I don't care what anyone says to the contrary: Christmas and science fiction have never gone together easily. Still, all that can change if Space: Above and Beyond is any indication. "The River of Stars" premiered on this day back in 1995, and it saw the Fighting 58th spending their Christmas Eve trapped in outer space with no hope of being rescued. In fact, it looks like all they can hope for is a miracle ... and, lo and behold, one is delivered.
Ach. Well, that's a rather unfortunate name, but perhaps Richard Long was popular with the ladies. Or the men ... of a certain persuasion. Whatever the case, this actor enjoyed a pair of appearances to Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone for good measure. Otherwise it looks like his career was spent mostly in more conventional fare. Though he's no longer with us, Long was born on this day in 1927.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Actress Jacqueline Hill has the honor of having spoken the very first lines ever in any episode of the BBC's long-running Doctor Who. When the program premiered, she played the companion 'Barbara Wright;' and -- almost a decade-and-one-half later -- she returned to the program in the role of Lexa for the "Meglos" storyline. Though she's no longer with us, Hill was born on this day in 1929.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Critically-acclaimed actor Armin Mueller-Stahl flexed his acting might in a small (and curiously uncredited role) aboard Brian De Palma's lukewarm Mission To Mars (2000). Otherwise, his genre credentials are decidedly light. Mueller-Stahl was born on this day in 1930.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Those who know me best will tell you how much I loathe movie musicals, but I do have a fondness for 1968's Finian's Rainbow. (Bless you, Petula Clark and Barbara Hancock!) It's a big screen adaptation of a stage play which involves a stolen pot of gold and the leprechaun who follows the thief to America to reclaim it for his magical fantasy people. Tommy Steele plays the leprechaun, and Steele was born on this day in 1936.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The Lord Of The Rings trilogy is the home to a great many performances in the world of pure cinematic Fantasy, and one of the very best -- and regal -- is that of actor Bernard Hill. While he's perhaps best known throughout his career for work in far more traditional fare, his resumes indicates he was no stranger to genre projects when they called; and fans can see what he's capable of in such enterprises as First Knight (1995), The Ghost And The Darkness (1996), The Scorpion King (2002), The League Of Gentlemen's Apocalypse (2005), ParaNorman (2012), Outpost 11 (2013), Forever Young (2023), and The Moor (2023). Though he's no longer with us, Hill was born on this day in 1944.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
He's more casually known as 'the fourth Ghostbuster' (from the movie Ghostbusters, in case it escapes you). He's actor Ernie Hudson. And he has a solid history in genre projects! Before turning up busting ghosts, I was familiar with him from Spacehunter: Adventures In The Forbidden Zone, one of my favorite B-Movies. Plus, he turned in solid yet understated performance as a street cop in The Crow (1994). If that isn't enough, then how about his appearances in Man From Atlantis, The Incredible Hulk, Ghostbusters II (1989), Wild Palms, Stargate SG-1, Meteor, Heroes, Torchwood, Last Resort, Battledogs (2013), APB, or Twin Peaks for your consideration? Hudson was born on this day in 1945.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's "Move Along Home" isn't all that memorable of an episode in the program's run. It was a first season adventure that put members of the station's crew inside a game where they had to compete for their survival. Meh. Perhaps the hour's greatest asset is putting the lion share of the guest star's work in the hands of talented character actor Joel Brooks. Besides DS9, he's been a part of such properties as Shadow Chasers, The Twilight Zone, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman, and Babylon 5: River Of Souls (1998). Brooks was born on this day in 1949.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Veteran character actor Bill Pullman helped lead the country out from under an alien invasion of epic proportions as 'President Thomas J. Whitmore' in 1996's Independence Day. Pullman also had a solid run as the somewhat televangelist at the heart of a burgeoning conspiracy in Torchwood: Miracle Day (2011). And he assured mankind that we weren't necessarily nearing the 'End of Days' in the TV miniseries Revelations (2005). Lest we forget: Spaceballs? Pullman was born on this day in 1953.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Great mother of dragons! The career of Mary Appleseth lasted only two professional gigs, but one of them landed smack dab in the middle of cinematic Fantasy: she played 'Cindy' aboard the 1977 stinker Planet Of Dinosaurs, a film that I believe is in public domain at this point. If I remember correctly, I believe she played the crashed ship's captain who gets munched on by an aquatic beast in the film's early scenes. Ouch. Though she's no longer with us, Appleseth was born on this day in 1956.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
She may be little more than a face on a screen -- or a head in a box -- but Hattie Hayridge remains Red Dwarf's face on a screen during the years 1988 through 1992. Hayridge was born on this day in 1959.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
She may not have a lot of genre in her resume, but I'll fancy a mention for the perfectly delightful Leah Lail any chance I can. Fans may know her from work aboard They Came From Outer Space, She-Wolf Of London, or Legend ... though her real claim to fame was as a semi-regular aboard the syndicated Action/Adventure series She-Spies during its run. Lail was born on this day in 1965.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Ready-to-rumble Juliet Aubrey chased down threats foreign, domestic, and even a bit Jurassic with her work aboard the United Kingdom's Primeval during its run on television. Aubrey was born on this day in 1966.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
