In the 1980's, nobody but nobody played "girl-next-door-goodness" like Catherine Mary Stewart. She brought her immeasurable charm to such sleeper hits as The Last Starfighter, and her pluckiness elevated even such forgettable fare as Night of the Comet. She's continued to work off and on over the years, but unfortunately she's never found the kind of fanboy acclaim she experienced during her early career. Stewart was born on this day in 1959.
I know people who loathe Tim Burton's Mars Attacks, and I know folks who love it. Personally, I'm part of the group that has an awful lot of fun with it, though I could quibble that a few actors weren't really right for their parts. Jack Nicholson starred as the ruler of the free world, and he did a pretty bang-up job proving why we should never leave galactic peace to our elected officials. Nicholson was born on this day in 1937. [Source: IMDB.com]
Walt Disney Studios wanted their piece of the sci-fi action after Star Wars made it big, and they decided to investigate The Black Hole. One of its stars, Joseph Bottoms, celebrates his birthday today. Bottoms was born on this day in 1954.
The likable Ken Olandt enjoyed a guest spot aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation's "Bloodlines," an hour that aired in its last season. Olandt was born on this day in 1958. [Source: IMDB.com]
Shari Goodhartz has penned scripts for such genre programs as Star Trek: The Next Generation, Exosquad (animated), and Phantom 2040 (animated). Goodhartz was born on this day in 1960. [Source: Memory Alpha]
Jeffrey Dean Morgan can only get so far on talent and good looks, but I wish he'd get more sci-fi related work. He had a great turn as Edward Blake (aka 'The Comedian') from 2009's big screen adaptation of DC Comics' Watchmen, and he recently cemented his leading man persona in STARZ TV's under-appreciated 60's crime drama, Magic City. (Seriously, if you like period crime dramas, pick that up on DVD.) Morgan was born on this day in 1966.
David Lynch's Twin Peaks is one of those rare, rare programs that defies attempts to categorize it. Is it a Comedy? Is it a Drama? Is it a Fantasy? I've always argued that it's all of the above, and that's why I tend to feature its performers in this space. Sheryl Lee starred as the property's ill-fated 'Laura Palmer,' and Lee was born on this day in 1967. [Source: IMDB.com]
Manu Intiraymi's character of Icheb was created during Star Trek: Voyager's television run, a formerly Borgified teen who gets de-Borged by the Federation crew; and thankfully the actor was recently given a chance to revisit the character aboard the web-based project, Star Trek: Renegades. Intiraymi was born on this day in 1978.
Funnyman Malcolm Barrett is one of the central reasons I find NBC's otherwise kinda/sorta corny time travel drama Timeless so watchable: even though a hardened scientist, he always looks at the world -- past and present -- with a cynicism without the blatant snarkiness that often consumes televised brainiacs. Plus, he was downright fantastic (also as a scientist) aboard the so underrated comedy Better Off Ted. Barrett was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
Wow! Color me clueless but Smallville alum Cassidy Freeman must have a relatively huge internet following. I say this because I went searching for a photo to use for this birthday announcement, and there are scads and scads and scads of stills from the various shows she's been in. The lovely lady Freeman was born on this day in 1982.
Michelle Ryan -- who endured an all-too-brief stint as a companion-of-sorts for Doctor Who -- also turns a year older and a year wiser today. I remember her relatively brief claim-to-fame on this side of the pond, taking over the plumb role of Jaime Sommers in the 2007 reboot of Bionic Woman. Ryan was born on this day in 1984.
So you thought everyone hated Justice League (2017)? Well, I didn't. I'll agree it had some flaws that probably could've been addressed, but -- all-in-all -- I enjoyed it as a comic book movie. And I even was grateful that Amber Heard had a brief appearance -- more of a cinematic tease of things to come -- as Mera, the Atlantean who maybe stole Aquaman's heart. Heard was born on this day in 1986. [Source: IMDB.com]
Invaders from Mars -- released on this day back in 1953 -- is one of those films I'm sure I've seen, but, for some odd reason, it just never registered with me the way it did with most fans of classic sci-fi. Here's the summary from IMDB.com:
"One night, young David McLean sees a spaceship crash into a nearby sandpit. His father goes to investigate, but comes back changed. Where once he was cheerful and affectionate, he's now sullen and snarlingly rude. Others fall into the sandpit and begin acting like him: cold, ill-tempered and conspiratorial. David knows that aliens are taking over the bodies of humans, but he'll soon discover there have been far more of these terrible thefts than he could have imagined. The young doom-monger finds some serious help in a lady doctor and a brilliant astronomer. Soon they meet the aliens: green creatures with insect-like eyes. These beings prove to be slaves to their leader: a large, silent head with ceaselessly shifting eyes and two tentacles on either side, each of which branches off into three smaller tentacles. It's up to the redoubtable earth trio to stop its evil plans."
