When I was a kid, one of the coolest things I could find on the TV dial was Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds (and, no, I'm not speaking about that God-awful Bill Paxton reboot movie that only had the cajones to features the Tracy Family as secondary characters). It had enough action & adventure to stimulate my little mind, and being filmed in SuperMarionation -- captured all of the emotion fit for wood, string, and wires -- well, that was just a plus. Though he's no longer with us, Gerry had the right stuff, creating a whole slew of sci-fi themed programs surrounding these wonderful puppets. Though he's no longer with us, Anderson was born on this day back in 1929.
Star Trek's "The Gamesters of Triskelion" is one of those rare Trek episodes that's popularity really surpasses its quality, and that probably could be because it had so many great camp elements mixed in with a relatively traditional SciFi story. The venerable Joseph Ruskin played Galt -- the man behind the games -- and the actor actually had a fantastic resume boasting plenty of work in our beloved genre. Though he's no longer with us, Ruskin was born on this day in 1924.
Screen legend Rod Steiger was brilliant in the oft-maligned Mars Attacks!, an alien invasion comedy from the creative mind of Tim Burton. Steiger's "shoot-first-don't-bother-with-questions-later" attitude with the invading Martians was a source for some great laughs. Though he's no longer with us, Steiger was born on this day in 1925.
Oh my goodness! Back in my days of youthful TV watching if producers needing a scheming, duplicitous scoundrel the go-to guy was Jay Robinson! Fans remember his work from Star Trek, Planet of the Apes (TV), Kolchak: The Night Stalker, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Voyagers!, and Tales of the Gold Monkey. Though he's no longer with us, Robinson was born on this day in 1930.
Star Trek fans know her best as T'Pring -- or the Vulcan woman who was almost Mrs. Spock -- from the season two opener "Amok Time." But Arlene Martel actually had a great run in some pretty plumb guest starring roles, including visits to the worlds of The Twilight Zone, The Untouchables, The Outer Limits, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Wild Wild West, Mission:Impossible, The Six Million Dollar Man, Battlestar Galactica, and the web-based project Star Trek: Of Gods and Men. Though she's no longer with us, Martel was born on this day in 1936.
In 1977's cautionary Demon Seed, actress Julie Christie found herself the object of unwanted affection for her husband's work, a supercomputer known as Proteus with machinations to create its own form of sentient life by impregnating the woman. The lovely lady also appeared in 1966's Fahrenheit 451. Christie was born on this day in 1941.
Veteran character actor John Shea has made a sizable contribution to genre-related projects throughout his incredible career on the big and small screens. Fans recognize him from his work in Man from Atlantis, Freejack, Honey I Blew Up The Kid, Tales from the Crypt, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, and Mutant X. Shea was born on this day in 1949.
While I've never been a big fan of anime, I can appreciate the hard work that goes into weaving some extraordinarily complex stories. One of the best is Katsuhiro Ôtomo, who's responsible for such titles as Akira, Steamboy, and Metropolis. Ôtomo was born on this day in 1954.
In some respects, it's easy to see why some Doctor Who fans are struggling to accept Peter Capaldi as the twelfth incarnation of the legendary Timelord. Since coming back onto the BBC's schedule in 2005, this modern interpretation of the Doctor has had a bit more ongoing whimsy than some of the earlier versions; Capaldi's seriousness probably comes across a bit too curmudgeon for younger viewers. Still, those of us who've been with the Doctor for decades understand and appreciate the talent. Capaldi was born on this day in 1958. [Source: IMDB.com]
I tried getting into Steven Spielberg's SeaQuest when it aired on NBC, largely because it felt like it was going to be a quality Star Trek variation ("Wagon Train Under the Seas"). Unfortunately, it just seemed too bland. Still, I enjoyed the work of several players, including a young John D'Aquino as Lt. Benjamin Krieg. D'Aquino was born on this day in 1958. [Source: IMDB.com]
Confession time: I consider myself one of the world's biggest Superman fans, but I've yet to sit through a single frame of Superman IV: The Quest for Peace. (Don't hate, people!) See, the reviews were so bad when it originally screened, and I pretty much lost patience with Warner Bros. over the tepid Superman III that I just couldn't bring myself to see it. Yet. In the meantime, kudos to Mark Pillow for bringing Nuclear Man to life in the flick. Pillow was born on this day in 1959. [Source: IMDB.com]
When the brash, bold, and brawny Lobo tried to join the Justice League in 2003, the animated character was voiced by none other than funnyman Brad Garrett. Garrett was born on this day in 1960.
