Rod Serling lecture 1973

Screens and stages: some off-the cuff observations about current American art forms
Rod Serling talks about pornography, censorship, commercialization and other aspects of modern American media.
San Diego, 1973
This has been digitized from cassette tape. Audio quality is very variable.
4:25 Mr. Serling begins his speech

[@equalopportunityoffender6732]

He was the epitome of an articulate man. I miss him deeply.

[@SuperBartles]

He was such a charismatic speaker. I imagine women found him rather attractive for this reason.

[@mrjasonwhite73]

I could listen to Rod read the phone book.

[@lastofthefinest]

As a Marine, I can say, people don't realize the well of ideas you get from going to war. Your mind experiences an unlocking like you have never seen. Rod Serling harnessed these obscene experiences by writing about the most vivid and perplexed situations in life and gave them a twist. In our country and culture, we were blessed to have this gift of a man. I hope someday, we get another revolutionary writer that is still to this day, compelling. R.I.P. Rod Serling!

[@apples-girl9210]

lastofthefinest 🇺🇸Thanks for saying that - I believe it; my dad & late husband served in wars & they were special men... Rod Serling is expanding his talents & genius in Heaven... we shall meet him upstairs someday! 🌱🍎

[@LordZontar]

Even that trademark twist ending to Serling's Twilight Zone stories was the result of a particular wartime experience. He watched a buddy of his in his unit, who had survived the worst fighting in the Philippines as he had and was then just days from being rotated out, get unexpectedly killed when a heavy crate broke loose on a conveyor unloading supplies from a transport plane, raced right down and off the edge, falling right on the man and crushing him. It was all over in a second. Every twist ending to his stories came from that moment.

[@robzilla730]

J Michael Straczynski is probably the closest thing we have to a living, contemporary Rod Serling. Check him out.

[@ashroskell]

Thank you for your service. Serling said that it was his experience of war that made him a writer. And I’ve always admired the way he never donned the cowl of modesty, nor did he boast; he was simply assertive and real, whilst using fantasy as a way to get complex issues across, for the viewer to appreciate, process and better understand the darkest parts of our nature. We remain our own greatest enemy, and no one made us address that grim reality more entertainingly than Rod Serling. Ernest Hemingway played at being, and wanted to be, a man like Serling, who’s humanity and genius, having been forged in the crucible flames of war, shone brighter than most of the greats. Like Raymond Chandler (if, for different reasons) he is criminally underrated, being one of the finest writers who ever lived; I truly believe that. Despite the praise people usually have for him, most don’t see what an enormous cultural impact he has had, or appreciate just how deeply he is etched into our consciousness. His stories are so often retold, even across the dinner table, as well as being remade, time and again, because he had a hold of the human condition, and could show us the ugliness of it, yet make it palatable; whilst holding out the hope of it, yet never allowing us excuses for our complacency. Like all great artists, he challenged us to think, and to interrogate our beliefs and assumptions, whilst educating and entertaining us. He was the real deal, that the Hemingway’s of our culture could only aspire to be. He was the unacknowledged conscience of America, and the most influential thinker of the 20th Century. A true genius and a modest hero. The embodiment of the Quiet American. RIP, Rod. You were taken too soon ✌️👍

[@davidelfirium4957]

They don't see the bodies. Friends lost. Just numbers. EVER seen somebody NEXT to you Turned into Pink Mist? AND then you had to brush his brains o f your shoulder Being blinded from the splatter of NO cover. RIGHT thought it. And then. You can't hear anything. And your on the Ground. SOME how you still have your gun.

[@BYANYMEANSNECESSARY-s3d]

Rod so called it right and sadly, here we are. And that sucks

[@charlesbrown9213]

Mr. Serling's talent is timeless. His cultural legacy to us is immense. This lecture was in 1973. He died from heart issues only 2 years later in June 1975 (He had smoked like a chimney). I am not a superstitious person, but strictly for sentimental reasons, I like to imagine, that since his demise, somewhere, in a 5th dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity, Rod is there, speaking to any passerby who will listen, and continuing an eternal journey in a land of shadow and substance. Up ahead of him on that road is a signpost. You know what is on that signpost, don't you....?

[@colinmerritt7645]

Turn right at Albuquerque?

[@jennygreenbean78]

I wish there were more men like him right now. ...so incredibly smart. ...brilliant writer. I try to write as well. He spoke and wrote effortlessly. Nobody appreciates this much these days

[@borjadetorres7747]

Jennifer Green we have. Jordan Peele is a very good candidate to continue the Serling legacy. Time will tell, but for now he’s in a good path.

