Those of us old school SciFi and Fantasy fans have fond memories of Lee Majors as The Six Million Dollar Man. An astronaut injured in the crash of an experimental craft, Steve Austin was alive. Barely alive. They rebuilt him. They made him better. Stronger. Faster. Once made into that $6M man, he used his impressive bionics to save the day, and Majors was born on this day in 1939.
Alas, the lovely Janet Blair reached a point in her life when she willingly left Hollywood behind, and I tend to think that remains our loss. Her resume includes just over fifty different screen roles -- much of them in conventional fare -- but genre fans always appreciate a trip to The Outer Limits. Though she's no longer with us, Blair was born on this day in 1921. [Source: IMDB.com]
Alan Oppenheimer was one of the high-paid technicians who was supposed to keep the original Westworld (1973) from descending into bloody robotic chaos; that didn't work out quite so well now, did it? The talented actor has also enjoyed screen time on Quantum Leap, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Star Trek: Voyager, among a host of other properties. Oppenheimer was born on this day in 1930. [Source: IMDB.com]
The venerable David Birney entered the world of Star Trek with a role aboard Deep Space Nine's season six finale, "Tears Of The Prophet." The actor also paid visits to such genre properties as Tales Of The Unexpected, The Twilight Zone, The Ray Bradbury Theater, Sliders, and Poltergeist: The Legacy, as well as playing no less than 'Anakin Skywalker' himself aboard the 1996 radio adaptation of Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi as heard on National Public Radio. Though he's no longer with us, Birney was born on this day in 1939. [Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
I penned a few words on the actor's passing in 2022, and interested readers can find them right here.
For the record:
I penned a few words on the actor's passing in 2022, and interested readers can find them right here.
Many great cinema stories have taken great advantage of incorporating a romantic subplot of lovers who'll never be together. Today's evidence: Sheila Gish played Highlander's secretary 'Rachel Ellenstein,' clearly a love interest who was denied the love of her life -- the immortal 'Connor MacLeod' -- in the popular late 1980's Fantasy film. The actress revisited the role in Highlander: Endgame (2000). Another interesting tie-in to the realm of Science Fiction for the lady is the fact that her husband (at the time of her death) was none other than Denis Lawson, better known to Star Wars fans as 'Wedge Antilles.' Though she's no longer with us, Gish was born on this day in 1942. [Source: IMDB.com]
And now for the younger SciFi fans ... the lovely Ms. Blair Brown played the mysterious Nina Sharp on Fox TV's Fringe. She headed up a company known as Massive Dynamics, a corporation that seemed to dabble in just about every application of borderline (aka 'fringe') science. Ms. Brown was born on this day in 1946. [Source: IMDB.com]
Fresh-faced Lucinda Jenney enjoyed a guest visit to the retooled incarnation of Glen Larson's Battlestar Galactica on Syfy. She also enjoyed some work aboard Fox TV's short-lived SciFi series The Visitor back in 1997. Jenney was born on this day in 1954. [Source: IMDB.com]
Award-winning actress Judy Davis tried Science Fiction on for size with a role aboard the SciFi/Anthology series, Master of Science Fiction. Davis was born on this day in 1955. [Source: IMDB.com]
Of all the robotic crime-fighting dog movies out there, C.H.O.M.P.S. (1979) certainly isn't the worst. However, it does have one terrific asset in its favor: its leading lady is none other than the lovely Valerie Bertinelli! Bertinelli was born on this day in 1960. [Source: IMDB.com]
With an impressive cast to back him up, Craig Sheffer braved the Deep Core (2000) for Unified Film Organization. Sheffer was born on this day in 1960. [Source: IMDB.com]
The talented John Hannah mostly yucked it up for laughs aboard the successful The Mummy franchise from Stephen Sommers. More recently, he's turned in solid work in properties like Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. Hannah was born on this day in 1962. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Melina Kanakaredes enjoyed a recurring role aboard CBS's short-lived Extant SciFi series. Kanakaredes was born on this day in 1967. [Source: IMDB.com]