From all that I can fathom, regular Stargate franchise fans never took to Stargate: Universe ... but being perfectly honest it was the only version I honestly cared for. I guess I dug how it was so different from the others or something. In any event, the reliable Robert Carlyle played the duplicitous Dr. Nicholas Rush to perfection. Carlyle was born on this day in 1961.
Only a talent as lovely as Gina McKee could bring to life the 'Queen of Light' and the 'Queen of Shadows' for Mirrormask (2005). McKee was born on this day in 1964.
Though she's probably best known for her work on FX's epic The Shield, Catherine Dent has dabbled in genre entertainment. She's book roles on such properties as The Pretender, The X-Files, Replicant, The Invisible Man, Taken (TV miniseries), Sanctuary, and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Dent was born on this day in 1965.
In case you've missed it, then here it is: I can be a junkie for those 'found footage films.' I know that most folks really hate them, largely because they can't sit through the herky-jerky camerawork, but I've actually enjoyed quite a few of them and emerged without a headache to speak of. Apollo 18 was a SciFi entry that postulated there was a huge conspiracy behind why the American space program abandoned the lunar program, and actor Lloyd Owen was one of the astronauts caught up in the drama. Owen was born on this day in 1966. [Source: IMDB.com]
Brat-packer Anthony Michael Hall matured quite nicely. Once he was all grown up, he took on the role of troubled kinda/sorta psychic Johnny Smith for the USA Network's serialized adaptation of Stephen King's Dead Zone. Hall has also enjoyed recurring guest star status on Syfy's Warehouse 13, as well as many other roles in terrific genre properties. Hall was born on this day in 1968.
From the Truth Hurts Department: I don't know about you, but I thought 2010's Predators flick was a gem of an idea ... one that almost instantly turned sour when I learned Adrien Brody had been tasked as the lead human! No offense, but Brody just doesn't carry the charisma of an action star, and that was needed to help elevate the film to the next level. Body was born on this day in 1973. [Source: IMDB.com]
Wow! Talk about irony! Langley Kirkwood pretty much followed up playing the deadly double-crossing 'Judge Lex' from 2012's Dredd by playing 'David' in the epic TV miniseries The Bible. Woof! Kirkwood was born on this day in 1973. [Source: IMDB.com]
WWE wrestling sensationi Amy Dumas took a little time out of the ring to score an appearance aboard Fox TV's SciFi/Series Dark Angel. Dumas was born on this day in 1975. [Source: IMDB.com]
As Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Sarah Michelle Gellar showed us that vampire slaying could be both angst-ridden and downright sexy. Also, she joined the voice cast of Star Wars: Rebels in Season 2 for a recurring role. Gellar was born on this day in 1977.
I recently had the good fortune of viewing the first season of Sweden's Real Humans on DVD. (For those unaware, it's the show that AMC's Humans is based on.) Aboard it, I was smitten mostly with Marie Robertson's 'Beatrice'; she's a synthetic you follow closely but are never quite certain whether she's earned your trust. Robertson was born on this day in 1977.
Funnyman Rob McElhenney played it straight and downright dangerous for a few guest-starring appearances aboard ABC TV's Lost. McElhenney was born on this day in 1977.
I'm not a consumer of NBC's Grimm, but a face as lovely as that on Claire Coffee could still make a believer out of me. Coffee was born on this day in 1980.