On The X-Files, Laurie Holden played the mysterious 'Marita Covarrubias,' a shadowy government operative who was always somewhere near the elusive truth that Special Agents Mulder and Scully sought to uncover. Holden again found fame playing 'Andrea' on AMC's stellar The Walking Dead. Holden was born on this day in 1969.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Back in 2011, the Starz Network tried to develop a Fantasy-themed adaptation of the Camelot legend. It wasn't half-bad -- certainly had some incredibly talented performers, like the luminous Claire Forlani as 'Queen Igraine' -- but the show never quite developed a moral center with which to bring audiences along for the ride. It was cancelled after a single season, but it's available on home video for those interested in such properties. Forlani was born on this day in 1971.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Rian Johnson remains one of the hottest directors in demand today. He wrote and directed the 2012 SciFi surprise Looper, and he did what he could to 'right' the Star Wars franchise with his Star Wars: The Last Jedi ... which only seemed to divide Star Wars fandom even further. (My two cents? Well, the film felt more like a carnival ride or a video game to me, but what do I know? I'm just a guy on the internet.) Johnson was born on this day in 1973.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The gifted Sarah Paulson (above right) turned up in a small role aboard Serenity (2005). Otherwise, it just doesn't look like SciFi interests her. Paulson was born on this day in 1974.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Baker and celebrity Duff Goldman put his pipes to good use voicing a 'baker droid' for an episode of the popular Star Wars: The Clone Wars during the show's run. Goldman was born on this day in 1974.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
You never know where an actor as talented as Giovanni Ribisi is going to turn up next. He had a role in 2009's smash Avatar, and that's really all SciFi fans care about! Ribisi was born on this day in 1974.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The Fifth Element is another one of those films that I fail to understand all of the love for amongst SciFi fans, but I can appreciate the love of a beautiful woman, of which I'd definitely consider one of the film's stars -- Milla Jovovich. She's also done some terrific action-lady-lead work in the Resident Evil franchise, and she had a solid lead in The Fourth Kind flick. Jovovich was born on this day in 1975.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Aboard Syfy's Stargate: Atlantis, Kate Hewlett played the recurring role of 'Jeannie Miller.' In 2014, she played the brief role embodying an Artificial Intelligence in the underrated SciFi flick, Debug. Hewlett was born on this day in 1976.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
As much as I loved The History Channel's program Vikings for introducing me to what life must've been like for some of mankind's greatest warriors, I love the show even more for showcasing the talents of the stunning Katheryn Winnick. She recently turned up in a role aboard the poorly-received adaptation of The Dark Tower, but trust me when I say talent like that rebounds. Winnick was born on this day in 1977.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
If his work on Grimm is any indication, then it would appear actor Douglas Tait is certainly a man of many faces, though audiences might have a hard time recognizing his own! He's also been a part of Star Trek (2009), Land Of The Lost (2009), Alien Outpost (2014), Teen Wolf, and Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Tait was born on this day in 1978.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Aussie and ginger? Be still my beating heart! I'll bet that's what audiences everywhere think when they see the delightful Stef Dawson in anything. Fans of The Hunger Games franchise discovered her first. Dawson was born on this day in 1983.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Texas-born actress Jamie Tisdale has definitely given genre fans plenty to think about with her work aboard such properties as Heroes, The Devil's Candy (2015), The Leftovers, From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, and Portal (2019). Tisdale was born on this day in 1983.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The comely Shannon Woodward had a supporting role (but one of particular importance) aboard HBO's first season of Westworld. Woodward was born on this day in 1984.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Alas, the lovely Emma Bell came and went from that wide, wide televised world that has been the Fantasy juggernaut The Walking Dead, and we miss her dearly. As for other appearances in genre entertainment? How about work aboard Ghost Whisperer, Dollhouse, Supernatural, and Arrow to keep her fans placated. Bell was born on this day in 1986.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Aqueela Zoll has only just started to spread her wings. After placing as the third runner up for the title of Miss California in 2012, she definitely began turning heads with work in such genre projects as Darkstar (2015), Flight World War II (2015), and Dances With Werewolves (2017). Zoll was born on this day in 1988.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Buried somewhere under that shell-looking alien facade is none other than the lovely Ashley Edner, hidden away by vast makeup for her work aboard Star Trek: Beyond (2016). Edner was born on this day in 1989.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Kiersey Clemons' star is on the rise. She appeared as one of the regulars aboard CBS's short-lived Extant series. She was also seen in the role of 'Iris West' -- Barry Allen's love interest -- for the DC Comics Movie Universe. Clemons was born on this day in 1993.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1920 (in Japan), Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde delivered frights aplenty to audiences of its day. Adapted for the silver screen and directed by J. Charles Haydon, the Horror/Thriller starred Sheldon Lewis, Alex Shannon, and Dora Mills Adams. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Dr. Henry Jekyll experiments with scientific means of revealing the hidden, dark side of man and releases a murderer from within himself."
