On this day in 2013, IDW Publishing and John Byrne teamed up to re-invent the Photonovel, a 70's phenomenon that came to life and died all too soon! "Strange New Worlds" was a story that allegedly takes place in Star Trek TOS's never-seen, never-produced fourth season, and the adventure gives Capt. Kirk and the crew a chance to 'make right' what went wrong from the events of the first season episode, "Where No Man Has Gone Before." When we last saw Gary Mitchell, we thought he was dead, crushed to death under an avalanche of stone and buried on Delta Vega. As fate would have it, Mitchell survived -- or a strange new version of him did -- giving our beloved captain a chance to do right by his friend before the God-Thing rises up and destroys life as we know it!
Marie Windsor braved the SciFi version of the 'Red Menace' with her role aboard The Day Mars Invaded Earth (1963). She also enjoyed work aboard Science Fiction Theatre, Abbott And Costello Meet The Mummy (1955), Project UFO, and CBS's popular The Incredible Hulk. Though she's no longer with us, Windsor was born on this day in 1919. [Source: IMDB.com]
Eddie Firestone put in an appearance as a guest star aboard Buck Rogers in the 25th Century's terrific first season episode, "Return Of The Fighting 69th." Though he's no longer with us, Firestone was born on this day in 1920. [Source: IMDB.com]
Playing 'Vampira' in Ed Wood's epic cinematic failure -- Plan 9 From Outer Space -- the lovely Maila Nurmi certainly left her own mark on cinema history. Though she's no longer with us, Nurmi was born on this day in 1922. [Source: IMDB.com]
When it comes to the face behind the voice, perhaps there's no greater one from the 1960's than Dick Tufeld. The man did uncredited voice work on Irwin Allen's Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea before establishing himself as the 'go-to' talent on The Time Tunnel and as the voice of the robot on Lost In Space. Though he's no longer with us, Tufeld was born on this day in 1926. [Source: IMDB.com]
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier gets maligned for an awful lot of reasons, but, for my tastes, I enjoyed some of its moments fine enough. Veteran TV actor Rex Holman had a small role as 'J'onn.' (He also appeared in the original Star Trek series episode "Spectre of the Gun.") Holman was born on this day in 1928. [Source: IMDB.com]
Stephen Moore enjoyed a guest spot aboard a fifth season episode of the re-launched Doctor Who. In 2016, he also enjoyed a major role aboard a live interpretation of The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy Radio Show Live. Moore was born on this day in 1937. [Source: IMDB.com]
Award-winning actress Donna Mills took time out of such highbrow projects to put in some cheesey work in Syfy's popular Sharknado franchise. Mills was born on this day in 1940. [Source: IMDB.com]
Classic beauty Lynda Day George made the rounds in genre entertainment during the 1960's and 70's, popping up in such projects as The Invaders, Mission:Impossible, Wonder Woman (she was the German version of the female superhero), Day of the Animals (1977), and The Amazing Captain Nemo (1978). George was born on this day in 1944. [Source: IMDB.com]
Zienia Merton was born on this day back in 1945. She came to fame as astronaut Sandra Benes on the cult sci-fi TV show, Space: 1999, as well as a brief stint on the Doctor Who spin-off, The Sarah Jane Adventures. Happy Birthday, Zienia! Alas, Merton is no longer with us, having passed away in September of 2018. [Source: IMDB.com]
While most fans remember Teri Garr as the delicious 'Inga' from Mel Brooks's Young Frankenstein (1974), Star Trek fans know her as the resourceful 'Roberta Lincoln' from the near TOS spinoff episode, "Assignment: Earth." Garr was born on this day in 1947. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Bess Armstrong enjoyed a few appearances aboard the CBS SciFi/Summer series Zoo during its run. Armstrong was born on this day in 1953. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Donna Bullock has dabbled in several genre projects with roles aboard such properties as Tales From The Darkside, Nowhere Man, and the WB's long-running Smallville. Bullock was born on this day in 1955. [Source: IMDB.com]
We do so love our Legends! The lovely Isabella Hofmann played 'Clarissa Stein' aboard the CW's The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow, and who knows where she'll turn up next? Hofmann was born on this day in 1958. [Source: IMDB.com]
Astronaut John Crichton -- as played by Ben Browder -- was a thrilling creation. He had the attitude of Han Solo but the brain of Stephen Hawking. Browder brought so much of his A game to Farscape that it was hard not to love the show. Under his leadership, it lasted four seasons and a mini-series ... and, yes, I still miss it even today. Mr. Browder was born no this day back in 1962. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though he's best remembered for his years as a Forensic officer as part of CBS TV's CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Gary Dourdan had a brief role in the lamented Alien: Resurrection back in 1997. Dourdan was born on this day in 1966. [Source: IMDB.com]