About the only development I've enjoyed since Supergirl transported from CBS to The CW is the addition of Chris Wood to the cast in the role of 'Mon-El." Wood was born on this day in 1988. [Source: IMDB.com]
Young Graham Phillips brought Ben Tennyson to blazing life starring in Ben 10: Race Against Time (2007). Phillips was born on this day in 1993.
Pretty as a picture Skyler Samuels has dabbled in the realm of Fantasy with roles in such properties as Wizards of Waverly Place and the short-lived The Gales. Samuels was born on this day in 1994.
It has been pretty spiffy to watch Abigail Breslin mature on the silver screen as an actress. She first came to fame as the cute li'l cherub that gave Little Miss Sunshine most of its life, and now she's stepped into the realm of Science Fiction by taking on roles in projects like Ender's Game. All she needs now is a franchise to call her own! Breslin was born on this day in 1996.
On this day in 1962 (in the former Soviet Union), Planet Of Storms stirred up some dust. Written (in part) and directed by Pavel Klushantsev, the film bears the distinction of being released in the United States in two different formats: first, it was dubbed into English and aired on television in 1965 as "Voyage To The Prehistoric Planet;" second, it was re-edited and additional scenes were shot with English-speaking stars for a 1968 release titled "Voyage To The Planet Of Prehistoric Women." Cool beans, no? According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the film's plot summary:
"Cosmonauts land on the planet Venus. However, they find themselves in danger from the voracious monsters they find on it."
"Cosmonauts land on the planet Venus. However, they find themselves in danger from the voracious monsters they find on it."
On this day in 1963, the Fantasy-themed Atlas Against The Cyclops enjoyed its bare-chested theatrical release. Directed by Antonio Leonviola, the feature starred Gordon Mitchell and Chelo Alonso, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Strongman Maciste must battle the one-eyed Cyclops monster that is ravaging the land of Sadok, while at the same time fending off the advances of the evil Queen Capys, who wants to do a little ravaging of her own."
"Strongman Maciste must battle the one-eyed Cyclops monster that is ravaging the land of Sadok, while at the same time fending off the advances of the evil Queen Capys, who wants to do a little ravaging of her own."
On this day in 1988, Trans World Entertainment released Deep Space to audiences of U.S. home video. It starred the reliable Charles Napier, Ann Turkel, and Ron Glass, though methinks it probably didn't do much for their respective careers. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"An American satellite with a new biological weapon gets out of control and crashes onto US territory. A slimy monster emerges and manages to escape, killing everyone who crosses his path. Police Lieutenant McLemore gets the job to stop the killing machine."
"An American satellite with a new biological weapon gets out of control and crashes onto US territory. A slimy monster emerges and manages to escape, killing everyone who crosses his path. Police Lieutenant McLemore gets the job to stop the killing machine."
On this day in 2000, the SciFi/Telefilm Virtual Nightmare dished up a nightmare of a virtual variety. Directed by Michael Pattinson, the feature starred Michael Muhney and Tasma Walton, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In the future the world has apparently reached complete perfection, but when Dale suffers a car accident he begins noticing disturbing glitches in the fabric of reality."
"In the future the world has apparently reached complete perfection, but when Dale suffers a car accident he begins noticing disturbing glitches in the fabric of reality."
On this day in 2009 (in Spain), the 1955-produced The Phantom From 10,000 Leagues was finally released on home video. Directed by Dan Milner, the Fantasy film starred Kent Taylor and Cathy Downs, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An unusual radioactive rock on the sea bottom mutates the ocean life into a horrible monster. When charred, radioactive bodies begin to drift ashore a scientist and government agent investigate the phenomenon, and it's connection to a local marine biology professor."
"An unusual radioactive rock on the sea bottom mutates the ocean life into a horrible monster. When charred, radioactive bodies begin to drift ashore a scientist and government agent investigate the phenomenon, and it's connection to a local marine biology professor."
