If you missed CBS's sci-fi series Threshold (from the 2005-2006 season), then you missed some of Carla Gugino's best work. As Dr. Molly Anne Caffrey, she was tasked with heading up a team of experts trying to unravel one of the most unusual alien infiltration schemes in the history of mankind. Some thought the program was a bit overrated, but I found it quite interesting. The lovely Ms. Gugino was born on this day back in 1971.
Barry Sullivan found himself on the losing end of space exploration in Planet of the Vampires (1965). He also made appearances during the 1970's on The Invisible Man and The Bionic Woman. Though he's no longer with us, Sullivan was born on this day in 1912.
Hers was a rare appearance in the realms of Science Fiction and Fantasy, but we've learned long ago to take what we can get: the lovely Ingrid Bergman joined Spencer Tracy aboard Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde (1941) for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Though she's no longer with us, Bergman was born on this day in 1915. [Source: IMDB.com]
Richard Attenborough was the mastermind scientist / capitalist / dreamer behind Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park (1993). He made you believe that the science was real, so much so that you weren't really all that concerned about how nature would always find a way to 'cheat.' Though he's no longer with us, Attenborough was born on this day back in 1923.
AS Blofeld in 1971's Diamonds Are Forever, screen veteran Charles Gray (pictured) did what he could to summon his own measure of menace against MI-6 super-agent James Bond, but alas it wasn't enough to spoil the day. Though he's no longer with us, Gray was born on this day in 1928.
The mid-1980's re-imagination of Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone was a mix of good and lesser stories, some of which were little more than short 'fluff' filling time between two longer 'chapters' that added up to the whole. However, renowned director William Friedkin handled "Nightcrawlers," arguably one of the program's most impressive installments. Friedkin was born on this day in 1935. [Source: IMDB.com]
An actor as fondly revered as Elliott Gould unfortunately doesn't appear all that often in SciFi properties, but he did appear in one of my personal favorites from the 1970's. Capricorn One saw the government faking a NASA Mars Mission with the astronauts duped by their bosses to participate, and Gould played the tough-as-nails reporter seeking to uncover the grand conspiracy. (If you haven't seen it, I give it an enthusiastic thumbs up for your enjoyment.) Gould was born on this day in 1938.
Ahem. There's good and there's bad when looking back at director Joel Schumacher's brief tenure in the Bat-universe (1995's Batman Forever and 1997's Batman & Robin): he bares the distinction of introducing 'nipples' to the world of superhero costumes. Though he's non longer with us, Schumacher was born on this day in 1939. [Source: IMDB.com]
Screen veteran Ellen Geer (pictured above from the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Silicon Avatar") has a resume highlighted by over five decades in the entertainment business. Genre fans might recognize her from her work in The Bionic Woman, Voyagers!, Creator, Crossworlds, Carnivale, and Supernatural. Geer was born on this day in 1941.
Gottfried John appeared as a regular as part of Space Rangers only season on television before he matched up against no less than James Bond himself in GoldenEye (1995). Though he's no longer with us, John was born on this day in 1942.
The History Channel's series exploring events tied to Project Blue Book takes so many 'artistic liberties' with established facts of UFO incidents that many consider it more Science Fiction than Science Fact; whatever the case may be, kudos on the casting of Michael Harney in the role of 'General Hugh Valentine,' one of the possible movers and shakers behind the growing conspiracy. The actor has also served time aboard Space: Above And Beyond, The Burning Zone, Viper, NightMan, The Visitor, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Brimstone, Seven Days, The Invisible Man, and Tremors. Furthermore, he's also voiced the character of 'Darth Marr' in a series of Star Wars related video games. Harney was born on this day in 1946. [Source: IMDB.com]
Through his various writing and producing credits, the venerable Jon Povill has helped bring to life such SciFi adventures as Sliders, Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979), and Total Recall (2012). Povill was born on this day in 1946.