[@robzilla730]

J Michael Straczynski. Look him up

[@irenicum]

A genius far ahead of his time.

[@mtnwriter4011]

Serling's message never gets old. It bears repeating over and over again. It's unfortunate too, because it means people don't listen. The same prejudice, media bias, and fascist politics rule on -- ever more so even today. How we could use Serling's presence, and his commentaries, today.

[@TheMikester307]

Oh, Mr. Serling, you have influenced so many writers without realizing it! Thank you! Bless you!

[@RammatRamzi]

What we are living through today is like something out of the show that immortalized him.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

One of my idols. Taken from us far too soon. 😢

[@irenicum]

A true advocate of free speech.

[@Garacha222]

in this photo, Rod looks so much like the brother of Peter Falk- Tough to hear, but ok after massively raising my volume control. This was a fantstic recording to listen to. thank kindly for making this available to us!

[@johnlinden7398]

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A FAN OF RON SERLING , HIS IMAGINATION AND HOW HE'S COMMUNICATED THAT TO HIS MOVIE AND T.V. SCRIPTS ! I AM ALSO BLOWN AWAY BY HIS HUMANITY, COMPASSION, SENSITIVITY AND ENLIGHTENED INSIGHTS ! A REMARKABLE HUMAN BEING !

[@fluorosco]

His Daughter, Anne Serling's book, " My Father As I Knew Him", is absolutely beautifull. If you can get the audio book read by Anne herself, it is just lovely how she remembers her lovely Dad at home. I listen to it on a regular basis, it's interesting, touching and funny too.

[@ashroskell]

Serling said that it was his experience of war that made him a writer. And I’ve always admired the way he never donned the cowl of modesty, nor did he boast; he was simply assertive and real, whilst using fantasy as a way to get complex issues across, for the viewer to appreciate, process and better understand the darkest parts of our nature. We remain our own greatest enemy, and no one made us address that grim reality more entertainingly than Rod Serling. Ernest Hemingway played at being, and wanted to be, a man like Serling, who’s humanity and genius, having been forged in the crucible flames of war, shone brighter than most of the greats. Like Raymond Chandler (if, for different reasons) he is criminally underrated, being one of the finest writers who ever lived; I truly believe that. Despite the praise people usually have for him, most don’t see what an enormous cultural impact he has had, or appreciate just how deeply he is etched into our consciousness. His stories are so often retold, even across the dinner table, as well as being remade, time and again, because he had a hold of the human condition, and could show us the ugliness of it, yet make it palatable; whilst holding out the hope of it, yet never allowing us excuses for our complacency. Like all great artists, he challenged us to think, and to interrogate our beliefs and assumptions, whilst educating and entertaining us. He was the real deal, that the Hemingway’s of our culture could only aspire to be. He was the unacknowledged conscience of America, and the most influential thinker of the 20th Century. A true genius and a modest hero. The embodiment of the Quiet American. RIP, Rod. You were taken too soon ✌️👍

[@jamesdrynan]

He expresses his opinions like his scripts...perfectly! A resonant voice delivering a truckload of truth concerning a variety of human vagaries.

[@polara01]

Thank you so much for sharing this National Treasure recorded for the ages. Mister Serling's thoughts and views were not only brilliant and of course ahead of his time, but his delightful sense of humor really came through here as well as his Humanity and his incredibly defined moral compass guided him through all his works. Sadly, we have not progressed at all as far as our cultural morals and character goes and the likes of Mr. Sterling are sorely missed in todaays political and cinematic arena mostly due to the simple fact that pretty much all our media outlets in the entertainment industry is controlled by the industrial-military complex and has basically been hijacked and utilized for pure propaganda purposes and if a great intellectual like Mr. Serling would attempt to make any kind of stand he would be simply pushed aside and given no air time or put under contract by a Media Outlet and then censored and gagged as many writers, intellectuals or celebrities often are...

[@Paranoidrobot1982]

I can listen to this man speak all day long. It's just beautiful to hear the English language done so well. But at the same time you come away thinking I learned something. Never be another. Miss you Rod.....

[@TheSWolfe]

Finally listening to Mr. Serling's lecture nearly half a century after Nixon's resignation, which I watched on tv, playing hooky from grade school, while my folks were working. What creative talent, intellect and imagination Rod had! Sure wish he'd been given more time amongst the living.

[@Deadsea_1993]

I was born in 1993 and I wished that I could have attended his Journalism and writing college classes. Truly one in a million. He had inadvertently changed the lives of many as a result of trying to cope with his own life as a former WW2 veteran with PTSD.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

There are a few clips on KZbin of him discussing ideas with students. Every second is worth gold.