Writer/director Luc Besson has a very respectable track record when it comes to tinkering in worlds where action and science fiction come together. Few folks I know have seen 2010's The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec (having seen it, I can't say I blame 'em); it was released on this day in France, but there exists one import available on DVD that I know of. It was a kinda/sorta female Indiana Jones adventure combined with elements of The Mummy as well as Jurassic Park; outside of a few grand sequences, it was largely forgettable. But I'd be remiss in my duties if I didn't give it a nod. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An adventure set in the early part of the 20th century and focused on a popular novelist and her dealings with would-be suitors, the cops, monsters, and other distractions."
"An adventure set in the early part of the 20th century and focused on a popular novelist and her dealings with would-be suitors, the cops, monsters, and other distractions."
On this day in 2011 (in Germany), Battle Los Angeles roared onto the silver screen. Directed by Jonathan Liebesman, the SciFi feature starred Aaron Eckhart and Michelle Rodriguez, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A squad of U.S. Marines becomes the last line of defense against a global invasion."
"A squad of U.S. Marines becomes the last line of defense against a global invasion."
On this day in 2012 (in the United States), Stanley Kubrick's SciFi/Drama 2001: A Space Odyssey played for audiences in attendance of the RiverRun International Film Festival. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After discovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, mankind sets off on a quest to find its origins with help from intelligent supercomputer H.A.L. 9000."
"After discovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, mankind sets off on a quest to find its origins with help from intelligent supercomputer H.A.L. 9000."
On this day in 2012 (in Finland), the 1966-produced Star Pilot played for audiences in attendance of the Night Visions Film Festival. According to IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Aliens from the constellation Hydra crash-land on the island of Sardinia. A prominent scientist, his daughter, several young technicians, and a pair of Oriental spies are taken hostage by the beings so they can use them to repair their spaceship's broken engine. With that done, they take off towards their home planet, taking the earthlings with them. However, the humans attempt to mutiny against their captors, inadvertently sending their tiny spaceship hurtling into the infinite beyond..."
"Aliens from the constellation Hydra crash-land on the island of Sardinia. A prominent scientist, his daughter, several young technicians, and a pair of Oriental spies are taken hostage by the beings so they can use them to repair their spaceship's broken engine. With that done, they take off towards their home planet, taking the earthlings with them. However, the humans attempt to mutiny against their captors, inadvertently sending their tiny spaceship hurtling into the infinite beyond..."
On this day in 1958, Adventures Of Superman aired "The Brainy Burro." Officially, this served as the eleventh episode in the program's sixth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Perry gets a wire from Lois, who's in Mexico, that she has discovered a donkey with psychic powers. Perry sends Clark down to investigate, and discovers that not only does the "burro" have psychic powers, but it has figured out Clark's secret identity as Superman.'"
"Perry gets a wire from Lois, who's in Mexico, that she has discovered a donkey with psychic powers. Perry sends Clark down to investigate, and discovers that not only does the "burro" have psychic powers, but it has figured out Clark's secret identity as Superman.'"
On this day in 1963 (in the United Kingdom), Gerry Anderson's Fireball XL5 aired "1875." Officially, this served as the twenty-fifth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Professor Matic is building a time machine and tested Robert to go back to 1875. As he wants to keep it a secret, he leaves the key to lieutenant Ninety. However, curious Commander Zero, Steve and Venus persuade Ninety to give out the key. As the explore the new machine, a rather negligent Zoonie press the button and they are sent to 1875 in a Western town."
"Professor Matic is building a time machine and tested Robert to go back to 1875. As he wants to keep it a secret, he leaves the key to lieutenant Ninety. However, curious Commander Zero, Steve and Venus persuade Ninety to give out the key. As the explore the new machine, a rather negligent Zoonie press the button and they are sent to 1875 in a Western town."
