I realize that an awful lot of Star Wars fans were disappointed with the Prequel Trilogy, but my take on that is that each movie had something of merit -- however small or fleeting.
Actor Temuera Morrison was really one of the best things to come out of Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. In Clones, he was given the singular job of playing Jango Fett -- the father to a young Boba Fett -- and the genetic inspiration for an entire legion of clone troopers. In SITH, he can back in the guise of Commander Cody, the Republic-era kinda/sorta comrade-at-arms for Jedi Master Obi-wan Kenobi. Those are no insignificant contributions at all, and Morrison played both with deft conviction.
Morrison was born on this day in 1960.
Actor Temuera Morrison was really one of the best things to come out of Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. In Clones, he was given the singular job of playing Jango Fett -- the father to a young Boba Fett -- and the genetic inspiration for an entire legion of clone troopers. In SITH, he can back in the guise of Commander Cody, the Republic-era kinda/sorta comrade-at-arms for Jedi Master Obi-wan Kenobi. Those are no insignificant contributions at all, and Morrison played both with deft conviction.
Morrison was born on this day in 1960.
When the evidence appears as if the starship captain was negligent in the death of a crewman, Star Trek's Capt. James T. Kirk hires legal beagle Samuel T. Cogsley (played by Elisha Cook Jr.) to defend him in against the "Court Martial." Though he's no longer with us, Cook Jr. was born on this day in 1903.
Veteran character actor Bernard Kates brought to life legendary analyst Sigmund Freud in the Star Trek: The Next Generation seventh season episode, "Phantasms." Though he's no longer with us, Kates was born on this day in 1922.
Actor and stuntman Chuck Hicks has had a pretty amazing ride in the world of entertainment. Granted, he may not have had many lines, but he was nonetheless afforded to play in the realms of The Twilight Zone, The Time Tunnel, Batman, The Six Million Dollar Man, Wonder Woman, The Beastmaster, The Powers of Matthew Star, Voyagers!, Manimal, Airwolf, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and The Flash (CBS). Hicks was born on this day in 1927.
Kathleen Crowley found herself on-the-run while being chased by invading killer robots in Target Earth (1954). Crowley was born on this day in 1929.
Actor Donald Moffat played the android 'Rem' in the short-lived TV series adaptation of Logan's Run. A few years later -- in 1982 -- he had a role in the John Carpenter classic, The Thing. Moffat was born on this day in 1930.
The late 1970's and early 1980's delivered a host of mutation movies to theatres, and one of the more popular ones was Prophecy (1979). In it, Victoria Racimo played one of the residents terrorized by a mutated bear. Racimo was born on this day in 1950.
Steve Bisley (above right) joined Mel Gibson in trying to maintain law and order in a lawless world aboard Mad Max (1979), the film that launched a franchise. Bisley was born on this day in 1951.
Actress Tahnee Welch is a dream to look at, and that's probably because she comes from good genes: she's the daughter of legendary screen siren Raquel Welch! Tahnee had a small but pretty significant role in the Cocoon pictures in the mid-80's, but, otherwise, she's had a fairly quiet career. She was born on this day in 1961.
Early in his career, John Lynch (above right) made an appearance as Shades in Hardware (1990), one of the more bizarre SciFi/Satires of its generation. Lynch was born on this day in 1961.
Honestly, Tricia Leigh Fisher has only dabbled in the realm of Science Fiction witih appearances in C.H.U.D. II - Bud the Chud (1989) and No Ordinary Family. Fisher was born on this day in 1968.
In all honesty, Cleopatra 2525 remains one of the greatest SciFi/Camp odysseys of (perhaps) all time, and I encourage anyone who can find it to check out a few episodes. The lovely Danielle Cormack had a recurring part of the show, and -- for that -- I'm forever thankful. Cormack was born on this day in 1970.
You want a genre performer? Then look no further than Graham Shiels. He's been a part of The X-Files, Charmed, True Blood, Hydra (2009), The Event, Alcatraz, Thor: The Dark World (2013), Arrow, Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), The 100, and Olympus. Shiels was born on this day in 1970.