Scott Bairstow headed up the action for Chris Carter's super-short-lived SciFi series Harsh Realm for the Fox network ... and that's a shame -- the short-lived part -- as I thought the program offered great promise. The actor also played a role of The X-Files, The Postman (1997), The Twilight Zone, and Android Apocalypse (2006). It would seem that, due to some personal problems that surfaced in the early 2000's, he's pretty much disappeared from the entertainment industry. (Google it if you'd like to know more.) Bairstow was born on this day in 1970. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Sonya Smith dabbled in the realm of Science Fiction and Comedy with a role aboard Cyxork 7 (2006) for Gamma Gulch Productions LLC. Smith was born on this day in 1972. [Source: IMDB.com]
RoboCop 2 (1990) is one of those flicks I constantly question why it was ever made. Narratively, it was WAY different from the ground-breaking original (perhaps too different), and the story just didn't engage the audiences the way Robo's inaugural one did. Still, kudos for the young Gabriel Damon for boarding the picture as a signature villain. The thespian also appeared in Amazing Stories, Terminus (1987), Star Trek: The Next Generation, and the fondly remembered Eerie, Indiana. Damon was born on this day in 1976. [Source: IMDB.com]
One of the first people to know that things weren't all they were cracked up to be aboard Jurassic World (2015) was the Paddock Supervisor, and that unfortunate soul was played by character actor Eric Edelstein. He's also done great work aboard Monsters vs Aliens (animated) and Showtime's Twin Peaks. Edelstein was born on this day in 1977. [Source: IMDB.com]
Speaking about nimble little minxes (did I say that?), the lovely Jaime King has sparingly dabbled in genre entertainment, apparently choosing to polish her acting chops in more mainstream fare. Still, she's done some impressive voice work as a part of Star Wars: The Clone Wars helping to bring to life 'Aurra Sing,' 'Cassie Cryar,' and even one of the villainous Nightsisters. King was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
The perfectly fetching Joanna Krupa enjoyed a small role aboard Tim Burton's 2001 reboot of the Planet Of The Apes for Twentieth Century Fox. Krupa was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
For what it's worth, I wish Gemma Whelan was given more time aboard HBO's stellar adaptation of Game Of Thrones. Her 'Yara Greyjoy' was definitely one of the more interesting supporting characters to come along to the seven kingdoms, but alas it wasn't quite meant to be. Whelan was born on this day in 1981. [Source: IMDB.com]
When she was but an urchin, the lovely Doren Fein enjoyed a visit to the greater world of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, smiles included. Fein was born on this day in 1985. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Philippine-born Angel Locsin cemented a place in Fantasy history with an epic 170-episode run aboard the TV series Darna for her island's television. Locsin was born on this day in 1985. [Source: IMDB.com]
Rachel Skarsten joined the wild Fantasy ride that was Lost Girl for much of its run. She's also booked screen time aboard the short-lived Birds of Prey, Category 7: The End of the World (2005), Awakening (2011), Beauty and The Beast, and Syfy's Wynnona Earp. Skarsten was born on this day in 1985. [Source: IMDB.com]
Wow! Talk about your stroke of good luck! When she was but an urchin, the young Erica Mer actually was afforded the opportunity to play in both the Babylon 5 and Star Trek: Voyager television universes. How cool! Mer was born on this day in 1988. [Source: IMDB.com]
Ay carumba! I sure hope Anastasia Baranova has seen better days than the Apocalypse she's living at the heart of Syfy's Zombie program Z Nation. Baranova was born on this day in 1989. [Source: IMDB.com]
The beautiful Christie Peruso has enjoyed a bit of genre exposure in such projects as Syfy's short-lived series Blood Drive and the motion picture Tremors: A Cold Day In Hell (2018) for Universal Studios. Peruso was born on this day in 1989. [Source: IMDB.com]
If box office returns are any indication, then 2015's Chappie was crappy by all estimations, cementing the cold, cold reality of writer/director Neill Blomkamp's 'One Hit Wonder' status. The poor guy has had to elbow his way aboard the failing Aliens franchise in order to position himself for a comeback ... but we here at SciFiHistory.Net never, ever (well, hardly ever) blame the onscreen talent. Relative newcomer Dev Patel (pictured above with the signature robot) did the best he could with the material provided, we're always thankful for that. Patel was born on this day in 1990.
