"Amazing Stories" (1985) TV series 1985-1987

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

29 September 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Fantasy | Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

In the extraordinary worlds of Amazing Stories!

Plot:

Television series created, produced, and twice directed by Steven Spielberg. Truly amazing, and sometimes odd stories are narrated...

Plot Keywords:

Anthology

Awards:

Won 5 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 10 nominations

Cast

Douglas Seale	...	Mike Malloy / ... (2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Royal Dano	...	Elmer / ... (2 episodes, 1986)
Gary Riley	...	Jimmy / ... (2 episodes, 1985)
Larry Spinak	...	Arnold Skamp / ... (2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Jonathan Luria	...	Cameraman / ... (2 episodes, 1986)
Ben Kronen	...	Bald Man / ... (2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Pamela Guest	...	Assistant Director / ... (2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Paul Bartel	...	Detective Watts / ... (2 episodes, 1986-1987)
Charles Durning	...	Assistant to the Boss / ... (2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Louis Giambalvo	...	Dr. Templeton / ... (2 episodes, 1986)
Joshua Rudoy	...	Billy / ... (2 episodes, 1986)
Sharon Spelman	...	Mom / ... (2 episodes, 1986)
Jeff Cohen	...	Eddie / ... (2 episodes, 1985-1986)
J.J. Cohen	...	Bert / ... (2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Tracey Walter	...	Blaze / ... (2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Dana Gladstone	...	George Gershwin / ... (2 episodes, 1986-1987)
Rick Andosca	...	Haller / ... (2 episodes, 1986-1987)
Michael Horse	...	Indian / ... (2 episodes, 1986)
Taliesin Jaffe	...	Mark / ... (2 episodes, 1986)
Arnold Johnson	...	Johnny / ... (2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Brad Bird	...	Scientist #2 (2 episodes, 1985-1987)
Fredric Cook	...	Dr. Wittenberg / ... (2 episodes, 1986-1987)
Jed Mills	...	Marshall / ... (2 episodes, 1986)
Lynn Kuratomi	...	Nurse #2 / ... (2 episodes, 1986-1987)
Billy Beck	...	Caretaker / ... (2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Conrad Dunn	...	Gas Station Attendant / ... (2 episodes, 1986)
JoAnn Willette	...	Angela / ... (2 episodes, 1985-1986)
John McCook	...	Jerry Lane / ... (2 episodes, 1986-1987)
Eve Smith	...	Old Woman (2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Wade Mayer	...	Airline Representative #2 / ... (2 episodes, 1986-1987)
Gregory Wagrowski	...	Ben Oltman / ... (2 episodes, 1986)

Series Directed by
Lesli Linka Glatter		(3 episodes, 1986-1987)
Phil Joanou		(2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Steven Spielberg		(2 episodes, 1985)
Paul Bartel		(2 episodes, 1986-1987)
Thomas Carter		(2 episodes, 1986)
Joe Dante		(2 episodes, 1986)
Joan Darling		(2 episodes, 1986)
Todd Holland		(2 episodes, 1986)
Norman Reynolds		(2 episodes, 1986)

Series Writing credits
Steven Spielberg		(28 episodes, 1985-1987)
Joshua Brand		(24 episodes, 1985-1986)
John Falsey		(24 episodes, 1985-1986)
Mick Garris		(9 episodes, 1985-1987)
Richard Matheson		(3 episodes, 1986-1987)
Stu Krieger		(3 episodes, 1986)
Brad Bird		(2 episodes, 1985-1987)
Gail Parent		(2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Kevin Parent		(2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Earl Pomerantz		(2 episodes, 1985)
Paul Bartel		(2 episodes, 1986-1987)
Richard Christian Matheson		(2 episodes, 1986-1987)
Tom McLoughlin		(2 episodes, 1986-1987)
Michael De Guzman		(2 episodes, 1986)

Series Produced by
Steven Spielberg	....	executive producer (25 episodes, 1985-1987)
David E. Vogel	....	producer (25 episodes, 1985-1987)
Steve Starkey	....	associate producer (24 episodes, 1985-1986)
Joshua Brand	....	supervising producer (22 episodes, 1985-1986)
John Falsey	....	supervising producer (22 episodes, 1985-1986)
Stephen Semel	....	associate producer (16 episodes, 1985-1986)
Skip Lusk	....	associate producer (10 episodes, 1985-1986)

