One of my very favorite character actors -- Carl Lumbly -- had a short-lived superhero / SciFi-lite program as part of Fox TV's Friday night line-up for a season: he starred as M.A.N.T.I.S., a hero who used secret technology to circumvent his paralysis and, naturally, fight crime! FYI: he also voiced the Martian Manhunter as part of that stellar Justice League cartoon TV series. Even more recently, he played the father of the Martian Manhunter in an impressive stint aboard the CW's Supergirl. Lumbly was born on this day in 1951. [Source: IMDB.com]
Alice Ghostley is no doubt best remembered by TV audiences for her work in comedy, but genre fans might remember her from small and supporting roles aboard Get Smart, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, Monster Squad, Tales From The Darkside, and Small Wonder. Though she's no longer with us, Ghostley was born on this day in 1923. [Source: IMDB.com]
Actor and stuntman George Sawaya was a Hollywood bit player who enjoyed a career of well over one hundred different roles. He spent time in the worlds of Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea, The Time Tunnel, Batman, Star Trek, Get Smart, Embryo (1976), Future Cop, Man From Atlantis, Voyagers!, The Powers of Matthew Star, and Repo Man (1984). Though he's no longer with us, Sawaya was born on this day in 1923. [Source: IMDB.com]
Fran Bennett guest-starred as a Starfleet admiral aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation's "Redemption: Part II." Her resume also boasts appearances aboard The Twilight Zone, ALF, NBC's popular Quantum Leap, New Nightmare (1994), and Team Knight Rider. Though she's no longer with us, Bennett was born on this day in 1937. [Source: IMDB.com]
The late Brenda Benet enjoyed some screen time in programs like The Girl From U.N.C.L.E., I Dream Of Jeannie, The Green Hornet, Wonder Woman, The Horror At 37,000 Feet (1973), Fantasy Island, and The Incredible Hulk. Though she's no longer with us, Benet was born on this day in 1945. [Source: IMDB.com]
[NOTE: Sadly, Brenda struggled with life's challenges and eventually took her own life. So if you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please share the number for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255. It's never too late to save a life.]
[NOTE: Sadly, Brenda struggled with life's challenges and eventually took her own life. So if you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please share the number for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255. It's never too late to save a life.]
Though Joseph Marcell (above left) is probably remembered more for his work on The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, the actor did sport a guest spot on the BBC's Doctor Who. Marcell was born on this day in 1948. [Source: IMDB.com]
Lou Wagner is another one of those faces seen all over the map in comedies and dramas, but he does maintain a resume with some solid genre credentials. He's enjoyed roles aboard Lost In Space, Planet Of The Apes (1968), Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972), The UFO Incident (1975), Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and The Legend of Galgameth (1996). Wagner was born on this day in 1948. [Source: IMDB.com]
Writer/director Jim Wynorski has built an incredible resume of what most would consider B-movies, the likes of which stretch across a variety of genres. He's helped bring such properties to life as Deathstalker II (1987), Not Of This Earth (1988), The Return Of Swamp Thing (1989), Dinosaur Island (1994), The Wasp Woman (1995), Project Viper (2002), and much much more. Wynorski was born on this day in 1950. [Source: IMDB.com]
Throughout his lifetime, composer James Horner contributed scores to some of the most impactful Science Fiction films of our times. He's scored such flicks as Battle Beyond The Stars (1980), Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), Krull (1983), Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984), Cocoon (1985), Aliens (1986), The Rocketeer (1991), Deep Impact (1998), and Avatar (2009). Though he's no longer with us, Horner was born on this day in 1953. [Source: IMDB.com]
Critical darling Marcia Gay Harden (above center) found herself trapped between a mist and a hard place compliments of Stephen King's imagination in The Mist (2007). Harden was born on this day in 1959. [Source: IMDB.com]