For the record:
As can happen with these older releases, it would appear that the original theatrical premiere date for this particular incarnation of the popular Robert Louis Stevenson novel is lost to history. IMDB.com reports that it debuted in April of 1920 in the United States; until such a time when I can locate the specific date, this will have to serve as the film's first theatrical exhibition.
"Dr. Henry Jekyll experiments with scientific means of revealing the hidden, dark side of man and releases a murderer from within himself."
For the record:
As can happen with these older releases, it would appear that the original theatrical premiere date for this particular incarnation of the popular Robert Louis Stevenson novel is lost to history. IMDB.com reports that it debuted in April of 1920 in the United States; until such a time when I can locate the specific date, this will have to serve as the film's first theatrical exhibition.
On this day in 1956 (in Portugal), Revenge Of The Creature brought the Creature from the Black Lagoon back to the silver screen. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) has been captured by scientists and transported to an aquarium in south Florida. Once there, he becomes attracted to lovely female scientist Helen Dobson (Lori Nelson) and manages to escape and kidnap her, and heads to Jacksonville, with her real-life love in pursuit."
"The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) has been captured by scientists and transported to an aquarium in south Florida. Once there, he becomes attracted to lovely female scientist Helen Dobson (Lori Nelson) and manages to escape and kidnap her, and heads to Jacksonville, with her real-life love in pursuit."
On this day in 1957 (in the United Kingdom), London audiences were treated to the theatrical premiere of Curse Of The Demon. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"American professor John Holden arrives in London for a parapsychology conference, only to find himself investigating the mysterious actions of Devil-worshiper Julian Karswell."
"American professor John Holden arrives in London for a parapsychology conference, only to find himself investigating the mysterious actions of Devil-worshiper Julian Karswell."
A star is born! On this day in 1959, mankind was treated to its cinematic demise with the release of On The Beach. Directed by Stanley Kramer, the SciFi/Drama starred Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, and Fred Astaire, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In 1964, atomic war wipes out humanity in the northern hemisphere; one American submarine finds temporary safe haven in Australia, where life-as-usual covers growing despair. In denial about the loss of his wife and children in the holocaust, American Captain Towers meets careworn but gorgeous Moira Davidson, who begins to fall for him. The sub returns after reconnaissance a month (or less) before the end; will Towers and Moira find comfort with each other?"
For the record:
Critics love a good Apocalypse, especially when its based on a novel (which this is) and brings some A-listed-talent to the end of life as we know it. On The Beach enjoyed a handful of nominations and wins, including a 1960 Golden Globe for Best Original Score and a 1959 Top Ten Films citation from the National Board Of Review (USA).
"In 1964, atomic war wipes out humanity in the northern hemisphere; one American submarine finds temporary safe haven in Australia, where life-as-usual covers growing despair. In denial about the loss of his wife and children in the holocaust, American Captain Towers meets careworn but gorgeous Moira Davidson, who begins to fall for him. The sub returns after reconnaissance a month (or less) before the end; will Towers and Moira find comfort with each other?"
For the record:
Critics love a good Apocalypse, especially when its based on a novel (which this is) and brings some A-listed-talent to the end of life as we know it. On The Beach enjoyed a handful of nominations and wins, including a 1960 Golden Globe for Best Original Score and a 1959 Top Ten Films citation from the National Board Of Review (USA).
On this day in 1965 (in Australia), Dr. Who And The Daleks delivered Who action to the silver screen! The feature starred Peter Cushing as the signature Time Lord, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"An eccentric inventor and his companions travel in his TARDIS to the Planet Skaro and battle the evil menace of the Daleks."
