The affable Albert Dekker proved he was more than capable of delivering up considerable, towering menace with his work aboard Doctor Cyclops (1940). The actor also paid visits to Tarzan's Magic Fountain (1949), She Devil (1957), and Gammera The Invincible (1966). Though he's no longer with us, Dekker was born on this day in 1905. [Source: IMDB.com]
Audrey Totter definitely appeared in more mainstream fare than anything else, but an appearance aboard Science Fiction Theatre must count for something, no? (She did appear in Lady In The Lake (1946), an adaptation of the Raymond Chandler novel, for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which I also enjoy ... but it's not SciFi or Fantasy.) Though she's no longer with us, Totter was born on this day in 1917. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely French-born Nicole Maurey played a role in the classic The Day of the Triffids (1962) for Allied Artists Pictures. Though she's no longer with us, Maurey was born on this day in 1925. [Source: IMDB.com]
Look out behind you! That lovely lady on the run is none of than Mala Powers for her work aboard The Unknown Terror (1957). During her time in the business, she also appeared aboard The Colossus of New York (1958) and Doomsday Machine (1972). Though she's no longer with us, Powers was born on this day in 1931. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though he's probably better remembered for his work on CBS's long-running Magnum P.I., the venerable John Hillerman did guest aboard Wonder Woman during the program's life. Though he's no longer with us, Hillerman was born on this day in 1932. [Source: IMDB.com]
A beautiful Pamela Austin took time out from more mainstream fare for a great performance aboard The Twilight Zone's "Number 12 Looks Just Like You" in 1964. Austin was born on this day in 1941. [Source: IMDB.com]
The beautiful model-turned-actress Angel Tompkins has certainly performed in some films a bit more controversial than others, but she's also enjoyed roles in Night Gallery, Probe (1972), The Starlost, Knight Rider, Amazing Stories, and Amazon Women on the Moon (1987). Tompkins was born on this day in 1942. [Source: IMDB.com]
The great Jacqueline Pearce has certainly cemented a foothold in popular culture, appearing in such respected programs as The Avengers, Blake's 7, Doctor Who, and Dark Season. Though she's no longer with us, Pearce was born on this day in 1943. [Source: IMDB.com]
Czech-born actress Valerie Chmelova's slim resume includes a well-reviewed but curiously-named Science Fiction release, Tomorrow I'll Wake Up And Scald Myself With Tea (1977). Chmelova was born on this day in 1946. [Source: IMDB.com]
I'd completely forgotten about the late John Spencer's role in WarGames (1983). Granted, it wasn't a big part, but I'm usually pretty good with names and faces in films I have a lot of love for. The actor also had roles in Meteor (1979), Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, and The Outer Limits (1999). Though he's no longer with us, Spencer was born on this day in 1946.
The lovely Leigh Hamilton had a guest spot aboard the SciFi/Cult series, Voyagers, during that program's only season on network television. Though she's no longer with us, Hamilton was born on this day in 1949.
I've read Deathsport (1978) has been called the worst Science Fiction film ever made, but -- to be perfectly honest -- I've seen far worse flicks receive far more curious praise. Alas, the feature remains one of the last films of former Playboy Playmate Claudia Jennings, and -- though she's no longer with us -- Jennings was born on this day in 1949.
I trust I won't be the first red-blooded male to say so, but Jenny Agutter was absolutely delicious as Michael York's incentive to 'run' in Logan's Run. No doubt her 'Jessica' made life past 30 worth living! Agutter was born on this day in 1952.
Blanche Baker found herself in a world not of her own creation aboard the original theatrical version of The Handmaid's Tale (1990) for Bioskop Film. Baker was born on this day in 1956. [Source: IMDB.com]
The dreamy Joyce Hyser (above right) joined the John Wesley Shipp version of The Flash (CBS) in multiple appearances during the program's run on television. Hyser was born on this day in 1957.
As I've mentioned before, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World was a program I completed missed when it sailed through television syndication. It's available online in a few different places these days, and I encourage SciFi and Fantasy fans to check it out for a look at what I call Prehistoric SciFi. In any event, Jerome Ehlers played a multiple episode arc in the role of 'Tribune' for the cult hit. Though he's no longer with us, Ehlers was born on this day in 1958.
