You know the story: far, far too many Science Fiction and Fantasy shows come-and-go all too quickly in the history of television. One program that enjoyed only a single season out of Canada was the Fantasy-themed MythQuest, a title that pops up on my radar from time-to-time. Though it seems to be reasonably highly-regarded by IMDB.com readers, the show lasted only a slim thirteen episodes and explored the realms of mythology by way of a family on a quest of their own. Here's the premise as listed on IMDB.com:
"While searching for their missing father, a brother & sister Alex & Cleo Bellows are drawn into the actual myths when entering the Cyber Museum.They encounter Gorgos, a trickster god, who wants to destroy the world by constantly changing the famous myths."
"While searching for their missing father, a brother & sister Alex & Cleo Bellows are drawn into the actual myths when entering the Cyber Museum.They encounter Gorgos, a trickster god, who wants to destroy the world by constantly changing the famous myths."
I've written of my fondness for The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951) many times, and, no doubt, I will again. In fact, I will any chance I get. As a young one, it was one of the first truly spectacular science fiction films I can remember watching on television, and I always loved actor Michael Rennie's composure in it. As the man who came from the stars with a warning for the Earth, he balanced his knowledge of things greater than an entire race of people with the compassion he learned while briefly living among them, and The Day The Earth Stood Still remains one of the best, brightest sci-fi black'n'white flicks I give an enthusiastic thumbs up constantly. Mr. Rennie worked as a car salesman and a factory manager before he discovered the acting bug ... and thank goodness for all of us he discovered it. Rennie was born on this day back in 1909.
Good grief, what do you say about Sean Connery? He's been so much apart of our culture -- much less sci-fi -- for decades. James Bond. He fathered Indiana Jones. He was in Zardoz as well as played a space marshal with a price on his head in Outland. He may be retired from acting, but he'll always be around on TV screens somewhere. Mr. Connery was born on this day back in 1930. [Source: IMDB.com]
Peter Gilmore joined Lea Brodie and Marc McClure aboard the Fantasy-themed Warlords of Atlantis (1978). Though he's no longer with us, Gilmore was born on this day in 1931. [Source: IMDB.com]
Veteran character actor Tom Skerritt made the most of his role as 'Capt. Dallas' in Ridley Scott's seminal Alien (1979). During the 1980's, he also turned up in the family-friendly Science Fiction flick SpaceCamp (1986). Also, in the late 1990's, he joined Jodie Foster in the silver screen adaptation of Carl Sagan's Contact (1997) for Warner Bros. Skerritt was born on this day in 1933. [Source: IMDB.com]
As the old saying goes, "success has many fathers, but failure is an orphan." In that spirit, I've read reports of several different folks who claim credit for very specific contributions to the original SciFi/Fantasy classic Star Wars (1977), but one name that keeps rising to the top is that of John Stears. It's been reported that he was responsible for creating Luke's landspeeder, the film's lightsabers, and even the droids R2-D2 and C-3PO (though they were allegedly built by other folks on staff). In one very cool moment of cinematic serendipity? Besides crafting the landspeeder, Stears creator James Bond's original Aston Martin DB 5. Though he's no longer with us, Stears was born on this day in 1934. [Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
I'd be remiss in my duties if I failed to point out that Stears was part of the team that won the 1977 Academy Award for Star Wars' incredible and ground-breaking 'Best Special Effects' (not his first Oscar, I might add). He and John Dykstra also shared the 1978 Saturn Award for 'Best Special Effects' for the same film.
For the record:
I'd be remiss in my duties if I failed to point out that Stears was part of the team that won the 1977 Academy Award for Star Wars' incredible and ground-breaking 'Best Special Effects' (not his first Oscar, I might add). He and John Dykstra also shared the 1978 Saturn Award for 'Best Special Effects' for the same film.
