Irwin Allen's Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea bought SciFi down to the Earth and under the water for a whole generation of TV viewers, and venerable Richard Basehart called the shots for the crew in role of Adm. Harriman Nelson. Though he's no longer with us, Basehart was born on this day in 1914.
I'd imagine most of you young Turks wouldn't know who the legendary James Coburn is. For the record, the actor was all over the channels during the Golden Age of Television, and he scored a respectable 'James Bond'-style knock in the 60's with Our Man Flint and In Like Flint. In the 70's, he played Jack Dryden in the SciFi-themed sports film Goldengirl alongside the luscious Susan Anton. Though he's no longer with us, Coburn was born on this day in 1928.
When your die-hard Trekkie friends try to convince you of how Star Trek: The Next Generation improved dramatically throughout its second season, remind them that the stinking gem better known as "The Royale" premiered almost smack dab in the middle of the season, for which the talented Noble Willingham (above right) is remembered. That should shut them up. Though he's no longer with us, Willingham was born on this day in 1931. [Source: IMDB.com]
I'll give you that Larry Hankin doesn't have much Science Fiction to his credit, but doesn't he have one of the more recognizable faces in the entertainment industry? Hankin has appeared on Amazing Stories, ALF, Amazon Women on the Moon (1987), Nightfall (1988), Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Shadow (1994), Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Star Trek: Voyager, and Weird Science. Hankin was born on this day in 1940.
When Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones finally screened for the masses, fans were introduced to another member of the Lars family on Tatooine -- Cliegg Lars was plaed by Aussie actor Jack Thompson. Thompson was born on this day in 1940.
Lee Bryant (second from right, in the red dress) was one of the wives unwittingly co-opted into helping widen the conspiracy at the heart of the great SciFi thriller, Capricorn One (1977). Bryant was born on this day in 1945.
For the record, Richard Gere is certainly not known for work in Science Fiction or Fantasy, but he did give Fantasy a try on for size with a leading role aboard The Mothman Prophecies (2002). Gere was born on this day in 1949. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though she's been in nothing for quite some time, that won't stop SciFiHistory.Net from giving Hilary Farr a shout-out for work in The Greatest American Hero and The Return (1982). Farr was born on this day in 1951. [Source: IMDB.com]
Funny lady and general yuckster Julie Brown joined Geena Davis in the cult SciFi comedy, Earth Girls Are Easy (1988). Brown was born on this day in 1954.
The lovely Lisa Waltz definitely has a lingering association with genre projects, appearing in such properties as Monsters, Quantum Leap, Pet Cemetary II (1992), Lifepod (1993), The X-Files, Roswell (1994), Dark Skies, and Tru Calling. Waltz was born on this day in 1961. [Source: IMDB.com]
Those of you who missed the CGI version of Star Wars: The Clone Wars missed something that was largely truly epic. Granted, in its six season run (five on television and one available via streaming), there were some plotlines that didn't work as well as they were probably conceived; but the totality of the show proved that there were definitely stories still worth telling in that galaxy far, far away. One of its voice regulars -- Dee Bradley Baker -- did some amazing work bringing so very many iterations of the Clone Troopers to life, including Captain Rex himself. Baker was born on this day in 1962.
The truth is, "You enter The Matrix, and you probably deserve a mention in SciFi History." While Agent Smith gets all of the credit, The Matrix Reloaded widened out the workforce, giving actor and stuntman Daniel Bernhardt the chance to play Agent Johnson. Bernhardt was born on this day in 1965.
Syfy's Riverworld adaptation keeps popping up these days on my research radar, so I guess I'm going to have to Bucket List that miniseries. In any event, actor Jonathan Cake (above center) made a prominent appearance in the piece, and Cake was born on this day in 1967.
I've mentioned before that one of the truly best programs to come out of that horrible experiment that was the UPN Network was a little program called 7 Days. Basically, it was a time travel show, but the conceit was the chrononaut -- played by actor Jonathan LaPaglia (pictured above) -- could only travel back seven days. This basically meant the plots were centralized around averting reasonable global catastrophes. LaPaglia was born on this day in 1969.