Neil Giuntoli has dabbled in the world of genre entertainment when memorable stints aboard Child's Play (1988), Quantum Leap, SeaQuest 2032, and Waterworld (1995). Giuntoli was born on this day in 1959. [Source: IMDB.com]
One of the things I liked about The 4400 -- a relatively formulaic sci-fi program about federal agents tracking alien abductees who had suddenly been returned to Earth -- is that the writers worked very hard to give its characters a greater personal interest, a greater personal stake in remaining involved with the main storyline. Actor Joel Gretsch -- as Agent Tom Baldwin -- had a familial connection to it, so his motivations were never in question. After The 4400's run, Gretsch signed aboard another sci-fi property: ABC TV's reboot of the popular 80's franchise, V. Gretsch was born on this day in 1963.
Though most TV viewers probably know Iqbal Theba from his work on Fox TV's Glee, the actor actually has a handful of quality SciFi credits to his name, including screen time aboard Space: Above and Beyond, The Tomorrow Man (1996), Ghosts/Aliens (2010), and Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011). Theba was born on this day in 1963.
Eva Loseth made a splash in Science Fiction with roles aboard NBC's popular Quantum Leap as well as Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Loseth was born on this day in 1968. [Source: IMDB.com]
The screenwriting efforts of Joe Cornish took fandom by storm when he directed his own script of Attack The Block (2011) for the silver screen, the tale of an alien invasion in London thwarted by a bunch of foul-mouthed youths. Cornish was born on this day in 1968. [Source: IMDB.com]
If IMDB.com profiles are correct, then it would appear that actor/producer Brian O'Halloran is part and parcel of the Kevin Smith gang as most of his projects appear to have generated from that well of creativity. He did have an appearance in Alien Sex Party (2003), and that earns him a mention here. O'Halloran was born on this day in 1969.
While I can't say for sure if the lovely Nicole de Boer loves Science Fiction, I believe I can say with some assurance that SciFi fans love her! She has been a part of several TV and movie projects near and dear to fandom, including Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Stephen King's The Dead Zone, Deepwater Black (aka Mission Genesis), Cube, Beyond Reality, The Outer Limits, Phil The Alien, and Stargate: Atlantis. De Boer was born on this day in 1970.
PS: I had the good fortune of getting her autograph at the Star Trek convention in Las Vegas back in 2013. She was so bubbly and so friendly ... and such a tiny, tiny lady!
PS: I had the good fortune of getting her autograph at the Star Trek convention in Las Vegas back in 2013. She was so bubbly and so friendly ... and such a tiny, tiny lady!
It would appear that everyone -- and I do mean everyone -- likes being in the Comic Book adaptation business these days. Today's evidence: Todd Phillips wrote, produced, and directed Joaquin Phoenix in an R-rated 'interpretation of the DC Comics' character Joker for Warner Bros. Phillips was born on this day in 1970. [Source: IMDB.com]
Ramon Rodriguez first fell onto SciFiHistory.Net's radar with a role aboard the Time Travel/Drama, Daybreak, back during the 2006-2007 TV season. He's also sported roles in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) as well as Battle Los Angeles (2011). Rodriguez was born on this day in 1979.
Internet sensation Lucy Pinder gave Science Fiction a try, appearing in a SciFi short titled The Seventeenth Kind alongside Tony Curran and Sylvester McCoy. Pinder was born on this day in 1983.
Funnyman Jonah Hill provided the voice tracks for the DC Comics' character of 'Green Lantern' aboard a handful of Lego-themed motion pictures. Hill was born on this day in 1983. [Source: IMDB.com]
Mexican-born lovely Ilean Almaguer enjoyed a small but recurring role aboard Starz Network's exceptional SciFi series Counterpart during its run on pay cable. Almaguer was born on this day in 1984. [Source: IMDB.com]
Take note: I didn't much care for The 100 with its series premiere. While I'll concede I thought it was well-made, it was imbued with that CW sense of "Watch us, 'cause we're young" far too much for my tastes. But with each passing season, I haven't been able to turn away. Now, I consider it one of the best guilty pleasures on television. On the show, Bob Morley plays the sometimes action hero Bellamy Blake, and he does a very respectable job of it. Morley was born on this day in 1984.
