Amazing Stories (1985–1987)

Truly amazing, and sometimes odd, stories are narrated. Many famous actors and actresses made guest appearances.

Stars:

Charles Durning, Douglas Seale, Paul Bartel

Won 5 Primetime Emmys. Another 3 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Charles Durning	...	Assistant to the Boss (2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Douglas Seale	...	Mike Malloy (2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Paul Bartel	...	Detective Watts (2 episodes, 1986-1987)
Jeff Cohen	...	Eddie (2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Taliesin Jaffe	...	Mark (2 episodes, 1986)
Royal Dano	...	Elmer (2 episodes, 1986)
Gary Riley	...	Jimmy (2 episodes, 1985)
John McCook	...	Jerry Lane (2 episodes, 1986-1987)
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)
Louis Giambalvo	...	Dr. Templeton (2 episodes, 1986)
Joshua Rudoy	...	Billy (2 episodes, 1986)
Sharon Spelman	...	Mom (2 episodes, 1986)
J.J. Cohen	...	Bert (2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Tracey Walter	...	Blaze (2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Rick Andosca	...	Haller (2 episodes, 1986-1987)
Michael Horse	...	Indian (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)
Eve Smith	...	Old Woman (2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Wade Mayer	...	Airline Representative #2 (2 episodes, 1986-1987)
Gregory Wagrowski	...	Ben Oltman (2 episodes, 1986)

Storyline

Truly amazing, and sometimes odd, stories are narrated. Many famous actors and actresses made guest appearances.

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Plot Keywords:

anthology

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Taglines:

In the extraordinary worlds of Amazing Stories!

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Genres:

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

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Official Sites:

Sci Fi Channel

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 September 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Steven Spielberg's Amazing Stories

Filming Locations:

Colonial Street, Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Amblin Entertainment, Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (45 episodes)

Sound Mix:

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

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

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.

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Connections

Referenced in The Directors: The Films of Clint Eastwood

User Reviews

Great series

Spielburg is truly one of our cinematic giants and were so lucky to have him. I remember that he said that he based Raiders Of The Lost Ark on all those cliffhanger movie serials that he saw as a kid. He is like a person with the mind of a genius and the heart of a child. Amazing Stories was his contribution to television and this series has been unfairly forgotten. It should have run longer and I am glad some of the episodes are out on video. It was imaginative and daring just like the movies Speilburg directed. It told different stories every week and used some of our finest actors in the roles. The one that touched my heart the most was one about a man who was a soldier in World War II and came home resented by his little girl. She wandered off in the woods during a picnic and was lost forever. Years later, when the old man's wife is on her deathbed, he hears a knock at the door and he opens it to see his little girl. She has come for her mother and takes her away. This was one of the most moving stories that I have ever seen and it almost brings tears to my eyes thinking of it even now. Some episodes were dramatic and some were funny but the point is that all were masterful and original. Fred Allen once said "No wonder they call tv a medium, nothing on it is ever well done". I think even Fred would have loved Amazing Stories.