Director John Badham has clearly always had a fascination over how man interacts with machines. In the 80's, one might say it was a fascination of his, as he took the helm in such visionary pictures as WarGames, Blue Thunder, and then the light-hearted Short Circuit. Mr. Badham was born on this day back in 1939. [Source: IMDB.com]
According to IMDB.com, the perfectly fetching Imogen Hassall was sometimes dubbed 'the Countess of Cleavage' by industry insiders, having put her natural endowments to good use in a variety of genre properties. Genre fans might recognize her from appearances in such worlds as The Mind Benders (1963), The Avengers, Toomorrow (1970), and Hammer's When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth (1970). Though she's no longer with us, Hassall was born on this day in 1942. [Source: IMDB.com]
Hmm. I suppose there are worse ways to go than to have the life throttled out of you by none other than the goddess Rebecca Romijn in her guise as Mystique in X-Men: The Last Stand, but you'll have to ask her FBI interrogator -- played by the above pictured Anthony Heald -- what he'd have to say about that. So far as genre work goes, Heald has also turned up in Tales from the Darkside, Poltergeist: The Legacy, Deep Rising, and The X-Files. Heald was born on this day in 1944. [Source: IMDB.com]
Veteran character actor John Savage (above right) played a small but pivotal role in the Star Trek: Voyager franchise when he starred as 'Capt. Ransom' in the exceptional two-parter "Equinox." Savage was born on this day in 1949. [Source: IMDB.com]
Legendary KISS rocker Gene Simmons made his big screen debut alongside no less than Tom Selleck in Runaway (1984). Simmons was born on this day in 1949. [Source: IMDB.com]
As an actress and with only two professional screen credits to her name (if IMDB.com is to be believed), then kudos to the lovely Donna Osterbuhr for making a stop in the cinematic world of Red Sonja so that I can feature her in this space. Osterbuhr was born on this day in 1957. [Source: IMDB.com]
Arguably one of the most visually-dynamic directors working today, Tim Burton has built a solid career going from one quirky project to the next. He certainly helmed one of the better Batman movies (so far as this viewer is concerned), and SciFi fans either love or hate his interpretation of Mars Attacks (1996). Personally, I love it. Burton was born on this day in 1958. [Source: IMDB.com]
God bless the workhorse actors and actresses who help bring to life so many good secondary characters in so many of our favorite genre shows, especially those who are as lovely as Ashley Crow (pictured above right from NBC's Heroes)! She's turned in great performances in Probe (1988), Early Edition (1996), Dark Angel (2001), Minority Report (2002), and Supernatural (2014). Crow was born on this day in 1960.
The career of Joanne Whalley has kinda/sorta been all over the place in terms of high and low-profile projects. Personally, I've been in love with her since she appeared in George Lucas's 'next big thing' (that never quite turned out to be as big as George thought it would) otherwise known as Willow; but thank goodness she's done some voice work in the DC Universe (the insert shows her Justice League character, the Emerald Empress) so that I can feature her loveliness here. Whalley was born on this day in 1961.
Ally Walker toiled away on an awful lot of smaller, character work before landing a gig alongside kickboxer turned actor Jean-Claude Van Damme in 1992's Universal Soldier. A few years later, she headlined the Profiler series on NBC, a crime procedural centered around FBI profiling expert Dr. Sam Waters. She doesn't get much SciFi work, but I, for one, would love to see her do more. Walker was born on this day in 1961.
Because I respect quality writing, I'm always willing to give a shout out to those who help bring our various franchises to life. So kudos to the lovely Marti Noxon who has turned in silver screen writing duties on I Am Number Four as well as small screen scripts for Angel, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and Point Pleasant. Noxon was born on this day in 1964.
Blair Underwood took on the plumb role of playing the President of the United States of America who was specifically tasked with saving Earth from an alien presence in NBC's The Event, a single-season program that deserved another shot. Underwood was born on this day in 1964.
Though his resume boasts far more conventional dramas than SciFi, SciFiHistory.Net will still give a shout out to David Alan Basche for his work in 2005's War of the Worlds remake as well as another small role in 2011's sleeper hit Real Steel. Basche was born on this day in 1968.
Though he's apparently all the rage in HBO's True Blood, SciFi fans know Alexander Skarsgard best from Peter Berg's attempt to create a Michael Bay movie, Battleship (2012). Skarsgard was born on this day in 1976.
Not only did Jumper (2008) give Hayden Christensen the chance to show he could do more than swing a lightsaber on command, but it also paired him up in a pretty spiffy SciFi story alongside the dreamy Rachel Bilson. Bilson was born on this day in 1981.
Listen up, haters: Blake Lively wasn't awful in 2011's Green Lantern motion picture. What was awful was that her character of Carol Ferris was given nothing to do. Anyone who knows Lantern mythology knows that big things were definitely in store for Ferris ... and don't tell me you wouldn't have loved to see her 'suit up' as the Star Sapphire. Lively was born on this day in 1987.