Fans of horror and/or fantasy would do well to check out the works of storyteller Ashley Dioses. She can be found online via her blog at this link, and Dioses was born on this day in 1990. [Source: ISFDB.org]
Pretty young thing Jillian Rose Reed hid out from all things Jurassic for her time in Age Of Dinosaurs (2013), a monsterific feature from The Asylum. Reed was born on this day in 1991. [Source: IMDB.com]
The Purge is one of those fringe franchises that kinda/sorta flirts with ideas not uncommon to Science Fiction -- an alternate history of the world, one driven mostly by political elements. Colin Woodell entered that dark world via its television limited edition series under the same name as its first film. The young actor also enjoyed a recurring role aboard the Fantasy-themed The Originals during its run. Woodell was born on this day in 1991. [Source: IMDB.com]
This is one of those movies I remember watching dozens of times when I was a kid. (Frazier Thomas's Family Classics on WGN. Anyone else?) Mysterious Island -- which premiered theatrically on this day in 1961 -- told Jules Verne's story of Civil War (Union) POWs escaping in a hot air balloon ... only to find themselves stranded on a 'mysterious island' (you guessed it) complete with giant animals and insects. Totally cool, my friends. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"During the US Civil War, Union POWs escape in a balloon and end up stranded on a South Pacific island, inhabited by giant plants and animals. They must use their ingenuity to survive the dangers, and to devise a way to return home. Sequel to '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea'."
"During the US Civil War, Union POWs escape in a balloon and end up stranded on a South Pacific island, inhabited by giant plants and animals. They must use their ingenuity to survive the dangers, and to devise a way to return home. Sequel to '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea'."
A star is born! On this day in 1964 (in Japan), Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster first soared onto the silver screen. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A detective is assigned to protect a princess who prophecies the Earth's end with the arrival of a powerful space monster. Mothra and her fairies must persuade Godzilla and Rodan to set aside their differences or face the invader alone."
"A detective is assigned to protect a princess who prophecies the Earth's end with the arrival of a powerful space monster. Mothra and her fairies must persuade Godzilla and Rodan to set aside their differences or face the invader alone."
On this day in 1965, the future got a little more deadly with the U.S. theatrical run of The 10th Victim. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In the 21st Century, where a human vs. human "Big Hunt" is used as an alternative to war, a veteran huntress agrees to kill a "victim" to get a major TV sponsorship deal, but romantic entanglements between the two complicate matters."
"In the 21st Century, where a human vs. human "Big Hunt" is used as an alternative to war, a veteran huntress agrees to kill a "victim" to get a major TV sponsorship deal, but romantic entanglements between the two complicate matters."
A star is born! On this day in 1970 (in the great nation of France), the Fantasy-themed Donkey Skin worked its magic on viewers. The feature starred Catherine Deneuve and Jean Marais, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A fairy godmother helps a princess disguise herself so she won't have to marry a man she doesn't love."
"A fairy godmother helps a princess disguise herself so she won't have to marry a man she doesn't love."
On this day in 1971 (in Spain), Three Supermen In The Jungle (aka Supermen) landed on cinema screens. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Three superheroes attempt to reclaim the stolen lease of a uranium mine."
"Three superheroes attempt to reclaim the stolen lease of a uranium mine."
On this day in 1974 (in Finland), the SciFi/Classic Soylent Green gobbled up the competition at the box office. The film starred Charlton Heston and Edward G. Robinson, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In 2022, Earth is overpopulated and totally polluted; the natural resources have been exhausted and the nourishment of the population is provided by Soylent Industries, a company that makes a food consisting of plankton from the oceans. In New York City, when Soylent's member of the board William R. Simonson is murdered apparently by a burglar at the Chelsea Towers West where he lives, efficient Detective Thorn is assigned to investigate the case with his partner Solomon "Sol" Roth. Thorn comes to the fancy apartment and meets Simonson's bodyguard Tab Fielding and the "furniture" (woman that is rented together with the flat) Shirl and the detective concludes that the executive was not victim of burglary but executed. Further, he finds that the Governor Santini and other powerful men want to disrupt and end Thorn's investigation. But Thorn continues his work and discovers a bizarre and disturbing secret of the ingredient used to manufacture Soylent Green."
"In 2022, Earth is overpopulated and totally polluted; the natural resources have been exhausted and the nourishment of the population is provided by Soylent Industries, a company that makes a food consisting of plankton from the oceans. In New York City, when Soylent's member of the board William R. Simonson is murdered apparently by a burglar at the Chelsea Towers West where he lives, efficient Detective Thorn is assigned to investigate the case with his partner Solomon "Sol" Roth. Thorn comes to the fancy apartment and meets Simonson's bodyguard Tab Fielding and the "furniture" (woman that is rented together with the flat) Shirl and the detective concludes that the executive was not victim of burglary but executed. Further, he finds that the Governor Santini and other powerful men want to disrupt and end Thorn's investigation. But Thorn continues his work and discovers a bizarre and disturbing secret of the ingredient used to manufacture Soylent Green."