Charlie Rowe relished the chance to save the planet aboard Salvation, a CBS property that featured an Earthbound asteroid. Rowe was born on this day in 1996. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1952 (in France), Rocketship X-M took aim at the stars. Directed by Kurt Neumann, the SciFi feature starred Lloyd Bridges and Osa Massen, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An astronaut crew on their way to the Moon are unexpectedly propelled by gravitational forces and end up on Mars instead."
"An astronaut crew on their way to the Moon are unexpectedly propelled by gravitational forces and end up on Mars instead."
On this day in 1956 (in Denmark), Devil Girl From Mars came down to Earth theatres. The feature starred Patricia Laffan and Hazel Court, and here's the premise as highlighted on IMDB.com:
"An uptight, leather-clad female alien, armed with a ray gun and accompanied by a menacing robot, comes to Earth to collect Earth's men as breeding stock."
"An uptight, leather-clad female alien, armed with a ray gun and accompanied by a menacing robot, comes to Earth to collect Earth's men as breeding stock."
A star is born! Truth be told, Gene Roddenberry -- Star Trek's creator -- did try to make lightning strike twice in the realm of Science Fiction, but his other projects never quite sailed into orbit. On this day in 1974, a SciFi/Telefilm of his named Planet Earth aired. It starred John Saxon and Janet Margolin, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A man awakens from suspended animation and finds himself in the 22nd century, where he finds that women rule the world and that men are slaves called Dinks. He is captured and sold as a slave, but escapes and hooks up with a male rebel movement."
"A man awakens from suspended animation and finds himself in the 22nd century, where he finds that women rule the world and that men are slaves called Dinks. He is captured and sold as a slave, but escapes and hooks up with a male rebel movement."
On this day in 1982 (in Denmark), the Roger Corman-produced Battle Beyond The Stars enjoyed a run at the theatres. The feature starred George Peppard and Richard Thomas, and here's the plot summary as listed on IMDB.com:
"A young farmer sets out to recruit mercenaries to defend his peaceful planet, which is under threat of invasion by the evil tyrant Sador and his armada of aggressors."
"A young farmer sets out to recruit mercenaries to defend his peaceful planet, which is under threat of invasion by the evil tyrant Sador and his armada of aggressors."
On this day in 1996, The Silencers made some noise cinematically (on home video). The SciFi feature starred Jack Scalia and Lucinda Weist, and here's the premise as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"U.S. Senator is assassinated by Men in Black, mysterious organization which surpresses all knowledge about UFOs. Agent Rafferty from U.S. Secret Service will confront them and discover the sinister truth. The only person that can help him comes from another world."
"U.S. Senator is assassinated by Men in Black, mysterious organization which surpresses all knowledge about UFOs. Agent Rafferty from U.S. Secret Service will confront them and discover the sinister truth. The only person that can help him comes from another world."
On this day in 2013, Cloned: The Recreator Chronicles morphed into existence. The SciFi/Thriller starred Stella Maeve and Alexander Nifong, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A group of teenagers stumble upon a secret lab and battle their superior clones."
"A group of teenagers stumble upon a secret lab and battle their superior clones."
Somebody's gotta clean up this mess! On this day in 2014 (in France), the German-language SciFi/Drama Heroes enjoyed its release. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"On 21. September 2013, telecommunications satellite APV-1312 belonging to French media group CanalDouble crashes into the Brandenburg Gate, cutting a trail of destruction as far as the Reichstag. 56 delegates die. Thirteen minutes later, all around the world more and more satellites plummet to earth. Communications, as we have known them, are collapsing everywhere. West of Geneva. At the largest research laboratory in the world, with a budget of one billion dollars, an experiment has failed that is going to throw the whole world off its hinges. Scientists from 80 nations have simulated the Big Bang with the so-called 'God Machine', the world's greatest particle accelerator, and thereby created a Black Hole."
