The legendary Rod Serling is widely recognized as one of the most influential writers in television and genre storytelling during the 20th Century. Whether he was adapting existing works or creating original stories, Serling always pursued grand ideas that would captivate audiences onscreen. However, he didn’t always work alone. In fact, there was at least one instance where his writing process became a family affair.
On February 24, 1961, “The Odyssey of Flight 33” premiered during Season 2 of The Twilight Zone (regularly airing on SYFY) and remains one of the show’s most ambitious and memorable episodes. The plot follows the crew of an airplane who realize they are traveling at impossible speeds due to a strong tailwind. Upon slowing down, they find themselves in prehistoric times, with New York City transformed into wilderness inhabited by dinosaurs. Determined to return home, the crew must try to catch the tailwind again in hopes of a safe journey back.
Directed by Justus Addiss based on Serling’s original teleplay, “The Odyssey of Flight 33” originated from a simple piece of mail. According to Marc Scott Zicree’s The Twilight Zone Companion, Serling received a brochure from American Airlines offering a replica of their 707 aircraft cabin for filming purposes. While contemplating this offer, Serling’s brother, Robert J. Serling, suggested the concept of a plane breaking through a “time barrier” into the era of dinosaurs.
With the initial idea in place, Rod Serling collaborated with his brother Robert on crafting “The Odyssey of Flight 33.” Robert, an aviation expert and writer for United Press International, provided technical dialogue for the flight crew navigating the time barrier scenario. Utilizing his expertise and assistance from a pilot friend, Robert contributed accurate cockpit dialogue for the episode.
When watching “The Odyssey of Flight 33,” remember that both Serling brothers played a role in the writing process. The Twilight Zone continues to air regularly on SYFY, so be sure to check the schedule for upcoming episodes.