From what I've read, the critics were not exactly enamored with the BBC's attempt to -- ahem -- 'culturally appropriate' the myth of Troy for modern audiences; and their Troy: Fall Of A City fell after only a single season. That's no fault of Chloe Pirrie, who enjoyed a bit of screen time in the program. She's also dabbled in Fantasy with a role aboard Carnival Row. Pirrie was born on this day in 1987. [Source: IMDB.com]
A star is born! And who doesn't appreciate a good monster movie? On this day in 1957, From Hell It Came enjoyed its original theatrical engagement. Directed by Dan Milner, the SciFi feature starred Tod Andrews and Tina Carver, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Tabonga, a killer spirit reincarnated as a scowling tree stump, comes back to life and kills a bunch of natives of a South Seas island. A pair of American scientists save the day."
"Tabonga, a killer spirit reincarnated as a scowling tree stump, comes back to life and kills a bunch of natives of a South Seas island. A pair of American scientists save the day."
A star is born! On this day in 1957 (in Japan), The Invisible Man Vs. The Human Fly took to the silver screen for a monster of a pairing! Directed by Mitsuo Murayama, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Ryûji Shinagawa and Yoshirô Kitahara; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A ruthless serial killer with a peculiar method of stalking and killing his victims comes face to face with a police officer turned invisible by a scientific experiment. Who will emerge triumphant?"
"A ruthless serial killer with a peculiar method of stalking and killing his victims comes face to face with a police officer turned invisible by a scientific experiment. Who will emerge triumphant?"
A star is born! On this day in 1960 (in Italy), Assignment: Outer Space enjoyed its original theatrical engagement. Directed by Antonio Margheriti, the SciFi feature starred Rik Van Nutter and Gabriella Farinon, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In the 22nd Century, Ray Peterson, reporter for the Interplanetary News, is assigned to write a story aboard a space station. Tension mounts between Peterson and the station's ommander, who think he's in the way, but has orders to leave him alone. Errant spaceship, Alpha Two enters the solar system and its photon generators are radiating enough heat to destroy Earth as it approaches. It falls to Peterson to try to figure out a way to enter the spaceship, disarm the generators, and escape before suffocating."
"In the 22nd Century, Ray Peterson, reporter for the Interplanetary News, is assigned to write a story aboard a space station. Tension mounts between Peterson and the station's ommander, who think he's in the way, but has orders to leave him alone. Errant spaceship, Alpha Two enters the solar system and its photon generators are radiating enough heat to destroy Earth as it approaches. It falls to Peterson to try to figure out a way to enter the spaceship, disarm the generators, and escape before suffocating."
On this day in 1971 (in Australia), The Andromeda Strain showed audiences what another potential demise from outer space looked like. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A team of top scientists work feverishly in a secret, state-of-the-art laboratory to discover what has killed the citizens of a small town and learn how this deadly contagion can be stopped."
"A team of top scientists work feverishly in a secret, state-of-the-art laboratory to discover what has killed the citizens of a small town and learn how this deadly contagion can be stopped."
A star is born ... but, my oh my, somebody's got a real bad case of the Mondays! On this day in 1979 (in Italy), the Italian-language Horror/Fantasy Zombie (aka Zombi 2) enjoyed its first theatrical exhibition ever. Directed by genre master Lucio Fulci, the film starred Tisa Farrow, Ian McCulloch, and Auretta Gay. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Strangers searching for a young woman's missing father arrive at a tropical island where a doctor desperately seeks the cause and cure of a recent epidemic of the undead."
For the record:
Now, there may be some confusion regarding Zombie's actual title, which was Zombi 2. Was there a Zombi 1? No. But producers thought they could -- ahem -- cash in on using the title Zombi 2 because George A. Romero's Dawn Of The Dead (1978) was released in Italy under the name of ... you guessed it ... Zombi! So by luring audiences in under the name Zombi 2, the film gained greater traction in its native country.
More for the record:
At the 1981 Saturn Awards (sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films), Zombie enjoyed a nomination in the category of 'Best Make-Up.'
"Strangers searching for a young woman's missing father arrive at a tropical island where a doctor desperately seeks the cause and cure of a recent epidemic of the undead."
For the record:
Now, there may be some confusion regarding Zombie's actual title, which was Zombi 2. Was there a Zombi 1? No. But producers thought they could -- ahem -- cash in on using the title Zombi 2 because George A. Romero's Dawn Of The Dead (1978) was released in Italy under the name of ... you guessed it ... Zombi! So by luring audiences in under the name Zombi 2, the film gained greater traction in its native country.
More for the record:
At the 1981 Saturn Awards (sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films), Zombie enjoyed a nomination in the category of 'Best Make-Up.'
