I have a vague, vague recollection of this sci-fi themed movie being released on home video in the 1990's -- Circuitry Man was released theatrically (in Portugal) on this day in 1990 -- and that's only because it contained the lovely Dana Wheeler-Nicholson (who appeared alongside Chevy Chase in Fletch). I've never seen it, though I may see if it's available on streaming. Here's the summary from IMDB.com:
"In a future where most humans have moved underground to escape the pollution, one of the few pleasures left is a kind of narcotic in the form of chips which can be plugged directly into the brain. Lori, a female body guard steals a case of such chips and flees underground Los Angeles with Danner, a pleasure android so that they can smuggle the chips to New York. In pursuit is Plughead, a dangerous criminal so named because of the many sockets and ports which decorate his scalp so that he can test and use the chips that he is after."
"In a future where most humans have moved underground to escape the pollution, one of the few pleasures left is a kind of narcotic in the form of chips which can be plugged directly into the brain. Lori, a female body guard steals a case of such chips and flees underground Los Angeles with Danner, a pleasure android so that they can smuggle the chips to New York. In pursuit is Plughead, a dangerous criminal so named because of the many sockets and ports which decorate his scalp so that he can test and use the chips that he is after."
Award-nominated actress Mary Morris managed to squeeze in a handful of appearances in the realm of Science Fiction during her time on our plane of existence. Of note, she enjoyed work aboard A For Andromeda, The Andromeda Breakthrough, The Prisoner, Doctor Who, and The Ray Bradbury Theatre. Though she's no longer with us, Morris was born on this day in 1915.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Curd Jürgens -- pictured above from The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) -- left behind an incredible legacy in some major mainstream dramas and comedies along with a few dips into the realms of Fantasy and Science Fiction. He appeared in the oft-forgotten Goldengirl (1979) and the German SciFi/Comedy, Warum die UFOs unseren Salat klauen (1980). Though he's no longer wtih us, Jürgens was born on this day in 1915.
One of the many great actors given the privilege to play none other than The Lone Ranger -- John Hart -- joined The Greatest American Hero for an episode focusing on heroes and how they're viewed by society. Though he's no longer with us, Hart was born on this day in 1917.
TV and Film director Don Taylor only dabbled in the realm we love most, but his contributions deserve mention nonetheless. He spent time bringing to life Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971), Night Gallery (TV), The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977), and The Final Countdown (1980). Though he's no longer with us, Taylor was born on this day in 1920.
[Source: IMDB.com]
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2021, I received a promotional copy of The Final Countdown (1980) in exchange for review coverage on SciFiHistory.Net. Interested readers can find my review right here.
[Source: IMDB.com]
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2021, I received a promotional copy of The Final Countdown (1980) in exchange for review coverage on SciFiHistory.Net. Interested readers can find my review right here.
Legendary screen veteran Christopher Plummer absolutely ruled Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Didn't catch that? I said "legendary screen veteran Christopher Plummer absolutely ruled Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country." 'Nuff said? I thought so. Though he's no longer with us, Plummer was born on this day in 1929.
Among the many projects producer Richard D. Zanuck lent a hand in bringing to the silver screen include Cocoon (1985), Cocoon: The Return (1988), Chain Reaction (1996), Deep Impact (1998), and Planet of the Apes (2001). Though he's no longer with us, Zanuck was born on this day in 1934.
Think of it this way: Star Wars fans can have their 'Baby Yoda,' but Star Trek fans? Why, we'll always have our Gorn! And underneath all of that material was none other than actor and stuntman Gary Combs in what turned out to be some uncredited work for the classic Star Trek episode, "Arena." As a stuntman, he also put his talents to good use for such genre properties as A Boy And His Dog (1975), Beyond Westworld, Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan (1982), Dreamscape (1984), RoboCop (1987), They Live (1988), and Walt Disney's The Rocketeer (1991). Combs was born on this day in 1935.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Born in New Zealand, the exotic-looking Anouska Hempel certainly left an impression on the world of genre entertainment. Fans might recognize her from appearances aboard Scars Of Dracula (1970), UFO, Zodiac, and Space:1999. Hempel was born on this day in 1941.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Talented actress Wendie Malick played a guest role in Fox TV's popular and long-running The X-Files in the show's epic run. Malick was born on this day in 1950.