On this day in 1975 (in the United Kingdom), Sky aired "Juganet." Officially, this served as the second episode in the program's only season on television, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Arby's sister Jane finds them. Sky tries to explain that the world is treating him as an infection and trying to expel him: he needs to find a Juganet to enable him to return to his own time."
"Arby's sister Jane finds them. Sky tries to explain that the world is treating him as an infection and trying to expel him: he needs to find a Juganet to enable him to return to his own time."
On this day in 1979, Supertrain aired "A Very Formal Heist." Officially, this served as the sixth episode in the program's only season on television, and here's the plot summary as provided by TVGuide.com:
"Supertrain’s newest crew members attempt to track down a jewel thief who has stolen a socialite’s necklace."
"Supertrain’s newest crew members attempt to track down a jewel thief who has stolen a socialite’s necklace."
On this day in 1984, Airwolf aired "To Snare A Wolf." Officially, this served as the eleventh episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Archangel warns String about a zealous government bureaucrat named D.G. Bogard who will stop at nothing until he finds Airwolf. Dom and Hawke take time out from shooting a military training film to hide Airwolf in a different location before it can be discovered, but Bogard catches on to their ruse and tracks Hawke back to the new hideaway. To complicate things, an eager pilot tails Dom and Hawke in an effort to convince Santini that she deserves a job working for his company."
"Archangel warns String about a zealous government bureaucrat named D.G. Bogard who will stop at nothing until he finds Airwolf. Dom and Hawke take time out from shooting a military training film to hide Airwolf in a different location before it can be discovered, but Bogard catches on to their ruse and tracks Hawke back to the new hideaway. To complicate things, an eager pilot tails Dom and Hawke in an effort to convince Santini that she deserves a job working for his company."
On this day in 1987, Max Headroom continued airing episodes from its first season. The third episode was titled "Body Banks," and here's the summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"While Max attempts to fill the many gaps in his and Edison's memory, a man takes Theora hostage in an effort to focus Edison's attention on thugs in search of involuntary organ donors."
"While Max attempts to fill the many gaps in his and Edison's memory, a man takes Theora hostage in an effort to focus Edison's attention on thugs in search of involuntary organ donors."
It all came down to this: on this day in 1988, Probe aired "Quit-It." This served as the seventh and final episode of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Austin and Mickey come to the aid of a young girl who claims everyone in her neighborhood has been replaced by impostors."
"Austin and Mickey come to the aid of a young girl who claims everyone in her neighborhood has been replaced by impostors."
On this day in 1989, Quantum Leap aired "How The Tess Was Won." This served as the fifth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Sam finds himself as a veterinarian who has to compete as a cowboy to win the heart of a cowgirl heiress."
"Sam finds himself as a veterinarian who has to compete as a cowboy to win the heart of a cowgirl heiress."
On this day in 1995, "Facing the Fire" was the seventh episode in VR5's only season, though some of the hours aired out of proper chronological order. Here's the plot summary from TV.com:
"Oliver instructs Sydney to make a VR link to a test pilot in a psychiatric hospital. The pilot keeps seeing fire and hates his father. Sydney enters the hospital disguised as a patient, and plants false memories of child abuse into the pilot's sub-conscious mind. These memories, however, may or may not be Sydney's own. Also, Sydney franatically tries to decipher her father's journal and discovers that he was a member of the Committee."
"Oliver instructs Sydney to make a VR link to a test pilot in a psychiatric hospital. The pilot keeps seeing fire and hates his father. Sydney enters the hospital disguised as a patient, and plants false memories of child abuse into the pilot's sub-conscious mind. These memories, however, may or may not be Sydney's own. Also, Sydney franatically tries to decipher her father's journal and discovers that he was a member of the Committee."
On this day in 2000, Farscape aired "The Way We Weren't." This episode was the fifth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"Chiana discovers a recording with Moya's original Pilot. After seeing the recording and realizing Aeryn was involved, Pilot orders Aeryn to leave Moya."