A star is born! On this day in 1982 (in France), the French-language SciFi/Comedy Paradis Pour Tous (aka Paradise For All) was first screened for the masses-at-large. Written (in part) and directed by Alain Jessua, the film starred Patrick Dewaere, Jacques Dutronc, and Fanny Cottençon. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Doctor Valois has invented the 'flashage,' a cure for depressed people. After having tested it on monkeys, he tries with a first human patient, Alain Durieux. This is great success, everybody's happy except may be Alain's wife, Jeanne, who's worrying about the changes in Alain's personality. Other patients use the treatment with similar successes, and Valois's happy about it. But the monkeys are changing: non-cured ones are made mad by the overstability and stereotyped behaviour of the cured ones. So are the humans. When Valois realizes he can't stop the process, he decides to 'flash' himself."
For the record:
At the 1983 César Awards (France's equivalent to the U.S. Oscars), actress Stéphane Audran enjoyed a nomination in the category of 'Best Supporting Actress.'
"Doctor Valois has invented the 'flashage,' a cure for depressed people. After having tested it on monkeys, he tries with a first human patient, Alain Durieux. This is great success, everybody's happy except may be Alain's wife, Jeanne, who's worrying about the changes in Alain's personality. Other patients use the treatment with similar successes, and Valois's happy about it. But the monkeys are changing: non-cured ones are made mad by the overstability and stereotyped behaviour of the cured ones. So are the humans. When Valois realizes he can't stop the process, he decides to 'flash' himself."
For the record:
At the 1983 César Awards (France's equivalent to the U.S. Oscars), actress Stéphane Audran enjoyed a nomination in the category of 'Best Supporting Actress.'
On this day in 1989 (in the United Kingdom), Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure blended Comedy with Fantasy with two delightfully dippy performances from Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Two seemingly dumb teens set off on a quest to prepare the ultimate historical presentation with the help of a time machine."
"Two seemingly dumb teens set off on a quest to prepare the ultimate historical presentation with the help of a time machine."
A star is born! On this day in 1989, Little Monsters grew big in the U.S. theatrical marketplace. Directed by Richard Greenberg, the Fantasy feature starred Fred Savage and Howie Mandel, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A child meets the monster that lives under his bed. He even becomes one of his best friends. Soon the child discovers a whole new world of fun and games under his bed where pulling pranks on kids and other monsters is the main attraction."
"A child meets the monster that lives under his bed. He even becomes one of his best friends. Soon the child discovers a whole new world of fun and games under his bed where pulling pranks on kids and other monsters is the main attraction."
1989's Millennium is another one of those sci-fi flicks that has a respectable cult following, and I'm absolutely befuddled as to why. (It was first released theatrically on this day back then.) It isn't that it's a bad film -- it's just that it's a great idea with largely half-@ssed execution. Here's the plot summary, compliments of IMDB.com:
"An NTSB investigator seeking the cause of an airline disaster meets a warrior woman from 1000 years in the future."
"An NTSB investigator seeking the cause of an airline disaster meets a warrior woman from 1000 years in the future."
On this day in 1992 (in Portugal), Deceit drummed up what theatrical business it could. Written and directed by Albert Pyun, the SciFi feature starred Samantha Phillips and Norbert Weisser, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Two outer-space aliens visit Earth with the intention of blowing it up, but they meet a hot blonde and decide to postpone the planet's destruction in order to try to score with her."
"Two outer-space aliens visit Earth with the intention of blowing it up, but they meet a hot blonde and decide to postpone the planet's destruction in order to try to score with her."
On this day in 1994 (in Germany), Swamp Thing himself (itself?) returned in The Return Of Swamp Thing on home video. Directed by Jim Wynorski, the Fantasy feature starred Dick Durock and Heather Locklear, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Swamp Thing returns to battle the evil Dr. Arcane, who has a new science lab full of creatures transformed by genetic mutation, and chooses Heather Locklear as his new object of affection."
"The Swamp Thing returns to battle the evil Dr. Arcane, who has a new science lab full of creatures transformed by genetic mutation, and chooses Heather Locklear as his new object of affection."
A star is born! On this day in 1995 (in the U.S.), Dr. Jekyll And Ms. Hyde took an all-new gender-swapped spin out of the Robert Louis Stevenson novel. Written (in part) and directed by David Price, the SciFi/Comedy starred Tim Daly, Sean Young, and Lysette Anthony. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A scientist creating perfumes inherits his great grandfather Dr. Jekyll's formula and decides to use modern technology to improve it. He ends up as an ambitious, ruthless woman. She tries to prevent returning into the spineless man."