"One night, young David McLean sees a spaceship crash into a nearby sandpit. His father goes to investigate, but comes back changed. Where once he was cheerful and affectionate, he's now sullen and snarlingly rude. Others fall into the sandpit and begin acting like him: cold, ill-tempered and conspiratorial. David knows that aliens are taking over the bodies of humans, but he'll soon discover there have been far more of these terrible thefts than he could have imagined. The young doom-monger finds some serious help in a lady doctor and a brilliant astronomer. Soon they meet the aliens: green creatures with insect-like eyes. These beings prove to be slaves to their leader: a large, silent head with ceaselessly shifting eyes and two tentacles on either side, each of which branches off into three smaller tentacles. It's up to the redoubtable earth trio to stop its evil plans."
On this day back in 1983, The Deadly Spawn first premiered in theatres. (Sorry, but I've never seen it. Actually, I'd never even heard of it until I stumbled across it.) Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Alien creatures invade a small town and a group of four teenagers, plus one little boy, try to escape from them."
"Alien creatures invade a small town and a group of four teenagers, plus one little boy, try to escape from them."
On this day in 1988, the Apocalypse got a little prettier when Michael Pare and Catherine Mary Stewart strutted their stuff for World Gone Wild. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In the nuclear ravaged wasteland of Earth 2087 water is as precious as life itself. The isolated Lost Wells outpost survived the holocaust and the inhabitants guard the source of their existence. Now an evil cult of renegades want control of their valuable water supply. And the villagers are no match for such brute military force. Only one man can help the stricken community - a mercenary living in a distant cannibal city. But even he, and his strange henchmen, may not be able to survive in the world gone wild."
"In the nuclear ravaged wasteland of Earth 2087 water is as precious as life itself. The isolated Lost Wells outpost survived the holocaust and the inhabitants guard the source of their existence. Now an evil cult of renegades want control of their valuable water supply. And the villagers are no match for such brute military force. Only one man can help the stricken community - a mercenary living in a distant cannibal city. But even he, and his strange henchmen, may not be able to survive in the world gone wild."
Ouch! That's gonna leave a mark! On this day in 2006, Mammoth reared up on television. The feature starred Vincent Ventresca and Summer Glau, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"On a hot summer afternoon in the sleepy town of Blackwater, Louisiana locals exiting a retro-fitted theater excitedly watch as a meteor streaks across the sky and crashes through the roof of the local Natural History Museum. No one realizes that the meteor is actually a spaceship containing a shape-shifting life form. In order to adapt to Earth's atmosphere, the life form latches on to the first organism it comes in contact with - a partially frozen Woolly Mammoth found in the historic exhibit for which the town is famous. As a series of uncanny disasters unfold, the town quickly finds itself overrun by the alien-possessed mammoth. Local authorities and Government Investigators join forces with Frank Abernathy, the Museum Curator, and his father Simon, a B-Movie enthusiast to bring down the mighty mammoth, thus saving the town (and the world) in a wild adventure that blends the 50s alien-invasion flick, and the 70s revenge-of-nature opus into a marauding monster mash!"
"On a hot summer afternoon in the sleepy town of Blackwater, Louisiana locals exiting a retro-fitted theater excitedly watch as a meteor streaks across the sky and crashes through the roof of the local Natural History Museum. No one realizes that the meteor is actually a spaceship containing a shape-shifting life form. In order to adapt to Earth's atmosphere, the life form latches on to the first organism it comes in contact with - a partially frozen Woolly Mammoth found in the historic exhibit for which the town is famous. As a series of uncanny disasters unfold, the town quickly finds itself overrun by the alien-possessed mammoth. Local authorities and Government Investigators join forces with Frank Abernathy, the Museum Curator, and his father Simon, a B-Movie enthusiast to bring down the mighty mammoth, thus saving the town (and the world) in a wild adventure that blends the 50s alien-invasion flick, and the 70s revenge-of-nature opus into a marauding monster mash!"
On this day in 2011, Beyond The Black Rainbow was first released. The feature starred Eva Bourne and Michael Rogers, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Despite being under heavy sedation, a young woman tries to make her way out of the Arboria Institute, a secluded, quasifuturistic commune."
"Despite being under heavy sedation, a young woman tries to make her way out of the Arboria Institute, a secluded, quasifuturistic commune."
Let it be written: ain't no warriors like Sexy Warriors! This Adult-themed Fantasy/Comedy starred Jazy Berlin and Erika Jordan. It was released on this day in 2014, and here's the premise as listed on IMDB.com:
"When the Mystic Orb of Atos is disturbed by two warring Amazons they are magically transported from their primitive island in the Dark Ages to the modern world of Los Angeles. Lost in time they continue their campaign of combat as each seeks out the other in an attempt to settle their deadly score once and for all. Their desire to fight is only matched by their desire to conquer every new form of pleasure they encounter."
