If you've never seen the original Death Race 2000, then you should definitely put it in your bucket list. It first premiered theatrically on this day in 1975, and it delivered its unique kind of gleeful carnage and campy laughs to unsuspecting audiences everywhere. Besides where else are you going to see the magnificent Sylvester Stallone and the irreplaceable David Carradine in their prime? Here's the plot summary (for those of you who don't already know it) from IMDB.com:
"In a dystopian future, a cross country automobile race requires contestants to run down innocent pedestrians to gain points that are tallied based on each kill's brutality."
"In a dystopian future, a cross country automobile race requires contestants to run down innocent pedestrians to gain points that are tallied based on each kill's brutality."
Acting great Jack Klugman (above right) visited Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone an incredible four times during the show's run, and he still had time to make a visit to The Outer Limits in the year 2000. Though he's no longer with us, Klugman was born on this day in 1922.
While growing up, I can remember the voice of Casey Kasem from both television projects as well as radio. He lent his pipes to such noteworthy institutions as Super Friends, The Transformers, and (of course) Scooby Doo. Though he's no longer with us, Kasem was born on this day in 1932.
Holy crud: what a tough name! Actor John Shrapnel has trafficked in the genre properties for some time now. He's been seen aboard such projects as Space:1999, Invasion: Earth, The 10th Kingdom, Alien Autopsy (2006), and Mirrors (2008). Shrapnel was born on this day in 1942.
While he's currently turning heads as part of AMC's historical drama Turn: Washington's Spies, Kevin McNally dallied with a certain Timelord: in 1984, he appeared as Hugo Lang in a four-part installment of Doctor Who. He's also sported roles in Survivors, The Spy Who Loved Me, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, as well as the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. McNally was born on this day in 1956.
Producer and Director Jon Cassar took a break from the popular 24 franchise to give Science Fiction a chance with his work aboard Fox TV's short-lived Terra Nova. Cassar was born on this day in 1958.
Pop songstress Sheena Easton made a glorious addition as a guest star in the world of The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr (insert) for Fox TV. Easton was born on this day in 1959.
Back in 1997, actor John Philbin explored the fictional final frontier as part of the cast of Moonbase, a tale combining offworld penal colonies and nuclear Armageddon. Philbin was born on this day in 1960.
The exotic Eugenie Bondurant dialed up her exoticness even more in assuming the role of 'Tigris' for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (2015). She's also appeared aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation and Space Truckers (1996) for good measure. Bondurant was born on this day in 1961.
The talented James Le Gros has enjoyed guest spots about such genre properties as Knight Rider, Solarbabies (1986), Near Dark (1987), Batteries Not Included (1987), The Outer Limits, and Constantine. Le Gros was born on this day in 1962.
Lovely Cali Timmins played the space beauty named Nova, one of three intergalactic princesses that drew Spacehunter into his camp classic Spacehunter: Adventures In The Forbidden Zone back in 1983. She's also booked guest starring roles on Highlander, Robocop, and TekWar. Timmins was born on this day in 1963.
Though I've never done it, I suspect that running a TV show is no small feat ... but could you imagine the weight of the worlds resting on the shoulders of television veteran Russell T. Davies in reviving the BBC's much revered Doctor Who? I certainly couldn't. He probably endeared as many fans as he dismayed (if the internet is any indication), but I say kudos to the man who did a pretty respectable and referential job in bringing the singular Timelord back to the airwaves. Davies was born on this day in 1963.
Aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation's The Vengeance Factor, viewers learned that Lisa Wilcox's 'Yuta' had the hots for both Commander Riker and killing, a combination that Will just wouldn't stand for ... so he shot her. With a phaser. Twice. She dead. Wilcox was born on this day in 1964.
Though she's probably better recognized for all of her dramatic work in far more conventional fare, the lovely Anna Chancellor did dabble in some pretty significant SciFi waters when she appeared as Questular Rontok in 2005's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. She also booked appearances in something called Jupiter Moon in the 1990's, but I'm completely unfamiliar with it. Chancellor was born on this day in 1965.
Director Matt Reeves continues to impress bringing such visions to the silver screen as Cloverfield (2008) and Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes (2014). Reeves was born on this day in 1966.
Scottish-born Erik Thomson has dabbled in Fantasy with fabulous guest roles aboard Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Xena: Warrior Princess, and Young Hercules. Thomson was born on this day in 1967.