For the record:
Ouch! Those knuckleheads at the Razzie Awards (1996) recognized Dr. Jekyll And Ms. Hyde with three nominations: 'Worst Actress,' 'Worst Screen Couple,' and 'Worst Remake Or Sequel.'
"A scientist creating perfumes inherits his great grandfather Dr. Jekyll's formula and decides to use modern technology to improve it. He ends up as an ambitious, ruthless woman. She tries to prevent returning into the spineless man."
For the record:
Ouch! Those knuckleheads at the Razzie Awards (1996) recognized Dr. Jekyll And Ms. Hyde with three nominations: 'Worst Actress,' 'Worst Screen Couple,' and 'Worst Remake Or Sequel.'
On this day in 1995 (in Finland), Star Trek: Generations gave the crew of the Enterprise 1701-D its first outing on the silver screen. Directed by David Carson, the film starred Patrick Stewart, William Shatner, and Malcolm McDowell. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"With the help of long presumed dead Captain Kirk, Captain Picard must stop a deranged scientist willing to murder on a planetary scale in order to enter a space matrix."
For the record:
Star Trek: Generations is not without its own notoriety. In 1995, it was nominated for 'Best Dramatic Presentation' by the Hugo Awards. In the same year, the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films nominated it for 'Best Supporting Actress' and 'Best Science Fiction Film.' Also, the 1995 Razzie Awards recognized William Shatner with a nomination for 'Worst Supporting Actor.'
"With the help of long presumed dead Captain Kirk, Captain Picard must stop a deranged scientist willing to murder on a planetary scale in order to enter a space matrix."
For the record:
Star Trek: Generations is not without its own notoriety. In 1995, it was nominated for 'Best Dramatic Presentation' by the Hugo Awards. In the same year, the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films nominated it for 'Best Supporting Actress' and 'Best Science Fiction Film.' Also, the 1995 Razzie Awards recognized William Shatner with a nomination for 'Worst Supporting Actor.'
A star is born! On this day in 1997 (in Germany), Redline (aka Armageddon) (aka Deathline) enjoyed its release in the home video market. Written (in part) and directed by Tibor Takács, the SciFi/Thriller starred Rutger Hauer, Mark Dacascos, and Yvonne Sciò. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"When a man is murdered in Moscow, experimental bionic research brings him back to life. He then sets out to find his murderers and money that was stolen during the crime."
"When a man is murdered in Moscow, experimental bionic research brings him back to life. He then sets out to find his murderers and money that was stolen during the crime."
On this day in 2008 (in Hungary), Transmorphers morphed from the big screen to the small when it aired on television. Written and directed by Leigh Scott, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Matthew Wolf, Amy Weber, and Shaley Scott. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A race of alien robots have conquered Earth and forced humanity underground. After 400 years, a small group of humans develop a plan to defeat the mechanical invaders in the ultimate battle between man and machine."
"A race of alien robots have conquered Earth and forced humanity underground. After 400 years, a small group of humans develop a plan to defeat the mechanical invaders in the ultimate battle between man and machine."
On this day in 2012 (in Japan), A Trip To The Moon enjoyed a rare theatrical re-release. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"An association of astronomers has convened to listen to the plan of Professor Barbenfouillis, their president, to fly to the moon. With the one dissenting voice quashed by Barbenfouillis and the other members, the plan is approved with Barbenfouillis choosing five others to accompany him. Most of the preparation for the trip is in building the vessel and launching mechanism, which resemble a large bullet and a large gun respectively. Hitting the moon in the eye, the six land safely at their destination. They find that much about the moon is wonderful and fantastical, but also that much is not what they would have liked to encounter as it is life threatening. They have to find a way to get out of their alien predicament to get back home safely."
"An association of astronomers has convened to listen to the plan of Professor Barbenfouillis, their president, to fly to the moon. With the one dissenting voice quashed by Barbenfouillis and the other members, the plan is approved with Barbenfouillis choosing five others to accompany him. Most of the preparation for the trip is in building the vessel and launching mechanism, which resemble a large bullet and a large gun respectively. Hitting the moon in the eye, the six land safely at their destination. They find that much about the moon is wonderful and fantastical, but also that much is not what they would have liked to encounter as it is life threatening. They have to find a way to get out of their alien predicament to get back home safely."
On this day in 2016, the SciFi/Short film called 3010 The Righteous Path enjoyed its U.S. release. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In the year 3010, the Earth is ravaged by war and conquered by an alien race. A surviving genetically engineered super soldier, Aarin; lives a humble existence as a detached mercenary. Aarin finds himself in the service of Victor, the dominant power in the last remaining human controlled society, Jersey Town. Aarin has never failed in a task, but this latest mission could prove more trouble than it's worth."
