Director/screenwriter Nicholas Meyer -- born on this day back in 1945 -- has contributed greatly to the legacy of Star Trek. He did plenty of uncredited work on Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan as well as directing the picture; and he worked on the scripts for Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. That's quite a contribution. Plus, he wrote and directed 1979's little gem Time After Time (which I'm happy to talk about any time I get the chance!). Happy Birthday, Nick!
Ahhh, director Michael Curtiz I'll always treasure your career for your part in bringing the landmark Casablanca (1942), but thankfully you experimented outside of the mainstream with a little project called Doctor X (1932) so that I can feature you in this space. Though he's no longer with us, Curtiz was born on this day in 1886. [Source: IMDB.com]
On The Beach (1959) remains one of the great SciFi Cold War chillers, pitting the Australian survivors of a nuclear Apocalypse against the approaching radiation sure to kill everyone. The lovely Ava Gardner (above right) joined Gregory Peck in the important feature, and -- though she's no longer with us -- the talented actress was born on this day in 1922.
Think what you will, but I find Donna Martell quite heavenly, especially with her work aboard Project Moon Base (1953) for Galaxy Pictures, Inc. Martell was born on this day in 1927. [Source: IMDB.com]
Neil Vipond suited up as no less than a Klingon warrior for his visit to the televised world of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Vipond was born on this day in 1929. [Source: Memory Alpha]
Yours truly does get razzed an awful lot of what I like, but that's the trials and tribulations of having an opinion, I've always said. For example, I've always loved For Your Eyes Only (1981) because I saw it more as a back-to-basics approach to the whole James Bond saga, kinda/sorta in the same way the Daniel Craig era did more recently. In any event, actress Jill Bennett played a large part in the film as the skating instructor to an Olympic protege. Though she's no longer with us, Bennett was born on this day in 1931. [Source: IMDB.com]
[NOTE: Sadly, it's been reported that Jill struggled with depression from a difficult marriage and divorce, and she ultimately took her own life. So if you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please share the number for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255. It's never too late to save a life.]
[NOTE: Sadly, it's been reported that Jill struggled with depression from a difficult marriage and divorce, and she ultimately took her own life. So if you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please share the number for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255. It's never too late to save a life.]
Cool cat Robert Ridgely dabbled in both live acting as well as voice work, giving fandom a chance to really fall in love with the guy's obvious gifts. In his four decades in the entertainment business, he made contributions to such projects as Get Smart, Wonderbug, Ark II, Thundarr the Barbarian, Flash Gordon: The Greatest Adventure of All (1982), Flash Gordon (animated), and much, much more. Though he's no longer with us, Ridgely was born on this day in 1931.
German model-turned-actress Christiane Schmidtmer enjoyed a full 4-page pictorial spread in no less than Playboy Magazine itself in 1966. (Calm down, folks: this was back in the day when ladies didn't exactly take it all off for the Hugh Hefner publication, though I suspect there may be a bit of skin to upset the more biblical among us.) Kudos to her for squeezing in work aboard such entities as The Wild Wild West, The Giant Spider Invasion, and Wonder Woman so that I can mention her here. Though she's no longer with us, Schmidtmer was born on this day in 1939. [Source: IMDB.com]
Most folks remember Janet Carroll as playing Tom Cruise's mother from Risky Business, but SciFi fans celebrate her contributions to Knight Rider, The Twilight Zone, Quantum Leap, Timemaster (1995), and The Omega Code (1999). Though she's no longer with us, Carroll was born on this day in 1940.
Sharon Farrell (above right) turned in the role of the fetching Doris in 1984's SciFi-subversive flick, Night of the Comet. Farrell was born on this day in 1940.
Michael Billington was one of the regulars who helped bring to life Gerry and Sylvia Anderson's UFO for television. Though he's no longer with us, Billington was born on this day in 1941.
In the role of Sergeant Benton, John Levene had the opportunity to play in the realm of the BBC's long-running Doctor Who from 1967 through 1975. Levene was born on this day in 1941.
Another familiar face that pops up when you least expect it (and steals the scene) is the gifted Timothy Carhart. Star Trek fans know him for making things tough for Commander Data in The Next Generation episode, "Redemption, Part II." Carhart was born on this day in 1953.
Yes, I know that very few people apparently enjoyed Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), but I personally loved it. Like so many Batman and Superman fans, I've waited years to see the two of them on the silver screen together, so I was able to dismiss some of its flaws because I had so much fun with it. In any event, the talented Julius Tennon (above right) played a role in the film, and Tennon was born on this day in 1953.
Grand Bush (above center) is yet one more of those talented character actors who even makes big things happen in small roles. Fans recognize him from work aboard The Incredible Hulk, Airwolf, Freejack, Demolition Man, and Fox TV's The Visitor. Bush was born on this day in 1955.