Mary Gallagher entered the realm of Fantasy with a role aboard Frankenstein (2015) for Eclectic Pictures. Gallagher was born on this day in 1967. [Source: IMDB.com]
The talented Peter Kelamis was one of the supporting players who helped bring Syfy's short-lived SGU: Stargate Universe to life for two seasons. Kelamis was born on this day in 1967. [Source: IMDB.com]
Dreamy Rebecca Grant is one of those rare actresses who gets great mileage out of small roles. SciFi fans might recognize her from 3rd Rock From The Sun or an appearance aboard Super Shark (2011). Grant was born on this day in 1968. [Source: IMDB.com]
Max Martini is a terrific character actor who makes big contributions in little ways. Though much of his career has been spent in far more conventional drama and/or action roles, he has graced Science Fiction with his presence, turning in great work in such properties as Harsh Realm, Contact, The Outer Limits, Level 9, Taken, and Pacific Rim (2013). Martini was born on this day in 1969. [Source: IMDB.com]
Webdom's Harry Knowles enjoyed a small role aboard The Faculty (1998), a SciFi/Thriller about an alien invasion taking place in the quintessential American high school. Knowles was born on this day in 1971. [Source: IMDB.com]
Mos Def (aka Yasiin Bey, above left) took time out of hiphop and politics to join the ensemble cast for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005) on the silver screen. Bey was born on this day in 1973. [Source: IMDB.com]
In the late 1990's, Rider Strong provided a great one-two punch into the realm of Science Fiction: first, he provided voicework to the short-lived Invasion America; and then he did one better with voicework aboard Roughneck: The Starship Trooper Chronicles in the role of Pvt. Carl Perkins. Strong was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Courtney Henggeler enjoyed a guest spot aboard the SciFi series Stitchers during the program's first season. Henggeler was born on this day in 1981. [Source: IMDB.com]
Sorry, folks, I don't "game," so I can't tell you anything of substance about the Mass Effect: Andromeda video game ... well, except for the fact that the very talented Gary Carr provides the vocals for one of its key characters. Carr was born on this day in 1986. [Source: IMDB.com]
Alex House has enjoyed some quality screen time as the lead about the SciFi/Fantasy Todd And The Book Of Pure Evil (2010-2012) along with a guest spot aboard Syfy's Warehouse 13. House was born on this day in 1986. [Source: IMDB.com]
Alex Russell (above right) found himself the benefactor inheriting special abilities in the SciFi/Superhero/Sleeper Chronicle (2012). Russell was born on this day in 1987. [Source: IMDB.com]
Fresh-faced Ashley Hinshaw heated up the silver screen with a small role in the sleeper hit Chronicle (2012). She also had a role in the SciFi-lite +1, an indie flick that's definitely worth a single viewing. Also, she enjoyed a guest spot aboard ABC's Agent Carter during its run. Hinshaw was born on this day in 1988. [Source: IMDB.com]
The brilliant Nesta Cooper continues to build inroads into the realm of Science Fiction and Fantasy. She's been privileged to take part in such properties as R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour, Supernatural, The Returned, Heroes Reborn, The Magicians, The 100, and Travelers. Cooper was born on this day in 1993. [Source: IMDB.com]
Young Hailee Steinfeld did what she could to elevate the popularity of Ender's Game (2013) into the stratosphere of SciFi greatness; unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be. Steinfeld was born on this day in 1996. [Source: IMDB.com]
In the role of superpowered mutant 'Meghan Orlovsky,' lovely Taylor Hickson lit up the silver screen beside Ryan Reynolds in Deadpool (2016). She's transitioned to the small screen with work in such genre projects as Aftermath and Motherland: Fort Salem. Hickson was born on this day in 1997. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though SciFiHistory.Net doesn't know the exact year of birth for the talented screenwriter and producer Terry Matalas, I'm guessing that a man who has dabbled in so much time travel could understandably and perhaps even necessarily obscured it from the pages of history. His work on Syfy's 12 Monkeys is legendary, and the fact that he's dabbled elsewhere in properties like like Star Trek and Terra Nova is just icing on the man's birthday cake. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1960 (in Japan), The Human Vapor appeared in theatres. The SciFi feature starred Tatsuya Mihashi and Kaoru Yachigusa, and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"A librarian is subject to a scientific experiment which goes wrong and transforms him into 'The Human Vapour'. He uses his new ability to rob banks to fund the career of his girlfriend, a beautiful dancer. The Human Vapour is ruthless in his quest for money and kills anyone who stands in his way, especially police. He soon becomes Tokyo's most wanted criminal. Can he be stopped before he kills again?"