"In the year 3010, the Earth is ravaged by war and conquered by an alien race. A surviving genetically engineered super soldier, Aarin; lives a humble existence as a detached mercenary. Aarin finds himself in the service of Victor, the dominant power in the last remaining human controlled society, Jersey Town. Aarin has never failed in a task, but this latest mission could prove more trouble than it's worth."
Smile for the camera! On this day in 2016 (in Russia), Guardians Of The Night enjoyed its full theatrical release. Directed by Emilis Velyvis, the Fantasy feature starred Ivan Yankovskiy and Lyubov Aksyonova, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Contemporary Moscow. When eighteen-year-old Pasha rescues a beautiful young woman from a band of strangely powerful attackers, he discovers an underworld of supernatural beings living among us."
"Contemporary Moscow. When eighteen-year-old Pasha rescues a beautiful young woman from a band of strangely powerful attackers, he discovers an underworld of supernatural beings living among us."
A star is born! On this day in 2017 (in the United Kingdom), Fanged Up enjoyed its first theatrical engagement ever when it played for audiences in attendance of the Horror Channel Frightfest. Scripted by Nick Nevern, Daniel O'Reilly, and Dan Palmer, the Horror feature was directed by Christian James. The film starred Danny Reilly, Danielle Harold, and Stu Bennett. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A young rogue is thrown into prison for the weekend, unaware that the guards are blood-sucking vampires and the inmates are their victims."
"A young rogue is thrown into prison for the weekend, unaware that the guards are blood-sucking vampires and the inmates are their victims."
A star is born! You know we're about reaching that immortal End Of Days when we're finally treated to a ... Tsunambee! On this day in 2017 (in Japan), we got one! Co-directed by the team of Milko Davis and Thomas Martwick, the Fantasy/Horror starred Stacy Pederson, Ruselis Aumeen Perry, and Shale Le Page. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After atmospheric catastrophes send Los Angeles into chaos, three groups of survivors who escaped the city must put aside their differences to face a series of apocalyptic events. As they learn to work together they are faced with an even greater nightmare, giant gravity swells that contain thousands of giant killer bees, intent on ushering in the end of the world."
For the record:
At present, I'm using this as the film's premiere date. IMDB.com indicates it was originally screened in 2015; since I cannot locate that specific date, this will serve as its anniversary until I do.
"After atmospheric catastrophes send Los Angeles into chaos, three groups of survivors who escaped the city must put aside their differences to face a series of apocalyptic events. As they learn to work together they are faced with an even greater nightmare, giant gravity swells that contain thousands of giant killer bees, intent on ushering in the end of the world."
For the record:
At present, I'm using this as the film's premiere date. IMDB.com indicates it was originally screened in 2015; since I cannot locate that specific date, this will serve as its anniversary until I do.
On this day in 1951, Space Patrol aired "A Big Wheel Named Ferris." Officially, this served as the thirty-fifth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Cadet Happy is ordered to "meet and greet" two new cadets who are the scions of prominent members of the government. He takes an immediate interest in pretty Joan "Jo" Vance, but Ferris Macklin, the son of the governor of Triton, immediately expresses his discontent with being forced to join the Space Patrol. Their relationship is further strained when Macklin blames Happy for taking Corry's space cruiser through a meteor belt causing a crash landing when he, in fact, disobeyed Happy's orders concerning their course."
"Cadet Happy is ordered to "meet and greet" two new cadets who are the scions of prominent members of the government. He takes an immediate interest in pretty Joan "Jo" Vance, but Ferris Macklin, the son of the governor of Triton, immediately expresses his discontent with being forced to join the Space Patrol. Their relationship is further strained when Macklin blames Happy for taking Corry's space cruiser through a meteor belt causing a crash landing when he, in fact, disobeyed Happy's orders concerning their course."
On this day in 1962 (in the United Kingdom), Out Of This World aired "Divided We Fall." Officially, this served as the tenth episode in the program's only season in original broadcast existence, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"It's 2033 and Eddy the world's most respected supercomputer is detecting strange rebellious thoughts in 'The Syns' which are synthetic human beings."
"It's 2033 and Eddy the world's most respected supercomputer is detecting strange rebellious thoughts in 'The Syns' which are synthetic human beings."