Series Original Music by
Bruce Broughton		(4 episodes, 1985-1986)
Billy Goldenberg		(3 episodes, 1985-1986)
Georges Delerue		(3 episodes, 1986-1987)
Steve Bartek		(2 episodes, 1985-1987)
Danny Elfman		(2 episodes, 1985-1987)
Craig Safan		(2 episodes, 1985-1986)
John Williams		(2 episodes, 1985)
Ralph Burns		(2 episodes, 1986-1987)
Brad Fiedel		(2 episodes, 1986-1987)
David Shire		(2 episodes, 1986-1987)
John Addison		(2 episodes, 1986)
John Mayer		(2 episodes, 1987)

Series Cinematography by
Robert M. Stevens		(18 episodes, 1985-1987)
John McPherson		(13 episodes, 1985-1987)
Charles Minsky		(6 episodes, 1986-1987)

Series Film Editing by
Steven Kemper		(12 episodes, 1985-1986)
Joe Ann Fogle		(11 episodes, 1985-1986)

Series Casting by
Johanna Ray		(14 episodes, 1985-1986)
Jane Feinberg		(10 episodes, 1985-1986)
Mike Fenton		(10 episodes, 1985-1986)
Valorie Massalas		(10 episodes, 1985-1986)

Series Production Design by
Rick Carter		(24 episodes, 1985-1986)

Series Art Direction by
Lynda Paradise		(12 episodes, 1985-1986)
Richard B. Lewis		(11 episodes, 1985-1986)

Series Set Decoration by
Catherine Mann		(13 episodes, 1985-1986)
Richard B. Goddard		(7 episodes, 1985-1986)
Gregory Garrison		(3 episodes, 1985)

Series Costume Design by
Jane Ruhm		(2 episodes, 1986)

Series Makeup Department
Greg Cannom	....	alien creatures creator / mummy creatures creator (2 episodes, 1985)
Matt Rose	....	special makeup effects artist (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
Joan Bradshaw	....	unit production manager (12 episodes, 1985-1986)
Kevin Donnelly	....	unit production manager (8 episodes, 1985-1986)
Zane Radney	....	unit production manager (4 episodes, 1985)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jerry Ketcham	....	second assistant director / first assistant director (23 episodes, 1985-1986)
David L. Beanes	....	first assistant director (12 episodes, 1985-1986)
John Liberti	....	first assistant director (11 episodes, 1985-1986)

Series Art Department
Jaroslav Gebr	....	special artwork (1 episode, 1985)
Yvonne Nagel	....	special artwork (1 episode, 1985)
Henry Alvarez	....	sculptor (1 episode, 1986)
David Russell	....	storyboard artist (1 episode, 1986)
Kendall O'Connor	....	color consultant (1 episode, 1987)

Series Sound Department
Michael C. Moore	....	sound (21 episodes, 1985-1986)
John Stacy	....	sound editor (20 episodes, 1985-1986)
James LaRue	....	sound (3 episodes, 1985-1986)
Bob Newlan	....	sound editor (3 episodes, 1985-1986)
Robert R. Rutledge	....	supervising sound effects editor / sound editor (3 episodes, 1985-1986)
Richard L. Anderson	....	supervising sound editor / supervising sound effects editor (2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Hank Garfield	....	sound (2 episodes, 1986)

Series Special Effects by
Wayne Rose	....	special effects (22 episodes, 1985-1986)
William H. Schirmer	....	special effects supervisor (18 episodes, 1986-1987)

Series Visual Effects by
James D. Bissell	....	main title designer (24 episodes, 1985-1986)
Ron Cobb	....	main title designer (24 episodes, 1985-1986)
Randy Roberts	....	main title producer (24 episodes, 1985-1986)
Bill Kent	....	digital artist (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Ray Saniger	....	stunts (3 episodes, 1986-1987)
Jesse Wayne	....	stunts (2 episodes, 1985-1986)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Rod Weaver	....	best boy electric (45 episodes, 1985-1987)
Kris Krosskove	....	first assistant camera (3 episodes, 1986)