Her big screen debut was as a part of the one of the most revered cult films of the late 70's: The Warriors (pictured above right). After that, Deborah Van Valkenburgh worked her way through a variety of genres. She did dabble in the realm of Science Fiction with roles aboard Quantum Leap, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Sorcerers, and The Event. Van Valkenburgh was born on this day in 1952.
Back in the days before his life and career grew weirder than any of us can possibly imagine, the King of Pop himself Michael Jackson had a self-professed love for the worlds of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and general magic. He was rumored for quite some time to be interested in pursuing film properties that would give him an opportunity to blend his music with images, but the only one that truly came to life was the 3D dance, music, and special effects spectacular Captain Eo. Written (in part) by George Lucas and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, Eo (played by Jackson) and his Muppetty friends saved the universe (in song and dance) from an evil galactic queen. Though he's no longer with us, Jackson was born on this day in 1958.
The incomparable and maddeningly sexy Rebecca de Mornay joined Frank Whaley, John Savage, and Roger Cross in a 1995 episode of The Outer Limits. De Mornay was born on this day in 1959.
Delicious Lycia Naff had a couple of great guest appearances aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation, though I'm willing the bet male fanboys probably remember her more for her (ahem) brief role in 1990's version of Total Recall. (Interested parties can Google those images for the -- ahem -- finer points.) Naff was born on this day in 1962.
Early in her career, Stacey Travis took on the role of Jill in one of the most curious cult flicks (for a lot of reasons) ever, Hardwire. Since then, she's built an impressive resume, garnering roles aboard Highlander (TV series), Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Mystery Men, and What Planet Are You From. Travis was born on this day in 1964.
2014's Time Lapse is a nifty li'l SciFi thriller that involves a camera with the curious ability to snap pictures from 24 hours into the future, giving its users the ability to know what tomorrow will bring. Jason Spisak was one of the players in the flick, and Spisak was born on this day in 1973.
In the animated world of Walt Disney's Star Wars: Rebels, actor Dante Basco was gifted with the opportunity to bring to life vocally the character of 'Jai Kell.' He's also voiced characters for Avatar: The Last Airbender, the Terminator Salvation video game, Zevo-3, and several others. Basco was born on this day in 1975. [Source: IMDB.com]
One of John Hensley's earliest adventures in the realm of televised Fantasy was the role of 'Gabriel Bowman' in the TV adaptation of Witchblade. He's also appeared in Teeth (2007), Dead Space 3 (video game), and NBC's Timeless. Hensley was born on this day in 1977. [Source: IMDB.com]
Jovanna Huguet enjoyed small screen success with a role aboard the WB's popular Smallville program (pictured above right). She's also booked roles on Supernatural, Blade: The Series, Fringe, and The True Heroines. Huguet was born on this day in 1980.
When Warner Roadshow Studios decided to bow out of the Apocalypse business with the production of Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016), suits cast the hunky William Levy in the role of 'Christian' for the cinematic swan song. Levy was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
Sexy Emily Hampshire does an affable job conveying fifty shades of crazy as part of the ensemble at the core of Syfy's latest TV adaptation of 12 Monkeys. She's also enjoyed exposure aboard such properties as Earth: Final Conflict, PSI Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal, Mutant X, and Earthsea. Hampshire was born on this day in 1981.
Young Jay Ryan made a go of saving the future by way of the past in Fox TV's dinosaurific Terra Nova (pictured above) in 2011. Ryan was born on this day in 1981.
Lauren Collins certainly has no long track record in genre-specific projects. Essentially, her career has concentrated in family-friendly comedies and dramas. However, she did make appearances aboard My Best Friend Is An Alien, Mutant X, and will be featured in the forthcoming Farhope Tower. Collins was born on this day in 1986.