Hmm. I have a vague recollection of seeing this one. On this day in 1974, Walt Disney's The Island At The Top Of The World premiered on the silver screen. The feature starred David Hartman and Donald Sinden, and here's the plot summary as provided by the reliable IMDB.com:
"In 1907, four explorers discover a lost colony of Vikings in the Arctic."
"In 1907, four explorers discover a lost colony of Vikings in the Arctic."
On this day in 1983 (in Portugal), Krull enjoyed its theatrical release. Directed by Peter Yates, the Fantasy film starred Ken Marshall and Lysette Anthony, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An indescribable monster and its army (the Slayers) attack the planet Krull. In order to stop the invaders, two hostile nations decide to join their forces by the marriage of Princess Lyssa and Prince Colwyn. During the ceremony, the Slayers attack the palace, kill both kings, wound Colwyn and kidnap Lyssa. The next morning, the wise Ynyr seeks and finds Colwyn. With Ynyr's help, Colwn gains possession of a magic weapon, a five bladed sword, and together they go on their quest for the indescribable monster's black fortress to free Lyssa."
"An indescribable monster and its army (the Slayers) attack the planet Krull. In order to stop the invaders, two hostile nations decide to join their forces by the marriage of Princess Lyssa and Prince Colwyn. During the ceremony, the Slayers attack the palace, kill both kings, wound Colwyn and kidnap Lyssa. The next morning, the wise Ynyr seeks and finds Colwyn. With Ynyr's help, Colwn gains possession of a magic weapon, a five bladed sword, and together they go on their quest for the indescribable monster's black fortress to free Lyssa."
I do recall seeing Enemy Mine when it released on this day theatrically back in 1985, but -- being perfectly honest -- I don't recall being all that impressed by it. All the story did was take something audiences had seen before and recaptured it in a sci-fi package, and that just kinda/sorta fell flat for me. Still, it's nice to have yet one more flick to add to our growing genre. Here's the plot summary as listed on IMDB.com:
"A soldier from Earth crash-lands on an alien world after sustaining battle damage. Eventually he encounters another survivor, but from the enemy species he was fighting; they band together to survive on this hostile world. In the end the human finds himself caring for his enemy in a completely unexpected way."
"A soldier from Earth crash-lands on an alien world after sustaining battle damage. Eventually he encounters another survivor, but from the enemy species he was fighting; they band together to survive on this hostile world. In the end the human finds himself caring for his enemy in a completely unexpected way."
A star is born! On this day in 1997, the SciFi/Telefilm Doom Runners showed us another look at Earth's dark future. Written by Barney Cohen and Ken Lipman, the film was directed by Brendan Maher. The feature starred Lea Moreno, Bradley Pierce, and Tim Curry; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In a post-apocalyptic world, a group of children move from one uncertain world to another in their quest for sanctuary."
"In a post-apocalyptic world, a group of children move from one uncertain world to another in their quest for sanctuary."
A star is born! On this day in 2012 (in Russia), Star Worms tickled the fancy of audiences accepting of some Comedy with its Science Fiction. According to IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In the year of 2221 Professor Chasharskiy leads an expedition to another planets through tunnel in Earth on the Scarab spaceship which is a modified winter service vehicle."
"In the year of 2221 Professor Chasharskiy leads an expedition to another planets through tunnel in Earth on the Scarab spaceship which is a modified winter service vehicle."
A star is born! On this day in 2018, the Telugu-spoken-language release Antariksham 9000 KMPH enjoyed its U.S. theatrical run. (It also opened on this day in 2018 in Kuwait.) Written (in part) and directed by Sankalp Reddy, the feature starred Varun Tej and Aditi Rao Hydari. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"An Indian satellite Mihira is on a collision course with international space center which could trigger a chain reaction and lead to a global communications blackout. It's up to a team of astronauts from India to prevent this and the movie is about their struggles and how they overcome them. A key role is played by the lead actor Varun Tej who has to come back from a self imposed exile to make this mission possible, while there are a few questions about his real motives."
"An Indian satellite Mihira is on a collision course with international space center which could trigger a chain reaction and lead to a global communications blackout. It's up to a team of astronauts from India to prevent this and the movie is about their struggles and how they overcome them. A key role is played by the lead actor Varun Tej who has to come back from a self imposed exile to make this mission possible, while there are a few questions about his real motives."
On this day in 1963, The Twilight Zone aired "Ninety Years Without Slumbering," a sobering tale featuring an elderly man who believes his life will be over should his grandfather clock stop ticking.
