Hayden Christensen was given the unforgivable task of playing Darth Vader during his "Wonder Years." For better or for worse, he did the best he could with his skills and the limitations of the material. I know folks who don't even consider the Star Wars Prequel films canon they dislike them that much, but -- as they say -- it is what it is. I'd agree that Christensen struggled to convey the gravitas most fans associate with the Dark Lord of the Sith, though I tend to fault the writing more than I do the actor.
Christensen was born on this day in 1981.
Christensen was born on this day in 1981.
Alan Wheatley leaves behind a legacy of over one hundred different screen credits, including a prominent role aboard Spaceways (1953) and a guest spot aboard the BBC's Doctor Who. Though he's no longer with us, Wheatley was born on this day in 1907.
One of Hugh O'Brian's earliest roles was as astronaut 'Harry Chamberlain' aboard the SciFi classic Rocketship X-M (1950). Plus, in the 1970's, he headlined the series Probe, a SciFi-lite property. Though he's no longer with us, O'Brian was born on this day in 1925.
Rhodes Reason made an appearance aboard "Bread and Circuses," one of the better episodes of Star Trek's second season on NBC. Though he's no longer with us, Reason was born on this day in 1930.
To wrestling fans, that's Ox Baker. To Escape From New York fans, that's 'Slag,' the reigning champion who went up against Snake Plissken and lost. Though he's no longer with us, Baker was born on this day in 1934.
Herman Zimmerman (above center) served as the Production Designer (and then some!) for some of Star Trek: The Next Generation during its run as well as for all of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Enterprise. He also served similarly for Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989), Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991), Star Trek: Generations (1994), Star Trek: First Contact (1996), Star Trek: Insurrection (1998), and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002). Zimmerman was born on this day in 1935.
The lovely Elinor Donahue shone as 'Nancy Hedford' aboard the classic Star Trek episode, "Metamorphosis." Donahue was born on this day in 1937.
Veteran actor Tim Curry has been around an awful long time, certainly long enough to have built the mostly distinguished career a veteran actor should. Most know him best from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, but I prefer his vastly more subtle work, such as his voice acting on the recent Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated program (he voiced Darth Sidious and Emperor Palpatine). Curry was born on this day in 1946.
Tony Plana showed up for a few episodes of USA Network's Colony in the role of a regional leader who had bitten off more than he could chew. Plana was born on this day in 1952.
Moira Sinise had a small role aboard Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) and then retired from screen acting (it would appear). Sinise was born on this day in 1954.
The lovely Patricia Charbonneau played one of the brainy specialists taking care of the world's first cybernetic police officer aboard Robocop 2 (1990). She also turned up in a few guest appearances aboard NBC's SeaQuest 2032. Charbonneau was born on this day in 1959.
Aboard the Doctor Who twenty-fourth season serial "Time and the Rani," Mark Greenstreet played the role of 'Ikona.' Greenstreet was born on this day in 1960.
Late in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's run, the great Tim Ransom (above right) had a few guest spots as Jack, one of a group of closeted geniuses who reveal a secret about the station's Dr. Bashir. Ransom was born on this day in 1963.
Well before she grew up and found an apparent hatred for her political opposition, a kinder gentler Ashley Judd was wooing young Wesley Crusher aboard the starship Enterprise-D in the role of Star Trek: The Next Generation's Ensign Robin Lefler. Well. You've come a long way, baby! Judd was born on this day in 1968.
What did I think of James Franco in The Rise of the Planet of the Apes? In short, it was nice to see him "act," for a change, instead of serving up the usual antics. Franco surprised even his harshest critics as the scientist struggling to find a cure for his father's Alzheimer's when he injects an ape with a possible cure, setting in motion a series of events that gave rise to the Planet of the Apes. Franco was born on this day in 1978.
Even though the lovely Alexis Thorpe (above left) doesn't have an expansive resume, she's still managed to squeeze in roles aboard The Man From Earth (2007) and Nightmare City 2035 (2007). Thorpe was born on this day in 1980.