Proving she was no longer "In Your Dreams," recovering pop superstar (and lovely blonde) Debbie Gibson slipped into the realm of Science Fiction and Fantasy with a role aboard Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus (2009) and its follow-ups, Mega Python vs. Gatoroid (2011) and Mega Shark vs. Mecha Shark (2014). That means she can get "Lost In Your Eyes" on video any time you like! Gibson was born on this day in 1970.
Zack Ward was part and parcel of the military ensemble fighting some evil space machinery aboard Michael Bay's big screen adaptation of Transformers. Ward was born on this day in 1970.
In his youth, Jason Presson (above center) participated in a handful of solid genre projects, yet he's all but disappeared these days if IMDB.com is to be trusted. He had roles aboard Explorers (1985), The Twilight Zone (1985), and Gremlins 2: The New Batch; and Presson was born on this day in 1971.
Even today, I'm one of rare few die-hard SciFi fans who just didn't like The Fifth Element. It seemed a bit too pedestrian for my tastes, but it is what it is. Still, I can appreciate a good chuckle, and Chris Tucker's Ruby Rhod provided more share than any film deserves. Tucker was born on this day in 1972.
Director Marc Webb swung into the big leagues of handling Superhero movies with his take on The Amazing Spider-man (2012) and The Amazing Spider-man 2 (2014). Webb was born on this day in 1974. [Source: IMDB.com]
... and speaking of the greater Spider-man franchise (see Marc Webb above), the lovely Sara Ramirez had a small role aboard Sam Raimi's Spider-man (2002) as a police officer who manhandles Tobey Maguire for good measure. Otherwise her resume is filled with more conventional roles. Ramirez was born on this day in 1975. [Source: IMDB.com]
Mike Erwin enjoys the distinction of voicing the DC Comics character 'Speedy' aboard both Teen Titans and Justice League Unlimited. Erwin was born on this day in 1978. [Source: IMDB.com]
Leo Bill had the role of an ill-fated starship captain cruising to disaster aboard Doctor Who's holiday episode, "A Christmas Carol." He also played a role in the stellar 28 Days Later (2002). Bill was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
Joshua Close enjoyed a supporting role aboard Syfy's super-popular adaptation of 12 Monkeys during its run. Close was born on this day in 1981. [Source: IMDB.com]
While he may not have any big claim-to-fame in the realm of Science Fiction, young Ryan Kelley has been plugging away faithfully. He's earned roles in such properties as Smallville, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, and 2009's live action Ben 10: Alien Swarm telefilm. Kelley was born on this day in 1986.
A young and vivacious Holly Earl cracked into the world of Doctor Who with an appearance aboard one of the program's holiday adventures, "The Doctor, The Widow, and the Wardrobe," back in 2011. Earl was born on this day in 1992.
On this day in 1925 (in Finland), Black Oxen enjoyed a run in theaters. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary for the SciFi/Romance:
"A Manhattan playboy falls in love with a mysterious European woman, whom he notices as an exact double for a famous socialite who disappeared at the turn of the century. At first, he thinks it's just pure coincidence, as the beautiful young woman he's currently romancing is much younger than the woman who vanished years before, but soon, he begins to believe that maybe it's not such a coincidence after all."
"A Manhattan playboy falls in love with a mysterious European woman, whom he notices as an exact double for a famous socialite who disappeared at the turn of the century. At first, he thinks it's just pure coincidence, as the beautiful young woman he's currently romancing is much younger than the woman who vanished years before, but soon, he begins to believe that maybe it's not such a coincidence after all."
On this day in 1956 (in Ireland), Forbidden Planet arrived in Earth's theaters. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"When Adams and his crew are sent to investigate the silence from a planet inhabited by scientists, he finds all but two have died. Dr. Morbius and his daughter Altaira have somehow survived a hideous monster which roams the planet. Unknown to Adams, Morbius has made a discovery, and has no intention of sharing it (or his daughter!) with anyone."