In the role of 'Frank Kowalski,' Paulino Nunes (above left) did what he could to hold off the vampire horde aboard FX's The Strain. Nunes has also scored roles aboard Highlander: The Raven, Total Recall 2070, Relic Hunter, Earth: Final Conflict, Witchblade, Mutant X, Rollerball (2002), Threshold (2003), Falling Skies, Alphas, Lost Girl, Haven, Bitten, and Dark Matter. Nunes was born on this day in 1968.
In his youth, li'l Andre Gower headed up The Monster Squad (1987) for TriStar Pictures. He also enjoyed guest spots aboard Knight Rider and The Twilight Zone. Gower was born on this day in 1973.
French-born director Xavier Gens crafts exciting screen visuals for compelling genre features. He's helped bring Frontier(s) (2007), The Divide (2011), and The ABCs of Death (2012) to cinematic life. Gens was born on this day in 1975.
Bless you, Sally Hawkins! In playing the part of Dr. Vivienne Graham in 2014's wonderful Godzilla, you helped alert the proper authorities to the fact that the original 'big guy' was on his way to coastal United States. You're welcome to join our beloved genre any time you like! Hawkins was born on this day in 1976.
I just love the name 'Bottomley.' Kinda sexy, no? In any event, the lovely Christine Bottomley -- who enjoyed a guest spot aboard the BBC's Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood -- turns one more year younger today. Bottomley was born on this day in 1979.
A luminous Janelle Marra shone a light into the realm of Fantasy with her work aboard Abelar: Tales Of An Ancient Empire (2010) for New Tales. Marra was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
In 2008, Ari Graynor was an absolutely drunken delight in the delicious rom/com Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, but Fringe fans know her best as Rachel, Olivia Dunham's younger sister. Graynor was born on this day in 1983.
Francis Capra has a couple of solid genre properties to his resume: he appeared in multiple episodes of both NBC's Heroes as well as FX's The Strain. Capra was born on this day in 1983.
The lovely Anna Skellern recently turned up in a guest spot aboard AMC TV's highly-rated Humans, and I, for one, hope she does more genre work. Skellern was born on this day in 1985.
Ah, who couldn't love a pretty face? Now, I don't dislike fresh-faced Jenna Coleman as a companion; I'm just not all that enamored with her as a character. Still, she burst onto the SciFi scene in 2012 when she became the next time-traveling partner to Matt Smith's pretty epic run on Doctor Who. Ms. Coleman -- lovely that she definitely is -- was born on this day back in 1986.
Young William Moseley put a heroic face on the character of 'Peter Pevensie' in the big screen Narnia adaptations. Moseley was born on this day in 1987.
Before finding fame aboard such mainstream fare as FX's The Bridge and HBO's True Detective, lovely Emily Rios enjoyed a guest spot aboard Fox TV's short-lived Almost Human. Rios was born on this day in 1989.
On this day in 1955, Devil Girl From Mars landed in U.S. theatres. Directed by David MacDonald, the SciFi feature starred Hazel Court and Adrienne Corri, and here's the plot summary as provided by 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."
Here's another old gem that I've read plenty about but don't believe I've ever seen. The Day of the Triffids premiered on this day in 1963, and here's the summary from IMDB.com:
"A shower of meteorites produces a glow that blinds anyone that looks at it. As it was such a beautiful sight, most people were watching, and as a consequence, 99% of the population go blind. In the original novel, this chaos results in the escape of some Triffids: experimental plants that are capable of moving themselves around and attacking people. In the film version, however, the Triffids are not experimental plants. Instead they are space aliens whose spores have arrived in an earlier meteor shower."
"A shower of meteorites produces a glow that blinds anyone that looks at it. As it was such a beautiful sight, most people were watching, and as a consequence, 99% of the population go blind. In the original novel, this chaos results in the escape of some Triffids: experimental plants that are capable of moving themselves around and attacking people. In the film version, however, the Triffids are not experimental plants. Instead they are space aliens whose spores have arrived in an earlier meteor shower."
On this day in 1978 (in Italy), the robots went to war in the prophetically titled War Of The Robots! It starred Antonio Sabato and Yanti Somer, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"An alien civilization, which facing eminent extinction, kidnaps two famous genetic scientists from Earth. A troop of soldiers is dispatched to combat the humanoid robots and rescue the victims."
"An alien civilization, which facing eminent extinction, kidnaps two famous genetic scientists from Earth. A troop of soldiers is dispatched to combat the humanoid robots and rescue the victims."