[@bobgolden939]

What a gift. Love this man's elegance with obscure word sequences that express volumes in a short sentence.

[@antarcticorb9197]

Censorship? What's happening today? To know and not to care is the real evil...

[@italod6872]

Wish Rod was around today. Would of enjoyed hearing his views on today's world.

[@levanthasis]

Though influencing on a different area, this man seemed to exceed even Noah Chomsky in his "softly" cruel, perspicacious, deep and analytical, occasionally almost poetic views and comments. We'd be lost without the people - not too many - like him.

[@RDX1981]

This Guy Is Ahead Of His Time

[@glennpritchard274]

Can you imagine it those assholes from ANTIFA were there???!!! Wow I agree, he was 40 years ahead of his time.

[@SwarthySkinnedOne]

TheBrabon1 Them folk are not authentic Christians, just shallow pretenders, as there tends to be nothing sincere, deep-rooted, nor consistent in their proclaimed faith and obedience to God and Christ. Otherwise they wouldn't act as they do - regularly immoral, unethical in business dealings by principle, manipulative religious bullies, and downright self-centered deceitful hypocrites.

[@wendellbatts2477]

Him: Paddy Chayefsky , Gore Vidal; all visionaries. Trained back when America knew how to deliver a real letter's education.

[@Tianmengliu]

Clockwork Orange!!!! Glad to know Serling was a fan of this film

[@ADT2695]

‘A Clockwork Orange’ doesn’t seem at all to be a movie he’d be intrigued by, as opposed to being totally unnerved by. I’m shocked.

[@davidmichel1815]

If we were buried as shallow as we lived our lives, a spoon would suffice to dig our graves.

[@michaeleckert5877]

He is amazing.Talked with him this morning.Writing with his advice .

[@apples-girl9210]

RS part of the greatest generation!!

[@invaderzim4052]

So happy that this was posted to YT.

[@derekdecker555]

Can you have rose colored glasses for a time when you weren’t alive? It’s just so refreshing to hear earnest, eloquent, intelligent speech.

[@SuperBartles]

"If you will" I quite agree with him about the Rolling Stones, though

[@jackieeick]

He speaks commonsense. Im 63, but love this guy

[@jackieeick]

Keep his special spirit alive

[@RammatRamzi]

I wish we had another R.S. Unfortunately, there don't seem to be any.

[@wallacelovecraft8942]

Great interview.

[@edwardyoung522]

He said, "I feel like I've lived too long". How prophetic.

[@SeptemberAdam]

I remember my first encounter with Rodman on tv with his voice over narration in Jacque Cousto's marine exploration show.

[@scottmoore1614]

He left us way too early! Imagine what he would have produced if he’d lived another 40 years.

[@gotocustudiofilmsthecheapb3802]

"Audio quality is very variable." Don't you mean almost inaudible? lol. This is really a recording of a hiss, with Rod Serling's voice coming in occasionally whenever our dimension crosses over into some parallel dimension where he still stands, giving talks and lectures, and making people laugh and think. In all seriousness, as a devoted admirer of Mr. Serling's, I thank you with all sincerity for this gift. Any recording of any address made by Serling is worth more than anything that can be bought in any store, or made by a corporation. I only make jokes because I believe he himself would be amused and tickled by them. I think he would smile, through his customary gritted teeth and twinkling eyes. From wherever he is. In the Twilight Zone :) P.S. Ah at 11:45 it gets better. My faith in humanity is restored :)

[@MetaKiteZX]

the most reasonable view of censorship, and it was spoken over 50 years ago. rod is rolling in his grave, and at this rate we will all suffer the consequences of the sensitive and ignorant.

[@splod44]

Started writing as a way of coming to terms with his time in ww 2 as a paratrooper.would have made a good president.

[@wunone67]

Far better than what we have now. What a joke.

[@wendellbatts2477]

Good story, but he was born to use language.

[@mrbrianmccarthy]

When you hear this focused attack on the VP Agnew and the administration of his time, and knowing the murderous mode that administration was into, one has to wonder if they took Mr Serling out. Whatever the reason he died so young, he was truly one of a kind, and I am grateful for the wonderful work he did.

[@brainsareus]

It's possible

[@tomgeauvreau7099]

Use of the language is genious. As was his writing and imagination.

[@akmediascope]

love this!