Consider Russell Hodgkinson as just "livin' the dream" aboard the nightmare that is Syfy Channel's Apocalypse-themed Z Nation. The actor has also appeared in NBC's Grimm and Sharknado 5: Global Swarming (2017). Hodgkinson was born on this day in 1959. [Source: IMDB.com]
Lucinda Dickey dipped her delicate toes into the realm of cinematic Fantasy and came up with a Samurai sword for Ninja III: The Domination (1984), an odd actioner with a heavy hint of the Afterlife. Dickey was born on this day in 1960. [Source: IMDB.com]
The heavenly Emmanuelle Béart really got into the part of an Earthbound beauty aboard the Fantasy/Comedy Date With An Angel (1987). Béart was born on this day in 1963. [Source: IMDB.com]
Sexy Cristi Conaway has a nifty li'l history in the realm of genre projects, including roles in such underappreciated projects as Batman Returns (1992), Attack Of The 50 Foot Woman (1993), The Advanced Guard (1998), and TV's incarnation of Timecop. Conaway was born on this day in 1964. [Source: IMDB.com]
Brannon Braga is a figure in the history of Star Trek who honestly courts probably as much controversy as he has support. Arguably, he's responsible for creating some of the franchise's best moments with scripts like Star Trek: The Next Generation's "All Good Things ..." and Star Trek: Voyager's "Year Of Hell." But he's also penned TNG's plain awful "Sub Rosa" and Voyager's confusing "End Game." Still, he perseveres, and he's helped bring other solid properties to television life, including the underrated Threshold, Flashforward, and Terra Nova. Braga was born on this day in 1965. [Source: IMDB.com]
Actress Halle Berry brought the fanboys to the cinemas to watch her work her magic as Storm, one of the mutant X-Men franchise. Now, they're kinda/sorta following suit by watching her Steven Spielberg produced SciFi television program, Extant, on CBS. (Rumor is, however, that she behaves like a diva on the set. Not cool, Halle.) Berry was born on this day in 1966.
The lovely Catherine Bell achieved fame as one of the leads for CBS's popular JAG procedural, and thankfully she's hung around for more. The actress has enjoyed roles aboard Alien Nation: Body and Soul (1995), The Triangle (2005), and Threshold (2006). Bell was born on this day in 1968.
Ben Bass has a pretty solid record in genre entertainment, though it would seem that he's laid off it a bit as of late. Still, appearances in Forever Knight, First Wave, Stargate: SG-1, The 6th Day (2000), The Lone Gunmen, Jeremiah, and The Twilight Zone have to count for something, no? Bass was born on this day in 1968.
The talented Adrian Lester (above center) has popped up for good measure in a few good genre properties, including screen time aboard Jason and the Argonauts (TV miniseries), The Day After Tomorrow (2004), Afterlife, and Doomsday (2008). Lester was born on this day in 1968. [Source: IMDB.com]
Sylvia Jefferies has enjoyed modest exposure in supporting roles in such genre properties as Surface, Deja Vu (2006), and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017). Jefferies was born on this day in 1969. [Source: IMDB.com]
Back in the days wherein superhero projects were largely just the most beautiful creatures known to man squeezed into black latex the lovely Michelle Lintel took a beating and dished it back out for her role as TV's Black Scorpion. Lintel was born on this day in 1969. [Source: IMDB.com]
The multi-talented Leah Purcell made a splash chewing scenery as the villainous 'The Black Apparition' aboard TV's Fantasy-themed BeastMaster. Purcell was born on this day in 1970. [Source: IMDB.com]
Raoul Bova braved the arctic frontier only to find himself caught between a rock and a hard place in 2004's AVP: Alien Vs Predator. Bova was born on this day in 1971.
Scott Michael Campbell went to a very dark place for his work aboard The CW's Supergirl. The veteran actor has also enjoyed screen time aboard such projects as Project: ALF (1996), Journeyman, Push (2009), Supernatural, The Event, Touch, and Wayward Pines. Campbell was born on this day in 1971. [Source: IMDB.com]
As part of the ensemble at the heart of Showtime's Odyssey 5, young Christopher Gorham (far left) played Neil Taggart. The versatile actor has also appeared in the Star Trek: Hidden Evil video game; Jake 2.0; and voiced Barry Allen in both the Justice League: War as well as the recent Justice League: Throne of Atlantis direct-to-DVD releases. Gorham was born on this day in 1973.