UK actress Charlotte Ritchie dipped her toes into the growing universe of the BBC's long-running Doctor Who with a guest appearance on the program in 2019. Ritchie was born on this day in 1989. [Source: IMDB.com]
Relative newcomer Laura Ashley Samuels had a small role in 2011's underwhelming In Time. Let's hope she finds an opportunity within genre entertainment with a bit more teeth soon. Samuels was born on this day in 1990.
On this day in 1928 (in Denmark), Alraune (aka A Daughter Of Destiny) enjoyed a look in the cinematic mirror. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A scientist, Professor Jakob ten Brinken, interested in the laws of heredity, impregnates a prostitute in a laboratory with the semen of a hanged murderer. The prostitute conceives a female child who has no concept of love, whom the professor adopts. The girl, Alraune, suffers from obsessive sexuality and perverse relationships throughout her life. She learns of her unnatural origins and she avenges herself against the professor."
"A scientist, Professor Jakob ten Brinken, interested in the laws of heredity, impregnates a prostitute in a laboratory with the semen of a hanged murderer. The prostitute conceives a female child who has no concept of love, whom the professor adopts. The girl, Alraune, suffers from obsessive sexuality and perverse relationships throughout her life. She learns of her unnatural origins and she avenges herself against the professor."
On this day in 1947 (in Mexico), The Catman Of Paris slinked its way onto the silver screen. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Author Charles Regnier returns to 1896 Paris after exotic travels, having written a bestseller which the Ministry of Justice would like to ban. That very night, an official is killed in the dark streets... clawed to death! The prefect of police suspects some sort of "were-cat" but Inspector Severen thinks there's nothing supernatural about Regnier's motive. And Regnier has increasing doubts about himself when he has another hallucinatory blackout during the second killing..."
"Author Charles Regnier returns to 1896 Paris after exotic travels, having written a bestseller which the Ministry of Justice would like to ban. That very night, an official is killed in the dark streets... clawed to death! The prefect of police suspects some sort of "were-cat" but Inspector Severen thinks there's nothing supernatural about Regnier's motive. And Regnier has increasing doubts about himself when he has another hallucinatory blackout during the second killing..."
A star is born! On this day in 1958 (in Amarillo, Texas), The Hideous Sun Demon came to full cinematic light! Directed by Robert Clarke and Tom Boutross, the SciFi/Horror feature starred Patricia Manning, Nan Peterson, and Patrick Whyte; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A scientist, Gilbert McKenna has an accident where he is exposed to high levels of radiation. Surprisingly this does not kill him but instead leaves him unable to be exposed to sunlight. Whenever exposed to sunlight, McKenna devolves into a lizard man with homicidal tendencies. After having a brief fling with a nightclub singer, and killing her boyfriend, McKenna is on the lam from the police which culminates in a one on one battle on top of a tower."
"A scientist, Gilbert McKenna has an accident where he is exposed to high levels of radiation. Surprisingly this does not kill him but instead leaves him unable to be exposed to sunlight. Whenever exposed to sunlight, McKenna devolves into a lizard man with homicidal tendencies. After having a brief fling with a nightclub singer, and killing her boyfriend, McKenna is on the lam from the police which culminates in a one on one battle on top of a tower."
On this day in 1974 (in the Netherlands), Zardoz thrilled audiences who could figure out what it was all about. Written and directed by John Boorman, the SciFi feature starred Sean Connery and Charlotte Rampling, and here's the premise from IMDB.com:
"In the distant future, a savage trained only to kill finds a way into the community of bored immortals that alone preserves humanity's achievements."
"In the distant future, a savage trained only to kill finds a way into the community of bored immortals that alone preserves humanity's achievements."
On this day in 1979 (in Colombia), Death Dimension opened its doors cinematically for business. Directed by Al Adamson, the SciFi feature starred Jim Kelly and George Lazenby, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Pig has a plan to eradicate some people with a freeze bomb that instantly freezes people to death. It is up to Detective Ash to stop him and protect the woman with the secret to the ice bomb embedded in a microdot under the skin of her forehead."
