Within all of human history, there are benchmarks, and there are hallmarks.
“Benchmarks” indicate a high-water mark – a new zenith, a new line drawn in the sand for others to meet or cross – while “hallmarks” are achievements that deserve regular, repeatable celebration. “Benchmarks” will fluctuate over time – once a new “benchmark” is met, then it’s time for someone to come along and set a new one. “Hallmarks”, on the other hand, are staples that deserve to be called upon every now and then, revered for what they’ve achieved, studied for what they mean, and remembered throughout eternity. While these two points are similar, “benchmarks” tend to fade into the passage of time as newcomers stake out new ground and new territory, but “hallmarks” last forever.
And it’s rare for a single hour-long episode of popular culture television to retain both “benchmark” and “hallmark” status, but, with each passing year, Star Trek’s “City of the Edge of Forever” continues to defy critics and astound viewers with its subtle mix of romance, fantasy, and poignancy told against the backdrop of both yesterday and tomorrow.
On this day in 1967, “City on the Edge of Forever” first aired on NBC, and Star Trek has never really ever been the same since.
“Benchmarks” indicate a high-water mark – a new zenith, a new line drawn in the sand for others to meet or cross – while “hallmarks” are achievements that deserve regular, repeatable celebration. “Benchmarks” will fluctuate over time – once a new “benchmark” is met, then it’s time for someone to come along and set a new one. “Hallmarks”, on the other hand, are staples that deserve to be called upon every now and then, revered for what they’ve achieved, studied for what they mean, and remembered throughout eternity. While these two points are similar, “benchmarks” tend to fade into the passage of time as newcomers stake out new ground and new territory, but “hallmarks” last forever.
And it’s rare for a single hour-long episode of popular culture television to retain both “benchmark” and “hallmark” status, but, with each passing year, Star Trek’s “City of the Edge of Forever” continues to defy critics and astound viewers with its subtle mix of romance, fantasy, and poignancy told against the backdrop of both yesterday and tomorrow.
On this day in 1967, “City on the Edge of Forever” first aired on NBC, and Star Trek has never really ever been the same since.
Later in her professional career, Kaaren Verne made a visit to the Fantastical realm of The Twilight Zone. Though she's no longer with us, Verne was born on this day in 1918. [Source: IMDB.com]
HubbaHubba Alert: the luminous Joi Lansing joined George Reeves for a sixth season episode of Adventures of Superman. She also had an uncredited role aboard the oft-maligned Queen Of Outer Space (1958). Though she's no longer with us, Lansing was born on this day in 1929.
Ted Gehring left his mark of a whole slew of SciFi properties, including roles aboard The Invaders, Star Trek, The Invisible Man, Battlestar Galactica (ABC), Galactica 1980, The Greatest American Hero, and Starman. Though he's no longer wth us, Gehring was born on this day in 1929.
Though later in life Ivan Dixon's focus turned toward directing, he managed to build up a resume impressive in Science Fiction well before doing so. He appeared aboard The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, and the oft-forgotten Amerika miniseries from 1987. Though he's no longer with us, Dixon was born on this day in 1931. [Source: IMDB.com]
Leon Eagles enjoyed appearances in such Science Fiction programs as Doctor Who, The Tomorrow People, and Chocky's Challenge. Though he's no longer with us, Eagles was born on this day in 1932. [Source: IMDB.com]
The venerable Terrence Hardiman dipped himself deep into the realm of Fantasy for the BBC television adaptation of The Demon Headmaster. Hardiman was born on this day in 1937. [Source: IMDB.com]
Rogues and lovers take many shapes, but, in the Star Wars universe, the notable ones are few and far between. Lando Calrissian first owned the Millenium Falcon before he lost it in a bet to his buddy, Han Solo, and is there any other actor alive who could’ve brought the lovable cheat Lando to life better than Billy Dee Williams? Today, he celebrates his birthday! Billy Dee was born on this day in 1937.
While I’ve not seen much of the show, The Invaders has been credited as having inspired a whole slew of TV conspiracy shows. Its lead – Roy Thinnes – also celebrates his birthday today. Other prominent franchise appearances include the original Battlestar Galactica as well as Fox TV's The X-Files. Thinnes was born in 1938.
Anita Pallenberg (seated above) joined Jane Fonda aboard Barbarella (1968), a film that arguably remains the absolute zenith of SciFi camp. Though she's no longer with us, Pallenberg was born on this day in 1944.