Eerie, Indiana. The X-Files. Timemaster (1995). The Invaders. Dark Skies. Gattaca (1997). Star Trek: Voyager. Lost. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011). Besides being Science Fiction, what do these projects share in common? Actor Lindsey Ginter left his footprints all over them. Ginter was born on this day in 1950.
The versatile Afemo Omilami continues to show up in the most promising projects. SciFi fans might recognize him from roles aboard TV's Sheena, G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013), The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013), and Terminator: Genisys (2015). Omilami was born on this day in 1950.
Actor Steve Buscemi has given audiences a wealth of performances to appreciate, but one I'd personally like to forget (not his fault that this movie stunk, it just was a bad idea) is his work as 'Map to the Stars Eddie' in 1996's just-plain-awful Escape from L.A. (John Carpenter, what were you thinking?!) Otherwise, Buscemi remains one of my personal favorite actors to watch. He was born on this day in 1957.
I'm of a generation of moviegoers who still love Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) which -- despite its narrative stumblings -- finally brought the franchise to the silver screen. And one of Billy Van Zandt's earliest gigs was as the Rhandaarite ensign seen on the Bridge of the Enterprise in that film. Van Zandt was born on this day in 1957.
[Source: Memory Alpha]
[Source: Memory Alpha]
Lolita Fatjo was one of the talented folks who toiled behind-the-scenes in helping to bring stories to life for Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Star Trek: Voyager. Fatjo was born on this day in 1958. [Source: IMDB.com]
One of the loveliest young actresses to come out of the 1970's/1980's era of filmmaking remains Lynn-Holly Johnson. She made a splash appearing in Walt Disney's horror-lite The Watcher in the Woods and followed that up with a great action/comic turn as a kinda/sorta love interest for James Bond in the vastly under-appreciated For Your Eyes Only in 1981. A few years later -- circa 1985 -- she appeared in the SciFi feature Alien Predator. Then she was one of the lovelies who braved the Apocalypse aboard The Sisterhood (1988). Johnson was born on this day in 1958.
Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure remains one of the great goofball SciFi/Comedies for a generation of movie-goers, and kudos to the lovely Amy Stoch for playing the delightful zany part of 'Missy/Mom' for those of us who got the joke. Stoch was born on this day in 1958.
The fabulous Karen Lorre (formerly Karen Witter) joined Giovanni Ribisi in a guest spot aboard Fox TV's The X-Files during the program's run. She also visited the world of Sliders and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. Lorre was born on this day in 1961.
In the role of Liam Kincaid, actor Robert Leeshock was one of the regulars for Earth: Final Conflict during the SciFi program's run in syndication. Leeshock was born on this day in 1961.
The occasionally interesting Jamie Foxx stunk up the Marvel Movie Universe so badly that the Spider-Man franchise opted for another reboot instead of continuing on after The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Foxx was born on this day in 1967.
[Source: IMDB.com]
Public Service Announcement:
In 2023, it was reported in the media that Jamie Foxx had allegedly forced himself on another women in the pursuit of his personal gratification. (Link) If you or someone you know have been the victim of sexual harassment, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (800) 565-HOPE for advice.
[Source: IMDB.com]
Public Service Announcement:
In 2023, it was reported in the media that Jamie Foxx had allegedly forced himself on another women in the pursuit of his personal gratification. (Link) If you or someone you know have been the victim of sexual harassment, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (800) 565-HOPE for advice.
Actor Tony Curran certainly gets around. He played (so memorably) Vincent Van Gogh in two episodes of the BBC's stellar Doctor Who (if you haven't see the episode "Vincent and the Doctor," then drop what you're doing right now and do so). Also, he's played the alien heavy Datak Tarr in Syfy's Defiance. Plus, check his bio on IMDB.com; the guy's been in everything. He was born on this day back in 1969.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Hunky Bart Johnson has dabbled in the realm of Science Fiction with roles in Babylon 5, Tremors (TV), and The Cell 2 (2009). Johnson was born on this day in 1970.
Jeffrey Pierce was one of the dark players trying to change history (of sorts) in Fox TV's short-lived Alcatraz. The actor has also appeared aboard such programs as Astronauts (2002), S1m0ne (2002), Charlie Jade, Journeyman, Knight Rider, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, and The Tomorrow People. Pierce was born on this day in 1971.
