About Me
November 26, 2007
Stephen Bowie is a freelance writer and film historian with a Bachelor of Arts in Cinema and Television Studies from the University of Southern California.
During high school he first published his work in Laser Marquee, a laserdisc review journal, although he never actually got around to owning a laserdisc player. Since then he has written for Scarlet Street, Television Chronicles, Outré, and Senses of Cinema. Critic Matt Zoller Seitz called his appraisal of director John Frankenheimer “a major piece of criticism and scholarship.”
Stephen’s survey of the political blacklist in fifties television appears in the three-volume anthology Jews and American Popular Culture.
Stephen has conducted on-camera interviews with pioneers of television’s early days for the Archive of American Television. He has been a guest on KSAV’s Talking Television radio show, and has consulted on the home video releases of various TV shows. Most recently, he interviewed Roy Thinnes for CBS-Paramount’s DVD collections of The Invaders.
He lives in New York City.
March 7, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Hello Stephen,
Just a few days ago, while Googling for something in relation to ROUTE 66, I happened upon your excellent website. What a discovery! Worried that I had not come across your website before, that perhaps I had missed much discussion concerning the art and craft of b&w filmed American television from my favourite period (generally 1959 to 1964), I was pleased, in a way, to discover that your site is relatively new (a few months?).
Your comments and observations regarding the DVD release of season 1, part 2 of ROUTE 66 was fascinating – and a welcome forewarning. Having been grateful that part 1 of the series was made available at all, I had been looking forward to the release of part 2. I will now take your good advice regarding the dismal quality of the second release with one part disappointment in the results and one part gratitude for the insight. It’s all too easy to be seduced by the pristine prints of, say, Image’s NAKED CITY releases; trickled out, selectively, as they were a few years back.
The Barry Morse/The FUGITIVE overview was also a pleasure. Not for so much that I’m particularly interested in the career of Barry Morse, but quite simply for a refreshingly knowledgeable appraisal (another rare treasure) that combines a specific study with, in this instance, comparisons of performance in other, lesser known, episodic television. It’s this care for detail that always counts. In my belief, each episode of any TV work should and must be considered and evaluated on its own individual merits. For filmed television, every episode should be viewed as something of a, let’s say, ‘mini movie’, often identifying itself with its own unique attributes (when the possibilties present themselves, of course).
I have yet to explore the other pleasures in full (such as the intriguing EAST SIDE/WEST SIDE piece), but from the sense and spirit of affection and scholarly insight that is received from your observations here it will indeed be a pleasure to continue reading your examinations, discoveries and further evaluations.
Many thanks for classictvhistory,
Tise Vahimagi
June 20, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Hi, Stephen,
I just discovered your blog and find it absolutely fascinating. Not even the film buffs of my acquaintance appear as interested in the names and careers of television writers and directors as you are. I agree that TV-makers have received short shrift by historians and buffs. Hopefully, sites like yours will help rectify the situation.
Keep up the great work,
Marty McKee
November 18, 2008 at 8:36 am
Hey, Stephen–
I’ve been meaning to write. Love your site and recently gave you a small plug on mine. Just go to:
http://thepassionatemoviegoer.blogspot.com/
Thanks.
–Joe
December 1, 2008 at 11:15 am
Dear Stephen, I learned from and enjoyed your article on East Side, West Side, a series that deserves more notice and perhaps even a DVD of at least a few of its episodes. John
February 1, 2009 at 9:34 am
Wonderful blog, Stephen! I have added a link at our television blog The Flaming Nose here: http://flamingnose.blogspot.com/
Your research is fascinating and though you’re obviously a young fellow, you have the true love of television that is so good to see!
August 19, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Stephen, I just stumbled on your blog. I can’t even remember how I got here, but I’m glad I made it.
I run a website about Ray Bradbury’s media work, and recently reviewed three different TV versions of “The Jar”. I just added a link to your Collin Wilcox interview.
Keep up the good work.
- Phil Nichols
August 22, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Stephen,
I had never read your blog before and am very impressed with your knowledge of Philip Saltzman’s work as a TV writer, particularly, and TV scripts in general. I came across the blog looking for information on where services would be held for Phil, so I could attend. I was, of course, distressed to learn of his recent-years dementia, this man whom I only knew as possessing a brilliant mind. I last saw Phil about 20 years ago. He was the best producer I’d ever worked for, not only gifted but a kind compassionate person with a great sense of humor. It’s traditional to say good things about those who are gone, but with Phil it’s all true.
August 23, 2009 at 10:33 pm
I would like to thank you for the wonderful things you have written about my father, Philip Saltzman. I too am sorry you never met him, he was a bright, kind man and you would have enjoyed his stories. Thank you all for responding and knowing my fathers work
August 25, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Dear Stephen:
I was delighted to read your obituary on Philip. You did such an incredible amount of research. It meant so much to Jennifer and me, and when they finally read it, his sons will be equally pleased.
It is especially gratifying, after several years of
caring for him with dementia, to have the real Philip brought back so vividly.
August 25, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Dear Stephen:
I hit the wrong key. All that’s left to say is Thank
you. Sincerely, Caroline (Saltzman)
October 18, 2009 at 11:08 am
PLEASE share your insights and commentary on the Prisoner with us. I just learned about the new AMC miniseries and I am too excited- but the experience will be incomplete without your contribution to both my understanding of the original series as well as your take on the life cycle of the new project. Thanks in advance- if something is already on your site I wasn’t able to find it (but this could certainly be a consequence of my current 70-hour work weeks!)
October 19, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Hi, Ruth. I think the original PRISONER is terrific, although I haven’t seen it since I was a teenager. It’s one of the great cultural mind-trips of the late 60s.
I know very little about the new mini-series, except that it seems … unnecessary. And for years now I’ve joked that Jim Caviezel is the go-to guy after every other leading man in Hollywood has turned a role down. So that’s not a good sign.