I kid you not: one of Judith McConnell's earliest screen roles was Yeoman Tankris aboard "Wolf In The Fold," an episode of the SciFi classic Star Trek. McConnell was born on this day in 1944.
That fellow there? The one on the right? With the mustache? That's none other than Pixar 'regular' John Ratzenberger with his fleeting role in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back. Ratzenberger was born on this day in 1947.
Lovely and talented ladies never shy away from roles in genre projects; and that's even when some of those genre projects aren't quite what we'd call up-to-snuff. Janet Agren has booked quality screen time aboard Red Sonja (1985), Hands of Steel (1986), and plenty of other curious flicks. Agren was born on this day in 1949.
Composer Patrick Doyle has left his particular musical imprint on such genre features as Eragon (2006), Thor (2011), and Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011). Doyle was born on this day in 1953. [Source: IMDB.com]
For all of its technical merits, 1981's Clash Of The Titans hasn't aged all that well ... but you know what has aged well? The lovely Judi Bowker. She played 'Andromeda' in the motion picture. Bowker was born on this day in 1954. [Source: IMDB.com]
I think it's pretty terrific when a longtime favorite finally finds some measure of mainstream success, and such is the case for Michael Rooker. He's toiled away in a lot of lesser works for many years, and his efforts have finally been rewarded with work in The Walking Dead and even Guardians of the Galaxy. Bravo! Rooker was born on this day in 1955.
Glen Murphy got to play in the world of Doctor Who, taking on the role of 'Dibber' in the serial titled "The Trial Of A Timelord: The Mysterious Planet." Murphy was born on this day in 1957. [Source: Doctor Who Online]
In the role of 'Varsh,' Richard Willis joined Tom Baker for the "Full Circle" serial aboard the BBC's long-running Doctor Who. Willis was born on this day in 1958. [Source: Doctor Who Online]
Fans of the 1980's era of the long-running Doctor Who should recall the talented Mark Strickson in the role of 'Turlough,' a Companion to the time traveler from Gallifrey. Strickson was born on this day in 1959. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Tracy Kolis showed up in an episode of Quantum Leap, though she's largely remembered for her work in more conventional programs. Kolis was born on this day in 1962.
Though I'll always recognize her from her work aboard Christopher Guest's exceptional mockumentaries, kudos to the great Deborah Theaker for squeezing in a guest spot aboard Stargate: SG-1 so that I can mention her here. Theaker was born on this day in 1964. [Source: IMDB.com]
Funnyman Paul Rudd may finally be forced to hang up his funnyman shoes now that he's hitched his wagon to the Marvel Universe in the forthcoming Ant Man. Methinks those Marvel fans will gobble him up just fine! Rudd was born on this day in 1969.
Call me old-fashioned (if you will) but I really believe sitting behind the wheel of a Federation starship earns you a birthday shout ... and such is the case for the lovely Mona Grudt who helped fly the Enterprise 1701-D for a single episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Grudt was born on this day in 1971. [Source: Memory Alpha]
When he was but an urchin, Jason Hervey sat down at the cinematic table for a small role aboard Back To The Future (1985). Hervey was born on this day in 1972. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though Lori Heuring's resume is decidedly more mainstream, she has enjoyed roles aboard such genre properties as The Visitor and Early Edition which stray close to SciFi and Fantasy. Heuring was born on this day in 1973. [Source: IMDB.com]
Earlier in her career, Candace Cameron Bure found her bedroom visited by some otherworldly beings in TV's Visitors of the Night (1995). Looking so luscious, can you blame the aliens? Bure was born on this day in 1976.
Though he's now found under the name 'Scott Thomas' on IMDB.com, Scott Miles enjoyed a guest spot aboard Star Trek: Voyager during its run. Miles was born on this day in 1973. [Source: Memory Alpha]
Kudos to Teddy Sears for joining the CW's The Flash program in its second season and willing to play both a good version of a classic character as well as a bad one! Sears was born on this day in 1977.
You may not know Cecily Fay's name or face, but odds are -- if you're a serious genre fan -- you may've seen some of her stunt and creature work in projects like The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy (2005), Prometheus (2012), or Snow White and the Huntsmen (2012). If you want to see what she really brings to a picture, then check out the Apocalyptic-themed Warrioress (2011). Fay was born on this day in 1978.