"A librarian is subject to a scientific experiment which goes wrong and transforms him into 'The Human Vapour'. He uses his new ability to rob banks to fund the career of his girlfriend, a beautiful dancer. The Human Vapour is ruthless in his quest for money and kills anyone who stands in his way, especially police. He soon becomes Tokyo's most wanted criminal. Can he be stopped before he kills again?"
On this day in 1981 (but shot in 1979), the SciFi/Comedy Spaced Out endeared itself to anyone who may've been watching. Boasting a cast of Barry Stokes, Tony Maiden, and a host of lovely ladies, here's what the film was about according to IMDB.com:
"Low-budget aliens (three nice-looking women and a gay computer voice-over) crash-land in England and abduct four earthlings."
"Low-budget aliens (three nice-looking women and a gay computer voice-over) crash-land in England and abduct four earthlings."
I vaguely recalled seeing Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann when it was released on this day back in 1982 in the movie theatre, but I don't much remember it. (FYI: this December 11th release date is reported by Google.com, not IMDB.com.) Seems to me it had a very great campy moments and some real hokey humor, but, otherwise, I draw a blank. Age does that. Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Lyle, a motorcycle champion is traveling the Mexican desert, when he find himself in the action radius of a time machine. So he find himself one century back in the past between rapists, thiefs and murderers...."
"Lyle, a motorcycle champion is traveling the Mexican desert, when he find himself in the action radius of a time machine. So he find himself one century back in the past between rapists, thiefs and murderers...."
On this day in 1998, Star Trek: Insurrection enjoyed its U.S. theatrical premiere. The feature starred Patrick Stewart and the crew of the Starship Enterprise 1701-E, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When the crew of the Enterprise learn of a Federation conspiracy against the inhabitants of a unique planet, Captain Picard begins an open rebellion."
"When the crew of the Enterprise learn of a Federation conspiracy against the inhabitants of a unique planet, Captain Picard begins an open rebellion."
On this day in 2010, Ice Quake rumbled far and wide for TV audiences watching. The SciFi/Thriller starred Brendan Fehr and Holly Elissa, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"Beneath the Alaskan landscape, the melting permafrost is about to drastically alter the tranquil scenery. As the permafrost thaws, underground rivers of volatile liquid Methane are created, causing a succession of violent and destructive earthquakes. It's a race against time to stop the deadly rivers before they lead to a catastrophic explosion that threatens the planet."
"Beneath the Alaskan landscape, the melting permafrost is about to drastically alter the tranquil scenery. As the permafrost thaws, underground rivers of volatile liquid Methane are created, causing a succession of violent and destructive earthquakes. It's a race against time to stop the deadly rivers before they lead to a catastrophic explosion that threatens the planet."
On this day in 2018, SuperGrid gave U.S. audiences yet one more look at the Apocalypse (via its internet release). According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In a future where a plague has infected much of the population, two brothers are tasked with traveling to Canada to retrieve a mysterious package."
"In a future where a plague has infected much of the population, two brothers are tasked with traveling to Canada to retrieve a mysterious package."