The stunning Catalina Sandino Moreno (above right) was one of the tough ladies who answered the call for TNT's alien invasion drama, Falling Skies. Moreno was born on this day in 1981.
The lovely Cassandra Morris is one of those voiceover talents whose face probably escapes most of us (me included). You've heard her precious pipes as part of several animes and/or video game projects, and Morris was born on this day in 1982.
I'm told Netflix's incarnation of Irwin Allen's SciFi classic Lost In Space has evolved into more of a love story between a man and his chicken ... I kid, I kid. I don't Netflix, so I can't speak for the veracity of that statement. In any event, I have read that the hunky Ignacio Serricchio plays 'Don West' on the property, and Serricchio was born on this day in 1982. [Source: IMDB.com]
According to IMDB.com, the lovely Mia Serafino got her acting start aboard The Butterfly Effect 3: Revelations (2009). Serafino was born on this day in 1989.
On this day in 1972 (in France), The Andromeda Strain brought the danger from space down to Earth. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A team of top scientists work feverishly in a secret, state-of-the-art laboratory to discover what has killed the citizens of a small town and learn how this deadly contagion can be stopped."
"A team of top scientists work feverishly in a secret, state-of-the-art laboratory to discover what has killed the citizens of a small town and learn how this deadly contagion can be stopped."
On this day in 1973, audiences in New York City grew a little hungry for just a bit of Soylent Green at the film's exclusive premiere. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A police officer in the year 2022 uncovers the deadly secret behind a mysterious synthetic food."
"A police officer in the year 2022 uncovers the deadly secret behind a mysterious synthetic food."
On this day in 1984 (in Mexico), Spacehunter: Adventures In The Forbidden Zone blasted off for 3D adventures in ... well ... in the Forbidden Zone! (It's in the title, people!) According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"On a distant planet inhabited by mutants, two bounty-hunters race to rescue three Earth female captives from the clutches of an evil mutant warlord."
"On a distant planet inhabited by mutants, two bounty-hunters race to rescue three Earth female captives from the clutches of an evil mutant warlord."
On this day in 1985, The Company Of Wolves enjoyed its U.S. theatrical release. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A teenage girl in a country manor falls asleep while reading a magazine, and has a disturbing dream involving wolves prowling the woods below her bedroom window."
"A teenage girl in a country manor falls asleep while reading a magazine, and has a disturbing dream involving wolves prowling the woods below her bedroom window."
On this day in 1985 (in West Germany), The Last Starfighter soared onto the silver screen. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Video game expert Alex Rogan finds himself transported to another planet after conquering The Last Starfighter video game only to find out it was just a test. He was recruited to join the team of best starfighters to defend their world from the attack."
"Video game expert Alex Rogan finds himself transported to another planet after conquering The Last Starfighter video game only to find out it was just a test. He was recruited to join the team of best starfighters to defend their world from the attack."
On this day in 1986 (in the Philippines), D.A.R.Y.L. became the little boy that could at the box office. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A young boy is found wandering without any memory of who he is. A family takes him in and begin to look for clues to help him find his way home. In the meantime, they notice that the boy seems to have certain special abilities, not usually found in kids his age, or even fully-grown adults."
"A young boy is found wandering without any memory of who he is. A family takes him in and begin to look for clues to help him find his way home. In the meantime, they notice that the boy seems to have certain special abilities, not usually found in kids his age, or even fully-grown adults."
A star is born! On this day in 1998, Brave New World enjoyed its US television broadcast premiere. Adapting the novel by Aldous Huxley, the SciFi/Drama starred Peter Gallagher, Leonard Nimoy, and Rya Kihlstedt, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In a futuristic totalitarian utopian society, babies are created through genetic engineering, everyone has a predestined place in society and their minds are conditioned to follow the rules. A tragic outsider jeopardizes the status quo."
"In a futuristic totalitarian utopian society, babies are created through genetic engineering, everyone has a predestined place in society and their minds are conditioned to follow the rules. A tragic outsider jeopardizes the status quo."