"Chiana discovers a recording with Moya's original Pilot. After seeing the recording and realizing Aeryn was involved, Pilot orders Aeryn to leave Moya."
On this day in 2000, Harsh Realm aired the fourth episode of its first (and only) season. The hour was titled "Kein Ausgang," and here's the plot summary from TV.com:
"Whilst driving through the countryside in search of a soldier who may hold the key to defeating Santiago, Hobbes and Pinocchio unexpectedly travel through a tear in Harsh Realm and enter what seems to be an alternate dimension. They immediately come under fire from World War II soldiers and eventually learn that they are trapped in an earlier, and thought deleted, version of the Harsh Realm simulation. One of the American soldiers asks for help from Hobbes and Pinocchio as he has been trapped in this version of the game and has been playing it over and over again for years. As Hobbes is captured by the Nazis and Pinocchio fights for the allies, they soon come to realize that if they do not find a way out of this game, they could be doomed to repeated it over and over like the American soldier."
"Whilst driving through the countryside in search of a soldier who may hold the key to defeating Santiago, Hobbes and Pinocchio unexpectedly travel through a tear in Harsh Realm and enter what seems to be an alternate dimension. They immediately come under fire from World War II soldiers and eventually learn that they are trapped in an earlier, and thought deleted, version of the Harsh Realm simulation. One of the American soldiers asks for help from Hobbes and Pinocchio as he has been trapped in this version of the game and has been playing it over and over again for years. As Hobbes is captured by the Nazis and Pinocchio fights for the allies, they soon come to realize that if they do not find a way out of this game, they could be doomed to repeated it over and over like the American soldier."
On this day in 2000, Lexx aired "Twilight." Officially, this served as the thirteenth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Finding Stanley unconscious on the bridge, the crew seek medical help on an ugly little planet, Ruuma. Once there, Stanley recovers, only to learn that Ruuma's life giving qualities also give life to the long dead bodies of former Divine Shadows."
"Finding Stanley unconscious on the bridge, the crew seek medical help on an ugly little planet, Ruuma. Once there, Stanley recovers, only to learn that Ruuma's life giving qualities also give life to the long dead bodies of former Divine Shadows."
On this day in 2003, Andromeda aired "Deep Midnight's Voice." Officially, this served as the eighteenth episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Andromeda gets caught in the middle of a battle between two Nietzschean prides, one of which is the Drago-Kazov. They manage to capture a hostile fighter from the unknown pride. He reveals that the Drago-Kazov believe that his pride has in its possession a legendary Nietzschean slip-scout, the Midnight's Voice, claimed to have mapped billions of transit points in the slipstream, as well as the slipstream itself. Dylan looks into the near-mythic tale of the Midnight's Voice while Tyr interrogates their Nietzschean captive."
"The Andromeda gets caught in the middle of a battle between two Nietzschean prides, one of which is the Drago-Kazov. They manage to capture a hostile fighter from the unknown pride. He reveals that the Drago-Kazov believe that his pride has in its possession a legendary Nietzschean slip-scout, the Midnight's Voice, claimed to have mapped billions of transit points in the slipstream, as well as the slipstream itself. Dylan looks into the near-mythic tale of the Midnight's Voice while Tyr interrogates their Nietzschean captive."
On this day in 2003, Mutant X aired "Inferno." This served as the eighteenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The team are on the trail of a pyromaniac mutant who is causing mayhem, and Shalimar is forced to set aside her fear of fire to save Emma."
"The team are on the trail of a pyromaniac mutant who is causing mayhem, and Shalimar is forced to set aside her fear of fire to save Emma."
On this day in 2012, Green Lantern: The Animated Series aired the seventh episode of its first season, an adventure titled "Reckoning." According to our friends at TV.com, here's the plot summary:
"Razer decides to confront his former master and seeks out Atrocitus on the Red Lantern's homeworld of Shard."
"Razer decides to confront his former master and seeks out Atrocitus on the Red Lantern's homeworld of Shard."