On this day in 1954, Tom Corbett, Space Cadet aired "The Atomic Curtain." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's that adventure's plot summary:
"Tom and his pals attempt to rescue a pair of cadets trapped by a deadly beam."
"Tom and his pals attempt to rescue a pair of cadets trapped by a deadly beam."
On this day in 1954, Captain Midnight aired "The Electrified Man." This served as the fifteenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An eminent refugee scientists asks that Secret Squadron headquarters be put at his disposal while he perfects his new process. The scientist is working on a countermeasure against the Radioactive Dust bomb. The process requires that the scientist be exposed to high levels of electrical energy. When the scientist exceeds tolerable limits of electricity, he comes incredibly dangerous."
"An eminent refugee scientists asks that Secret Squadron headquarters be put at his disposal while he perfects his new process. The scientist is working on a countermeasure against the Radioactive Dust bomb. The process requires that the scientist be exposed to high levels of electrical energy. When the scientist exceeds tolerable limits of electricity, he comes incredibly dangerous."
On this day in 1959, The Twilight Zone told the story of "And When The Sky Was Opened." Here's the summary from IMDB.com:
"Three U.S. astronauts blast off from Earth on an initial test flight in an experimental rocket-ship, but during the flight into space the ship disappears from radar, then reappears. On return, the rocket-ship is hangared and put under a tarp, pending an investigation. One crewman is hospitalized for a leg broken on landing, and is visited by the other two. Next the pair go for a drink, and then one crewman phones his parents from a bar phone-booth - but they say they have no son! The astronaut immediately disappears, and no one in the bar remembers him, except the other astronaut in the bar, the Captain."
"Three U.S. astronauts blast off from Earth on an initial test flight in an experimental rocket-ship, but during the flight into space the ship disappears from radar, then reappears. On return, the rocket-ship is hangared and put under a tarp, pending an investigation. One crewman is hospitalized for a leg broken on landing, and is visited by the other two. Next the pair go for a drink, and then one crewman phones his parents from a bar phone-booth - but they say they have no son! The astronaut immediately disappears, and no one in the bar remembers him, except the other astronaut in the bar, the Captain."
On this day in 1965, Doctor Who aired "The Daleks' Master Plan: Counter Plot." This served as the fourteenth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Doctor, Steven and Sara are accidentally transported to the planet Mira where Chen sends the Daleks after them."
"The Doctor, Steven and Sara are accidentally transported to the planet Mira where Chen sends the Daleks after them."
Well, it looks like the battle of the sexes really doesn't get any better in Sci-Fi, does it? On this day in 1975, "The Full Circle" aired as part of Space: 1999's first season. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"While exploring an Earth-type world several Alphans, including Commander Koenig and Dr. Russel, disappear after sighting a strange fog. Shortly afterwards a race of primitive humans are encountered."
"While exploring an Earth-type world several Alphans, including Commander Koenig and Dr. Russel, disappear after sighting a strange fog. Shortly afterwards a race of primitive humans are encountered."
On this day in 1976, Ark II aired "Don Quixote." This served as the fourteenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The ARK crew's efforts to disarm ancient explosives are complicated by a latter-day Don Quixote who is convinced the ARK is a giant white dragon and Jonah his nemesis the Black Knight."
"The ARK crew's efforts to disarm ancient explosives are complicated by a latter-day Don Quixote who is convinced the ARK is a giant white dragon and Jonah his nemesis the Black Knight."
It all came down to this: on this day in 1986, The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers aired its series' finale: "Heartbeat." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Queen plans on invading Tarkon. The Heart of Tarkon has to be fixed and fully operational to fend off the fleet. The Rangers and Maya must reveal the Secret of the Heart to the King. But some of the people think the Rangers are tricking the King."
"The Queen plans on invading Tarkon. The Heart of Tarkon has to be fixed and fully operational to fend off the fleet. The Rangers and Maya must reveal the Secret of the Heart to the King. But some of the people think the Rangers are tricking the King."
On this day in 1996, Captain Janeway went all John Rambo when Star Trek: Voyager aired "Macrocosm." This served as the twelfth episode of the third season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"After returning from a first contact mission, Janeway, Neelix and the Doctor must retake Voyager from an infestation of microorganisms that grow to an alarming size."