"An eccentric inventor and his companions travel in his TARDIS to the Planet Skaro and battle the evil menace of the Daleks."
A star is born! On this day in 1967 (in the U.S.), Blood Of Ghastly Horror enjoyed its first theatrical presentation ever (in a limited release) for the good people of Corpus Christi, Texas. Written (in part) and directed by Al Adamson, the SciFi/Horror starred John Carradine, Kent Taylor, and Tommy Kirk. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A mad scientist implants an electronic device into the brain of an injured soldier, which turns him into a psychotic killer."
"A mad scientist implants an electronic device into the brain of an injured soldier, which turns him into a psychotic killer."
A star is born! On this day in 1973, funnyman Woody Allen pointed his particularly skewered view into the future and served up Sleeper for interested audiences. According to IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A nerdish store owner is revived out of cryostasis into a future world to fight an oppressive government."
For the record:
Believe it or not, this Woody Allen film was actually nominated for the Saturn Award in 1973 for Best Science Fiction Film, an honor it inevitably lost out to the vastly more relevant Soylent Green. It did, however, win the 1975 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation as well as the Nebula Award for Best Dramatic Presentation from the Science Fiction And Fantasy Writers Of America. Ahem.
"A nerdish store owner is revived out of cryostasis into a future world to fight an oppressive government."
For the record:
Believe it or not, this Woody Allen film was actually nominated for the Saturn Award in 1973 for Best Science Fiction Film, an honor it inevitably lost out to the vastly more relevant Soylent Green. It did, however, win the 1975 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation as well as the Nebula Award for Best Dramatic Presentation from the Science Fiction And Fantasy Writers Of America. Ahem.
A star is born ... or is that porn? On this day in 1976 (in the U.S.), the good people of Chicago, Illinois were treated to the silver screen premiere of Come With Me My Love. Directed by Doris Wishman and C. Davis Smith, the Adult/Horror starred Ursula Austin, Jeffrey Hurst, and Annie Sprinkle. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A man finds his wife cheating on him with his best friend; he kills both of them and then himself. Fifty years later, his ghost haunts the same apartment building. He repeatedly has sex with the young woman who moves into the apartment - making her think she's gone insane - kills her male admirers, and for good measure kills her neighbor's lover as well."
"A man finds his wife cheating on him with his best friend; he kills both of them and then himself. Fifty years later, his ghost haunts the same apartment building. He repeatedly has sex with the young woman who moves into the apartment - making her think she's gone insane - kills her male admirers, and for good measure kills her neighbor's lover as well."
A star is born! On this day in 1977 (in Japan), The War In Space was waged ... cinematically, that is. Directed by Jun Fukuda, Ishiro Honda, Toshio Masuda, Shûe Matsubayashi, and Shirô Moritani, the film starred Kensaku Morita, Yûko Asano, and Ryô Ikebe. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Earth is attacked by alien spacecraft from Venus. But a Japanese scientist has constructed a space craft, the Gohten, with which he may save humanity."
"Earth is attacked by alien spacecraft from Venus. But a Japanese scientist has constructed a space craft, the Gohten, with which he may save humanity."
A star is born! On this day in 1982 (in the U.S. and Canada), The Dark Crystal brought some of that Jim Henson magic to the cineplexes. Co-directed by Henson and long-time collaborator Frank Oz, the Fantasy feature showed audiences that life on other worlds needn't look so much like ourselves. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"One thousand years ago, the mysterious Dark Crystal was damaged by one of the Urskeks and an age of chaos has began. The evil race of grotesque birdlike lizards, the Skeksis, gnomish dragons who rule their fantastic planet with an iron claw. Meanwhile, orphan Jen, raised in solitude by a race of the peace-loving wizards called the Mystics, embarks on a quest to find the missing shard of the Dark Crystal which gives the Skeksis their power and restore the balance of the universe."
For the record:
Ahem. Many folks remember this motion picture much more fondly than I do; I honestly recall being not all that engaged by it when I saw it theatrically. In any event, The Dark Crystal achieved positive acclaim as well as the love of countless viewers. It went on to win the 1983 Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film as well as nominations for BAFTA and Hugo Awards. Kudos to all involved. In 2019, the property was resurrected by Netflix for the serialized streaming incarnation, The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance.