Jamie Sives made a splash as part of the early seasons of HBO's Fantasy epic, Game Of Thrones. He's also made an appearance in the BBC's greater world of Doctor Who. Sives was born on this day in 1973. [Source: IMDB.com]
After getting her start on the small screen, actress Mila Kunis broke out in a big way on the silver screen. Genre fans know her best from The Book of Eli where she paired up with Denzel Washington's strong silent type to brave their way through an Apocalyptic wasteland toward hope. Kunis was born on this day in 1983.
Funnyman James Buckley delivered Science Fiction with a bit of a comic edge for his work aboard TV's Zapped (2016-2017). Buckley was born on this day in 1987. [Source: IMDB.com]
On a wing and a prayer, the lovely Cassi Thomson took a big swing at Biblical prophecy aboard the Nicolas Cage starring reboot of Left Behind. Thomson was born on this day in 1993. [Source: IMDB.com]
Newcomer Brianna Hildebrand entered the Marvel Movie Universe in a big way with a key role in Deadpool (2016) alongside screen tough guy Ryan Reynolds. Hildebrand was born on this day in 1996.
On this day in 1933 (in Denmark), L'Atlantide delivered a bit of cinematic Fantasy to unsuspecting audiences. Directed by Georg Wilhelm Pabst, the feature film starred Brigitte Helm, Pierre Blanchar, and John Stuart; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Antinea. the Queen of Atlantis, rules her secret kingdom hidden beneath the Sahara Desert. One day two lost explorers stumble into her kingdom, and soon realize that they haven't really been saved--Antinea has a habit of taking men as lovers, then when she's done with them, she kills them and keeps them mummified."
"Antinea. the Queen of Atlantis, rules her secret kingdom hidden beneath the Sahara Desert. One day two lost explorers stumble into her kingdom, and soon realize that they haven't really been saved--Antinea has a habit of taking men as lovers, then when she's done with them, she kills them and keeps them mummified."
A star is born! On this day in 1958 (in the U.S.), the Curse Of The Faceless Man enjoyed a pair of theatrical premieres, playing for citizens of Kansas City as well as the good people of San Francisco, California. Directed by Edward L. Cahn with a script from Jerome Bixby, the SciFi/Horror starred Richard Anderson, Elaine Edwards, and Adele Mara. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A stone-encrusted body is unearthed at Pompeii, and people left alone with it keep dying of crushed skulls..."
"A stone-encrusted body is unearthed at Pompeii, and people left alone with it keep dying of crushed skulls..."
On this day in 1975 (in Australia), Rollerball skated its way through bloody results and social commentary. The feature starred James Caan and Maud Adams, and here's the premise as provided by IMDB.com:
"In a corporate-controlled future, an ultra-violent sport known as Rollerball represents the world, and one of its powerful athletes is out to defy those who want him out of the game."
"In a corporate-controlled future, an ultra-violent sport known as Rollerball represents the world, and one of its powerful athletes is out to defy those who want him out of the game."
Never forget what grandma used to say: "Even the worst piece of garbage film can be made better with giant spiders." On this day in 1976 (in Japan), The Giant Spider Invasion was successfully launched. The feature starred Steve Brodie and Barbara Hale, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Giant spiders from another dimension invade Wisconsin."
"Giant spiders from another dimension invade Wisconsin."
On this day in 1980 (in Mexico), Walt Disney's The Black Hole bored through our collective consciousness like a giant ball of hot melted butter. Directed by Gary Nelson, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Maximilian Schell, Anthony Perkins, and Robert Forster; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A research vessel finds a missing ship, commanded by a mysterious scientist, on the edge of a black hole."
For the record:
The Black Hole earned some solid recognition during the awards season. At the 1980 Academy Awards, the film earned nominations for 'Best Effects - Visual Effects' and 'Best Cinematography.' At the 1980 Saturn Awards, the film earned nominations for 'Best Special Effects,' 'Best Music,' 'Best Writing,' and 'Best Science Fiction Film.' Lastly, at the 1980 Hugo Awards, the film earned the nomination for 'Best Dramatic Presentation.'