If she's what the future looks like, then count me in! Eliza Coupe shares her considerable star power and good looks aboard Future Man, a SciFi comedy airing on Hulu. Coupe was born on this day in 1981. [Source: IMDB.com]
Sorry, folks, but I don't Netflix. That company's owner had some very unkind things to say about Americans in general, so I cancelled my subscription and have never gone back. (I get that way sometimes.) Still, I can appreciate what some folks bring to the genre, and Miguel Ángel Silvestre is bringing his A game to that streaming services signature SciFi show, Sense8. Silvestre was born on this day in 1982.
Meh. I didn't much care for ABC TV's reboot of the kinda/sorta beloved V franchise. It was all well and good, I suppose, but it never seemed to have much of a purpose. Actor Bret Harrison joined the program as Dr. Sidney Miller, so for that I'm thankful. Harrison was born on this day in 1982.
Trust me when I say that if you go green then SciFiHistory.Net is gonna find you! Case in point: the lovely Diora Baird had an uncredited appearance aboard the JJ Abrams' vehicle Star Trek (2009) as an equally lovely Orion ... but not the one that the young James Kirk slept with. Baird was born on this day in 1983.
When Star Trek: The Next Generation was properly 'pornified' for an Adult film project, producers smartly cast the lovely Bobbi Starr in the role of 'Dr. Leah Brahms.' Starr was born on this day in 1983. [Source: IMDB.com]
Newcomer Peyton List (above right) joined Logan Paul aboard The Thinning, a YouTube project which explores an Apocalyptic tomorrow and high school aptitude tests. List was born on this day in 1998.
And not to be left out of all the fun his twin sister is having (see above), young Spencer List made an appearance aboard Fox TV's Fringe as some creepy feral kid who gets befriended by Olivia Dunham. List was born on this day in 1998.
A star is born! It was on this immortal day in 1936 that the first installment of the wildly popular serial adventure, Flash Gordon: Space Soldiers, was released in theatres. Go, Flash, go! Here's the plot summary as listed on IMDB.com:
"Flash Gordon, Dale Arden and Dr. Alexis Zarkov visit the planet Mongo to thwart the evil schemes of Emperor Ming the Merciless, who has set his planet on a collision course with Earth."
For the record: Just how great is Flash Gordon? Well, it was good enough that the National Film Registry inducted the first serial into its archives so that it could be preserved for the ages. And that's pretty damn good! This original serial spawned two serial sequels, a handful of television incarnations -- both live action and animated -- and continues to inspire storytellers to this day.
"Flash Gordon, Dale Arden and Dr. Alexis Zarkov visit the planet Mongo to thwart the evil schemes of Emperor Ming the Merciless, who has set his planet on a collision course with Earth."
For the record: Just how great is Flash Gordon? Well, it was good enough that the National Film Registry inducted the first serial into its archives so that it could be preserved for the ages. And that's pretty damn good! This original serial spawned two serial sequels, a handful of television incarnations -- both live action and animated -- and continues to inspire storytellers to this day.
On this day in 1951, The Thing From Another World showed itself on silver screens for the audiences of Washington, D.C. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Scientists at an Arctic research station discover a spacecraft buried in the ice. Upon closer examination, they discover the frozen pilot. All hell breaks loose when they take him back to their station and he is accidentally thawed out!"
"Scientists at an Arctic research station discover a spacecraft buried in the ice. Upon closer examination, they discover the frozen pilot. All hell breaks loose when they take him back to their station and he is accidentally thawed out!"
On this day in 1962 (in West Germany), The Killer Shrews gnawed its way to a theatrical premiere. The feature starred James Best and Ingrid Goude, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"On an isolated island, a small group of people are terrorized by giant voracious shrews in the midst of a hurricane."
"On an isolated island, a small group of people are terrorized by giant voracious shrews in the midst of a hurricane."
On this day in 1969 (in Madrid, Spain), Dr. Who And The Daleks enjoyed its theatrical release. The feature starred Peter Cushing as the 'man with a plan' from Gallifrey, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"An eccentric inventor and his companions travel in his TARDIS to the Planet Skaro and battle the evil menace of the Daleks."
"An eccentric inventor and his companions travel in his TARDIS to the Planet Skaro and battle the evil menace of the Daleks."
On this day in 1979 (in Brazil), Superman soared onto the silver screen. Directed by Richard Donner and long-regarded to be one of the best cinematic adaptations in the entire Superhero genre, the feature starred Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An alien orphan is sent from his dying planet to Earth, where he grows up to become his adoptive home's first and greatest superhero."
"An alien orphan is sent from his dying planet to Earth, where he grows up to become his adoptive home's first and greatest superhero."