"One thousand years ago, the mysterious Dark Crystal was damaged by one of the Urskeks and an age of chaos has began. The evil race of grotesque birdlike lizards, the Skeksis, gnomish dragons who rule their fantastic planet with an iron claw. Meanwhile, orphan Jen, raised in solitude by a race of the peace-loving wizards called the Mystics, embarks on a quest to find the missing shard of the Dark Crystal which gives the Skeksis their power and restore the balance of the universe."
For the record:
Ahem. Many folks remember this motion picture much more fondly than I do; I honestly recall being not all that engaged by it when I saw it theatrically. In any event, The Dark Crystal achieved positive acclaim as well as the love of countless viewers. It went on to win the 1983 Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film as well as nominations for BAFTA and Hugo Awards. Kudos to all involved. In 2019, the property was resurrected by Netflix for the serialized streaming incarnation, The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance.
On this day in 1986 (in Venezuela), Aliens delivered audiences back to the future wherein the threat of the Xenomorph infestation was greater than ever. Directed by James Cameron, the film starred Sigourney Weaver, Bill Paxton, and Michael Biehn. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Fifty-seven years after surviving an apocalyptic attack aboard her space vessel by merciless space creatures, Officer Ripley awakens from hyper-sleep and tries to warn anyone who will listen about the predators."
For the record:
Simply put, Aliens was then and remains today nothing short of phenomenal. While the original established the property, I'd argue that it took the sequel to firmly establish it as a proper Science Fiction franchise. Multiple films have explored the growing mythology behind the Xenomorphs, and 20th Century Fox even paired the aliens up with the Predator for a picture or two. Still, Aliens won the Oscars for 'Best Sound Editing' and 'Best Special Effects' at the 1987 Academy Awards, and the picture even garnered an acting nomination for Weaver -- a rarity for a SciFi film.
"Fifty-seven years after surviving an apocalyptic attack aboard her space vessel by merciless space creatures, Officer Ripley awakens from hyper-sleep and tries to warn anyone who will listen about the predators."
For the record:
Simply put, Aliens was then and remains today nothing short of phenomenal. While the original established the property, I'd argue that it took the sequel to firmly establish it as a proper Science Fiction franchise. Multiple films have explored the growing mythology behind the Xenomorphs, and 20th Century Fox even paired the aliens up with the Predator for a picture or two. Still, Aliens won the Oscars for 'Best Sound Editing' and 'Best Special Effects' at the 1987 Academy Awards, and the picture even garnered an acting nomination for Weaver -- a rarity for a SciFi film.
On this day in 1987 (in Argentina, Australia, and Uruguay), Innerspace took audiences into ... well ... innerspace. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A test pilot is miniaturized in a secret experiment, and accidentally injected into a hapless store clerk."
"A test pilot is miniaturized in a secret experiment, and accidentally injected into a hapless store clerk."
A star is born! On this day in 1987 (in Australia), Leonard Part 6 delivered laughs via its SciFi/Fantasy formula. Directed by Paul Weiland, the film starred Bill Cosby (who also worked on the script), Tom Courtenay, and Joe Don Baker. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Secret Agent Leonard Parker is called out of retirement to save the world from evil genius Medusa Johnson."
For the record:
As fate would have it, the 1988 Razzies were undoubtedly smitten with the picture. Leonard Part 6 scored three big wins ('Worst Screenplay,' 'Worst Actor,' and 'Worst Picture') while having to settle for nominations alone in a few other categories ('Worst Supporting Actress' and 'Worst Director). In fact, they apparently loved the flick so much that, in 2005, they nominated it in the category of 'Worst Comedy In Our First 25 Years.'
"Secret Agent Leonard Parker is called out of retirement to save the world from evil genius Medusa Johnson."
For the record:
As fate would have it, the 1988 Razzies were undoubtedly smitten with the picture. Leonard Part 6 scored three big wins ('Worst Screenplay,' 'Worst Actor,' and 'Worst Picture') while having to settle for nominations alone in a few other categories ('Worst Supporting Actress' and 'Worst Director). In fact, they apparently loved the flick so much that, in 2005, they nominated it in the category of 'Worst Comedy In Our First 25 Years.'
On this day in 1987 (in the Netherlands), Spaceballs stirred up what few good laughs it could. Written (in part) and directed by Mel Brooks, the SciFi/Comedy starred Bill Pullman, Rick Moranis, and John Candy. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A star-pilot for hire and his trusty sidekick must come to the rescue of a princess and save Planet Druidia from the clutches of the evil Spaceballs."
For the record:
Ahem. The Mel Brooks' comedy did win the 1987 'Worst Picture' Award from The Stinkers Bad Movie Awards ... so that's got to count for something, eh?