Though he's probably remembered more for his appearances in Die Hard and the long-running Walker, Texas Ranger, the great Clarence Gilyard Jr recently turned up in the SciFi-themed The Sector (2016) for Copper Kid Productions. Gilyard Jr was born on this day in 1955.
After making a splash as an actor in his youth, Perry Lang transitioned into the world behind-the-camera, taking the reins as a director for episodes in such franchises as Dark Skies, Millennium, The Twilight Zone, and many other mainstream dramas. Lang was born on this day in 1959.
Ricky Grover has made his presence felt in such SciFi and genre-related properties as Red Dwarf, Being Human, and a little something called The Day They Came To Suck Out Our Brains. Grover was born on this day in 1961.
Wade Williams is a fantastic character actor whose talents end up pitching him in the role of the traditional heavy or a modern bad guy. Most recently, he showed up with a great guest role aboard HBO's Westworld as Captain Norris. Williams was born on this day in 1961.
Mark Valley had a role in Fringe's first season, helping to get the program off-the-ground before moving on to leading man status aboard the action series Human Target. Valley was born on this day in 1964.
Funnyman Diedrich Bader has built an incredible career both as live acting as well as voicework. You can hear his work as part of Monsters Vs. Aliens, Ultimate Spider-Man, and Miles From Tomorrowland to name but a few. Bader was born on this day in 1966.
With roles in such entries as Supernova (2005), The Triangle (miniseries), and the BBC's short-lived Outcasts, Sean Cameron Michael is no stronger to the worlds of SciFi. Michael was born on this day in 1969.
Comics writer and screenwriter Mark Millar has a lot to be smilin' about. He's been given credit for revamping X-Men, Spider-Man, and the Fantastic Four for the modern era of storytelling. Millar was born on this day in 1969.
Director Breck Eisner has definitely flirted with some quality genre work. He's had a hand in bringing to life such properties as The Invisible Man (TV), Taken (TV), and The Expanse. Eisner was born on this day in 1970.
Amaury Nolasco joined the squad of rough'n'tumble U.S. warriors who faced down the first wave of Transformers (2007) in that franchise's big screen debut. Nolasco was born on this day in 1970.
The WB's Roswell was one of those programs that never quite fell on my radar. I watched an episode or two, and I wasn't much intrigued, so I tuned it out. Still, kudos to actor Jeremy Davidson for making a run on the SciFi franchise. Davidson was born on this day in 1971.
Carmen Moore may very well be one of the hardest working sci-fi ladies out there, though you might never recognize her. She's appeared in such programs as Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome as well as small parts in Supernatural, Stargate: SG-1, Seven Days, Andromeda, The 4400, Battlestar Galactica: The Resistance, Smallville, Flash Gordon, Kyle XY, and Caprica. That's quite a run, indeed! Moore was born on this day in 1972.
Stephenie Meyer set hearts, minds, and loins afire with her Teen/Romance Twilight saga, and she's dabbled in the realm of Science Fiction with The Host (2013). Meyer was born on this day in 1973.
The likable Michael Raymond-James paid a visit to the world of Fantasy with a recurring role aboard ABC TV's Once Upon A Time. Raymond-James was born on this day in 1977. [Source: IMDB.com]
Comedian and activist Bethany Black had a role aboard "Sleep No More," Doctor Who's ninth episode of its ninth season. Black was born on this day in 1978.
Australian-born actor Ben Geurens achieved notoreity with his work as 'The Necromancer' aboard Legacies. Geurens was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
Austin Stowell paid a visit to the world of the rebooted incarnation of Amazing Stories for Apple TV. He also played a role aboard the SciFi/Fantasy Colossal (2016) for Universal Pictures. Stowell was born on this day in 1984. [Source: IMDB.com]
She's well into her second decade in the entertainment business, and Satomi Ishihara is already making a big name for herself with appearances aboard the live-action Attack On Titan (2015) and Shin Godzilla (2016). Ishihara was born on this day in 1986.
A dreamy Abigail Klein lit up the silver screen with a small role in Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014). The lovely lady was born on this day in 1988.
London-born actress Millie Brady fought the good fight for her part aboard the Horror/Fantasy cinematic adaptation of the novel Pride And Prejudice And Zombies (2016) for Cross Creek Pictures. Brady was born on this day in 1993. [Source: IMDB.com]
Sigh. I used to listen to Krypton Radio via the web -- I believe it's changed its name presently -- but I gave it up after I one morning heard one of its disc jockeys defending a Walt Disney director who is allegedly a supporter of some very, very, very questionable morality. When I questioned it, I was lectured to about being a bully (???) ... so I tuned the channel out. (What can I say? Call me old-fashioned for having standards.) In any event, Gene Turnbow is the steward who brought the network to life, and for that fans can be grateful. Though I don't know the year, Turnbow was born on this day .