"A research vessel finds a missing ship, commanded by a mysterious scientist, on the edge of a black hole."
For the record:
The Black Hole earned some solid recognition during the awards season. At the 1980 Academy Awards, the film earned nominations for 'Best Effects - Visual Effects' and 'Best Cinematography.' At the 1980 Saturn Awards, the film earned nominations for 'Best Special Effects,' 'Best Music,' 'Best Writing,' and 'Best Science Fiction Film.' Lastly, at the 1980 Hugo Awards, the film earned the nomination for 'Best Dramatic Presentation.'
On this day in 1980 (in the Netherlands), The Clones Of Bruce Lee served up some fisticuffs with a decidedly SciFi angle. The feature starred Dragon Lee and Bruce Le, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Bruce Lee has just died, but the BSI is swinging into action to salvage the situation. Aided by the brilliant Professor Lucas, cells from the martial arts master's body are removed and grown into three adult Bruce Lee clones. After undergoing training to bring their skills up to the level of their 'father', the three are sent out to battle crime, with one sent to take on a gold smuggler, and the other two teaming up to shut down an evil mad scientist."
"Bruce Lee has just died, but the BSI is swinging into action to salvage the situation. Aided by the brilliant Professor Lucas, cells from the martial arts master's body are removed and grown into three adult Bruce Lee clones. After undergoing training to bring their skills up to the level of their 'father', the three are sent out to battle crime, with one sent to take on a gold smuggler, and the other two teaming up to shut down an evil mad scientist."
On this day in 1992, Stay Tuned turned its Comedy/Fantasy focus against TV viewing habits at the cineplex. The feature starred John Ritter and Pam Dawber, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A husband and wife are sucked into a hellish television set and have to survive a gauntlet of twisted versions of shows they find themselves in."
"A husband and wife are sucked into a hellish television set and have to survive a gauntlet of twisted versions of shows they find themselves in."
Part dramatic mockumentary & part dramatic story, Neill Blomkamp's District 9 captivated audiences when it premiered on this day back in 2009. At its heart, the film told the story of a government official caught between doing his job and doing what's best for humanity. Blomkamp has often spoken about a sequel, and rumor is a story exists. Maybe we'll see it some day.
On this day in 2013 (in Switzerland), Real played for audiences in attendance of the Locarno Film Festival. Adapted from a novel (in part) and directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, the SciFi/Drama starred Takeru Satoh, Haruka Ayase, and Joe Odagiri; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A man decides to use a new technology to go inside the mind of his comatose lover."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Real enjoyed a bit of praise while on the film festival circuit.
"A man decides to use a new technology to go inside the mind of his comatose lover."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Real enjoyed a bit of praise while on the film festival circuit.
On this day in 2017 (in the United Kingdom), Thirst enjoyed its premiere on home video. The SciFi/Thriller starred John Redlinger and Jes Macallan, and here's the plot summary as provided by Amazon.com:
"Stranded in the desert, a group of campers are hunted and attacked by a chameleon-like alien that feeds on the fluid of it victims, leaving behind a dehydrated, dusty corpse. They must find a way to destroy the creature or suffer a horrible death."
"Stranded in the desert, a group of campers are hunted and attacked by a chameleon-like alien that feeds on the fluid of it victims, leaving behind a dehydrated, dusty corpse. They must find a way to destroy the creature or suffer a horrible death."
On this day in 2021 (in Canada), theh 1960-produced Fantasy/Horror Mill Of The Stone Women played for audiences in attendance of the Fantasia International Film Festival. Written (in part) and directed by Giorgio Ferroni, the Fantasy/Horror starred Pierre Brice, Scilla Gabel, and Wolfgang Preiss; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In 19th century Holland, a professor of fine arts and an unlicensed surgeon run a secret lab where the professor's ill daughter receives blood-transfusions from kidnapped female victims who posthumously become macabre art."
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2021, I had the good fortune of receiving a complimentary Blu-ray of an all-new restoration for Mill Of The Stone Women. Interested in knowing what I thought? My review of the film can be found right here.