On this day in 2007 (in Argentina), La Antena first played for audiences. The SciFi/Fantasy starred Alejandro Urdapilleta and Valeria Bertuccelli, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"This near-silent black and white film from Argentina tells the story of a city that has lost its voice, stolen by Mr. TV, and the attempts of a small family to win the voice back. Similar in design to early German expressionist films."
"This near-silent black and white film from Argentina tells the story of a city that has lost its voice, stolen by Mr. TV, and the attempts of a small family to win the voice back. Similar in design to early German expressionist films."
A star is born! On this day in 2008, the SciFi/Telefilm Warbirds bared its beak ... erm, teeth? The feature starred Jamie Elle Mann and Brian Krause, and here's the premise that's listed aboard IMDB.com:
"During WWII, a pilot and her crew carry a small group of American soldiers and an unknown cargo. However they get caught in a storm and they are forced to land in what is thought to be enemy territory. But the small island they land on holds more than men with guns."
"During WWII, a pilot and her crew carry a small group of American soldiers and an unknown cargo. However they get caught in a storm and they are forced to land in what is thought to be enemy territory. But the small island they land on holds more than men with guns."
Scientology's Tom Cruise took another step into the realm of Science Fiction on this day in 2013 with the release of Oblivion in theatres. I missed it on its go-round, but I did watch it on home video as soon as it came out. To be honest, I quite liked it. I don't think it has the 'legs' most truly great SciFi films do, but it was nice to see Tom try to do something a bit different for a change. According to IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A veteran assigned to extract Earth's remaining resources begins to question what he knows about his mission and himself."
"A veteran assigned to extract Earth's remaining resources begins to question what he knows about his mission and himself."
On this day in 2018, Fast Color enjoyed its U.S. theatrical release. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary for the Superhero/Drama:
"After years in hiding, a woman is forced to go on the run when her superhuman abilities are discovered. Years after having abandoned her family, the only place she has left to hide is home."
"After years in hiding, a woman is forced to go on the run when her superhuman abilities are discovered. Years after having abandoned her family, the only place she has left to hide is home."
On this day in 1952, Space Patrol aired "Trouble On Titan." Officially, this served as the sixteenth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by Solarguard.com:
"While accompanying Major Robertson in his inspection of the Security Detention Colony on Titan, Carol Carlisle is taken hostage by an escaping criminal brandishing a hand fashioned weapon similar to a heat ray. Retreating into the rocks and threatening to kill Carol if anyone approaches, he seriously wounds Robbie. Commander Corry and Cadet Happy are summoned to aid in Carol's rescue. They relieve Robbie and his guards and go after the desperate killer alone."
"While accompanying Major Robertson in his inspection of the Security Detention Colony on Titan, Carol Carlisle is taken hostage by an escaping criminal brandishing a hand fashioned weapon similar to a heat ray. Retreating into the rocks and threatening to kill Carol if anyone approaches, he seriously wounds Robbie. Commander Corry and Cadet Happy are summoned to aid in Carol's rescue. They relieve Robbie and his guards and go after the desperate killer alone."
On this day in 1957, Adventures of Superman aired the fiery Money To Burn. This served as the seventh episode of the program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When one of the Planet's warehouses catches fire Superman arrives in time to stop it. Later Perry learns that a large payroll he placed in the safe, is not there. So the insurance company refuses to pay, claiming that the fire was deliberately set to cover up the money's disappearance, which Perry knows he didn't do. So he sets out to find out who did. What he or anyone doesn't know is that a couple of guys who call themselves "The Firemen's Friend" because they go to fires and serve coffee and donuts to the firemen, were the ones who stole the money by using a fireproof suit and a special hearing aid that can help them open any safe. When Perry runs into them, he notices a few things that are odd."