"The Pig has a plan to eradicate some people with a freeze bomb that instantly freezes people to death. It is up to Detective Ash to stop him and protect the woman with the secret to the ice bomb embedded in a microdot under the skin of her forehead."
On this day in 1986, Hands of Steel (aka Atomic Cyborg) released all of its one hour and thirty-four minutes of greatness on an unsuspecting mankind. (Sorry, peeps, but I've never seen nor heard of this one 'til it dropped on my radar.) According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A cyborg is programmed to kill a scientist who holds the fate of mankind in his hands. He fails and hides in a diner in a desert run by a woman who likes him. The people who sent him are after him and so is the local arm wrestling champ."
"A cyborg is programmed to kill a scientist who holds the fate of mankind in his hands. He fails and hides in a diner in a desert run by a woman who likes him. The people who sent him are after him and so is the local arm wrestling champ."
On this day in 1990, The Immortalizer was fundamentally immortalized with its release in the U.S. home video market. Directed by Joel Bender, the SciFi film starred Ron Ray and Melody Patterson, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A crazed scientist sends out his mutant creations to kidnap young, beautiful men and women to bring back to his lab so he can replace their brains with those of old, wealthy people."
"A crazed scientist sends out his mutant creations to kidnap young, beautiful men and women to bring back to his lab so he can replace their brains with those of old, wealthy people."
On this day in 1991 (in Czechoslovakia), the SciFi/Comedy My Stepmother Is An Alien enjoyed its theatrical release. The feature starred Dan Aykroyd and Kim Basinger, and here’s the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
“An alien is sent on a secret mission to Earth, where she appears as a gorgeous, attractive, and single lady. Her mission is to make contact with a rather nerdy young scientist, who's quite overwhelmed by her attentions, and isn't aware of the connection between her arrival and his work.”
“An alien is sent on a secret mission to Earth, where she appears as a gorgeous, attractive, and single lady. Her mission is to make contact with a rather nerdy young scientist, who's quite overwhelmed by her attentions, and isn't aware of the connection between her arrival and his work.”
On this day in 1991 (in Germany), James Cameron's groundbreaking SciFi film The Terminator enjoyed a rare theatrical re-release. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In the future, Skynet, a computer system fights a losing war against the humans who built it and who it nearly exterminated. Just before being destroyed, Skynet sends a Terminator back in time to kill Sarah. The terminator can pass for human, is nearly indestructible, and has only one mission. One soldier is sent back to protect her from the killing machine. He must find Sarah before the Terminator can carry out it's mission."
"In the future, Skynet, a computer system fights a losing war against the humans who built it and who it nearly exterminated. Just before being destroyed, Skynet sends a Terminator back in time to kill Sarah. The terminator can pass for human, is nearly indestructible, and has only one mission. One soldier is sent back to protect her from the killing machine. He must find Sarah before the Terminator can carry out it's mission."
I love dystopian-type Science Fiction films as much as the next fan, but honestly I prefer that it be done right. Show me a blown-out world of tomorrow that actually looks like a blown-out world of tomorrow or why bother? I mean, "What's the sense in showing me downtown Prague of tomorrow especially if it looks just like downtown Prague of today?" That's the sense of my recollections regarding Vin Diesel's Babylon A.D. which opened on this day theatrically in 2008. I recall not being much impressed with the flick, and that's about it. Here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"Veteran-turned-mercenary Toorop takes the high-risk job of escorting a woman from Russia to America. Little does he know that she is host to an organism that a cult wants to harvest in order to produce a genetically modified Messiah."
"Veteran-turned-mercenary Toorop takes the high-risk job of escorting a woman from Russia to America. Little does he know that she is host to an organism that a cult wants to harvest in order to produce a genetically modified Messiah."
