Circus of Dr. Lao into one of the most magical and beautiful films ever made: The Seven Faces of Dr. Lao. I knew that Beaumont had written films for Roger Corman, most notably The Intruder, which he adapted from his own novel. I knew that he was one of the most influential fantasists of all time and that he was a member of the famed writer's club, The Group. I knew that Charles Beaumont died a tragic death at a woefully young age. I knew these things.

I found out a lot more about Charles Beaumont from Jason V. Brock and his indispensable doumentary, Charles Beaumont: The Short Life of Twilight Zone's Magic Man. This film is a treasure that illuminates Beaumont's life as well as possible forty three years after his death.

The documentary is rich with revealing interviews with the people that remember him best. We are treated to talks with Ray Bradbury, William F. Nolan, Forrest J Ackerman, Harlan Ellison, Roger Corman, William Shatner, Richard Matheson, and many others. These illustrious individuals paint a moving portrait of Charles Beaumont, the man and the writer.

The documentary is a sad one, however. Of course Beaumont dying so young is a big part of it, but seeing Forry Ackerman at such an advance age is sobering as well. It's painfully obvious that his time is short. Mr Ackerman left this world on December 8th, 2008.

But there is joy in Charles Beaumont: The Short Life of Twilight Zone's Magic Man. It should serve as inspirational to anyone who aspires to achieve any goal. This documentary is especially important to anyone that wants to break into publishing in the horror/dark fantasy genre. You need to hear what these people have to say. How they, against the odds, became among the most important and influential writers in the history of the field. I'm not saying that you should ignore the stars of today, There are numerous talented people that deserve to carry the torch that Beaumont and these other craftsman have passed on.

One such person is Jason V. Brock, writer, editor, book designer and the writer/director/producer of Charles Beaumont: The Short Life of Twilight Zone's Magic Man. This guy is going places.