"When one of the Planet's warehouses catches fire Superman arrives in time to stop it. Later Perry learns that a large payroll he placed in the safe, is not there. So the insurance company refuses to pay, claiming that the fire was deliberately set to cover up the money's disappearance, which Perry knows he didn't do. So he sets out to find out who did. What he or anyone doesn't know is that a couple of guys who call themselves "The Firemen's Friend" because they go to fires and serve coffee and donuts to the firemen, were the ones who stole the money by using a fireproof suit and a special hearing aid that can help them open any safe. When Perry runs into them, he notices a few things that are odd."
On this day in 1964, My Favorite Martian aired "Danger! High Voltage." Officially, this served as the twenty-seventh episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Martin needs to electrically charge himself for his trip back to Mars. However he overcharges himself. He needs to rid himself of the excess electricity, and when he initially tries to discharge it, he blacks out half of Los Angeles. Martin is facing two problems. First, if he is overcharged for an extended period of time, he will exhibit unusual symptoms such as a plaid designed face. A current symptom is his continual sneezing which is causing electrical switches to turn on. And second, the power company is narrowing the source of the blackout to the O'Hara's neighborhood, and have called in the police to investigate the malicious tampering with the power grid. Martin figures the best course of action to discharge the electricity in a hurry is to do it direct at the source: the power house. In his invisible state, Martin hitches ride in the power truck that's come to investigate their neighborhood. After distracting the power man on duty, Martin manages to discharge his excess electricity safely back into the system. But once again, he's missed his opportunity to get back to Mars."
"Martin needs to electrically charge himself for his trip back to Mars. However he overcharges himself. He needs to rid himself of the excess electricity, and when he initially tries to discharge it, he blacks out half of Los Angeles. Martin is facing two problems. First, if he is overcharged for an extended period of time, he will exhibit unusual symptoms such as a plaid designed face. A current symptom is his continual sneezing which is causing electrical switches to turn on. And second, the power company is narrowing the source of the blackout to the O'Hara's neighborhood, and have called in the police to investigate the malicious tampering with the power grid. Martin figures the best course of action to discharge the electricity in a hurry is to do it direct at the source: the power house. In his invisible state, Martin hitches ride in the power truck that's come to investigate their neighborhood. After distracting the power man on duty, Martin manages to discharge his excess electricity safely back into the system. But once again, he's missed his opportunity to get back to Mars."
On this day in 1969, Doctor Who aired "The War Games, Part 1." This served as the thirty-fifth episode of the program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Doctor, Jamie and Zoe realise they have arrived in the trenches of the First World War, where the sinister General Smythe accuses them of espionage."
"The Doctor, Jamie and Zoe realise they have arrived in the trenches of the First World War, where the sinister General Smythe accuses them of espionage."
On this day in 1975, Doctor Who aired "Revenge of the Cybermen, Part 1." This served as the seventeenth episode of the program's twelfth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Time Ring returns The Doctor, Sarah and Harry to Nerva Beacon thousands of years before they left. Where the Doctor, Sarah and Harry find the Beacon's crew have been wiped out by a space plague, only to discover the crew have been murdered by a cybermat and the culprits are the Cybermen and geologist Professor Kellman who bid to wipe out "Voga" a planet of gold, home of the subterranean Vogans who defeated the Cybermen in a war."
"The Time Ring returns The Doctor, Sarah and Harry to Nerva Beacon thousands of years before they left. Where the Doctor, Sarah and Harry find the Beacon's crew have been wiped out by a space plague, only to discover the crew have been murdered by a cybermat and the culprits are the Cybermen and geologist Professor Kellman who bid to wipe out "Voga" a planet of gold, home of the subterranean Vogans who defeated the Cybermen in a war."
On this day in 1992, Mann & Machine aired "No Pain, No Gain." This served as the third episode in the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Eve revives an ex-cop, who wants to die, by getting him to help investigate murders committed for body parts."
"Eve revives an ex-cop, who wants to die, by getting him to help investigate murders committed for body parts."