Critical darling Jared Leto delivered a curious performance as the kinda/sorta source of evil behind Blade Runner 2049. Fans might also know him from work aboard Mr. Nobody (2009), Suicide Squad (2016), and Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021). Leto was born on this day in 1971. [Source: IMDB.com]
As I've often said, Science Fiction comes in all shapes and sizes. Today's evidence: Tiffany Brissette played Vicki the Robot in the family friendly TV sitcom, Small Wonder. Brissette was born on this day in 1974.
When he was but an urchin, Joshua John Miller saw what school could really be like in the SciFi/Horror hybrid, Class of 1999 (ironically made in 1990). Miller was born on this day in 1974.
Young Hunter Carson found himself in awe of some unEarthly visitors in Invaders From Mars (1986), a remake of the 1953 original. Carson was born on this day in 1975.
Another day ... another Power Ranger! Nikolai Nikolaeff played Dominic Hargan -- aka the White Rhino Ranger -- aboard TV's Power Rangers Jungle Fury. He's also gone on to work on Marvel's Daredevil (Netflix). Nikolaeff was born on this day in 1981.
The lovely Roxanne Pallett continues to turn in good work in some passable B-projects, including such properties as Lake Placid 3 (2010), Wrong Turn 6: Last Resort (2014), and Crystal Skulls (2014). Pallett was born on this day in 1982.
Jenny Shakeshaft (aka Jennifer Sipes) has built a career out of smaller roles in some relatively obscure pictures. She may have caught the eye of SciFi fans with an appearance in Earthling (2010). Shakeshaft was born on this day in 1984.
Kit Harrington cemented his place in genre history with his work in the role of 'Jon Snow' aboard HBO's adaptation of George RR Martin's Fantasy epic Game Of Thrones. Harrington was born on this day in 1986. [Source: IMDB.com]
Proving she's more than a pretty face, Eden Sher lent her pipes to the character of 'Star' aboard Star Vs. The Forces Of Evil for the program's run. Sher was born on this day in 1991. [Source: IMDB.com]
2011's Super 8 was a film I just didn't much care for, but I did love its talented cast, including Zach Mills. Mills was born on this day in 1995.
A star is born! On this day in 1932 (in Scranton, Pennsylvania), audiences were treated to the very first theatrical engagement ever (of record) for Island Of Lost Souls. Waldemar Young and Philip Wylie adapted the H.G. Wells novel ('The Island Of Dr. Moreau), and Erle C. Kenton directed. The Horror/Fantasy starred Charles Laughton, Bela Lugosi, and Richard Arlen. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After his ship goes down, Edward Parker is rescued at sea. Parker gets into a fight with Captain Davies of the Apia and the Captain tosses him overboard while making a delivery to the tiny tropical island of Dr. Moreau. Parker discovers that Moreau has good reason to be so secretive on his lonely island. The doctor is a whip-cracking task master to a growing population of his own gruesome human/animal experiments. He does have one prize result, Lota the beautiful panther woman. Parker's fortunes for escape look up after his fiancée Ruth finds him with the help of fearless Captain Donohue. However, when Moreau's tribe of near-humans rises up to rebel, no one is safe..."
"After his ship goes down, Edward Parker is rescued at sea. Parker gets into a fight with Captain Davies of the Apia and the Captain tosses him overboard while making a delivery to the tiny tropical island of Dr. Moreau. Parker discovers that Moreau has good reason to be so secretive on his lonely island. The doctor is a whip-cracking task master to a growing population of his own gruesome human/animal experiments. He does have one prize result, Lota the beautiful panther woman. Parker's fortunes for escape look up after his fiancée Ruth finds him with the help of fearless Captain Donohue. However, when Moreau's tribe of near-humans rises up to rebel, no one is safe..."
On this day in 1952 (in Australia), Unknown World sent audiences on a trip inside our planet. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Scientists use a gigantic drilling machine for an expedition to the center of the earth."