On this day in 1979, The Dark shed some light on a Horror/SciFi conundrum. The feature starred Cathy Lee Crosby and William Devane, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"At night the Mangler stalks the streets of Los Angeles, killing and mutilating random victims. On the trail are a TV reporter, the father of one of the victims, and a police detective, but despite their efforts only the mysterious psychic DeRenzy knows what the killer is and how to stop it."
"At night the Mangler stalks the streets of Los Angeles, killing and mutilating random victims. On the trail are a TV reporter, the father of one of the victims, and a police detective, but despite their efforts only the mysterious psychic DeRenzy knows what the killer is and how to stop it."
On this day in 1984 (in West Germany), Warrior Of The Lost World found itself cinematically. Written and directed by David Worth, the SciFi feature starred Robert Ginty and Persis Khambatta, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Rider is traveling through a post-apocalyptic world on his technically advanced motorcycle and his loyal computer Einstein. Being pure in spirit, he manages to pass through the wall of illusion and meets the resistance movement The Elders, fighting the tyranny of the evil despot Prossor. The resistance asks him to free professor McWayne, their leader, who has been sentenced to death by Prossor. The beautiful Nastasia and The Rider infiltrate the city, guarded by the Omega militia, where the professor is imprisoned."
"The Rider is traveling through a post-apocalyptic world on his technically advanced motorcycle and his loyal computer Einstein. Being pure in spirit, he manages to pass through the wall of illusion and meets the resistance movement The Elders, fighting the tyranny of the evil despot Prossor. The resistance asks him to free professor McWayne, their leader, who has been sentenced to death by Prossor. The beautiful Nastasia and The Rider infiltrate the city, guarded by the Omega militia, where the professor is imprisoned."
On this day in 1985 (in Japan), The Last Starfighter soared into theatres. Directed by Nick Castle, the SciFi feature starred Lance Guest and Robert Preston, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"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 1989 (in Brazil), the SciFi/Comedy My Stepmother Is An Alien enjoyed its theatrical release. The feature starred Dan Aykroyd and Kim Basinger, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"An alien is sent on a secret mission to Earth, where she appears as a gorgeous, attractive, and single lady. Her mission is to make contact with a rather nerdy young scientist, who's quite overwhelmed by her attentions, and isn't aware of the connection between her arrival and his work."
"An alien is sent on a secret mission to Earth, where she appears as a gorgeous, attractive, and single lady. Her mission is to make contact with a rather nerdy young scientist, who's quite overwhelmed by her attentions, and isn't aware of the connection between her arrival and his work."
Occasionally, I experienced some weird 'technical' difficulty in searching the web for materials to use for some of these older, more obscure titles. The latest case in point: Nemesis 4 - Death Angel. Oh, I had no trouble finding some production stills. The difficulty came in when I learned that most of them involved nudity. Much nudity. Go figure. It was released on home video on this day in 1999, and here's the film's plot synopsis from IMDB.com:
"Alex shoots again. She has to kill a man, but shoots the wrong one. A high ransom is set on her, so she is visited by some head hunters. Well, she only could sit and wait and hope for a friend's help."
"Alex shoots again. She has to kill a man, but shoots the wrong one. A high ransom is set on her, so she is visited by some head hunters. Well, she only could sit and wait and hope for a friend's help."
On this day in 2007, Unearthed played for audiences in attendance of the Tribeca Film Festival. Written and directed by Matthew Leutwyler, the feature starred Emmanuelle Vaugier and Luke Goss, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In the desert area of Hat Creek, cows are found partially devoured and the farmers believe that a wolf is attacking the cattle. The alcoholic Sheriff Annie Flynn is called by the local farmer Rob Horn to witness the remains of an animal to request reimbursement from the government and for an accident with a tank truck that is blocking the road. However, Annie sooner discovers that an ancient alien creature sent to annihilate life on Earth hundreds of years ago was released by the Indian Kale during an archaeological excavation in the desert. The Indian Caya and a group of travelers stranded in the spot without gas together with Annie and Kale try to find a means to destroy the alien and save mankind."
"In the desert area of Hat Creek, cows are found partially devoured and the farmers believe that a wolf is attacking the cattle. The alcoholic Sheriff Annie Flynn is called by the local farmer Rob Horn to witness the remains of an animal to request reimbursement from the government and for an accident with a tank truck that is blocking the road. However, Annie sooner discovers that an ancient alien creature sent to annihilate life on Earth hundreds of years ago was released by the Indian Kale during an archaeological excavation in the desert. The Indian Caya and a group of travelers stranded in the spot without gas together with Annie and Kale try to find a means to destroy the alien and save mankind."