"On 21. September 2013, telecommunications satellite APV-1312 belonging to French media group CanalDouble crashes into the Brandenburg Gate, cutting a trail of destruction as far as the Reichstag. 56 delegates die. Thirteen minutes later, all around the world more and more satellites plummet to earth. Communications, as we have known them, are collapsing everywhere. West of Geneva. At the largest research laboratory in the world, with a budget of one billion dollars, an experiment has failed that is going to throw the whole world off its hinges. Scientists from 80 nations have simulated the Big Bang with the so-called 'God Machine', the world's greatest particle accelerator, and thereby created a Black Hole."
On this day in 1955, Adventures Of Superman launched into its third season on television with the broadcast of "Through The Time Barrier." According to IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A nutty professor uses his time machine to send Clark, Lois, Jimmy, Perry and himself back to 50,000 B.C., along with a notorious gangster who decides he likes prehistoric times."
"A nutty professor uses his time machine to send Clark, Lois, Jimmy, Perry and himself back to 50,000 B.C., along with a notorious gangster who decides he likes prehistoric times."
On this day in 1955, Science Fiction Theatre aired "No Food For Thought." Officially, this served as the sixth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A Nobel Prize-winning doctor working in rural Arizona is visited by the county health officer after the unusual death of one of his assistants. The secretive scientist is developing a synthetic nutrient that, they learned too late, has an unfortunate side effect: creatures using it become highly susceptible to deadly viruses."
"A Nobel Prize-winning doctor working in rural Arizona is visited by the county health officer after the unusual death of one of his assistants. The secretive scientist is developing a synthetic nutrient that, they learned too late, has an unfortunate side effect: creatures using it become highly susceptible to deadly viruses."
On this day in 1955, Tom Corbett, Space Cadet launched "False Alert." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's that adventure's plot summary:
"The Polaris responds to a mayday signal only to discover that the SOS is only a fake designed to lure unwary ships to their doom."
"The Polaris responds to a mayday signal only to discover that the SOS is only a fake designed to lure unwary ships to their doom."
On this day in 1978, Project U.F.O. aired "Sighting 4008: The Desert Springs Incident." This served as the eighth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Major Gatlin and S Sgt. Fitz encounter a woman who was visited by two men from Venus who say they can reunite her with long lost husband for $40,000. Later, they investigate a more credible sighting in the mountains of California."
"Major Gatlin and S Sgt. Fitz encounter a woman who was visited by two men from Venus who say they can reunite her with long lost husband for $40,000. Later, they investigate a more credible sighting in the mountains of California."
On this day in 1979, Battle Of The Planets aired "Siege of the Squids." This served as the thirtieth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV.com:
"A cargo ship is destroyed, but the only witnesses, fisherman and his sons, are reluctant to tell G-Force what they know."
"A cargo ship is destroyed, but the only witnesses, fisherman and his sons, are reluctant to tell G-Force what they know."
Star Trek: The Next Generation fans bid adieu to the lovely Tasha Yar on this day back in 1988 as the program aired "Skin of Evil" in television syndication. This served as the twenty-second episode to the program's first season, but -- more than that -- it showed audiences that Trek had grown up, that this incarnation of the program was not without showing the risks of space travel, and that death was a reality even in Science Fiction. Granted, Yar would return -- and in a terrific way as "Yesterday's Enterprise" remains arguably one of the best hours of Trek anywhere -- but she faced her final challenge on this day back then. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Counselor Troi is held captive on a deserted planet by a slick, black, oily, sentient and immortal puddle of evil."
"Counselor Troi is held captive on a deserted planet by a slick, black, oily, sentient and immortal puddle of evil."