"Scientists use a gigantic drilling machine for an expedition to the center of the earth."
A star is born! On this day in 1959 (in Japan), Battle In Outer Space enjoyed its original theatrical premiere. Directed by Inoshiro Honda, the SciFi feature starred Ryô Ikebe and Kyôko Anzai, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Munchkin-like aliens invade Earth full force with their flying saucers and laser weapons, rendering cities helpless. All eyes turn to the most powerful nations on Earth as they unite to concoct a plan to vanquish the aliens and return Earth to the hands of humans, thus, resulting in the most fierce and ultimate battle royale in outer space the galaxy as ever seen."
"Munchkin-like aliens invade Earth full force with their flying saucers and laser weapons, rendering cities helpless. All eyes turn to the most powerful nations on Earth as they unite to concoct a plan to vanquish the aliens and return Earth to the hands of humans, thus, resulting in the most fierce and ultimate battle royale in outer space the galaxy as ever seen."
On this day in 1962 (in Turkey), the Apocalypse-themed Panic In Year Zero enjoyed a theatrical release. Directed by and starring the great Ray Milland, here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A family leaves L.A. for a camping trip - just before a nuclear bomb destroys the city. As the city descends into chaos, the father must fight to keep his family alive."
"A family leaves L.A. for a camping trip - just before a nuclear bomb destroys the city. As the city descends into chaos, the father must fight to keep his family alive."
On this day in 1977 (in Denmark and Norway), audiences were treated to the theatrical release of Star Wars. Written and directed by George Lucas, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher, and here's the plot summary as provided by the reliable IMDB.com:
"Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader."
"Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader."
On this day in 1978 (in the Philippines), the theatrical edition of the original Battlestar Galactica sailed onto the silver screen. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After the destruction of the Twelve Colonies of Mankind, the last major fighter carrier leads a makeshift fugitive fleet in a desperate search for the legendary planet Earth."
"After the destruction of the Twelve Colonies of Mankind, the last major fighter carrier leads a makeshift fugitive fleet in a desperate search for the legendary planet Earth."
A star is born! On this day in 1978, Terror Out Of The Sky came down out of the blue and landed on American television sets. This SciFi/Horror telefilm was directed by Lee H. Katzin and starred Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Dan Haggerty, and Tovah Feldshuh. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"This TV sequel to "The Savage Bees" features more rampaging insects. This time a marching band and a school bus get in the path of the bees."
"This TV sequel to "The Savage Bees" features more rampaging insects. This time a marching band and a school bus get in the path of the bees."
On this day in 1980 (in Australian), Roger Corman's Battle Beyond The Stars enjoyed its theatrical release. With a screenplay from John Sayles, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Richard Thomas and Robert Vaughn, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A young farmer sets out to recruit mercenaries to defend his peaceful planet, which is under threat of invasion by the evil tyrant Sador and his armada of aggressors."
"A young farmer sets out to recruit mercenaries to defend his peaceful planet, which is under threat of invasion by the evil tyrant Sador and his armada of aggressors."
On this day in 1980 (in Australia), Contamination brought an alien menace down to Earth. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A former astronaut helps a government agent and a police detective track the source of mysterious alien pod spores, filled with lethal flesh-dissolving acid, to a South American coffee plantation controlled by alien pod clones."
"A former astronaut helps a government agent and a police detective track the source of mysterious alien pod spores, filled with lethal flesh-dissolving acid, to a South American coffee plantation controlled by alien pod clones."
On this day in 1981 (in Norway), Escape From New York turns the Big Apple into the world's biggest prison. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In 1997, when the U.S. president crashes into Manhattan, now a giant maximum security prison, a convicted bank robber is sent in to rescue him."
"In 1997, when the U.S. president crashes into Manhattan, now a giant maximum security prison, a convicted bank robber is sent in to rescue him."
On this day in 1985 (in Argentina), Back To The Future went 88 miles per hours onto the silver screen! According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent thirty years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the eccentric scientist Doc Brown."
"Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent thirty years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the eccentric scientist Doc Brown."
On this day in 1987 (in Denmark), the Mel Brooks' SciFi/Spoof Spaceballs enjoyed a theatrical release. The film starred Bill Pullman, John Candy, and Daphne Zuniga, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A rogue star pilot and his trusty sidekick must come to the rescue of a Princess and save the galaxy from a ruthless race of beings known as Spaceballs."
"A rogue star pilot and his trusty sidekick must come to the rescue of a Princess and save the galaxy from a ruthless race of beings known as Spaceballs."
On this day in 1988 (in Australia), My Stepmother Is An Alien opened in theatres. The SciFi/Comedy starred Dan Aykroyd and Kim Basinger, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An alien is sent on a secret mission to Earth, where she appears as a gorgeous, attractive, and single lady. Her mission is to make contact with a rather nerdy young scientist, who's quite overwhelmed by her attentions, and isn't aware of the connection between her arrival and his work."
"An alien is sent on a secret mission to Earth, where she appears as a gorgeous, attractive, and single lady. Her mission is to make contact with a rather nerdy young scientist, who's quite overwhelmed by her attentions, and isn't aware of the connection between her arrival and his work."
On this day in 1989 (in Denmark), Back To The Future II sent Marty McFly through his own 'rerun' of sorts. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After visiting 2015, Marty McFly must repeat his visit to 1955 to prevent disastrous changes to 1985...without interfering with his first trip."
"After visiting 2015, Marty McFly must repeat his visit to 1955 to prevent disastrous changes to 1985...without interfering with his first trip."
A star is born! On this day in 1992 (in Japan), Nemesis enjoyed its very first theatrical engagement ever! Scripted by Rebecca Charles and directed by genre-favorite Albert Pyun, the SciFi/Thriller starred Olivier Gruner, Tim Thomerson, and Cary Hiroyuki-Tagawa; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Alex, a burned out LA cyborg cop, is forced by commissioner Farnsworth to find his former cyborg partner and lover Jared who's about to deliver sensitive data to cyborg terrorists who wish to wage war against humans. Is he being played?"
"Alex, a burned out LA cyborg cop, is forced by commissioner Farnsworth to find his former cyborg partner and lover Jared who's about to deliver sensitive data to cyborg terrorists who wish to wage war against humans. Is he being played?"
On this day in 1994 (in Norway), Timecop threw itself across time and space to land in theatres. Directed by Peter Hyams, the SciFi flick starred Jean-Claude Van Damme and Mia Sara, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Max Walker, an officer for a security agency that regulates time travel, must fend for his life against a shady politician who's intent on changing the past to control the future."
"Max Walker, an officer for a security agency that regulates time travel, must fend for his life against a shady politician who's intent on changing the past to control the future."
On this day in 1997 (in Cameroon and Iceland), Paul Verhoeven's Starship Troopers took the fight to some evil alien bugs. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Humans in a fascist, militaristic future wage war with giant alien bugs."
"Humans in a fascist, militaristic future wage war with giant alien bugs."
On this day in 2011 (in France), the 1958-produced The Brain Eaters enjoyed a release on home video. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The inhabitants of a small Illinois town begin disappearing after a strange cone is found sticking out of the ground nearby."
"The inhabitants of a small Illinois town begin disappearing after a strange cone is found sticking out of the ground nearby."
On this day in 2017, the 1973-produced SciFi/Horror film The Crazies was screened for audiences of the University Cinema of Uruguay, a cultural heritage center. Directed by and written (in part) by the late George A. Romero, the feature starred Lane Carroll and Will MacMillan, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The military attempts to contain a manmade combat virus that causes death and permanent insanity in those infected, as it overtakes a small Pennsylvania town."
"The military attempts to contain a manmade combat virus that causes death and permanent insanity in those infected, as it overtakes a small Pennsylvania town."
