''Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond'' (also known as ''One Step Beyond'') is an American anthology series created by

Merwin Gerard Merwin or Merwyn may refer to: People *Merwin (name), or Merwyn, a surname and masculine given name *W.S. Merwin (1927–2019), American poet. Places ;United States *Merwin Dam, a hydroelectric dam in the state of Washington *Lake Merwin, the ...

. The original series was broadcast for three seasons by the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) from January 1959 to July 1961.

Overview

Created by Merwin Gerard and produced by

Collier Young Collier Hudson Young (August 19, 1908 – December 25, 1980) was an American film producer and writer, who worked on many films in the 1950s, before becoming a television producer for such shows as NBC's '' Ironside'' and CBS's '' The Wild, Wil ...

, ''One Step Beyond'' was hosted by

John Newland John Newland (November 23, 1917 – January 10, 2000) was an American director, actor, television producer, and screenwriter. Early life and career Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Newland began his career in vaudeville while still in his teens. Aft ...

, "your guide to the

supernatural Supernatural refers to phenomena or entities that are beyond the laws of nature. The term is derived from Medieval Latin , from Latin (above, beyond, or outside of) + (nature) Though the corollary term "nature", has had multiple meanings si ...

" (also credited as "Our guide into the world of the unknown"). Newland, who also directed every episode, presented tales that explored paranormal events and various situations that defied "logical" explanation. ''One Step Beyond'' purported only to tell stories based on "human record" (documented historical events). Unlike other anthology programs, the ABC network series episodes were presented in the form of straightforward 30-minute

docudrama Docudrama (or documentary drama) is a genre of television and film, which features dramatized re-enactments of actual events. It is described as a hybrid of documentary and drama and "a fact-based representation of real event". Docudramas typic ...

s, all said to be based on "human record" (implying historically factual events); however, the incidents depicted were closer to popular urban legends dramatized for the screen. The program included the corporate name of sponsor

Alcoa Alcoa Corporation (an acronym for Aluminum Company of America) is a Pittsburgh-based industrial corporation. It is the world's eighth-largest producer of aluminum. Alcoa conducts operations in 10 countries. Alcoa is a major producer of primary ...

in its title for its initial run. In syndication, the program title became simply ''One Step Beyond''. ''One Step Beyond'' filled the time slot at 10 p.m. Tuesday vacated by the crime/police

reality show Reality television is a genre of television programming that documents purportedly unscripted real-life situations, often starring unfamiliar people rather than professional actors. Reality television emerged as a distinct genre in the early 19 ...

'' Confession''. Among its varied tales, ''One Step Beyond'' dealt with premonition of death ("The Day the World Wept: The Lincoln Story") and disaster ("Tidal Wave", "Night of April 14th"); the existence of ghosts ("The Last Round", "The Death Waltz"); and wildly improbable coincidence ("Reunion").

Paula Raymond Paula Raymond (born Paula Ramona Wright; November 23, 1924 – December 31, 2003) was an American model and actress who played the leading lady in numerous movies and television series including ''Crisis'' (1950) with Cary Grant. She was th ...

appeared in the third episode of the first season, initially broadcast on February 3, 1959, in the episode titled "Emergency Only," which also featured

Jocelyn Brando Jocelyn Brando (November 18, 1919November 27, 2005) was an American actress and writer. She is best known for her role as Katie Bannion in the film noir ''The Big Heat'' (1953). Early life Brando, the older sister of Marlon Brando, was born in ...

as a screaming fortune teller at a party. Joan Fontaine and Warren Beatty play husband and wife in the episode "The Visitor."

"The Sacred Mushroom"

A January 1961 episode, "The Sacred Mushroom," deals with the discovery of mind-altering drugs. Newland traveled to Mexico where he met with a local shaman who was an initiate in ritual use of magic mushrooms. The then-unknown mushrooms were purportedly able to increase the user's psychic powers. Newland ingested several mushrooms and allowed his reactions to be filmed for broadcast. This was the only episode of the entire series to have a relatively reality-based "documentary" tone, rather than the scripted docudramas that comprised all other episodes. Although the subject matter (the enhancement of psychic powers) accorded with the rest of the series, this episode was somewhat controversial and was omitted from the syndication; it has been seen only rarely since its original broadcast. However, according to Newland, it was the most popular episode of the series. A complete transcript of this episode is reproduced in chapter seven of ''The Sacred Mushrooms of Mexico'' by Brian Akers.