Series Animation Department
James Beihold	....	layout artist (1 episode, 1987)
Ken Bruce	....	principal assistant animator (1 episode, 1987)
Chris Buck	....	animation supervisor (1 episode, 1987)
Tim Burton	....	animation designer (1 episode, 1987)
Randy Cartwright	....	animator (1 episode, 1987)
Fred Cline	....	background artist (1 episode, 1987)
David Cutler	....	principal animator (1 episode, 1987)
Lou Dellarosa	....	principal assistant animator (1 episode, 1987)
Ruth Edelman	....	ink and paint key personnel: Australia (1 episode, 1987)
Russ Edmonds	....	principal animator (1 episode, 1987)
Ralph Eggleston	....	principal animator (1 episode, 1987)
Tony Fucile	....	principal animator (1 episode, 1987)
Adam B. Gordon	....	ink and paint key personnel: Australia (1 episode, 1987)
Klay Hall	....	principal assistant animator (1 episode, 1987)
Terrey Hamada	....	principal assistant animator (1 episode, 1987)
Karen Hansen	....	ink and paint supervisor (1 episode, 1987)
Ron Hughart	....	principal assistant animator (1 episode, 1987)
Dan Jeup	....	principal animator (1 episode, 1987)
Mark Kausler	....	principal animator (1 episode, 1987)
Susan Kroyer	....	principal animator (1 episode, 1987)
Susan Lantz	....	principal assistant animator (1 episode, 1987)
Greg Manwaring	....	animator (1 episode, 1987)
Duncan Marjoribanks	....	principal animator (1 episode, 1987)
Rob Minkoff	....	animator (1 episode, 1987)
Rich Moore	....	principal assistant animator (1 episode, 1987)
Denese Oates	....	ink and paint key personnel: Australia (1 episode, 1987)
Andrew Phillipson	....	background artist (1 episode, 1987)
Philip Phillipson	....	background artist (1 episode, 1987)
Darrell Rooney	....	layout artist (1 episode, 1987)
Alan Smart	....	principal assistant animator (1 episode, 1987)
David Stephan	....	principal assistant animator (1 episode, 1987)
Jill Stirdivant	....	color modeler (1 episode, 1987)
Brigitte Strother	....	color modeler (1 episode, 1987)
Gregg Vanzo	....	principal animator (1 episode, 1987)
Dennis Venizelos	....	background artist (1 episode, 1987)
Lauralei Wethy	....	ink and paint key personnel: Australia (1 episode, 1987)
Tanya T. Wilson	....	principal assistant animator (1 episode, 1987)
Kirk Wise	....	principal animator (1 episode, 1987)

Series Casting Department
Craig Campobasso	....	casting associate (34 episodes, 1985-1987)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Joseph Roveto	....	costume supervisor (22 episodes, 1985-1986)
Jane Ruhm	....	costume supervisor (20 episodes, 1985-1986)
Carol Hybi	....	costume supervisor (2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Sanford Slepak	....	costume supervisor (2 episodes, 1985-1986)

Series Editorial Department
James Garrett	....	assistant editor (14 episodes, 1985-1987)
Raúl Dávalos	....	assistant editor (4 episodes, 1986)

Series Music Department
John Williams	....	composer: theme music / composer: theme (43 episodes, 1985-1987)

Series Transportation Department
Chris Haynes	....	driver (3 episodes, 1985-1986)

Series Other crew
Kathleen Kennedy	....	production executive (25 episodes, 1985-1987)
Frank Marshall	....	production executive (25 episodes, 1985-1987)
Mick Garris	....	story editor (22 episodes, 1985-1986)
Peter Z. Orton	....	story editor (2 episodes, 1986)