On this day in 2017, Statis enjoyed its debut on the U.S. home video market. The feature starred Anna Harr and Mark Grossman, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After a night out of partying Ava wakes up and sneaks back home only to find that somebody's already in her bed and they look exactly like her. Ava learns that a time-traveling fugitive has stolen her body and she is now a ghost and invisible to everyone."
"After a night out of partying Ava wakes up and sneaks back home only to find that somebody's already in her bed and they look exactly like her. Ava learns that a time-traveling fugitive has stolen her body and she is now a ghost and invisible to everyone."
On this day in 1953, Tom Corbett, Space Cadet aired "The Million Dollar Patrol." According to our friends at the reliable IMDB.com, here's the adventure's plot summary:
"Tom, Roger and Astro proof the value of Space Academy training when they race to the rescue of a crippled space liner."
"Tom, Roger and Astro proof the value of Space Academy training when they race to the rescue of a crippled space liner."
On this day in 1964, "The Tyrant of France" aired as part (Episode 40) of Doctor Who's first season. Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"The Doctor is forced into a meeting with Robespierre while Barbara's attempts to find a physician for Susan result in them being betrayed."
"The Doctor is forced into a meeting with Robespierre while Barbara's attempts to find a physician for Susan result in them being betrayed."
On this day in 1997, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Cold Lazarus." Offically, this served as the sixth episode to the long-running program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed on IMDB.com:
"A strange crystal strikes down O'Neill, replacing him with a double that returns with the team to Earth to find the cause of O'Neill's private grief - his son's death. But the double is dangerously unstable. Can O'Neill return home to save everyone and prevent chaos?"
"A strange crystal strikes down O'Neill, replacing him with a double that returns with the team to Earth to find the cause of O'Neill's private grief - his son's death. But the double is dangerously unstable. Can O'Neill return home to save everyone and prevent chaos?"
On this day in 1999, GvsE (aka Good vs Evil) aired "To Be Or Not To Be Evil." This served as the seventh episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"While watching TV, Henry and Chandler spot the same actor on every channel. They deduce that he must have signed a Faustian deal to be on so often. Decker and Ford agree that this is a possibility and decide that the two of them should go undercover to try and penetrate the Morlock underworld in Hollywood. Henry becomes enamoured of the whole actor's lifestyle and becomes caught up in the irresistible glamour of celebrity. Soon he is signing a Faustian deal himself and Chandler has to find a way to make him renounce it."
"While watching TV, Henry and Chandler spot the same actor on every channel. They deduce that he must have signed a Faustian deal to be on so often. Decker and Ford agree that this is a possibility and decide that the two of them should go undercover to try and penetrate the Morlock underworld in Hollywood. Henry becomes enamoured of the whole actor's lifestyle and becomes caught up in the irresistible glamour of celebrity. Soon he is signing a Faustian deal himself and Chandler has to find a way to make him renounce it."
On this day in 2011, Alphas aired "A Short Time In Paradise." This served as the eighth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Dr. Rosen is forced to challenge his most cherished values when he encounters an alpha leading a personality cult who sincerely wants to create a paradise for all humanity, a dream his alpha ability may make possible. But as members of the alpha group fall under the cult leaders and he refuses to recognize he may be responsible for the illnesses among the cult members Dr. Rosen is forced to act... if he can."
"Dr. Rosen is forced to challenge his most cherished values when he encounters an alpha leading a personality cult who sincerely wants to create a paradise for all humanity, a dream his alpha ability may make possible. But as members of the alpha group fall under the cult leaders and he refuses to recognize he may be responsible for the illnesses among the cult members Dr. Rosen is forced to act... if he can."
On this day in 2017, Somewhere Between aired "The Fourth Man." This served as the seventh episode in the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"While searching for the tattooed fourth man in the photo, Laura and Nico learn about a 10 year old case against Danny. Laura gives Tom a chance to come clean."
"While searching for the tattooed fourth man in the photo, Laura and Nico learn about a 10 year old case against Danny. Laura gives Tom a chance to come clean."