Writing staff

The show used a large number of writers. Larry Marcus was the most prolific contributor, with over 30 episodes to his credit. Marcus would later win an Emmy for his work on ''

Route 66 U.S. Route 66 or U.S. Highway 66 (US 66 or Route 66) was one of the original highways in the United States Numbered Highway System. It was established on November 11, 1926, with road signs erected the following year. The h ...

'', and receive an Oscar nomination for his screenplay for '' The Stunt Man''. Other relatively frequent contributors included show creator Merwin Gerard;

Don M. Mankiewicz Don Martin Mankiewicz (January 20, 1922 – April 25, 2015) was an American screenwriter and novelist best known for his novel, ''Trial''. Early life Born in Berlin, Germany, he was the son of Sara (née Aaronson) and the screenwriter Herman J. M ...

(who would later write for ''

Star Trek ''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the eponymous 1960s television series and quickly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon. The franchise has expanded into vari ...

''); Gabrielle Upton (who wrote for a wide range of anthology shows, including ''

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, aired on CBS and NBC between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers and mysteries. Between 1962 and 1965 it was re ...

'', and was later head writer of '' The Guiding Light''); and

Howard Rodman Howard A. Rodman is a screenwriter, author and professor. He is the former President of the Writers Guild of America, West, professor and former chair of the writing division at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, alumnus of Telluride Associatio ...

(later story editor of ''Route 66'' and creator of '' Harry O''). Charles Beaumont wrote two episodes of ''One Step Beyond'' just before jumping over to '' The Twilight Zone'', to which he was a major contributor. Francis Cockrell also wrote two episodes; he was a frequent writer on ''

Alfred Hitchcock Presents ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, aired on CBS and NBC between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers and mysteries. Between 1962 and 1965 it was ren ...

'' and would later contribute to the second season of ''

The Outer Limits ''The Outer Limits'' or ''Outer Limits'' may refer to: Television * ''The Outer Limits'' (1963 TV series), a black-and-white science fiction series that aired from 1963 to 1965 * ''The Outer Limits'' (1995 TV series), a revival of the older series ...

''.

Guest appearances

* Luana Anders in "The Burning Girl" *

Tod Andrews Tod Andrews (born Theodore Edwin Anderson; November 9, 1914 – November 7, 1972) was an American stage, screen, and television actor. Early years Tod Andrews was born as Theodore Edwin Anderson in El Paso, Texas, to Henry Anderson and Lydia ...

in "Brainwave" * John Beal in "The Lovers" * Warren Beatty and Joan Fontaine together in "The Visitor" * Edward Binns in "Vanishing Point" *

Whit Bissell Whitner Nutting Bissell (October 25, 1909 – March 5, 1996) was an American character actor. Early life Born in New York City, Bissell was the son of surgeon Dr. J. Dougal Bissell and Helen Nutting Bissell. He was educated at the Allen-S ...

in "Brainwave" * Robert Blake in "Gypsy" *

Charles Bronson Charles Bronson (born Charles Dennis Buchinsky; November 3, 1921 – August 30, 2003) was an American actor. Known for his "granite features and brawny physique," he gained international fame for his starring roles in action, Western, and war ...

in "The Last Round" * Alfred Burke in "The Sorcerer" * Walter Burke in "The Front Runner" * Paul Carr in "Reunion" * Veronica Cartwright in "The Haunting" *

Don Dubbins Donald Gene Dubbins (June 28, 1928 – August 17, 1991) was an American film, stage and television actor. Life and career Born in Brooklyn, New York. Dubbins began his career in 1953, appeariing in the television series '' The Doctor''. He also ...

in "The Navigator" 1st Mate *

Louise Fletcher Estelle Louise Fletcher (July 22, 1934 – September 23, 2022) was an American actress who portrayed the antagonist Nurse Ratched in '' One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'' (1975), which earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress, a BAFTA Award, ...

in "The Open Window" * Byron Foulger in "Hong Kong Passage" *

Arthur Franz Arthur Sofield Franz (February 29, 1920 – June 17, 2006) was an American actor whose most notable feature film role was as Lieutenant, Junior Grade, H. Paynter Jr. in ''The Caine Mutiny (film), The Caine Mutiny'' (1954). Early life Franz ...

in "The Call from Tomorrow" * Skip Homeier in "The Bride Possessed" * Ronald Howard in "The Haunting" *

Werner Klemperer Werner Klemperer (March 22, 1920 – December 6, 2000) was an American actor. He was known for playing Colonel Wilhelm Klink on the CBS television sitcom ''Hogan's Heroes'', for which he twice won the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in ...