"After returning from a first contact mission, Janeway, Neelix and the Doctor must retake Voyager from an infestation of microorganisms that grow to an alarming size."
On this day in 1999, Batman Beyond aired "Revenant." This served as the eleventh episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"McGinnis' high school seems to be haunted by a poltergeist."
"McGinnis' high school seems to be haunted by a poltergeist."
On this day in 1999, Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict aired "The Cloister." This served as the tenth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Zo'or and Da'an travel to a cloister for an energy sharing ceremony, but one of the sisters is killed and everyone is a suspect."
"Zo'or and Da'an travel to a cloister for an energy sharing ceremony, but one of the sisters is killed and everyone is a suspect."
On this day in 2001, Smallville aired "Jitters." This served as the eighth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided compliments of IMDB.com:
"Earl Jenkins claims that his violent shaking disease was a result of illicit experiments on Level 3 of Luthorcorp. Lionel denies that it exists, so Earl takes a plant tour group hostage. Lex offers himself in exchange for the hostages."
"Earl Jenkins claims that his violent shaking disease was a result of illicit experiments on Level 3 of Luthorcorp. Lionel denies that it exists, so Earl takes a plant tour group hostage. Lex offers himself in exchange for the hostages."
On this day in 2002, Steven Spielberg's TV miniseries Taken aired its eighth episode. It was called "Dropping The Dishes," and here's the plot as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"With Allie Keys in government custody, the plan is to use her as bait to attract one of the alien vessels. Mary Crawford finds herself out of the project however when it's taken over by General Beers. Charlie and Lisa are desperate to find Allie and Lisa undergoes hypnosis to see if she can make a psychic connection. She determines that Allie is in North Dakota and they set off to find her. Mary Crawford, using her many contacts, gets the same information and they all converge on the US Army site. When the alien craft arrives, Mary takes drastic action."
"With Allie Keys in government custody, the plan is to use her as bait to attract one of the alien vessels. Mary Crawford finds herself out of the project however when it's taken over by General Beers. Charlie and Lisa are desperate to find Allie and Lisa undergoes hypnosis to see if she can make a psychic connection. She determines that Allie is in North Dakota and they set off to find her. Mary Crawford, using her many contacts, gets the same information and they all converge on the US Army site. When the alien craft arrives, Mary takes drastic action."
On this day in 2009, Syfy's Sanctuary aired "Penance." This served as the ninth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"While an old friend of Magnus', a pouched abnormal named Jimmy, is handing over a fire elemental to the Sanctuary team, they are attacked by a gang of criminal abnormals from Chicago. The situation presents a lot of mysteries to be solved and quickly."
"While an old friend of Magnus', a pouched abnormal named Jimmy, is handing over a fire elemental to the Sanctuary team, they are attacked by a gang of criminal abnormals from Chicago. The situation presents a lot of mysteries to be solved and quickly."
It all (kinda/sorta) began right here: the BBC's earlier incarnation of the Douglas Adams property, Dirk Gently, aired its pilot episode on this day in 2010. According to IMDB.com, here's what all the scuttlebutt was about:
"Eccentric private eye Dirk Gently uses 'holistic' methods, believing everything in the universe to be connected. When hired to trace elderly Ruth's missing cat, Dirk, with down-trodden sidekick MacDuff, investigates a warehouse, which houses a strange contraption, which blows up. A connection is made to a missing billionaire, Gordon Way, who has been besotted with MacDuff's girlfriend Susan for over a decade. Dirk connects the dates when Ruth acquired her cat and when Susan threw over Way to solve a puzzle involving time travel and homicide, accounting for the missing..."
"Eccentric private eye Dirk Gently uses 'holistic' methods, believing everything in the universe to be connected. When hired to trace elderly Ruth's missing cat, Dirk, with down-trodden sidekick MacDuff, investigates a warehouse, which houses a strange contraption, which blows up. A connection is made to a missing billionaire, Gordon Way, who has been besotted with MacDuff's girlfriend Susan for over a decade. Dirk connects the dates when Ruth acquired her cat and when Susan threw over Way to solve a puzzle involving time travel and homicide, accounting for the missing..."