Production Companies

• Amblin Entertainment
• Universal TV

Distributors

• MCA/Universal Television (1985) (worldwide) (TV)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1985-1987) (USA) (TV)
• MCA/Universal Home Video (1991) (USA) (video) (laserdisc) (books 1-3)
• MCA/Universal Home Video (1992) (USA) (video) (laserdisc) (books 4 and 5)
• MCA/Universal Home Video (1993) (USA) (VHS) (books 1-5)
• Phillips (1992) (Germany) (video) (laserdisc)
• RTL2 Fernsehen (1993-1994) (Germany) (TV)
• Universal Home Entertainment (2006) (USA) (DVD) (season 1)
• Universal Pictures Benelux (2006) (Netherlands) (DVD) (season 1)

Special Effects

• Available Light Productions
• Industrial Light & Magic (ILM)
• International Special Effects

Other Companies

• Intrada  score album released by (Special Collection)
• Unique Movie Cars  picture cars

Also Known As:

Steven Spielberg Presents Amazing Stories (Australia)
Steven Spielberg's Amazing Stories (USA) (complete title)

Runtime:

30 min (45 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby (1986-1987) | Stereo (1985-1986)

Certification:

Iceland:12 (tapes 1-3 and 5) | UK:12 (one episode) | UK:15 (some episodes) | UK:PG (some episodes) | UK:U (some episodes) | USA:PG-13 (video compilation) | Australia:PG (some episodes) | Argentina:13 | Singapore:PG | Netherlands:6 | South Korea:12 | Australia:M (some episodes) | Iceland:16 (tape 6) | Iceland:L (tapes 4, 7 and 8) | Finland:K-12 (original rating)

Filming Locations:

Pico House - 410 N. Main Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Amblin Entertainment

Trivia:

The title is taken from a bi-monthly, Sci-fi journal famous in the 1940s and '50s and edited by TV and film writer Howard Browne.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Science Fiction: A Journey Into the Unknown (1994) (TV)

OK series, but not that Amazing

This anthology series wasn't really all that great, but on the flip side, it doesn't totally suck either. Steven Spielberg's "Amazing Stories" tries to be a cross b/w "The Twilight Zone", early Disney films, and some magical pulp adventures from the 1930s. But a lot of the episodes are flat out boring. There was a certain ambiance that surrounded "Amazing Stories" and it's marketing back in 1985 that made you think it was an important event series that couldn't be missed. This was a especially true if you were a child a the time. Was it a movie being broadcast on network TV? Was it a made for TV movie that Spielberg dreamed up for NBC? Was George Lucas somehow involved? Or was it just a TV show? The lines of what "Amazing Stories" was often felt blurred, it was not really a sci-fi series, but more creepy tales from the netherworld. It was hard to tell at the time, but I bought it. Hook line and sinker, I was there for every episode. It also had Steven "Jaws/Indiana Jones/E.T." Spielberg's name attached to it, which automatically made people in the mid 80s think it would be awesome. The opening credits with the cavemen sitting around a fire tries to reinforce this notion that the series is telling ancient, wondrous stories but it's simply not that good. To be fair there is some magic to this show and there were a couple of stand out episodes (The Mission was one of my favorites), but I never thought it was the kind of magic that was promised in the credits.

A problem I had was that the episodes often build up to what seems like an amazing climax (pun intended), but level off with corny, tacked on endings that felt written at the last minute. Many of the stories are VERY PREDICTABLE. If the series is award winning, I'm certain it's because of technical achievements. The early CGI TRON styled credits were excellent for their time. In fact I believe "Amazing Stories" was the first TV series to use computer generated special effects.

The show isn't bad at all, it's just not the classic classic that some believe it is. I mean it's entertaining enough, but don't expect Rod Serling kinda story telling. Even as a kid I thought the series was mediocre. I was about in the 5th grade when this show came on, young enough to still be taken in by the premise because the show appeared to promise "Star Wars/Indiana Jones/E.T." kinda magic, but I was an old enough elementary school kid to figure out a dumb or boring story.

Personally I wouldn't get the DVD, this show is best seen as something you would catch on the Sci-Fi channel during a rainy day. I think it's entertaining enough to watch on TV, but not to own. It is great series for mid 80s (1985/'86) nostalgia, it'll likely make you cringe at the gaudy mid 80s styles.

I would grade the series as a B-.