On this day in 1971 (in the United Kingdom), Ace Of Wands aired "Joker: Part 3." Officially, this served as the sixth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Investigating why normally well-behaved children suddenly go berserk and wreck their school classrooms, Tarot and his companions find themselves up against the fiendish Uncle Harry and his strange troupe of travelling entertainers."
"Investigating why normally well-behaved children suddenly go berserk and wreck their school classrooms, Tarot and his companions find themselves up against the fiendish Uncle Harry and his strange troupe of travelling entertainers."
On this day in 1976 (in the United Kingdom), Shadows aired "Peronik." Officially, this served as the fifth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Teenager Tom draws a poster illustrating an old legend for use as a decoration at a school costume dance. Then he finds that events from the legend seem to be following him around."
"Teenager Tom draws a poster illustrating an old legend for use as a decoration at a school costume dance. Then he finds that events from the legend seem to be following him around."
On this day in 1993 (in Australia), The Girl From Tomorrow aired "Escape From Globecorp." Officially, this served as the seventh episode in the program's second (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After speaking to Petey after Alana finds him in Draco's apartment, Alana realises that Draco's plans to destroy the peace platforms will ultimately case the great disaster. Silverthorn travels back to 1990 to try and locate nuclear weapons. Eddie believes the US Navy who happens to be docked in Sydney port may prove the answer. Draco knowing that Petey has been talking to Alana hypnotises him and gives him a special comminutor to contact him when he has located the time capsule. While making there escape through the Globecorp basement to meet Jenny a guard catches them."
"After speaking to Petey after Alana finds him in Draco's apartment, Alana realises that Draco's plans to destroy the peace platforms will ultimately case the great disaster. Silverthorn travels back to 1990 to try and locate nuclear weapons. Eddie believes the US Navy who happens to be docked in Sydney port may prove the answer. Draco knowing that Petey has been talking to Alana hypnotises him and gives him a special comminutor to contact him when he has located the time capsule. While making there escape through the Globecorp basement to meet Jenny a guard catches them."
On this day in 1999, Crusade aired "Visitors From Down The Street." Officially, this served as the twelfth episode in the program's only season on broadcast television, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Two persecuted alien investigators believe that Earth is covertly invading them."
"Two persecuted alien investigators believe that Earth is covertly invading them."
On this day in 2000, Farscape aired "The Locket." This served as the sixteenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The crew finds a cloudy area where they might be able to hide from Peacekeepers. Aeryn goes into the area to check it out. She returns a few hours later, much older. And tells them to leave the area. Now they have to figure out how to escape the cloud before they suffer the same fate as Aeryn."
"The crew finds a cloudy area where they might be able to hide from Peacekeepers. Aeryn goes into the area to check it out. She returns a few hours later, much older. And tells them to leave the area. Now they have to figure out how to escape the cloud before they suffer the same fate as Aeryn."
On this day in 2000, Lexx aired "May." Officially, this served as the second episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A city on the planet Water has been destroyed by balloons by planet Fire. May, the only survivor, is brought to the LEXX and Stan soon falls in love with her. Deathly ill, Prince offers to cure her and a fateful deal is struck."
"A city on the planet Water has been destroyed by balloons by planet Fire. May, the only survivor, is brought to the LEXX and Stan soon falls in love with her. Deathly ill, Prince offers to cure her and a fateful deal is struck."
On this day in 2000, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Scorched Earth." This served as the ninth episode to the long-running program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as detailed on IMDB.com:
"On the Enkarans' new home, SG-1 discovers a giant spaceship is threatening the colonists as it terraforms the planet."
"On the Enkarans' new home, SG-1 discovers a giant spaceship is threatening the colonists as it terraforms the planet."
On this day in 2000 (in Australia), Thunderstone aired the eleventh episode of its third (and final) season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Noah and Drako are put in an uncomfortable situation when a wormhole opened by Liz brings them back to Earth alone. Ivan seizes the opportunity to assume leadership and take over the strike on Earth. Drako must reassess his opinion of Noah when he saves him from drowning. The two boys, once mortal enemies, strike a deal that will benefit E-Delta and save Earth from destruction."
"Noah and Drako are put in an uncomfortable situation when a wormhole opened by Liz brings them back to Earth alone. Ivan seizes the opportunity to assume leadership and take over the strike on Earth. Drako must reassess his opinion of Noah when he saves him from drowning. The two boys, once mortal enemies, strike a deal that will benefit E-Delta and save Earth from destruction."