On this day in 1954, Rocky Jones, Space Ranger aired "Escape Into Space." This served as the seventh episode of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV.com:
"A criminal known for his racketeering has fled to Earth where Rocky Jones takes him into custody, fooling him into giving Rocky a confession of his crimes."
"A criminal known for his racketeering has fled to Earth where Rocky Jones takes him into custody, fooling him into giving Rocky a confession of his crimes."
On this day in 1960, Men Into Space aired "From Another World." This served as the twenty-ninth episode in the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Colonel McCauley returns from Asteroid 78-1. The mission was cut short by the failure of his suit oxygen supply. He is insistent that just before he passed out he saw fossil evidence of life on the asteroid. Unconnected with this, Air Force medical staff have recommended his prolonged series of missions requires a 60-day 'grounding' to recover from stress. Will McCauley be able to lead the return mission to the asteroid if its unpredictable orbit permits another rendezvous?"
"Colonel McCauley returns from Asteroid 78-1. The mission was cut short by the failure of his suit oxygen supply. He is insistent that just before he passed out he saw fossil evidence of life on the asteroid. Unconnected with this, Air Force medical staff have recommended his prolonged series of missions requires a 60-day 'grounding' to recover from stress. Will McCauley be able to lead the return mission to the asteroid if its unpredictable orbit permits another rendezvous?"
On this day in 1964, The Outer Limits aired "The Chameleon." This served as the thirty-first episode to the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"To save Earth from invasion, scientists alter a human into a replica of one of the aliens. The human subject Mace is a remorseless killer, who easily adapts to any personality required. Giving up his body and life means little to him, he relishes this ultimate test of his chameleon powers. But how much loyalty will the vicious Mace have to his fellow humans?"
"To save Earth from invasion, scientists alter a human into a replica of one of the aliens. The human subject Mace is a remorseless killer, who easily adapts to any personality required. Giving up his body and life means little to him, he relishes this ultimate test of his chameleon powers. But how much loyalty will the vicious Mace have to his fellow humans?"
On this day in 1968, Doctor Who aired "The Wheel In Space, Part 1." This served as the thirty-fifth episode of the program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Doctor and Jamie arrive on a mysterious spacecraft whose only occupant is a dangerous Servo Robot."
"The Doctor and Jamie arrive on a mysterious spacecraft whose only occupant is a dangerous Servo Robot."
On this day in 1991, Star Trek: The Next Generation aired "The Drumhead." This served as the twenty-first episode of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A retired admiral boards the Enterprise in an effort to determine the actions aboard the ship surrounding an act of sabotage and possible treason."
"A retired admiral boards the Enterprise in an effort to determine the actions aboard the ship surrounding an act of sabotage and possible treason."
On this day in 1992, Super Force aired "The Monkey's Breath." This served as the eighteenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from TV.com:
"Zach's new commanding officer isn't all that she seems to be. Can he and Zander find out what she's up to in time?"
"Zach's new commanding officer isn't all that she seems to be. Can he and Zander find out what she's up to in time?"
On this day in 1994, Babylon 5 aired "Believers." This was the tenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"An alien family refuses surgery to save their dying child."
"An alien family refuses surgery to save their dying child."
On this day in 2002, Mutant X aired "Ex Marks The Spot." This served as the eighteenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Shalimar's former boyfriend shows up and is trying to recover a Faberge Egg that holds a microchip of extraordinary power."
"Shalimar's former boyfriend shows up and is trying to recover a Faberge Egg that holds a microchip of extraordinary power."
On this day in 2007, Stargate: SG-1 aired "The Road Not Taken" as the thirteenth episode of the program's tenth season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Now recovered from her wounds at the hands of the Ori, she continues to experiment with the Ancients cloaking device. Suddenly however, she finds herself shifted to a parallel universe where things are not quite the same: General Hammond is still in charge of the SGC; Hank Landry is President of the United States; and none of her colleagues are around anymore. Earth is expecting the Ori to attack in 5 days or so and she assists them by using the cloaking device. She soon finds herself a hero for having saved the planet and is named to the President's staff. This Earth is different however, with the U.S. under martial law and civil liberties curtailed. She turns to someone she knows to help her get back to her own reality. It seems that those in power have no intention of letting her leave however."