"When Adams and his crew are sent to investigate the silence from a planet inhabited by scientists, he finds all but two have died. Dr. Morbius and his daughter Altaira have somehow survived a hideous monster which roams the planet. Unknown to Adams, Morbius has made a discovery, and has no intention of sharing it (or his daughter!) with anyone."
On this day in 1956 (in France), Revenge Of The Creature rose up from the murky depths to scare audiences silly. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Men capture the Creature from the Black Lagoon and make him an aquarium attraction, from which he escapes."
"Men capture the Creature from the Black Lagoon and make him an aquarium attraction, from which he escapes."
On this day in 1972 (in Argentina), The Light At The End Of The World shone through cinematically. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Pirates take over a lighthouse on a rocky island. They then execute a devious plan to cause ships to run aground, pillaging their wrecks. A lone member of the lighthouse crew survives, and he deperately fights their plot. A shipwrecked maiden that avoids the pirates slaughter soon complicates the situation."
"Pirates take over a lighthouse on a rocky island. They then execute a devious plan to cause ships to run aground, pillaging their wrecks. A lone member of the lighthouse crew survives, and he deperately fights their plot. A shipwrecked maiden that avoids the pirates slaughter soon complicates the situation."
On this day in 1977, George Pal's original Science Fiction classic The War Of The Worlds (1953) enjoyed a rare theatrical re-release in the city of San Francisco, California. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A small town in California is attacked by Martians, beginning a worldwide invasion."
"A small town in California is attacked by Martians, beginning a worldwide invasion."
On this day in 1977, the 1951-produced When Worlds Collide enjoyed a rare theatrical re-release in San Francisco, California. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"South African pilot Dave Randall serves as courier - transporting a briefcase to American scientist, Dr Hendron. Inside the case are documents which state the star Bellus will collide with Earth, destroying it. A plan is developed to build a spaceship to carry a select few to the planet Zyra, a planet orbiting Bellus."
"South African pilot Dave Randall serves as courier - transporting a briefcase to American scientist, Dr Hendron. Inside the case are documents which state the star Bellus will collide with Earth, destroying it. A plan is developed to build a spaceship to carry a select few to the planet Zyra, a planet orbiting Bellus."
On this day in 1979 (in Finland), our fabled astronaut took a cryo-nap and woke up in the future when Buck Rogers In The 25th Century enjoyed a release in theaters. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In 1987, Captain William "Buck" Rogers pilots his space shuttle Ranger 3 on a mission but a meteor storm freezes him into an orbit that returns him to Earth - 500 years later. In 2491, his shuttle is found and captured by the Draconian flagship, under the command of Princess Ardala and her second-in-command Kane. Reviving him, they return him to Earth after secretly planting a homing beacon aboard his shuttle to track a path through Earth's defense barrier. Buck is under arrest and learns that Earth has been rebuilt over the centuries in his absence following a nuclear holocaust. Buck Rogers must adjust to the 25th century, and convince the Terrans that the Draconians are secretly planning to conquer Earth."
"In 1987, Captain William "Buck" Rogers pilots his space shuttle Ranger 3 on a mission but a meteor storm freezes him into an orbit that returns him to Earth - 500 years later. In 2491, his shuttle is found and captured by the Draconian flagship, under the command of Princess Ardala and her second-in-command Kane. Reviving him, they return him to Earth after secretly planting a homing beacon aboard his shuttle to track a path through Earth's defense barrier. Buck is under arrest and learns that Earth has been rebuilt over the centuries in his absence following a nuclear holocaust. Buck Rogers must adjust to the 25th century, and convince the Terrans that the Draconians are secretly planning to conquer Earth."
On this day in 1988 (in France), Pulse sent electricity-fueled shocks through the box office. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"An intelligent pulse of electricity is moving from house to house. It terrorizes the occupants by taking control of the appliances, either killing them or causing them to wreck the house in an effort to destroy it. Then it travels along the power lines to the next house, and the terror restarts. Having thus wrecked one household in a quiet neighbourhood, the pulse finds itself in the home of a boy's divorced father whom he is visiting. It gradually takes control of everything, badly injures the stepmother, and traps father and son, who must fight their way out."