"When the Mystic Orb of Atos is disturbed by two warring Amazons they are magically transported from their primitive island in the Dark Ages to the modern world of Los Angeles. Lost in time they continue their campaign of combat as each seeks out the other in an attempt to settle their deadly score once and for all. Their desire to fight is only matched by their desire to conquer every new form of pleasure they encounter."
On this day in 1967, Doctor Who aired "The Faceless Ones." This served as the thirty-third episode in the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Doctor, Jamie and Sam manage to convince Crossland to trust them and he persuades the Commandant to let them continue their investigation."
"The Doctor, Jamie and Sam manage to convince Crossland to trust them and he persuades the Commandant to let them continue their investigation."
On this day in 1972, Doctor Who aired "The Mutants, Part 3." This served as the seventeenth episode of the program's ninth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Doctor and Varan travel down to Solos to search for Jo and Ky but the Marshal orders his men to pursue them."
"The Doctor and Varan travel down to Solos to search for Jo and Ky but the Marshal orders his men to pursue them."
On this day in 1977, Man From Atlantis aired "The Death Scouts." This served as the second episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Second pilot film for TV series "The Man from Atlantis;" a human scientist capable of living underwater discovers similar alien life inhabiting human bodies, and looks to them for a clue to his origin."
"Second pilot film for TV series "The Man from Atlantis;" a human scientist capable of living underwater discovers similar alien life inhabiting human bodies, and looks to them for a clue to his origin."
On this day in 1989, "The Icarus Factor" aired as the fourteenth episode to Star Trek: The Next Generation's second season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Riker's delight at being offered a command of the USS Aries turns to frustration when the man sent to prepare him for his mission is his estranged father; Worf's behavior leads Wesley to delve into Klingon tradition."
"Riker's delight at being offered a command of the USS Aries turns to frustration when the man sent to prepare him for his mission is his estranged father; Worf's behavior leads Wesley to delve into Klingon tradition."
On this day in 1992, Quantum Leap aired "The Curse of Ptah-Hotep." This served as the twentieth episode to the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"At an archaeological dig in Egypt Sam has to deal with an approaching sandstorm and a 3000 year old curse."
"At an archaeological dig in Egypt Sam has to deal with an approaching sandstorm and a 3000 year old curse."
On this day in 1994, The X-Files made a curious move, going back to revisit a villain introduced only a few episodes earlier. "Tooms" brought back guest star Doug Hutchison in the role he created as Eugene Victor Tooms, a kind of shapeshifter. As the twentieth episode of the program's first season, the hour showed that Chris Carter and company weren't afraid to push the program in interesting directions when the opportunity presented itself. Here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"Eugene Tooms, a supernatural killer whom Mulder helped incarcerate, is released on parole."
"Eugene Tooms, a supernatural killer whom Mulder helped incarcerate, is released on parole."
On this day in 1996, "A Late Delivery From Avalon" aired as the thirteenth episode of Babylon 5's third season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"An impressive man in medieval armor arrives on the station, claiming to be King Arthur. Is he the genuine hero, sent by the Vorlons? If not, who is he and what are his secrets?"
"An impressive man in medieval armor arrives on the station, claiming to be King Arthur. Is he the genuine hero, sent by the Vorlons? If not, who is he and what are his secrets?"
On this day in 1996, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine first aired "Shattered Mirror." This served as the twentieth episode to the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary compliments of our friends at TrekCore.com:
"Mirror Universe Jennifer lures Jake back to her universe with her, as part of a plan to coerce Sisko into helping finish the mirror version of the U.S.S. Defiant. Sisko follows, and finds himself in a race against time to prepare the ship before the arrival of an Alliance fleet."
"Mirror Universe Jennifer lures Jake back to her universe with her, as part of a plan to coerce Sisko into helping finish the mirror version of the U.S.S. Defiant. Sisko follows, and finds himself in a race against time to prepare the ship before the arrival of an Alliance fleet."
On this day in 1998, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired "His Way." This served as the twentieth episode of the program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary as posted to TrekCore.com:
"Bashir shows off his new Holosuite program, a 1960s Vegas singer named Vic Fontaine. Vic immediately senses Odo's unrequited love for Kira. Soon afterward, Kira leaves for Bajor to visit her ex-lover Shakaar - a move which clearly upsets Odo. He borrows Bashir's program and asks Vic for a little romantic advice."
"Bashir shows off his new Holosuite program, a 1960s Vegas singer named Vic Fontaine. Vic immediately senses Odo's unrequited love for Kira. Soon afterward, Kira leaves for Bajor to visit her ex-lover Shakaar - a move which clearly upsets Odo. He borrows Bashir's program and asks Vic for a little romantic advice."