One of the traits I enjoyed of NBC's Heroes (before the program went all off the rails logically after about its second season) was the fact that it gave a lot of talented players the opportunity to play real-world sidekicks to the show's main players. Today's evidence: James Kyson played a brilliant second fiddle as Ando Masahashi to Masi Oka's Hiro Nakamura. Kyson was born on this day in 1975.
Charlotte Milchard helped explore the boundaries of a modern-day Twilight Zone style tale in 2009's mildly controversial The Fourth Kind. Milchard was born on this day in 1977.
Like it or not, the lovely Tanya van Graan is a modern-era B-Movie queen in-the-making. Since launching her career in 2004, van Graan has managed to find roles aboard Starship Troopers 3: Marauder (2008), Mad Cow (2010), Lost Boys: The Thirst (2010), Death Race 2 (2010), and Death Race: Inferno (2013). That's a resume worthy of note! Van Graan was born on this day in 1983.
The bubbly and beautiful Laurence Leboeuf played a key role aboard the SciFi/Superhero/Sleeper Turbo Kid (2015). Leboeuf was born on this day in 1985.
Michael Socha played amongst the actors and actresses for laughs (somewhat) in the cast of The Aliens, a SciFi-lite series for the United Kingdom. Socha was born on this day in 1987.
Taylor Swift? In Science Fiction? Say what now? If you haven't seen The Giver, then you've actually missed a really good SciFi flick. Granted, it loses some of its appeal in the ending (I won't spoil it here, but suffice it to say you have to suspend you disbelief a bit more than normal), but it's still a very solid adaptation of the best-selling young adult novel. And, yes, the popular singer/songwriter (above right) has a great little cameo role that's central to understanding the secret of the past to a futuristic utopia. Swift was born on this day in 1989.
On this day in 1951, the SciFi classic The Day The Earth Stood Still enjoyed its theatrical premiere in the United Kingdom. The feature starred Michael Rennie and Patricia Neal, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"An alien lands and tells the people of Earth that they must live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets."
"An alien lands and tells the people of Earth that they must live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets."
On this day in 1961, Assignment: Outer Space (aka Space Men) enjoyed its U.S. theatrical premiere. The feature starred Rik Van Nutter and Gabriella Farinon, and here's the premise as cited on the reliable 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 commander, who believes he is 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 commander, who believes he is 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 1961, The Phantom Planet found its way into the hearts and minds of audiences of a certain era. The motion picture starred Dean Fredericks and the lovely Coleen Gray, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"After an invisible asteroid draws an astronaut and his ship to its surface, he is miniaturized by the phantom planet's exotic atmosphere."
For the record: SciFiHistory.Net's Jim Clelland sounds off on The Phantom Planet right here.
"After an invisible asteroid draws an astronaut and his ship to its surface, he is miniaturized by the phantom planet's exotic atmosphere."
For the record: SciFiHistory.Net's Jim Clelland sounds off on The Phantom Planet right here.
On this day in 1983 (in France), Extra Terrestrial Visitors opened to rather tepid reviews. The SciFi/Comedy starred Ian Sera and Nina Ferrer, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A young boy in the woods discovers a lovable alien...or is it?"
"A young boy in the woods discovers a lovable alien...or is it?"
On this day in 1984 (in Australia), The Last Starfighter soared onto the silver screen. Directed by Nick Castle, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Lance Guest, Robert Preston, and Catherine Mary Stewart; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Video game expert Alex Rogan finds himself transported to another planet after conquering The Last Starfighter video game only to find out it was just a test. He was recruited to join the team of best starfighters to defend their world from the attack."
"Video game expert Alex Rogan finds himself transported to another planet after conquering The Last Starfighter video game only to find out it was just a test. He was recruited to join the team of best starfighters to defend their world from the attack."
On this day in 1990 (in Italy), Arnold Schwarzenegger woke up on Mars (or did he?) in Paul Verhoeven's Total Recall. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"When a man goes in to have virtual vacation memories of the planet Mars implanted in his mind, an unexpected and harrowing series of events forces him to go to the planet for real - or is he?"
"When a man goes in to have virtual vacation memories of the planet Mars implanted in his mind, an unexpected and harrowing series of events forces him to go to the planet for real - or is he?"
I have to admit that I'll never fully understand all of the hate people have spewed over the years on Tim Burton's Mars Attacks! (1996). My friends and I saw it on this day back in 1996 when it premiered theatrically, and we loved its flat-out zaniness. Granted, it was all fluff ... but what were the rest of you expecting, after all? It was based on a series of baseball cards!