"An intelligent pulse of electricity is moving from house to house. It terrorizes the occupants by taking control of the appliances, either killing them or causing them to wreck the house in an effort to destroy it. Then it travels along the power lines to the next house, and the terror restarts. Having thus wrecked one household in a quiet neighbourhood, the pulse finds itself in the home of a boy's divorced father whom he is visiting. It gradually takes control of everything, badly injures the stepmother, and traps father and son, who must fight their way out."
A star is born! On this day in 1989 (in Canada), Quarantine played for audiences in attendance of the Montréal World Film Festival. Written and directed by Charles Wilkinson, the SciFi/Drama starred Beatrice Boepple, Garwin Sanford, andn Jerry Wasserman; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In a futuristic society being decimated by plague, a fascist movement seizes power and quarantines not only the plague victims, but anyone related to them. Rebels trying to assassinate a particularly reactionary senator stumble onto a computer programmer trying to track and eradicate the disease."
"In a futuristic society being decimated by plague, a fascist movement seizes power and quarantines not only the plague victims, but anyone related to them. Rebels trying to assassinate a particularly reactionary senator stumble onto a computer programmer trying to track and eradicate the disease."
On this day in 1990, Lensmen (produced in 1984) enjoyed its U.S. theatrical release. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary for the Japanese anime:
"Kimball Kinnison, a young man from the agricultural planet Mquie and his Valerian companinon, Buscirk find a dying man with a legendary crystal lens embedded in his hand. As the man was dying, he mysteriously passed on the Lens to Kim. With more companions to come by, Kim must find out the purpose of the Lens before the Boskone dynasty does."
"Kimball Kinnison, a young man from the agricultural planet Mquie and his Valerian companinon, Buscirk find a dying man with a legendary crystal lens embedded in his hand. As the man was dying, he mysteriously passed on the Lens to Kim. With more companions to come by, Kim must find out the purpose of the Lens before the Boskone dynasty does."
On this day in 1990 (in Brazil), Robocop 2 returned to duty cinematically. The feature starred Peter Weller and Nancy Allen, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Cyborg law enforcer RoboCop returns to protect the citizens of old Detroit but faces a deadly challenge when a rogue OCP member secretly creates a new, evil RoboCop 2."
"Cyborg law enforcer RoboCop returns to protect the citizens of old Detroit but faces a deadly challenge when a rogue OCP member secretly creates a new, evil RoboCop 2."
On this day in 1995 (on home video in Germany), Project Shadowchaser III served up SciFi thrills and chills. The feature starred Sam Bottoms and Musetta Vander, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"It has been 25 years since the ore spaceship Siberia was last heard from. Unfortunately, it is now on a collision course with the communications station Comstat 5 which is orbiting Mars. After one successful maneuver to avoid the Siberia, it rams Comstat 5 and the crew soon finds that the Siberia crew is dead and the reason that it has been missing for 25 years. But that reason is trying to destroy them all as it destroyed the Siberia crew."
"It has been 25 years since the ore spaceship Siberia was last heard from. Unfortunately, it is now on a collision course with the communications station Comstat 5 which is orbiting Mars. After one successful maneuver to avoid the Siberia, it rams Comstat 5 and the crew soon finds that the Siberia crew is dead and the reason that it has been missing for 25 years. But that reason is trying to destroy them all as it destroyed the Siberia crew."
A star is born! On this day in 1999, Invisible Mom II premiered on home video. This SciFi/Comedy starred the lovely Dee Wallace and Trenton Knight, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A young orphan, heir to a vast fortune, is fostered into a somewhat bizarre family, primarily due to the fact that his foster mom can become invisible. When the child's cousins show up to get a bit of the youngster's fortune, his foster mom saves the day."