"In 19th century Holland, a professor of fine arts and an unlicensed surgeon run a secret lab where the professor's ill daughter receives blood-transfusions from kidnapped female victims who posthumously become macabre art."
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2021, I had the good fortune of receiving a complimentary Blu-ray of an all-new restoration for Mill Of The Stone Women. Interested in knowing what I thought? My review of the film can be found right here.
On this day in 1987 (in the Netherlands), Knight Rider aired "Knight Of A Thousand Devils." Officially, this served as the seventeenth episode in the program's fourth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Michael's CIA pal Lew Jonas gets killed during a raid on crime boss Ronald Becker. Becker plans to get out of the country using the illegal Baja race to Mexico as a cover. Michael vows to catch Becker if it's the last thing he does."
"Michael's CIA pal Lew Jonas gets killed during a raid on crime boss Ronald Becker. Becker plans to get out of the country using the illegal Baja race to Mexico as a cover. Michael vows to catch Becker if it's the last thing he does."
On this day in 1991 (in Germany), Quantum Leap aired "Her Charm." Officially, this served as the fifteenth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"As an FBI agent Sam has to protect a female witness when the people after her seem to know his every step."
"As an FBI agent Sam has to protect a female witness when the people after her seem to know his every step."
On this day in 1992 (in France), The Ray Bradbury Theater aired "Tomorrow's Child." Officially, this served as the third episode in the program's sixth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An experimental childbirth procedure results in a couple's baby being born into another dimension. The child's non-human appearance puts a lot of strain on the new parents and threatens to send the wife into madness."
"An experimental childbirth procedure results in a couple's baby being born into another dimension. The child's non-human appearance puts a lot of strain on the new parents and threatens to send the wife into madness."
On this day in 1998, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Family." This served as the eighth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Teal'c's son Rya'c is kidnapped by Apophis and SG1 tries to rescue him. When Rya'c is recovered he denounces his father and helps to capture the team. They escape, but will they be able to return to Earth and cure Rya'c?"
"Teal'c's son Rya'c is kidnapped by Apophis and SG1 tries to rescue him. When Rya'c is recovered he denounces his father and helps to capture the team. They escape, but will they be able to return to Earth and cure Rya'c?"
On this day in 2005, The 4400 aired "Lockdown." This served as the tenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary compliments of our friends at IMDB.com:
"On John Colliers' birthday NTAC receives threatening e-mails and gets attacked by terror. Kyle is concerned that an innocent will be convicted for killing Collier. Maia gets a mysterious infection and is treated at NTAC. Isabelle has broken off her special communication with her mother and transfers it to her father. At school a girl is very interested in Kyle."
"On John Colliers' birthday NTAC receives threatening e-mails and gets attacked by terror. Kyle is concerned that an innocent will be convicted for killing Collier. Maia gets a mysterious infection and is treated at NTAC. Isabelle has broken off her special communication with her mother and transfers it to her father. At school a girl is very interested in Kyle."
On this day in 2006 (in the U.S.), Kyle XY aired "Memory Serves." Officially, this served as the eighth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Kyle, Lori and Declan investigate professor Kern."
"Kyle, Lori and Declan investigate professor Kern."
On this day in 2015, Killjoys aired "Enemy Khlyen." Officially, this served as the ninth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Dutch and John finally turn the tables on Khlyen by using his own advanced technology to track him down - only to discover the shocking truth behind his presence in the Quad, leaving Dutch to wonder: was she ever really free?"
"Dutch and John finally turn the tables on Khlyen by using his own advanced technology to track him down - only to discover the shocking truth behind his presence in the Quad, leaving Dutch to wonder: was she ever really free?"
It all came down to this: On this day in 2017 (in the U.S.), Stitchers aired "Maternis." Officially, this served as the tenth episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Kirsten's mother's chamber is compromised forcing Kirsten to take a risk and stitch into her mom before all their brain mapping is complete."
"Kirsten's mother's chamber is compromised forcing Kirsten to take a risk and stitch into her mom before all their brain mapping is complete."