A star is born! On this day in 1983 (in France), Le Dernier Combat enjoyed its commercial theatrical debut. Written (in part) and directed by Luc Besson, the SciFi/Drama starred Pierre Jolivet, Jean Bouise, and Jean Reno; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In a post-apocalyptic future where no one is able to speak, the few remaining humans fight over resources in order to survive."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Le Dernier Combat enjoyed an impressive amount of praise on the film festival circuit, securing a few trophies in the category of 'Best Film.'
"In a post-apocalyptic future where no one is able to speak, the few remaining humans fight over resources in order to survive."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Le Dernier Combat enjoyed an impressive amount of praise on the film festival circuit, securing a few trophies in the category of 'Best Film.'
On this day in 1994, the SciFi/Horror hybrid Skeeter did what it could to bug audiences with its release on home video. The film starred Tracy Griffith and Jim Youngs, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"As the result of a corrupt businessman's illegal toxic waste dumping, a small desert town is beset by a deadly swarm of huge bloodthirsty mutant mosquitoes!"
"As the result of a corrupt businessman's illegal toxic waste dumping, a small desert town is beset by a deadly swarm of huge bloodthirsty mutant mosquitoes!"
On this day in 1996 (in Germany), the 1962-produced Apocalypse/Drama Panic In Year Zero premiered on television. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A family leaves L.A. for a camping trip - just before a nuclear bomb destroys the city. As the city descends into chaos, the father must fight to keep his family alive."
"A family leaves L.A. for a camping trip - just before a nuclear bomb destroys the city. As the city descends into chaos, the father must fight to keep his family alive."
A star is born! On this day in 2001, Just Visiting paid a visit to U.S. theaters. Written and directed by Jean-Marie Poiré, the Fantasy/Comedy starred Jean Reno and Christina Applegate, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A French count is in England to marry the princess. She's killed. A wizard helps him to time travel back before the murder - except they end up in Chicago, April 2000. A descendant helps him. He looks for the wizard to return to the 1100s."
"A French count is in England to marry the princess. She's killed. A wizard helps him to time travel back before the murder - except they end up in Chicago, April 2000. A descendant helps him. He looks for the wizard to return to the 1100s."
A star is born! On this day in 2013, the SciFi/Telefilm Battledogs bared its fangs on the Boob Tube. The feature starred Craig Sheffer and Kate Vernon, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A werewolf virus is unleashed upon New York, and Major Hoffman looks for a cure while Lt. General Monning wants to establish a new canine army."
"A werewolf virus is unleashed upon New York, and Major Hoffman looks for a cure while Lt. General Monning wants to establish a new canine army."
A star is born! On this day in 2017 (in Russia), Dance To Death enjoyed its original theatrical debut. Directed by Andrey Volgin, the feature starred Deni Alasaniya and Agniya Ditkovskite, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Moscow, 2070s. In a sealed bunker in the post-apocalyptic ruins of Moscow, young people struggle against each other in a deadly dancing tournament. Only the winners will live."
"Moscow, 2070s. In a sealed bunker in the post-apocalyptic ruins of Moscow, young people struggle against each other in a deadly dancing tournament. Only the winners will live."
On this day in 1954, Rocky Jones, Space Ranger aired "Bobby's Comet: Chapter I." This served as the fourth episode of the show's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV.com:
"After a missile strikes the Earth, Rocky's crew departs for the moon called Fornax, the origin of the missile's launch."
"After a missile strikes the Earth, Rocky's crew departs for the moon called Fornax, the origin of the missile's launch."
On this day in 1960, Men Into Space aired "Flash in the Sky." This served as the twenty-sixth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A ship tasked with retrieving a malfunctioning Venus probe runs into issues when the scientist in charge, a friend of McCauley's insists on going despite previously disobeying McCauley's orders."
"A ship tasked with retrieving a malfunctioning Venus probe runs into issues when the scientist in charge, a friend of McCauley's insists on going despite previously disobeying McCauley's orders."
On this day in 1968, Doctor Who aired "Fury From The Deep, Part 4." This served as the thirty-second episode of the program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Van Lutyens' investigation of the base of the impeller places the Doctor and Jamie in danger from the Weed Creature."
"Van Lutyens' investigation of the base of the impeller places the Doctor and Jamie in danger from the Weed Creature."