A star is born! On this day in 1916, one of the earliest cinematic treatments of a Jules Verne work was delivered to audiences when 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea premiered. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Captain Nemo has built a fantastic submarine for his mission of revenge. He has traveled over 20,000 leagues in search of Charles Denver - a man who caused the death of Princess Daaker. Seeing what he had done, Denver took the daughter to his yacht and sailed away. He abandoned her and a sailor on a mysterious island and has come back after all these years to see if she is still alive and if the nightmares he has will stop. The daughter has been found by five survivors of a Union Army Balloon that crashed near the island. At sea, Professor Aronnax was aboard the ship 'Abraham Lincoln' when Nemo rammed it and threw the Professor, his daughter and two others into the water. Prisoners at first, they are now treated as guests to view the underwater world and to hunt under the waves. Nemo will also tells them about the Nautilus and the revenge that has driven him for all these years."
"Captain Nemo has built a fantastic submarine for his mission of revenge. He has traveled over 20,000 leagues in search of Charles Denver - a man who caused the death of Princess Daaker. Seeing what he had done, Denver took the daughter to his yacht and sailed away. He abandoned her and a sailor on a mysterious island and has come back after all these years to see if she is still alive and if the nightmares he has will stop. The daughter has been found by five survivors of a Union Army Balloon that crashed near the island. At sea, Professor Aronnax was aboard the ship 'Abraham Lincoln' when Nemo rammed it and threw the Professor, his daughter and two others into the water. Prisoners at first, they are now treated as guests to view the underwater world and to hunt under the waves. Nemo will also tells them about the Nautilus and the revenge that has driven him for all these years."
A star is born! On this day in 1931, the 1931 adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson novel Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde enjoyed its first theatrical engagement ever for the people of Los Angeles, California! Directed by Rouben Mamoulian, the SciFi/Horror starred Fredric March, Miriam Hopkins, and Rose Hobart; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Dr. Jekyll faces horrible consequences when he lets his dark side run wild with a potion that transforms him into the animalistic Mr. Hyde."
For the record:
At the 1931 Faro Island Film Festival, actor Fredric March took home the trophy in the category of 'Best Actor.' At the 1932 Venice Film Festival, March was again recognized by securing the award for 'Most Favorite Actor' and director Mamoulian won the coveted 'Most Original Story (Fantasy)' title. At the 1932 Academy Awards, March earned the 'Best Actor In A Leading Role' Oscar while the film missed out in two other categories: 'Best Cinematography' and 'Best Writing, Adaptation.'
"Dr. Jekyll faces horrible consequences when he lets his dark side run wild with a potion that transforms him into the animalistic Mr. Hyde."
For the record:
At the 1931 Faro Island Film Festival, actor Fredric March took home the trophy in the category of 'Best Actor.' At the 1932 Venice Film Festival, March was again recognized by securing the award for 'Most Favorite Actor' and director Mamoulian won the coveted 'Most Original Story (Fantasy)' title. At the 1932 Academy Awards, March earned the 'Best Actor In A Leading Role' Oscar while the film missed out in two other categories: 'Best Cinematography' and 'Best Writing, Adaptation.'
A star is born! On this day in 1981 (in Australia), Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior took back to the roads of the Apocalypse. Written (in part) and directed by George Miller, the SciFi/Thriller starred Mel Gibson, Virginia Hey, and Bruce Spence; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In the post-apocalyptic Australian wasteland, a cynical drifter agrees to help a small, gasoline-rich community escape a horde of bandits."
For the record:
As it should have, Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior received solid praise during its original theatrical run. It garnered a wealth of praise from the Australian Film Institute, taking home trophies in the categories of 'Best Achievement In Editing,' 'Best Achievement In Costume Design,' 'Best Achievement In Production Design,' 'Best Achievement In Sound,' and 'Best Direction.' At the 1983 Saturn Awards, the film missed out winning the top honors in the categories of 'Best Costumes,' 'Best Writing,' 'Best Supporting Actor,' 'Best Actor,' and 'Best Director' but did take home the trophy in the 'Best International Film' category. Lastly, The Road Warrior earned a nomination for 'Best Dramatic Presentation' from the 1983 Hugo Awards.
"In the post-apocalyptic Australian wasteland, a cynical drifter agrees to help a small, gasoline-rich community escape a horde of bandits."
For the record:
As it should have, Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior received solid praise during its original theatrical run. It garnered a wealth of praise from the Australian Film Institute, taking home trophies in the categories of 'Best Achievement In Editing,' 'Best Achievement In Costume Design,' 'Best Achievement In Production Design,' 'Best Achievement In Sound,' and 'Best Direction.' At the 1983 Saturn Awards, the film missed out winning the top honors in the categories of 'Best Costumes,' 'Best Writing,' 'Best Supporting Actor,' 'Best Actor,' and 'Best Director' but did take home the trophy in the 'Best International Film' category. Lastly, The Road Warrior earned a nomination for 'Best Dramatic Presentation' from the 1983 Hugo Awards.