A film so bad it sank a billion-dollar franchise! On this day in 2002, Star Trek: Nemesis brought an end to The Next Generation era of filming perhaps for any number of reasons not the least of which being its storytelling sensibilities. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Enterprise is diverted to the Romulan homeworld Romulus, supposedly because they want to negotiate a peace treaty. Captain Picard and his crew discover a serious threat to the Federation once Praetor Shinzon plans to attack Earth."
"The Enterprise is diverted to the Romulan homeworld Romulus, supposedly because they want to negotiate a peace treaty. Captain Picard and his crew discover a serious threat to the Federation once Praetor Shinzon plans to attack Earth."
On this day in 2006, the SciFi/Horror hybrid Automatons enjoyed a theatrical release. The feature starred Christine Spencer and Angus Scrimm, and here's the plot summary provided by IMDB.com:
"A low-tech FX film about the horrors of war and robots."
"A low-tech FX film about the horrors of war and robots."
On this day in 2013, the unsuspecting audiences in the Philippines were treated to a little something called Disaster Wars: Earthquake Vs. Tsunami. I'm guessing they were terrified! Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Deep underwater in the Marianas Trench an accident results in a devastating Tsunami that destroys the Hawaiian Islands as it continues toward the west coast. Panic ensues all up and down the western coast of North and South America. In an attempt to lessen its impact, scientists launch an underwater explosion that inadvertently makes the tsunami more powerful and focused on Los Angeles. Scientists rush to a solution while the military begins planning for the worst. Los Angeles begins emergency evacuation. Lives and loves are lost even as a brash young grad student comes up with a solution: start the mother of all earthquakes to counter the rushing torrent and raise the continental shelf off the coast of the United States."
"Deep underwater in the Marianas Trench an accident results in a devastating Tsunami that destroys the Hawaiian Islands as it continues toward the west coast. Panic ensues all up and down the western coast of North and South America. In an attempt to lessen its impact, scientists launch an underwater explosion that inadvertently makes the tsunami more powerful and focused on Los Angeles. Scientists rush to a solution while the military begins planning for the worst. Los Angeles begins emergency evacuation. Lives and loves are lost even as a brash young grad student comes up with a solution: start the mother of all earthquakes to counter the rushing torrent and raise the continental shelf off the coast of the United States."
On this day in 2018 (in Denmark), Bird Box enjoyed a run in theatres. Directed by Susanne Bier, this SciFi/Horror starred Sandra Bullock, Trevante Rhodes, and John Malkovich; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Five years after an ominous unseen presence drives most of society to suicide, a mother and her two children make a desperate bid to reach safety."
"Five years after an ominous unseen presence drives most of society to suicide, a mother and her two children make a desperate bid to reach safety."
On this day in 1963, "A Short Drink from a Certain Fountain" aired as part of The Twilight Zone's fifth and final season. The episode guest-starred Patrick O'Neal and Ruta Lee, and it told the story of a man who combats aging by having his brother inject him with a youth serum.
On this day in 1967, Irwin Allen's Lost In Space aired "Two Weeks In Space." This served as the thirteenth episode of the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Two escaped thieves transform themselves into humans and pretend to be tourists as Smith turns the Jupiter 2 into a hotel."
"Two escaped thieves transform themselves into humans and pretend to be tourists as Smith turns the Jupiter 2 into a hotel."
On this day in 1974, The Six Million Dollar Man aired "Stranger In Broken Fork." Officially, this served as the tenth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Steve Austin's bionic arm malfunctions while he is piloting a plane. After crashing, Austin suffers from amnesia as a side effect from the malfunction. He soon meets psychologist Angie Walker who runs an experimental convalescence home for mental patients. Unfortunately, the small town folk of Broken Fork are very suspicious of strangers and Angie's patients in particular."
"Steve Austin's bionic arm malfunctions while he is piloting a plane. After crashing, Austin suffers from amnesia as a side effect from the malfunction. He soon meets psychologist Angie Walker who runs an experimental convalescence home for mental patients. Unfortunately, the small town folk of Broken Fork are very suspicious of strangers and Angie's patients in particular."
On this day in 1985, Misfits of Science aired "Twin Engines." This served as the ninth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Johnny's mechanic friend Lonnie has been having visions, and finds out he's a twin, separated at birth, to someone much more famous. When Dwayne goes missing, Lonnie takes his place, and finds himself in serious danger."