On this day in 1990, War of the Worlds aired "Totally Real." This served as the seventeenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from TV.com:
"Debi is forced to fight an alien warrior in a duel to the death."
"Debi is forced to fight an alien warrior in a duel to the death."
On this day in 1994, Worf finally proved what a Klingon wuss he was with the airing of "Firstborn." I kid, I kid! Actually, Worf did take a beating, but it was far more of an emotional beating in the twenty-first episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation's seventh season. According to our friends at TrekCore.com, here's the plot summary:
"As Alexander nears the age of decision, Worf grows worried that the boy will choose to shed his Klingon heritage. Visiting a Klingon outpost during a festival where they encounter a Klingon who calls himself K'Mtar, a bodyguard appointed by Worf's brother."
"As Alexander nears the age of decision, Worf grows worried that the boy will choose to shed his Klingon heritage. Visiting a Klingon outpost during a festival where they encounter a Klingon who calls himself K'Mtar, a bodyguard appointed by Worf's brother."
On this day in 1994, Weird Science aired "Party City, U.S.A." Officially, this served as the seventh episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Gary asks Lisa to change the high school to make the courses more interesting. Lisa adds courses like "How to Eat a Pizza" and "The History of the Bikini," but Gary still finds himself failing."
"Gary asks Lisa to change the high school to make the courses more interesting. Lisa adds courses like "How to Eat a Pizza" and "The History of the Bikini," but Gary still finds himself failing."
Ugh. As much as I enjoy Robert Picardo's work, there were many episodes of Star Trek: Voyager that watered down his character to the point where it became overused. Such was the case on this day in 1997 when the UPN aired "Real Life." This served as the twenty-second episode to the program's third season, and here's the plot summary compliments of TrekCore.com:
"The Doctor creates a holographic family so that he can experience what it means to be organic. When Torres and Kes complain that his initial projection - a perfect family - is unrealistic, he programs some changes and ultimately experiences painful loss."
"The Doctor creates a holographic family so that he can experience what it means to be organic. When Torres and Kes complain that his initial projection - a perfect family - is unrealistic, he programs some changes and ultimately experiences painful loss."
On this day in 1999, Farscape aired the sixth episode of its first season, an hour titled "Thank God It's Friday, Again." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"D'Argo goes into a hyper rage and seeks out Crichton, thinking he left the ship for a nearby planet, he pursues his quarry. The crew then searches for D'Argo. When they find him, they find he has changed. He and the inhabitants work in the fields every day. But the crew soon discovers there's more to the harvested plant than they first thought. The crew has to figure a way to save themselves and the planet."
"D'Argo goes into a hyper rage and seeks out Crichton, thinking he left the ship for a nearby planet, he pursues his quarry. The crew then searches for D'Argo. When they find him, they find he has changed. He and the inhabitants work in the fields every day. But the crew soon discovers there's more to the harvested plant than they first thought. The crew has to figure a way to save themselves and the planet."
On this day in 2001, Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda aired "The Honey Offering." This served as the nineteenth episode in the program's first season, and here's the premise as listed on IMDB.com:
"Two Nietchean prides will form an alliance and free two systems if the Andromeda will escort the bride-to-be to her wedding."
"Two Nietchean prides will form an alliance and free two systems if the Andromeda will escort the bride-to-be to her wedding."
On this day in 2003, Star Trek: Enterprise aired "The Breach." This episode served as the twenty-first of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TrekCore.com:
Enterprise is asked to evacuate a group of Denobulan geologists from a world that has been taken over by a militant faction.
Enterprise is asked to evacuate a group of Denobulan geologists from a world that has been taken over by a militant faction.