"A star-pilot for hire and his trusty sidekick must come to the rescue of a princess and save Planet Druidia from the clutches of the evil Spaceballs."
For the record:
Ahem. The Mel Brooks' comedy did win the 1987 'Worst Picture' Award from The Stinkers Bad Movie Awards ... so that's got to count for something, eh?
On this day in 1992, the animated Fantasy known as The BFG found life on the Boob Tube. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's what audiences were delivered:
"A young orphan girl, Sophie, gets taken away to a faraway land populated by Giants and Dreams."
"A young orphan girl, Sophie, gets taken away to a faraway land populated by Giants and Dreams."
A star is born! On this day in 2002 (in the Netherlands), Black Mask 2: City Of Masks was first delivered to the masses-at-large with a release on home video. Written (in part) and directed by Hark Tsui, the SciFi/Thriller starred Andy On, Tobin Bell, and Jon Polito. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Black Mask must stop a group intent on setting off a DNA bomb that could cause mutations to the human race."
"The Black Mask must stop a group intent on setting off a DNA bomb that could cause mutations to the human race."
Debuting theatrically on this day in 2010, Tron: Legacy tried in some ways to recapture the magic of the original film, but fans who had clamored for a sequel were largely unimpressed. I, for one, enjoyed the high glitz and gossamer world that had evolved. Sure, the story ended up being relatively simplistic on some levels -- it all boiled down to a good versus evil plotline -- but, boy, it sure looked pretty!
On this day in 1955 (in the U.S.), Science Fiction Theatre aired "The Long Day." Officially, this served as the thirty-fourth episode in the program's first season; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A group of scientists experiment with a new missile that will produce vast amounts of light at night. The experiment fails and the scientists have to figure how to shut the light off."
"A group of scientists experiment with a new missile that will produce vast amounts of light at night. The experiment fails and the scientists have to figure how to shut the light off."
On this day in 1967 (in the United Kingdom), The Prisoner aired "It's Your Funeral." Officially, this served as the eleventh episode in the program's only season of original broadcast existence. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Number Six hears of an assassination plot against Number Two, but it's the new Number Two doing all the plotting against the retiring Number Two."
"Number Six hears of an assassination plot against Number Two, but it's the new Number Two doing all the plotting against the retiring Number Two."
On this day in 1967 (in the U.S.), Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea aired "Deadly Amphibians." Officially, this served as the thirteenth episode to the program's fourth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"While trying to find the cause of some underwater pressure blasts, the Seaview encounters a race of Amphibians and Kowalski is transformed into one of them."
"While trying to find the cause of some underwater pressure blasts, the Seaview encounters a race of Amphibians and Kowalski is transformed into one of them."
It all came down to this ...
On this day in 1977 (in the U.S.), Space Academy aired "Johnny Sunseed." Officially, this served as the fifteenth episode in the program's only season in original broadcast existence. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Gampu's Luddite brother Johnny Sunseed visits the Academy and rages against the machine, Peepo in particular. Tee Gar tries to contain an outbreak of silliness after the Cadets consume space lettuce."
On this day in 1977 (in the U.S.), Space Academy aired "Johnny Sunseed." Officially, this served as the fifteenth episode in the program's only season in original broadcast existence. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Gampu's Luddite brother Johnny Sunseed visits the Academy and rages against the machine, Peepo in particular. Tee Gar tries to contain an outbreak of silliness after the Cadets consume space lettuce."
On this day in 1978 (in the U.S.), Battlestar Galactica aired "Fire In Space." Officially, this served as the twelfth episode in the program's only season on original broadcast television, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Galactica again falls under Cylon attack, but this time, the Cylons have a new strategy. Instead of firing on the ship, they fly their ships into it. This kamikaze attack sets the Galactica ablaze, trapping many crew members, including Athena, Boomer, and Boxie. The initial impacts also critically injured Adama, whose life is now hanging in the balance. Can the crew put out the fire and save the Galactica, and will Adama survive to command it?"
"The Galactica again falls under Cylon attack, but this time, the Cylons have a new strategy. Instead of firing on the ship, they fly their ships into it. This kamikaze attack sets the Galactica ablaze, trapping many crew members, including Athena, Boomer, and Boxie. The initial impacts also critically injured Adama, whose life is now hanging in the balance. Can the crew put out the fire and save the Galactica, and will Adama survive to command it?"
On this day in 1982 (in the U.S.), The Powers of Matthew Star aired "Fugitives." Officially, this served as the twelfth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary from TV.com:
"Walt has a severe reaction to Earthly bacteria that his Quadrian immune system is not used to."