[@Distractingly_Dope]

How crazy is it to hear Rod Serling comment on HP Lovecraft

[@glennmarshall4693]

not much has changed in 45 years

[@jackieeick]

Love his memory

[@HyperionHQ]

❤️

[@redwillow79schippers94]

I wonder how many people under 40 even know who Rod Serling is. I think certain episodes of The Twilight Zone should be shown in schools. The Monsters are due on Maple Street sadly still holds up so well and I think showing episodes like this with a discussion after could really be educational and much more entertaining for the students.

[@VCYT]

DAMN SHAME HE AIN'T STILL ALIVE.

[@SteveStalzle]

5 packs of cigarettes a day killed him at age 50.

[@glennpritchard274]

Heart issues, if he had the technology then,,....perhaps.

[@SwarthySkinnedOne]

Steve Stalzle It's interesting to note that many people truely remarkable in the arts tend to be (or at least have been) heavy smokers, alcoholics, and or dope addicts to a worrisome health-endangering degree.

[@ECO473]

Agreed; he is sorely missed to this day.

[@invaderzim4052]

I know, right? Would loved to have shook his hand.

[@jackieeick]

The only thing i have in common is birthday 25th dec. Different year as im 63. Love him

[@chrisvielle6629]

U R still the man.

[@spockboy]

Out of respect for Rod I fixed the horrible sound quality and posted it here. soundcloud.com/user-390432356/rod-serling-lecture-1973 (Just hit the orange play button top left corner) Feel free to download and re-post it here again if you like. :)

[@nicholasjanke3476]

It's interesting that he talks about Stanley Kubrick a bit, being that I often thought that Kubrick's style of storytelling was quite similair to Rod Serling's (though I can't picture Rod Serling ever doing films like Dr. Strangelove, 2001, or A Clockwork Orange)

[@rawbacon]

Troubled man but he did some great work.

[@timlang4946]

Why didn't he look for a comedy show? This is damn funny.

[@jonathanmitchell9886]

I don't disagree with him fundamentally on any point (though I've always been, and remain, a Stones fan), but I've often wondered what Serling might have thought about "The Devil in Miss Jones"--which not only had a plot but looked, and felt, distinctly like an episode of "Night Gallery" with sex. In any case, I'm a Rod Serling fan as well as a Stones fan. The advantage of having been born after most of the great stuff happened (I was born the year this lecture was delivered, in fact) is that you've got enough distance to examine it all objectively.

[@jackieeick]

The best,

[@susansullivan7292]

We have fallen so far.

[@ror312gallery19]

30;00 truth.

[@gembocobo9484]

shots fired at netflix disney+ etc @39:20

[@randez626]

He starts talking @4:26 Gawd damn that lady talked forever

[@ror312gallery19]

4;29 at RS,

[@davidelfirium4957]

HURah :)

[@joedenicola5857]

Love Rod Serling. Difficult to hear this lecture. Terrible audio.

[@good-dm6gr]

What is this some kind of gag 😁

[@jonathanmitchell9886]

Charlie, there's a man lying dead in the street and you killed him! Does that look like a gag to you?!

[@ernestinegreene1621]

He'd make a real perfect hero and president because I'm pretty sure that if he had have been we'd been living better and safer and much more normal lives, and all this covid, pandemics and vaccines and even including covid tests wouldn't be happening here right now and plus I would've been going to Disneyland and Joe biden would've been out of office too, and in fact he wouldn't have ever been in there from the beginning to even begin with period.

[@alexivalentin8488]

hi DONT EVEN THINK IF TAKING A CHANCE EVEN IF YOU THINK YOUR MEETING ME HAVE A GOOD SNIPER MARKSMAN ON HAND NI LESS X MARKSMAN ONE KILOMETER WE WONT MET AGAING? DOA IN YOUR VICINITY ? LEFT PLENTY OF KHY+ BUILDINF APPRECIATE LAYOVER .TO MANY ENJOY WATVHING YOUR HOME COLLAPSE MY PLEASURE.BY WAY NICE PLACE GOOD TAST

[@hpbecraft]

Love his voice but he seems shit articulate here. Blame the vodka lol.

[@4gegtyreeyuyeddffvyt]

Rod was a cheater and a beater. The worst of the worst!!!

[@irresistablejewel]

Troll pissing

[@wunone67]

Fuck you Steve!!!! I will pimp slap your bitch ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@taraniso]

Citations? Where is your proof?

[@rubyscoville9340]

To my knowledge Rod and his wife Carol were happy all the years of their marriage, in fact she hasn't remarried since. There's nothing to that claim so if this actually worries anyone let your mind be at rest.

[@ciadella1971]

BS

[@Pravda_Z]

So sad that he died so young at age 50, a short two years after this lecture.

[@Pravda_Z]

When he talks he sounds exactly like his Twilight Zone openers.