It all began right here: on this day in 2001 (in Canada), MythQuest enjoyed its broadcast television debut. The first episode was titled "The Minotaur," and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In processing a new artifact for his cyber museum, Dr. Matt Bellows releases an evil deity named Gorgos from captivity, which instantly inhabits the cyber museum and pulls Dr. Bellows in with him. Matt's family awakens to find him missing and the new artifact in pieces, with daughter Cleo discovering the cyber museum has become enhanced in some way. When son Alex reaches out to touch a life-like Greek cyber pendant, he's instantly pulled inside the cyber world to live out the "life" of Prince Theseus in the mythological story of the Minotaur."
"In processing a new artifact for his cyber museum, Dr. Matt Bellows releases an evil deity named Gorgos from captivity, which instantly inhabits the cyber museum and pulls Dr. Bellows in with him. Matt's family awakens to find him missing and the new artifact in pieces, with daughter Cleo discovering the cyber museum has become enhanced in some way. When son Alex reaches out to touch a life-like Greek cyber pendant, he's instantly pulled inside the cyber world to live out the "life" of Prince Theseus in the mythological story of the Minotaur."
On this day in 2001, The Invisible Man aired "The Other Invisible Man." Officially, this served as the eleventh episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The official is attacked by an invisible assailant. They soon find out that Darien isn't the first person to have an invisibility gland. They must find the other invisible man."
"The official is attacked by an invisible assailant. They soon find out that Darien isn't the first person to have an invisibility gland. They must find the other invisible man."
On this day in 2001 (in Canada), The Twilight Zone aired "Rule Of Law." Officially, this served as the seventeenth episode in the program's seventh (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A circuit court judge goes to a frontier planet that has never known the law or had a judicial system. His first trial is of an alien accused of attacking and killing several humans."
"A circuit court judge goes to a frontier planet that has never known the law or had a judicial system. His first trial is of an alien accused of attacking and killing several humans."
On this day in 2004 (in Canada), The Collector aired "Another Collector." Officially, this served as the thirteenth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Morgan tries to save a client who's being pursued by another collector."
"Morgan tries to save a client who's being pursued by another collector."
On this day in 2006, Stargate: Atlantis aired "Common Ground." Officially, this served as the seventh episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"John Sheppard is kidnapped by the Genii and is in the company of a Wraith."
"John Sheppard is kidnapped by the Genii and is in the company of a Wraith."
On this day in 2006, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Counterstrike." This served as the seventh episode to the long-running program's tenth and final season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"SG-1 is caught in the middle of a war after the Jaffa use a powerful weapon to kill 10,000 Ori followers."
"SG-1 is caught in the middle of a war after the Jaffa use a powerful weapon to kill 10,000 Ori followers."
On this day in 2008, The Middleman aired "The Clotharian Contamination Protocol." Officially, this served as the eleventh episode in the program's only season of original broadcast existence, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Once again the Clotharians threaten our world by using Ida as a bomb that will disperse Nanobots that can destroy all technology from the inside out. The Middleman and Wendy must find a way to bypass the damage in Ida to keep her from exploding and destroying Life as We Know It."
"Once again the Clotharians threaten our world by using Ida as a bomb that will disperse Nanobots that can destroy all technology from the inside out. The Middleman and Wendy must find a way to bypass the damage in Ida to keep her from exploding and destroying Life as We Know It."
On this day in 2014, Under The Dome aired "The Red Door." Officially, this served as the ninth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Barbie, Sam, Pauline, Lyle and Hunter try to evade Don and his forces and find a way back to Chester's Mill, while Junior and Melanie hide the egg from Julia and Big Jim."
"Barbie, Sam, Pauline, Lyle and Hunter try to evade Don and his forces and find a way back to Chester's Mill, while Junior and Melanie hide the egg from Julia and Big Jim."
On this day in 2015, Zoo aired "Murmuration." This served as the ninth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Mitch escapes from Reiden with the mother cell and rejoins the others. The team digs into Delavenne's dealings with Reiden after he's seen by Mitch at the company's headquarters. Mistrust builds between Mitch and the others when they learn he was trying to return the mother cell to Reiden in exchange for his daughter's medicine."
"Mitch escapes from Reiden with the mother cell and rejoins the others. The team digs into Delavenne's dealings with Reiden after he's seen by Mitch at the company's headquarters. Mistrust builds between Mitch and the others when they learn he was trying to return the mother cell to Reiden in exchange for his daughter's medicine."
On this day in 1988, DC Comics published the fateful Batman #426, the first installment of the controversial 'A Death In The Family' storyline in which the character of Robin -- aka Jason Todd -- would eventually meet his maker at the hands of the Joker. I guess, as they say, all good things must end ...