in "The Haunted U-Boat" * Robert Lansing in "The Voice" * Wesley Lau in "The Haunted U-BOat" in "The Mask" * Cloris Leachman and

Marcel Dalio Marcel Dalio (born Marcel Benoit Blauschild; 23 November 1899 in Paris – 18 November 1983) was a French movie actor. He had major roles in two films directed by Jean Renoir, ''La Grande Illusion'' (1937) and ''The Rules of the Game'' (1939). ...

together in "The Dark Room" *

Christopher Lee Sir Christopher Frank Carandini Lee (27 May 1922 – 7 June 2015) was an English actor and singer. In a long career spanning more than 60 years, Lee often portrayed villains, and appeared as Count Dracula in seven Hammer Horror films, ultimat ...

in "The Sorcerer" * Robert Loggia in "The Hand" *

Jack Lord John Joseph Patrick Ryan (December 30, 1920 – January 21, 1998), best known by his stage name, Jack Lord, was an American television, film and Broadway actor, director and producer. He starred as Steve McGarrett in the CBS television progra ...

in "Father Image" *

Patrick Macnee Daniel Patrick Macnee (6 February 1922 – 25 June 2015) was a British film and television actor. After serving in the Royal Navy during World War II, he began his acting career in Canada. Despite having some small film roles, Macnee spent much ...

in "The Night of April 14th" * John Marley in "The Night of the Kill" *

Ross Martin Ross or ROSS may refer to: People * Clan Ross, a Highland Scottish clan * Ross (name), including a list of people with the surname or given name Ross, as well as the meaning * Earl of Ross, a peerage of Scotland Places * RoSS, the Republic of Sout ...

in "Echo" * Patty McCormack in "Make Me Not a Witch" * Ann McCrea in "Night of the Kill" * Yvette Mimieux in "The Clown" * Elizabeth Montgomery in "The Death Waltz" * André Morell in "The Avengers" * Patrick O'Neal in "The Return of Mitchell Campion" *

Maria Palmer Maria Palmer (born Maria Pichler, 5 September 1917 – 6 September 1981) was an Austrian-born American actress. Early life Palmer was born and raised in Vienna, Austria-Hungary (now Vienna, Austria) on 5 September 1917. She first appeared on st ...

in "The Secret" * Edward Platt in "The Burning Girl" * Donald Pleasence in "The Confession" *

Suzanne Pleshette Suzanne Pleshette (January 31, 1937 – January 19, 2008) was an American theatre, film, television, and voice actress. Pleshette started her career in the theatre and began appearing in films in the late 1950s and later appeared in prominent ...

in "Delusion" *

in "Emergency Only" * Pernell Roberts in "The Vision" * Albert Salmi in "The Peter Hurkos Story" Part I & Part II * William Schallert in "Tidal Wave" and "Epilogue" * William Shatner in "The Promise" * Olan Soule in "The Navigator" Stowaway/Deadman * Warren Stevens in "The Riddle" * Torin Thatcher in "Doomsday" * Harry Townes in "The Bride Possessed" *

Yvette Vickers Yvette Vickers (born Yvette Iola Vedder; August 26, 1928 – ) was an American actress, pin-up model and singer. Early life and career Vickers was born in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of jazz musician Charles Vedder. During her youth, s ...

and Mike Connors together in "The Aerialist" * Robert Webber in "The Captain and His Guests" * Peter Wyngarde in "Nightmare..."

Production

The last 13 episodes of the third season were filmed at MGM Studios, Borehamwood, England, due to a suggestion by Newland. According to Newland, "I thought it would give a little boost to the show because Great Britain offered good actors, good situations, and good settings. We sought permission from Alcoa, and they okayed it."

Music

Harry Lubin composed the music for the series with a

soundtrack album A soundtrack album is any album that incorporates music directly recorded from the soundtrack of a particular feature film or television show. The first such album to be commercially released was Walt Disney's ''Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'' ...

, ''Music from 'One Step Beyond released by

Decca Records Decca Records is a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis (Decca), Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934 by Lewis, Jack Kapp, American Decca's first president, and Milton Rackmil, who later became American ...

(DL 8970) in 1960. The most well-known tracks of the series were entitled: "Weird" (originally composed by Lubin for the score of an April 1955 '' Loretta Young Show'' episode, "Feeling No Pain"), usually played when the supernatural aspect of the episode was being discussed, and "Fear" that became the musical theme of the series. The Ventures included a cover version of the show's main theme music "Fear" in their highly acclaimed 1964 Dolton Records album ''

The Ventures in Space ''The Ventures in Space'' is an LP album by the guitar-based instrumental group the Ventures, released in 1964. Information on its jacket states that "All of these unusual & other-worldly sounds have been created with musical instruments rather th ...