Also on this day in 1998, Star Trek: Voyager aired "Unforgettable" on the UPN Network. This served as the twenty-second episode to the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TrekCore.com:
"Chakotay meets a woman who claims that they fell in love weeks before, but he has no memories of the event. He soon discovers her race has a technology which wipes the memory of all those who encounter them and must make a difficult decision when she asks for asylum."
"Chakotay meets a woman who claims that they fell in love weeks before, but he has no memories of the event. He soon discovers her race has a technology which wipes the memory of all those who encounter them and must make a difficult decision when she asks for asylum."
On this day in 2000, Batman Beyond aired "April Moon." This served as the twenty-second episode to the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"Batman must battle a gang of cyborgs made possible by blackmailing a bionics specialist."
"Batman must battle a gang of cyborgs made possible by blackmailing a bionics specialist."
On this day in 2000, Harsh Realm aired the fifth episode of its single season existence. The hour was titled "Reunion," and here's the plot summary from TV.com:
"Captured and pressed into a work camp in Harsh Realm, Hobbes and Pinocchio meet a VC of Hobbes' dying mother and try to rescue her and escape without getting rendered by the sadistic warden and his zombie trackers. In the real world, Sophie comforts Hobbes' real mom in her last days."
"Captured and pressed into a work camp in Harsh Realm, Hobbes and Pinocchio meet a VC of Hobbes' dying mother and try to rescue her and escape without getting rendered by the sadistic warden and his zombie trackers. In the real world, Sophie comforts Hobbes' real mom in her last days."
On this day in 2000, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World aired "The Chosen One" in television syndication. This served as the twentieth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A man and his teenage pupil are in the jungle when the man gets badly injured. Roxton gets to the man who lays dying who begs Roxton to make sure his teenage pupil is returned to his tribe in order to become their leader."
"A man and his teenage pupil are in the jungle when the man gets badly injured. Roxton gets to the man who lays dying who begs Roxton to make sure his teenage pupil is returned to his tribe in order to become their leader."
On this day in 2005, Star Trek: Enterprise boldly went where many other incarnations of Trek had gone before with great glee as they finally dabbled with the Mirror Universe. "In A Mirror Darkly" was part one of a two-part adventure in the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary from TrekCore.com:
"In the mirror universe, Commander Archer seizes control of Enterprise and takes the vessel deep into Tholian space where rumors of an Earth ship from the future turn out to be true; in the form of a 23rd century-Constitution class cruiser."
"In the mirror universe, Commander Archer seizes control of Enterprise and takes the vessel deep into Tholian space where rumors of an Earth ship from the future turn out to be true; in the form of a 23rd century-Constitution class cruiser."
On this day in 2017, Class aired "The Coach With The Dragon Tattoo." This served as the second episode of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the premise as provided by IMDB.com:
"Ram struggles to cope following events at the Prom, isolating himself from the others. But when the school is faced with a dreadful new threat, the gang must unite to fight it."
"Ram struggles to cope following events at the Prom, isolating himself from the others. But when the school is faced with a dreadful new threat, the gang must unite to fight it."
On this day in 2017, Doctor Who aired "Smile." This served as the second episode in the program's tenth relaunched season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In the far future, at the edge of the galaxy, there is a gleaming, perfect city. This brand new human settlement is said to hold the secret of human happiness - but the only smiles the Doctor and Bill can find are on a pile of grinning skulls. Something is alive in the walls, and the emojibots are watching from the shadows, as the Doctor and Bill try to unravel a terrifying mystery..."
"In the far future, at the edge of the galaxy, there is a gleaming, perfect city. This brand new human settlement is said to hold the secret of human happiness - but the only smiles the Doctor and Bill can find are on a pile of grinning skulls. Something is alive in the walls, and the emojibots are watching from the shadows, as the Doctor and Bill try to unravel a terrifying mystery..."
On this day in 1955, the classic SciFi radio program -- X Minus One -- aired their 'Audition' Episode. It was titled "And The Moon Be Still As Bright," and here's the plot summary as provided by Jerry Haendiges Vintage Radio Logs:
"An expedition to Mars finds all the Martians dead due to chickenpox brought to them by previous Earthmen expeditions. All the men except for one sets about destroying Martian artifacts. Ernest Kinoy wrote the radio play, and the cast included John Larkin and Nelson Olmstead."
"An expedition to Mars finds all the Martians dead due to chickenpox brought to them by previous Earthmen expeditions. All the men except for one sets about destroying Martian artifacts. Ernest Kinoy wrote the radio play, and the cast included John Larkin and Nelson Olmstead."