On this day in 1967, Irwin Allen's Lost In Space aired "Castles In Space." This served as the fourteenth episode of the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary that's been provided by IMDB.com:
"Will meets a princess who is escaping two bounty hunters and Will gets kidnapped instead."
"Will meets a princess who is escaping two bounty hunters and Will gets kidnapped instead."
"Elaan of Troyius" -- part of Star Trek's third season -- premiered on this day in 1968. Never one to shy away from a skirt, Capt. Kirk finds himself hypnotically drawn to a princess who possesses a chemical ability to captivate any man she chooses!
On this day in 1995, SeaQuest 2032 aired "Good Soldiers." This served as the ninth episode of the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Bridger returns to retrieve some experimental data from years ago that was done on GELFs. Once the data is retrieved he leaves it up to Dagwoood to decide the information's fate."
"Bridger returns to retrieve some experimental data from years ago that was done on GELFs. Once the data is retrieved he leaves it up to Dagwoood to decide the information's fate."
On this day in 2000, Seven Days aired "Tracker." This served as the eighth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The brother of a Chechnyan terrorist Parker killed on a previous Backstep, vows to stop Parker and the Backstep program."
"The brother of a Chechnyan terrorist Parker killed on a previous Backstep, vows to stop Parker and the Backstep program."
On this day in 2000, Starhunter aired the eighth episode of its first season, an hour titled "Past Lives." According to our friends at Wikipedia.org, here's the plot summary:
"Dante's handler, Rudulfo, assigns the Tulip crew to apprehend an accused murderer wanted by the The Orchard, but the target turns out to be Luc's ex-husband Eric. It is discovered that Eric has been injected with a serum designed to unlock The Divinity Cluster within him, but if unsuccessful, the serum will kill him within 48 hours. Meanwhile, an emotional Luc does what she can to help save him, and Dante puts pressure on Percy to fix a damaged engine in time to get Eric to a medical facility on Hyperion."
"Dante's handler, Rudulfo, assigns the Tulip crew to apprehend an accused murderer wanted by the The Orchard, but the target turns out to be Luc's ex-husband Eric. It is discovered that Eric has been injected with a serum designed to unlock The Divinity Cluster within him, but if unsuccessful, the serum will kill him within 48 hours. Meanwhile, an emotional Luc does what she can to help save him, and Dante puts pressure on Percy to fix a damaged engine in time to get Eric to a medical facility on Hyperion."
According to IMDB.com, it was on this day in 2002 that Fox aired "Serenity," the two-parter originally meant to introduce television audiences to Joss Whedon's Firefly. I certainly have no intent of igniting any flame wars, but I have to honestly admit that I just never "got" all the love for the series. Yes, I've probably seen every episode and the movie; while I thought some of it was clever and a few of the characters were memorable, I just never saw it as the be-all-end-all that the Browncoats did. In fact, I can remember getting banned from more than a few web discussion boards entirely because I said that I didn't think the franchise was really all that special. (Banning folks who disagreed with them was a popular tactic of Browncoats, precisely because they claimed they were acting like Capt. Reynolds would have done.) Whatever.
In case you're interested in my take on the episode that was "Serenity," you can check out my thoughts at this link.
In case you're interested in my take on the episode that was "Serenity," you can check out my thoughts at this link.
It all came down to this: on this day in 2018, NBC's Timeless bowed out of its original broadcast existence with the airing of its two-part finale, "The Miracle Of Christmas." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"With a little help from their future selves, Lucy and Wyatt, along with the rest of the team, journey to the California Gold Rush and the Korean War's Hungnam evacuation in a daring bid to save Rufus and stop Rittenhouse once and for all."
"With a little help from their future selves, Lucy and Wyatt, along with the rest of the team, journey to the California Gold Rush and the Korean War's Hungnam evacuation in a daring bid to save Rufus and stop Rittenhouse once and for all."
Sorry, folks, but I don't "game" ... but I did give a few of the earlier Star Wars properties a try way back when. (I just never had the hand-eye coordination needed to be a Jedi Master.) In any event, on this day in back in 2011, Star Wars: The Old Republic was released to the marketplace. Here's the premise compliments of IMDB.com:
"Set long before the Star Wars films, the Sith Empire returns to the galaxy to begin a war with the Galactic Republic. After some brutal battles, both sides stop fighting each other, but the peace is broken and the Empire and the Republic are soon at war again."
"Set long before the Star Wars films, the Sith Empire returns to the galaxy to begin a war with the Galactic Republic. After some brutal battles, both sides stop fighting each other, but the peace is broken and the Empire and the Republic are soon at war again."