On this day in 1996, Space: Above And Beyond aired "Stardust." Officially, this served as the twentieth episode of the program's only season on original broadcast television, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The 58th are given the highest top secret mission of the whole Earth war effort. So secret they don't even know the whole details of the missions objectives, but the mission must not and can not fail."
"The 58th are given the highest top secret mission of the whole Earth war effort. So secret they don't even know the whole details of the missions objectives, but the mission must not and can not fail."
It all came down to this: on this day in 1997, Crime Traveller aired "The Broken Crystal." This served as the eighth episode of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The most expensive and most vital part of the machine breaks meaning Holly and Slade's time traveling escapades are over, permanently."
"The most expensive and most vital part of the machine breaks meaning Holly and Slade's time traveling escapades are over, permanently."
On this day in 1997, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman aired "Shadow Of A Doubt." Officially, this served as the eighteenth episode in the program's fourth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Lex Luthor's son, Leslie Luckaby, takes over as owner of the Daily Planet and makes a play for Lois. Lois and Clark consider conceiving a child together."
"Lex Luthor's son, Leslie Luckaby, takes over as owner of the Daily Planet and makes a play for Lois. Lois and Clark consider conceiving a child together."
On this day in 1998, The X-Files aired "Mind's Eye." Officially, this served as the sixteenth episode in the program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The prime suspect in a murder case is a woman who has been blind since birth, leading Mulder and Scully to conclude she may possess the ability to see through a killer's eyes."
"The prime suspect in a murder case is a woman who has been blind since birth, leading Mulder and Scully to conclude she may possess the ability to see through a killer's eyes."
On this day in 2000, Star Trek: Voyager aired "Live Fast and Prosper." This served as the twenty-first episode of the program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TrekCore.com:
"A troupe of alien con artists pose as Janeway, Chakotay and Tuvok in their mock up "Delta Flyer" in order to take advantage of other species riding on Voyager's good name."
"A troupe of alien con artists pose as Janeway, Chakotay and Tuvok in their mock up "Delta Flyer" in order to take advantage of other species riding on Voyager's good name."
On this day in 2003, Mobile Suit Gundam Seed aired "Kira." This served as the twenty-eighth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A war is under way between genetically enhanced Coordinators and unmodified Naturals."
"A war is under way between genetically enhanced Coordinators and unmodified Naturals."
On this day in 2004, Mutant X aired "In Between." This served as the eighteenth episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When Jesse's life hangs in the balance, Brennan must connect to him and lead him through past memories they've shared in order to save his life."
"When Jesse's life hangs in the balance, Brennan must connect to him and lead him through past memories they've shared in order to save his life."
On this day in 2007, Smallville aired "Progeny." Officially, this served as the eighteenth episode in the program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After Lex discovers that Chloe's mother, Moira, has the power to control meteor freaks, he develops a drug to wake her from her catatonic state in an asylum."
"After Lex discovers that Chloe's mother, Moira, has the power to control meteor freaks, he develops a drug to wake her from her catatonic state in an asylum."
On this day in 2008 (in Hungary), Doctor Who aired "Army of Ghosts." This served as the twelfth episode in the relaunched program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"As the ghosts of loved ones appear, the whole world celebrates. But as the Doctor investigates he believes that there is a more sinister motive behind their appearence. And deep within the Torchwood tower, a mysterious sphere containing the greatest enemies of the Doctor is opened..."
"As the ghosts of loved ones appear, the whole world celebrates. But as the Doctor investigates he believes that there is a more sinister motive behind their appearence. And deep within the Torchwood tower, a mysterious sphere containing the greatest enemies of the Doctor is opened..."