"A young orphan, heir to a vast fortune, is fostered into a somewhat bizarre family, primarily due to the fact that his foster mom can become invisible. When the child's cousins show up to get a bit of the youngster's fortune, his foster mom saves the day."
A star is born! What? You say you've never seen Returner? Well, I can't say as I'd be all that surprised. It's a Japanese time travel flick -- pretty cool, if I don't say so myself -- that opened over there on this day back in 2002. It's a lot of flash and glam, that way most comic book films are, and the story involves a young woman from the future going back in time in order to stop an alien invasion from wiping out all of humanity. Plus it's got Takeshi Kaneshiro, who knows a thing or two about being a bad-ass with a pistol. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In 2084, the mankind is near total annihilation by alien invaders. Milly, a young woman from the Earth resistance, uses a time machine and returns to October, 2002, trying to avoid the beginning of alien invasion and the war. In her arrival in a ship, she is rescued and saved from the Yakuza evil boss Mizoguchi by a hit-man called Miyamot. Using unconventional methods, Milly forces Miyamoto to help her to save the human race."
"In 2084, the mankind is near total annihilation by alien invaders. Milly, a young woman from the Earth resistance, uses a time machine and returns to October, 2002, trying to avoid the beginning of alien invasion and the war. In her arrival in a ship, she is rescued and saved from the Yakuza evil boss Mizoguchi by a hit-man called Miyamot. Using unconventional methods, Milly forces Miyamoto to help her to save the human race."
A star is born! On this day in 2017 (in Germany), Godless Youth took audiences on another look at mankind's dystopian tomorrow. Directed by Alain Gsponer, the SciFi/Drama starred Jannis Niewöhner, Fahri Yardim, and Emilia Schule; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"German students compete to enter one of the country's elite schools."
For the record: The film's lead -- Jannis Niewöhner -- won the coveted 'Best Young Actor' Award from the 2017 Bavarian Film Awards.
"German students compete to enter one of the country's elite schools."
For the record: The film's lead -- Jannis Niewöhner -- won the coveted 'Best Young Actor' Award from the 2017 Bavarian Film Awards.
On this day in 2018, the 1933-produced SciFi/Musical It's Great To Be Alive played for audiences in attendance of the Cinecon Film Festival. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"An aviator who crash landed on an island in the South Pacific returns home to find that he is the last fertile man left on Earth after an epidemic of masculitus."
"An aviator who crash landed on an island in the South Pacific returns home to find that he is the last fertile man left on Earth after an epidemic of masculitus."
On this day in 2019 (in Spain), the 1953-produced It Came From Outer Space enjoyed a rare theatrical re-release. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A spaceship from another world crashes in the Arizona desert and only an amateur stargazer and a schoolteacher suspect alien influence when the local townsfolk begin to act strangely."
"A spaceship from another world crashes in the Arizona desert and only an amateur stargazer and a schoolteacher suspect alien influence when the local townsfolk begin to act strangely."
On this day in 1951, Tales Of Tomorrow aired "The Last Man On Earth." This served as the fifth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from TV.com:
"Martians have landed all over the world and they've left just two human beings alive, but only so they can experiment on them."
"Martians have landed all over the world and they've left just two human beings alive, but only so they can experiment on them."
On this day in 1960, Men Into Space aired "The Sun Never Sets." This served as the thirty-sixth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Colonel McCauley is assigned to observe and assist the British space program. Their Vega Project will use a more powerful second-stage rocket engine. McCauley has to express the US concerns about the reliability of this engine."
"Colonel McCauley is assigned to observe and assist the British space program. Their Vega Project will use a more powerful second-stage rocket engine. McCauley has to express the US concerns about the reliability of this engine."
It all came down to this: on this day in 1987 (in the United Kingdom), Star Cops aired its series finale titled "Little Green Men And Other Martians." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Rumours swell of alien artefacts discovered on Mars. An attempt is made to kill Nathan Spring as he investigates drug smuggling and the deaths of two pilots."