On this day in 1982 (in Italy), TRON propelled audiences into the future with a trip inside the digital world. Written (in part) and directed by Steven Lisberger, the SciFi film starred Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, and Cindy Morgan; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A computer hacker is abducted into the digital world and forced to participate in gladiatorial games where his only chance of escape is with the help of a heroic security program."
"A computer hacker is abducted into the digital world and forced to participate in gladiatorial games where his only chance of escape is with the help of a heroic security program."
On this day in 1986 (in South Korea), Aliens enjoyed its theatrical release. Directed by James Cameron, the SciFi/Thriller starred Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, and Lance Henriksen; and 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."
"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."
On this day in 1987 (in Peru), Innerspace took audiences on a wild ride inside the human body! 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."
On this day in 1998 (in Italy), Bride Of The Monster enjoyed its debut on home video. One of the many zany products emerging from the imagination of Ed Wood, the SciFi/Horror starred Bela Lugosi and Tor Johnson, and here's the premise from IMDB.com:
"Rumours abound about what may go on at a creepy mansion just out of town. The house is owned by Dr. Eric Vornoff who is conducting experiments to turn people into super-beings through the use of atomic power. Reporter Janet Lawton decides to look into what is going there and its possible connection to men that have disappeared in the area. When Vornoff takes her prisoner, he has definite plans for her."
"Rumours abound about what may go on at a creepy mansion just out of town. The house is owned by Dr. Eric Vornoff who is conducting experiments to turn people into super-beings through the use of atomic power. Reporter Janet Lawton decides to look into what is going there and its possible connection to men that have disappeared in the area. When Vornoff takes her prisoner, he has definite plans for her."
On this day in 2005, the BBC aired an adaptation of the Fantasy-themed The Snow Queen. The feature starred Pax Baldwin and Sydney White, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Gerda sets out on a magical journey to find her best friend, Kay who has been taken by the Snow Queen."
"Gerda sets out on a magical journey to find her best friend, Kay who has been taken by the Snow Queen."
On this day in 1955, Captain Midnight aired "The Jungle Pit." Officially, this served as the ninth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV Time:
"Captain Midnight and Ikky help a young Japanese boy find his missing father: a soldier hiding on a Pacific Island who is still convinced that World War II has not ended."
"Captain Midnight and Ikky help a young Japanese boy find his missing father: a soldier hiding on a Pacific Island who is still convinced that World War II has not ended."
On this day in 1955, Science Fiction Theatre aired "Project 44." Officially, this served as the thirty-fifth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A break through in rocket design "Project 44" means a team of 8 astronauts are to be selected to go on a mission to Mars. Those planning the project have to deal with the emotional stress of such a voyage along with the obvious physical needs."
"A break through in rocket design "Project 44" means a team of 8 astronauts are to be selected to go on a mission to Mars. Those planning the project have to deal with the emotional stress of such a voyage along with the obvious physical needs."
On this day in 1966 (in the United Kingdom), Doctor Who aired "The Highlanders: Part 02." Officially, this served as the sixteenth episode in the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Polly and Kirsty capture Lieutenant Ffinch to try and enlist his help while the Doctor tricks Gray in order to escape."
"Polly and Kirsty capture Lieutenant Ffinch to try and enlist his help while the Doctor tricks Gray in order to escape."
On this day in 1984 (in the United Kingdom), Terrahawks aired "A Christmas Miracle." Officially, this served as the seventh episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"It's Christmas Eve, but neither Ninestein or Zelda have time for festivities. Both are busy planning their strategies for their battle on the moon. On Christmas Day, their battle begins in earnest."
"It's Christmas Eve, but neither Ninestein or Zelda have time for festivities. Both are busy planning their strategies for their battle on the moon. On Christmas Day, their battle begins in earnest."
On this day in 2006 (in the United Kingdom), Torchwood aired "Combat." Officially, this served as the eleventh episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The team discovers a ring who are kidnapping Weevils - wild alien creatures that have come through the Rift and are hiding on Earth - which leads Owen down a dark path to confront the future of his own existence."
"The team discovers a ring who are kidnapping Weevils - wild alien creatures that have come through the Rift and are hiding on Earth - which leads Owen down a dark path to confront the future of his own existence."
On this day in 2012, TRON:Uprising aired "Tagged." Officially, this served as the fourteenth episode in the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Renegade recruits three fearless and talented pranksters."
"The Renegade recruits three fearless and talented pranksters."