"Now recovered from her wounds at the hands of the Ori, she continues to experiment with the Ancients cloaking device. Suddenly however, she finds herself shifted to a parallel universe where things are not quite the same: General Hammond is still in charge of the SGC; Hank Landry is President of the United States; and none of her colleagues are around anymore. Earth is expecting the Ori to attack in 5 days or so and she assists them by using the cloaking device. She soon finds herself a hero for having saved the planet and is named to the President's staff. This Earth is different however, with the U.S. under martial law and civil liberties curtailed. She turns to someone she knows to help her get back to her own reality. It seems that those in power have no intention of letting her leave however."
On this day in 2007, Stargate: Atlantis aired "Irresponsible" as the thirteenth episode of the program's third season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The team investigate rumours of an invincible hero off-world, only to find Lucius Lavin again manipulating a hapless village."
"The team investigate rumours of an invincible hero off-world, only to find Lucius Lavin again manipulating a hapless village."
On this day in 2013, Doctor Who aired "Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS." This served as the eleventh episode of the re-launched program's seventh season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Doctor and Clara find themselves aboard a space freighter that has taken the TARDIS on-board as salvage. While the Doctor is ejected, Clara finds herself wandering through the vehicle exploring it's many - seemingly infinite - rooms. The Doctor re-enters the TARDIS accompanied by three workers from the salvage ship and they have but 30 minutes to find her. There are creatures in the depths of the TARDIS and the time travel machine will do whatever it takes to protect itself. There is a rupture in time however and the TARDIS is leaking recent history....which the Doctor can use to rectify their current predicament."
"The Doctor and Clara find themselves aboard a space freighter that has taken the TARDIS on-board as salvage. While the Doctor is ejected, Clara finds herself wandering through the vehicle exploring it's many - seemingly infinite - rooms. The Doctor re-enters the TARDIS accompanied by three workers from the salvage ship and they have but 30 minutes to find her. There are creatures in the depths of the TARDIS and the time travel machine will do whatever it takes to protect itself. There is a rupture in time however and the TARDIS is leaking recent history....which the Doctor can use to rectify their current predicament."
The red-blooded half of fandom needed a cold shower after things decidedly steamed up on the hour of Orphan Black that aired on this day in 2013. "Conditions of Existence" saw our heroine taking a needed time-out from the action for some romance. Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"After spending the night with Paul, Sarah begins to wonder whether a dream she had had the same night - of being examined by doctors - was in fact real. She believes Beth was spying on Paul and searches his apartment. He was once in the military but at his work, she finds that his desk drawers are empty. Sarah is almost caught out when Paul notices that a scar on her neck is no longer there. Vic's partners want their cocaine back, and later, he can't believe his eyes when he sees Alison - thinking she's Sarah. At school in Minnesota, Cosima continues to analyze the blood samples found in Katja's briefcase. She also meets a French exchange student, Delphine Cormier, to whom she finds herself attracted. Meanwhile, Alison harbors suspicions about her husband and is convinced he is hiding something. She takes her own steps to find out what it is."
"After spending the night with Paul, Sarah begins to wonder whether a dream she had had the same night - of being examined by doctors - was in fact real. She believes Beth was spying on Paul and searches his apartment. He was once in the military but at his work, she finds that his desk drawers are empty. Sarah is almost caught out when Paul notices that a scar on her neck is no longer there. Vic's partners want their cocaine back, and later, he can't believe his eyes when he sees Alison - thinking she's Sarah. At school in Minnesota, Cosima continues to analyze the blood samples found in Katja's briefcase. She also meets a French exchange student, Delphine Cormier, to whom she finds herself attracted. Meanwhile, Alison harbors suspicions about her husband and is convinced he is hiding something. She takes her own steps to find out what it is."
According to Memory Alpha it was on this day back in 2004 that the Star Trek novel "A Time To Harvest" was first published by Pocket Books. The book was written by Dayton Ward and Kevin Dilmore, and here's the (edited) plot summary from Amazon.com:
"On the cusp of their epic battle with Shinzon, many of Captain Jean-Luc Picard's long-time crew were heading for new assignments and new challenges. Among the changes were William Riker's promotion to captain and his new command, Riker's marriage to Counselor Deanna Troi, and Dr. Beverly Crusher's new career at Starfleet Medical. But the story of what set them on a path away from the Starship Enterprise™ has never been told ..."
"On the cusp of their epic battle with Shinzon, many of Captain Jean-Luc Picard's long-time crew were heading for new assignments and new challenges. Among the changes were William Riker's promotion to captain and his new command, Riker's marriage to Counselor Deanna Troi, and Dr. Beverly Crusher's new career at Starfleet Medical. But the story of what set them on a path away from the Starship Enterprise™ has never been told ..."