On this day in 2004 (in Australia), Wicked Science aired "Birthday Party." Officially, this served as the ninth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Toby plans to throw a surprise beach party for Bianca's birthday. Everyone is invited, except for Elizabeth. Miffed, she adapts a satellite dish to fire electromagnetic waves into the clouds above the beach, raining out the party. Toby charges Russ with delaying Bianca's arrival and tracks down Elizabeth to her centre of operations in the Science Lab. Determined to stop her, he makes a giant reflecting balloon and floats it up to the science lab window. The electromagnetic waves are reflected back, where they change the atmospherics in the lab, creating a blizzard and covering Elizabeth with snow. The weather at the beach returns to brilliant sunshine. Russ arrives, with Bianca the birthday girl. The party starts to swing and Toby brings Bianca the huge shiny balloon as a present."
"Toby plans to throw a surprise beach party for Bianca's birthday. Everyone is invited, except for Elizabeth. Miffed, she adapts a satellite dish to fire electromagnetic waves into the clouds above the beach, raining out the party. Toby charges Russ with delaying Bianca's arrival and tracks down Elizabeth to her centre of operations in the Science Lab. Determined to stop her, he makes a giant reflecting balloon and floats it up to the science lab window. The electromagnetic waves are reflected back, where they change the atmospherics in the lab, creating a blizzard and covering Elizabeth with snow. The weather at the beach returns to brilliant sunshine. Russ arrives, with Bianca the birthday girl. The party starts to swing and Toby brings Bianca the huge shiny balloon as a present."
On this day in 2005 (in the United Kingdom), Captain Scarlet aired "Chiller." Officially, this served as the tenth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Scarlet awakens after being killed during a mission to discover he is a ghost. He is aware of a bomb planted on Skybase but must find a way to interact with the crew and warn them of the situation."
"Scarlet awakens after being killed during a mission to discover he is a ghost. He is aware of a bomb planted on Skybase but must find a way to interact with the crew and warn them of the situation."
On this day in 2005 (in the United Kingdom), Doctor Who aired "World War Three." This served as the fifth episode to the program's first (rebooted) season, and here's the plot summary provided by IMDB.com:
"The fiendish Slitheen have been unmasked as the ones who crashed the spaceship into London as part of a ruse to trigger World War Three. But how can The Doctor save the planet when he's trapped inside a locked room?"
"The fiendish Slitheen have been unmasked as the ones who crashed the spaceship into London as part of a ruse to trigger World War Three. But how can The Doctor save the planet when he's trapped inside a locked room?"
On this day in 2010, A Good Knight's Quest aired the ninth episode of its only season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Chosen One must battle Sandrine and Raine."
"The Chosen One must battle Sandrine and Raine."
On this day in 2010, Star Wars: The Clone Wars aired "Death Trap." This served as the twentieth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Determined to have his revenge on Mace Windu, Boba Fett infiltrates Jedi cruiser Endurance as part of a group of young clone cadets."
"Determined to have his revenge on Mace Windu, Boba Fett infiltrates Jedi cruiser Endurance as part of a group of young clone cadets."
On this day in 2011 (in Canada, the UK, and the US), Matt Smith and his companions roared back onto the scene as the BBC's long-running Doctor Who premiered its sixth season with "The Impossible Astronaut." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"River Song, Rory, The Doctor and Amy are reunited in the Utah desert."
"River Song, Rory, The Doctor and Amy are reunited in the Utah desert."
I've never been a big fan of the 'flashback' episodes. It isn't that I don't appreciate what they add to storytelling; rather it's that -- as a device -- it tends to pull me out of the 'here' and the 'now' of events in modern time because it unintentionally reminds me that "It's only a movie." So long as it's used sparingly and to great thematic effect in establishing characters and their motivations, then I can live with it. In its first season, The 100 had a pretty solid example of how to best use flashbacks with "His Sister's Keeper." This was the program's sixth episode, and here's the plot summary provided by IMDB.com:
"Bellamy, Finn and Jasper head into Grounder territory to search for Octavia, as flashbacks show the siblings' difficult childhood on the Ark. Meanwhile, Raven finds out about Clarke and Finn."
"Bellamy, Finn and Jasper head into Grounder territory to search for Octavia, as flashbacks show the siblings' difficult childhood on the Ark. Meanwhile, Raven finds out about Clarke and Finn."