"Walt has a severe reaction to Earthly bacteria that his Quadrian immune system is not used to."
It all came down to this ...
On this day in 1983 (in the U.S.), TV's Manimal bowed out with the airing of "Night of the Beast." Officially, this served as the eighth episode in the program's only season in original broadcast existence. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Vacationing in a small town, Birch Hollow, JC is kidnapped by a woman who believes he is responsible for the disappearance of her brother. She locks JC in a crate. At the hotel, Ty & Brooke find criminals who plot to establish a casino."
On this day in 1983 (in the U.S.), TV's Manimal bowed out with the airing of "Night of the Beast." Officially, this served as the eighth episode in the program's only season in original broadcast existence. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Vacationing in a small town, Birch Hollow, JC is kidnapped by a woman who believes he is responsible for the disappearance of her brother. She locks JC in a crate. At the hotel, Ty & Brooke find criminals who plot to establish a casino."
How do you make a creepy program like The X-Files even creepier? That's easy: you cast fan-favorite Mark Sheppard in the role of the ultimate pyromaniac! On this day in 1993 (in the U.S.), things heated up quite nicely with the airing of "Fire." Officially, this served as the twelfth episode in the program's first season. According to the reliable IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Mulder and Scully join forces with an inspector from Scotland Yard when a man with pyrokinetic powers stalks members of the British aristocracy."
"Mulder and Scully join forces with an inspector from Scotland Yard when a man with pyrokinetic powers stalks members of the British aristocracy."
On this day in 1995 (in the U.S.), Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman aired "Home Is Where The Hurt Is." Officially, this served as the eleventh episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"It's almost Christmas and Lois decides not to visit her mother, telling her that she has to cover for Clark who's going to spend Christmas with his parents. It turns out that the Kents are coming to visit their son in Metropolis. Things get very complicated and chaotic when Dr. Sam Lane and Mrs. Ellen Lane pop up at Lois's door. Meanwhile, Mindy Church, the new head of Intergang, is set on killing Superman with a deadly flu from Krypton. Clark becomes really sick from the virus and there are no cure from it on earth. Lois asks her father to help her beloved. The treatment is very risky and could result in death."
"It's almost Christmas and Lois decides not to visit her mother, telling her that she has to cover for Clark who's going to spend Christmas with his parents. It turns out that the Kents are coming to visit their son in Metropolis. Things get very complicated and chaotic when Dr. Sam Lane and Mrs. Ellen Lane pop up at Lois's door. Meanwhile, Mindy Church, the new head of Intergang, is set on killing Superman with a deadly flu from Krypton. Clark becomes really sick from the virus and there are no cure from it on earth. Lois asks her father to help her beloved. The treatment is very risky and could result in death."
On this day in 1997 (in the U.S.), Star Trek: Voyager aired "Mortal Coil." Officially, this served as the twelfth episode of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Thanks to Seven of Nine, Neelix returns from the dead, but his lack of a glimpse of the afterlife brings about a severe crisis of faith."
"Thanks to Seven of Nine, Neelix returns from the dead, but his lack of a glimpse of the afterlife brings about a severe crisis of faith."
On this day in 1999 (in the U.S.), Roughnecks: The Starship Troopers Chronicles aired an episode titled "Liquid Dreams." Officially, this served as the nineteenth episode in the program's only season in original broadcast existence. According to our friends at TV.com, here's the plot summary:
"While a monsoon hits the Zegema Base hard, Rico floats unconscious in a regeneration tank, fighting his subconscious to stay alive. Will Rico survive and recover?"
"While a monsoon hits the Zegema Base hard, Rico floats unconscious in a regeneration tank, fighting his subconscious to stay alive. Will Rico survive and recover?"
On this day in 2000 (in the U.S.), The X-Files aired "Via Negativa." Officially, this served as the seventh episode in the program's eighth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"While Scully tends to her secret, Doggett and Skinner team up to find and somehow stop a cult leader who can kill people in their dreams."
"While Scully tends to her secret, Doggett and Skinner team up to find and somehow stop a cult leader who can kill people in their dreams."
On this day in 2006 (in the United Kingdom), Torchwood aired "Out Of Time." Officially, this served as the tenth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When a passenger plane from 1953 arrives in Cardiff in 2007 due to the Rift, the Torchwood team try to help three temporal immigrants adapt a new life in the city."
"When a passenger plane from 1953 arrives in Cardiff in 2007 due to the Rift, the Torchwood team try to help three temporal immigrants adapt a new life in the city."