"Johnny's mechanic friend Lonnie has been having visions, and finds out he's a twin, separated at birth, to someone much more famous. When Dwayne goes missing, Lonnie takes his place, and finds himself in serious danger."
On this day in 1989, Quantum Leap aired the 11th episode of its second season. The adventure was called "A Portrait for Troian," and here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"Sam must save a young woman who drowns while insisting that she is hearing the calls of her dead husband."
"Sam must save a young woman who drowns while insisting that she is hearing the calls of her dead husband."
On this day in 1999 (in the United Kingdom), Farscape aired "Back And Back And Back To The Future." Officially, this served as the third episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The crew rescues a scientist and his assistant from a disintegrating ship. Crichton starts seeing the future, which holds death for the crew and Moya. He tries to influence the course of events but cannot change the outcome until they all learn what their guests are truly hiding."
"The crew rescues a scientist and his assistant from a disintegrating ship. Crichton starts seeing the future, which holds death for the crew and Moya. He tries to influence the course of events but cannot change the outcome until they all learn what their guests are truly hiding."
On this day in 2000, First Wave aired "Legacy." Officially, this served as the fourteenth episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Jordan is invited to her late Fathers company foundation ball, while there she is taken captive by the GUA. Foster meanwhile covertly seeks information and finds links to the GUA and Jordan's Father."
"Jordan is invited to her late Fathers company foundation ball, while there she is taken captive by the GUA. Foster meanwhile covertly seeks information and finds links to the GUA and Jordan's Father."
On this day in 2000, Starhunter continued to blaze a trail across the stars, airing the seventh episode of its first season. The hour was titled "Frozen," and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at Wikipedia.org:
"Having again captured Etienne, this time for petty theft, Dante comes to the aid of Dr. Devon and his young son Ryan, who have escaped a genetic research facility owned and operated by The Orchard, and are being pursued by The Raiders. Ryan has the power to project illusions and the Raiders demand that Dante hand him over. After an assault aboard the Tulip, Dante tries to get a captured Raider to tell him what happened to his own son Travis. Meanwhile Luc learns Etienne is more than just a con man, and is an operative working for her father Darius."
"Having again captured Etienne, this time for petty theft, Dante comes to the aid of Dr. Devon and his young son Ryan, who have escaped a genetic research facility owned and operated by The Orchard, and are being pursued by The Raiders. Ryan has the power to project illusions and the Raiders demand that Dante hand him over. After an assault aboard the Tulip, Dante tries to get a captured Raider to tell him what happened to his own son Travis. Meanwhile Luc learns Etienne is more than just a con man, and is an operative working for her father Darius."
On this day in 2002, Firefly aired "Objects In Space." 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:
"Serenity encounters a ruthlessly professional bounty hunter, Jubal Early, who will stop at nothing to retrieve River. But River, feeling unwelcome on the ship, takes a novel approach to escaping from the Alliance."
"Serenity encounters a ruthlessly professional bounty hunter, Jubal Early, who will stop at nothing to retrieve River. But River, feeling unwelcome on the ship, takes a novel approach to escaping from the Alliance."
It all came down to this: I've been led to believe that Steven Spielberg's miniseries exploring alien abduction, Taken, is actually quite good though it frustratingly ended its finale episode with a bit of a cliffhanger left unresolved. Who knows? Maybe the grand storyteller has something more in mind for this property. In any event, here's what IMDB.com has to say about the big finish which aired on this day in 2002:
"Still being pursued by the military and by Mary Crawford, Lisa makes contact with her Uncle Tom who suggest they go to his mother's house in Texas and eventually onto Mexico and South America. The fact that Allie can be tracked presents a major difficulty. Mary Crawford and Dr. Chet Wakeman have a serious difference of opinion on what to do about Allie, leading Mary to take some drastic action. As the military moves in, Allie has a fateful choice to make."
"Still being pursued by the military and by Mary Crawford, Lisa makes contact with her Uncle Tom who suggest they go to his mother's house in Texas and eventually onto Mexico and South America. The fact that Allie can be tracked presents a major difficulty. Mary Crawford and Dr. Chet Wakeman have a serious difference of opinion on what to do about Allie, leading Mary to take some drastic action. As the military moves in, Allie has a fateful choice to make."