On this day in 1974, Doctor Who aired "The Monster of Peladon, Part 3." This served as the seventeenth episode of the program's eleventh season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Doctor and Sarah pacify Aggedor and the Doctor encourages the Queen to make peace with the miners, but Ortron soon has him under arrest again."
"The Doctor and Sarah pacify Aggedor and the Doctor encourages the Queen to make peace with the miners, but Ortron soon has him under arrest again."
There are two people who just don't look happy together! On this day in 1995, William Shatner's TekWar aired "Deadline." This served as the ninth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Winger is attacked by someone that steals his CRU. Without it he has 18 hours until he dies because he cannot replace it due to a new law. They are phasing out androids so he has to be quiet and try to fix things on his own."
"Winger is attacked by someone that steals his CRU. Without it he has 18 hours until he dies because he cannot replace it due to a new law. They are phasing out androids so he has to be quiet and try to fix things on his own."
On this day in the year 2000, the second half of "The Court-Martial of Lt. Razak" aired, bringing to close (as best showrunners could) the stories for Roughnecks: The Starship Troopers Chronicles. What sucks is that -- those of us who followed the show know -- it all ended on a pretty massive cliffhanger that's left resolved ... mostly. For those willing to search it out on the World Wide Web, the audio for the unproduced final arc of the program exists ... so one can get a sense of where all of the action would've ended up had producers been given the greenlight to complete the final arc. That -- as they say -- is how it goes.
On this day in 2001, Farscape aired the fourth season of its third season, an hour entitled "Self-Inflicted Wounds, Part 2: Wait for the Wheel." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The two ships are still linked together. The crews are being attacked by a strange creature, Moya's taking a heavy beating. Crichton finds a transmission from Earth. The ships will finally be separated, with one of the Moya crew making the Ultimate sacrifice."
"The two ships are still linked together. The crews are being attacked by a strange creature, Moya's taking a heavy beating. Crichton finds a transmission from Earth. The ships will finally be separated, with one of the Moya crew making the Ultimate sacrifice."
On this day in 2013, Doctor Who aired "The Rings Of Akhaten." This served as the eighth episode of its (rebooted) seventh season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Still not quite able to explain just who she is, the Doctor and Clara set off on their first adventure. He takes her to see the Rings of Akhaten and its famous pyramid. The residents of the 7 planets rotating around the same sun all believe the pyramid is the source of all life in the universe. There are quite a few visitors there for the Festival of Offering and Clara and helps a young girl, Merry, to have the confidence to perform an important ceremony to sooth and keep the Old God asleep. When Merry is drawn into the pyramid the Doctor and Clara go after her. When the Old God awakens, it's no match for the Doctor...or for Clara for that matter."
"Still not quite able to explain just who she is, the Doctor and Clara set off on their first adventure. He takes her to see the Rings of Akhaten and its famous pyramid. The residents of the 7 planets rotating around the same sun all believe the pyramid is the source of all life in the universe. There are quite a few visitors there for the Festival of Offering and Clara and helps a young girl, Merry, to have the confidence to perform an important ceremony to sooth and keep the Old God asleep. When Merry is drawn into the pyramid the Doctor and Clara go after her. When the Old God awakens, it's no match for the Doctor...or for Clara for that matter."
On this day in 2013, the plot thickened (quite a bit!) on the BBC's Orphan Black as the episode "Instinct" aired to the program's hungry audience. Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"With a dead identical in her car and an assassin on her tail, Sarah just wants to dump the body and get out of town. But with Beth's cop partner Art holding the money she stole, Sarah is forced to continue her con and earn "Beth" a second chance on the force, only to find out that Beth's past is shadier than she thought. Now, her only hope of finding answers lies with another twin, Alison. But to win Alison's trust, Sarah is going to have to come clean about stealing Beth's life."
"With a dead identical in her car and an assassin on her tail, Sarah just wants to dump the body and get out of town. But with Beth's cop partner Art holding the money she stole, Sarah is forced to continue her con and earn "Beth" a second chance on the force, only to find out that Beth's past is shadier than she thought. Now, her only hope of finding answers lies with another twin, Alison. But to win Alison's trust, Sarah is going to have to come clean about stealing Beth's life."
On this day in 2015, The Department Of Time aired "Tiempo de venganza." This served as the seventh episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Armando Leiva faked his death and is ready to strike back against the Ministry of Time - in 1844, when it was visited by young Queen Isabel II."
"Armando Leiva faked his death and is ready to strike back against the Ministry of Time - in 1844, when it was visited by young Queen Isabel II."