''. The second season of ''

'' used a variation of "Fear" for the end titles. A heavy metal cover of the title song was recorded by the band Fantômas on their album ''

The Director's Cut ''The Director's Cut'' is the second studio album by American musical supergroup Fantômas. The album is a collection of cover versions of themes from horror films and television series, performed in a variety of different musical styles. The al ...

'' in 2001.

Episodes

Season 1 (1959)

Season 2 (1959–60)

Season 3 (1960–61)

Syndication

After its cancellation during 1961, the series continued to be shown throughout the United States in off-network syndication until the early 1980s. For its re-release to television for the Sci-Fi Channel during the 1990s, the initial and end titles were given new theme music and graphics designed for the time, as if the show had continued into the 1990s. These episodes were also edited for time from 25 minutes to 22 minutes. Despite the public domain status for most episodes, the series' remaining copyrights belongs to its distributor CBS Television Distribution. CTD is the successor to the series' previous distributors, which include ABC Films successor

Worldvision Enterprises Worldvision Enterprises, Inc. was an American television program and home video distributor established in 1954 as ABC Film Syndication, the domestic and overseas program distribution arm of the ABC Television Network. They primarily licensed p ...

and CTD's predecessor Paramount Domestic Television. Episodes are currently broadcast by the Retro Television Network available as a

digital subchannel In broadcasting, digital subchannels are a method of transmitting more than one independent program stream simultaneously from the same digital radio or television station on the same radio frequency channel. This is done by using data compress ...

in some US markets. Full episodes are also available for digital streaming on

Amazon Prime Amazon Prime is a paid subscription service from Amazon which is available in various countries and gives users access to additional services otherwise unavailable or available at a premium to other Amazon customers. Services include same, one- ...

(charge per episode as of 2021), FMC Movie Classics (free), Tubi (free), and Amazing Classics (free). In May 2021 the UK nostalgia channel Talking Pictures TV began to broadcast the series, with the first episode airing on 11 May.

Home media

Delta Entertainment Corporation in 2005 released a collection of 33 (presumably public domain) episodes on eight region-free DVDs. During 2007, Mill Creek Entertainment released a 4-disc Region 1 DVD set entitled ''The Very Best of One Step Beyond''. The set contains 50 episodes. The quality varied drastically from episode to episode. On September 15, 2009, CBS Home Entertainment (distributed by

Paramount Paramount (from the word ''paramount'' meaning "above all others") may refer to: Entertainment and music companies * Paramount Global, also known simply as Paramount, an American mass media company formerly known as ViacomCBS. The following busin ...

under this label) released ''One Step Beyond - The Official 1st Season'' on Region 1 DVD. The Film Chest Media Group released the series in a six-disc Collector's Box on April 7, 2015. The boxset contains 70 episodes of the series in total across six DVDs, which consist of all 22 episodes of Season 1, 32 of the 39 episodes of Season 2, but only 16 of the 36 episodes of Season 3. The set also includes synopses of the episodes inside. ''One Step Beyond'' was the first pre-1973 in-house production of ABC to get a DVD release from CBS/Paramount. Other shows once distributed by ABC Films (which became

) were either released by CBS/Paramount because the company owns the libraries of the actual producers of the shows (such as '' The Fugitive'' or '' The Mod Squad''), or were released by different companies because ancillary rights are owned by other entities (such as ''

George of the Jungle ''George of the Jungle'' is an American animated television series produced and created by Jay Ward and Bill Scott, who also created ''The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show''. The character George was inspired by the story of Tarzan and a cartoon char ...

'').

''The Next Step Beyond''

During 1978, the series was revived partly by Gerard and Young, with John Newland hosting and directing most of the episodes; the new series was named ''

The Next Step Beyond ''The Next Step Beyond'' is a 1978 revival of the 1950s–1960s American television series ''Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond, One Step Beyond'', hosted by original host John Newland. Like ''One Step Beyond'', the series purported to tell true ...

''. The series was broadcast for one year with 25 episodes, 14 of which were remakes of ''One Step Beyond'' episodes.

References

Bibliography

External links

* {{IMDb title, id=0052442
''One Step Beyond'' Intro on YouTube
accessed October 31, 2014.

accessed October 31, 2014. 1959 American television series debuts 1961 American television series endings 1950s American anthology television series 1960s American anthology television series American Broadcasting Company television dramas Black-and-white American television shows Paranormal television American English-language television shows Television shows shot at MGM-British Studios