On this day in 2007 (in the U.S.), Journeyman aired "The Hanged Man." Officially, this served as the twelfth episode in the program's only season on original broadcast television, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Dan inadvertently leaves his digital camera in 1984, which drastically changes the time line."
"Dan inadvertently leaves his digital camera in 1984, which drastically changes the time line."
On this day in 2010 (in the U.S.), Sanctuary aired "Hollow Men." Officially, this served as the tenth episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The expedition to Hollow Earth is on, as the team searches for a way to cure Dr. Magnus. But instead of salvation, they may find something more sinister waiting below."
"The expedition to Hollow Earth is on, as the team searches for a way to cure Dr. Magnus. But instead of salvation, they may find something more sinister waiting below."
On this day in 2011 (in Japan), Doctor Who aired "Smith And Jones." Officially, this served as the first episode in the program's third season (of the Modern Era); and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When medical student Martha Jones meets a mysterious stranger called The Doctor, and finds herself transported to the moon, her life will never be the same again."
"When medical student Martha Jones meets a mysterious stranger called The Doctor, and finds herself transported to the moon, her life will never be the same again."
On this day in 2012 (in Canada), Primeval: New World aired "Truth." Officially, this served as the eighth episode in the program's only season in original broadcast existence. Here's the summary from IMDB.com:
"A Pachycephalosaurus shows up in the city, while closer to home Evan comes face-to-face with the same Albertosaurus that killed his wife."
"A Pachycephalosaurus shows up in the city, while closer to home Evan comes face-to-face with the same Albertosaurus that killed his wife."
It all came down to this ...
On this day in 2014 (in the U.S.), Syfy aired Part 3 of its space saga miniseries Ascension. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary for that final installment:
"On the ship, Christa goes to get immunized. Ophelia accompanies her to prove that nothing is wrong with the shots. Ophelia takes the shot herself, has a seizure, and collapses. Looking on, Harris insists that Christa must get the shot soon or her system will start breaking down. Meanwhile, Samantha meets with conspiracy theorist Armin Cruz, who tells her that 70 scientists were abducted in the 1960s, one of whom is later shown to be Ophelia. On the ship, Viondra learns that Jackie, one of the stewardesses, has begun having sex with the captain. She relieves Jackie of her duties. When Harris tries to get Christa to take her inoculations through a glass of milk, she looks up at the camera and dumps it on the floor. Harris tells them to use their "man inside" to make her take the inoculation. Christa panics, screams, and shatters the lights, but the "man inside" also cuts himself and bleeds on her dress. Viondra learns that someone squelched her order to have Jackie transferred. Still, Viondra debuts Presley as the latest sexy stewardess type. Meanwhile, Gault talks with Christa about her inoculations and gets her to take them, but when the man arrives to give her the shot, she refuses, and he holds her down and injects her. When the DNA evidence on Christa's dress gets matched to Ike, the medical intern, he is found hanging dead in his room. Nora and James meet on the beach to talk. They admit to liking each other, but he ultimately resents her for making him feel poor. Finally, Christa visits Ophelia, who is in a coma, and reads her mind."
On this day in 2014 (in the U.S.), Syfy aired Part 3 of its space saga miniseries Ascension. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary for that final installment:
"On the ship, Christa goes to get immunized. Ophelia accompanies her to prove that nothing is wrong with the shots. Ophelia takes the shot herself, has a seizure, and collapses. Looking on, Harris insists that Christa must get the shot soon or her system will start breaking down. Meanwhile, Samantha meets with conspiracy theorist Armin Cruz, who tells her that 70 scientists were abducted in the 1960s, one of whom is later shown to be Ophelia. On the ship, Viondra learns that Jackie, one of the stewardesses, has begun having sex with the captain. She relieves Jackie of her duties. When Harris tries to get Christa to take her inoculations through a glass of milk, she looks up at the camera and dumps it on the floor. Harris tells them to use their "man inside" to make her take the inoculation. Christa panics, screams, and shatters the lights, but the "man inside" also cuts himself and bleeds on her dress. Viondra learns that someone squelched her order to have Jackie transferred. Still, Viondra debuts Presley as the latest sexy stewardess type. Meanwhile, Gault talks with Christa about her inoculations and gets her to take them, but when the man arrives to give her the shot, she refuses, and he holds her down and injects her. When the DNA evidence on Christa's dress gets matched to Ike, the medical intern, he is found hanging dead in his room. Nora and James meet on the beach to talk. They admit to liking each other, but he ultimately resents her for making him feel poor. Finally, Christa visits Ophelia, who is in a coma, and reads her mind."