On this day in 2012 (in the U.S. and Canada), Touch aired "Lost & Found." Officially, this served as the sixth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Martin provides Teller with all the leftover numbers that Jake has thus far provided him, these numbers with the exception of the last three missing from Jake's list matching Teller's own list which he calls "the Amelia sequence", named after one of his former patients who he is trying to find. Teller knows that his sequence of numbers is still incomplete and wants Jake's help to complete the sequence in order to find Amelia. Martin is reluctant to let Teller speak to Jake at this time if only to stay under the radar of the authorities who want to find any reason to take Jake away. Meanwhile, Clea receives news that her schizophrenic mother, who she has not seen in six years, is in hospital for psychiatric evaluation following being picked up for shoplifting. Clea's mother is able to escape from the hospital. Based on Martin's recent stops, including at the hospital when Clea is there, and information from Clea about her mother's recent ramblings, the two believe that her mother has taken a young boy, now reported missing, confusing the child as her own. Martin and Clea embark on a quest to locate her mother and the missing boy, which requires Clea to revisit some painful memories from childhood. Their quest ends up being connected to a jazz aficionado working for a real estate developer he who is regretting his latest deal, an Asian lesbian couple who are trying to conceive a child through artificial insemination but who have so far been unsuccessful in this endeavor, and a recurring dream that Martin has of Jake on a playground swing."
"Martin provides Teller with all the leftover numbers that Jake has thus far provided him, these numbers with the exception of the last three missing from Jake's list matching Teller's own list which he calls "the Amelia sequence", named after one of his former patients who he is trying to find. Teller knows that his sequence of numbers is still incomplete and wants Jake's help to complete the sequence in order to find Amelia. Martin is reluctant to let Teller speak to Jake at this time if only to stay under the radar of the authorities who want to find any reason to take Jake away. Meanwhile, Clea receives news that her schizophrenic mother, who she has not seen in six years, is in hospital for psychiatric evaluation following being picked up for shoplifting. Clea's mother is able to escape from the hospital. Based on Martin's recent stops, including at the hospital when Clea is there, and information from Clea about her mother's recent ramblings, the two believe that her mother has taken a young boy, now reported missing, confusing the child as her own. Martin and Clea embark on a quest to locate her mother and the missing boy, which requires Clea to revisit some painful memories from childhood. Their quest ends up being connected to a jazz aficionado working for a real estate developer he who is regretting his latest deal, an Asian lesbian couple who are trying to conceive a child through artificial insemination but who have so far been unsuccessful in this endeavor, and a recurring dream that Martin has of Jake on a playground swing."
On this day in 2014, the BBC's clone drama Orphan Black returned to the airwaves with "Nature Under Constraint and Vexed." This served as the first episode to the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Sarah learns that Kira and Siobhan's disappearance is down to Rachel who wants her to come back. She manages to avoid Rachel's henchmen. Cosima decides she will research her own illness. Delphine finds herself under suspicion when she returns to the DYAD Institute. Alison is trying to get her family life in order. She's given up drinking and has gotten involved in community theater. She agrees to help Felix and Sarah by getting them an unregistered gun. When Sarah finally gets close to Rachel, she learns she needs to look elsewhere."
"Sarah learns that Kira and Siobhan's disappearance is down to Rachel who wants her to come back. She manages to avoid Rachel's henchmen. Cosima decides she will research her own illness. Delphine finds herself under suspicion when she returns to the DYAD Institute. Alison is trying to get her family life in order. She's given up drinking and has gotten involved in community theater. She agrees to help Felix and Sarah by getting them an unregistered gun. When Sarah finally gets close to Rachel, she learns she needs to look elsewhere."
On this day in 2016, Stitchers aired "Midnight Stitcher." This served as the fifth episode of the program's second season, and here's the premise as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"When a woman is found dead with a note "This is his fault. K.C." on her body, Kirsten is convinced it's a message from her fugitive father."
"When a woman is found dead with a note "This is his fault. K.C." on her body, Kirsten is convinced it's a message from her fugitive father."
On this day in 2017, The Expanse aired "Caliban's War." This served as the thirteenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In the final episode of this season, the crew of the Rocinante comes face to face with an evolving intelligence infused with the alien protomatter."
"In the final episode of this season, the crew of the Rocinante comes face to face with an evolving intelligence infused with the alien protomatter."