"Rumours swell of alien artefacts discovered on Mars. An attempt is made to kill Nathan Spring as he investigates drug smuggling and the deaths of two pilots."
On this day in 2001, Stargate: SG-1 aired "2001." This served as the tenth episode of the long-running program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"SG-1 makes contact with the Aschen, unaware of that their homeworld is one they were warned previously from the future to be considered off-limits."
"SG-1 makes contact with the Aschen, unaware of that their homeworld is one they were warned previously from the future to be considered off-limits."
On this day in 2008 (in Germany), Doctor Who aired "Doomsday." Officially, this served as the thirteenth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Earth becomes the battlefield for the greatest and deadliest war of all time, as the Daleks and the Cybermen clash with the whole universe at stake. The Doctor and Rose, reunited with old friends and Cybermen experts Mickey and Jake, race to find a way to bring the war to an end before it brings about the destruction of the whole of space and time. But the Doctor soon faces an even bigger dilemma - could ending the war mean the death of Rose?"
"Earth becomes the battlefield for the greatest and deadliest war of all time, as the Daleks and the Cybermen clash with the whole universe at stake. The Doctor and Rose, reunited with old friends and Cybermen experts Mickey and Jake, race to find a way to bring the war to an end before it brings about the destruction of the whole of space and time. But the Doctor soon faces an even bigger dilemma - could ending the war mean the death of Rose?"
Like any good television program should, Falling Skies used the bulk of its (fourth) season to establish some major character arcs for all of the main players; and it went out with a pretty respectable bang. The showrunners delivered a two-part, two-hour season finale on this day in 2014 which answered most of the questions raised throughout several episodes, and it even even asked one or two more to keep them thinking throughout the hiatus. The first hour was called "Space Oddity," and here's the plot summary provided by our friends at the Falling Skies Wiki:
"Tom's mission to destroy the Espheni Power Core is complicated by Lexi's return. Lexi is forced to take extreme measures to save her father’s life – and her own – after a Beamer malfunction. Meanwhile, the 2nd Mass fears an impending Espheni strike by Scorch."
"Tom's mission to destroy the Espheni Power Core is complicated by Lexi's return. Lexi is forced to take extreme measures to save her father’s life – and her own – after a Beamer malfunction. Meanwhile, the 2nd Mass fears an impending Espheni strike by Scorch."
And Falling Skies' fourth season finale (from 2014) was an hour aptly titled "Shoot the Moon." Here's the episode's plot summary also obtained from the Falling Skies Wiki:
"With the weight of humanity’s survival on Tom and Lexi's shoulders, they must defeat Tom’s mortal enemy and find a way to destroy the omnipotent Espheni Power Core. Meanwhile, a new, terrifying Espheni Bomb is dropped onto Chinatown, immobilizing the 2nd Mass and preparing them for Human Skitterizaton."
"With the weight of humanity’s survival on Tom and Lexi's shoulders, they must defeat Tom’s mortal enemy and find a way to destroy the omnipotent Espheni Power Core. Meanwhile, a new, terrifying Espheni Bomb is dropped onto Chinatown, immobilizing the 2nd Mass and preparing them for Human Skitterizaton."
On this day in 2014, The Strain aired "Creatures Of The Night." Officially, this served as the eighth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After discovering the potency of ultraviolet light against the strigoi, Setrakian gains a new and unlikely disciple. A quick trip to a Brooklyn convenience store turns into a deadly all-night siege."
"After discovering the potency of ultraviolet light against the strigoi, Setrakian gains a new and unlikely disciple. A quick trip to a Brooklyn convenience store turns into a deadly all-night siege."
On this day in 2017, Zoo aired "Once Upon A Time In The Nest." This served as the tenth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Logan tries to destroy the hybrid nests before they activate. Clem's pregnancy undergoes a surprising development. The team tries to perfect the cure using Abigail and the hybrids."
"Logan tries to destroy the hybrid nests before they activate. Clem's pregnancy undergoes a surprising development. The team tries to perfect the cure using Abigail and the hybrids."