On this day in 1952, Adventures of Superman aired "Double Trouble." This served as the fifteenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A man aboard a ship to Metropolis is smuggling something valuable into the country, but when one of his partner's henchmen shows up to help him get the item through customs, the passenger kills the other man. The passenger then dresses up as a woman, and, in an attempt to give his partner the slip, he gives Jimmy, who is at the dock to interview an actress, an empty box and tells him to give it to the men who are waiting or him. When Jimmy is kidnapped by the men, Superman must save him--but in order to do that, he first must figure out why he was kidnapped, solve the murder, track down the passenger, find out what is being smuggled, and find the passenger's partner."
"A man aboard a ship to Metropolis is smuggling something valuable into the country, but when one of his partner's henchmen shows up to help him get the item through customs, the passenger kills the other man. The passenger then dresses up as a woman, and, in an attempt to give his partner the slip, he gives Jimmy, who is at the dock to interview an actress, an empty box and tells him to give it to the men who are waiting or him. When Jimmy is kidnapped by the men, Superman must save him--but in order to do that, he first must figure out why he was kidnapped, solve the murder, track down the passenger, find out what is being smuggled, and find the passenger's partner."
On this day in 1952, Tales Of Tomorrow aired "The Bitter Storm." This served as the nineteenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary that's been provided by IMDB.com:
"An embittered scientist secretly invents a receiver which picks up sounds from anytime in the past. As a savage hurricane closes in on the island where he lives, his family press him to demonstrate the instrument, and overcome the hatred which paralyzes him into staying in isolation on the otherwise-abandoned island."
"An embittered scientist secretly invents a receiver which picks up sounds from anytime in the past. As a savage hurricane closes in on the island where he lives, his family press him to demonstrate the instrument, and overcome the hatred which paralyzes him into staying in isolation on the otherwise-abandoned island."
On this day in 1964, Doctor Who aired "Flashpoint." This served as the ninth episode of the popular program's second season, and here's the plot summary compliments of our friends at IMDB.com:
"The Daleks' plan to transform Earth into a giant spaceship and wipe out its inhabitants is nearing completion and the Doctor and his friends face a race against time to prevent them from destroying the planet's core."
"The Daleks' plan to transform Earth into a giant spaceship and wipe out its inhabitants is nearing completion and the Doctor and his friends face a race against time to prevent them from destroying the planet's core."
On this day in 1965, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea aired "Terror on Dinosaur Island." This served as the fourteenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Admiral Nelson and Chief Starkey are marooned on an island with prehistoric creatures. The Seaview is trying to rescue them but they have an undersea monster of their own to contend with."
"Admiral Nelson and Chief Starkey are marooned on an island with prehistoric creatures. The Seaview is trying to rescue them but they have an undersea monster of their own to contend with."
On this day in 1988, TV's War of the Worlds aired "The Good Samaritan." This served as the ninth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as revealed on IMDB.com:
"Suzanne does some unauthorized research on a new kind of grain that will grow in any climate. The billionaire who invented wants to sell it to the world. Thinking poorer countries will be given money by richer countries. But the aliens have their own plans for the grain, after placing a new deadly poison in the grain, they take over the body of the billionaire who suddenly offers it free to the world."
"Suzanne does some unauthorized research on a new kind of grain that will grow in any climate. The billionaire who invented wants to sell it to the world. Thinking poorer countries will be given money by richer countries. But the aliens have their own plans for the grain, after placing a new deadly poison in the grain, they take over the body of the billionaire who suddenly offers it free to the world."
On this day in 2017 (in the U.S. and Canada), Space Riders: Division Earth aired "The Forest For Rest." Officially, this served as the seventh episode in the program's second (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Ken, Philip and Scarlet re-group in a cabin from Scarlet's troubled past where they're holding Ooze and Moon Monster prisoner. Deb 3 meets them to deliver horrific news from the Galactic Ministry."
"Ken, Philip and Scarlet re-group in a cabin from Scarlet's troubled past where they're holding Ooze and Moon Monster prisoner. Deb 3 meets them to deliver horrific news from the Galactic Ministry."
On this day in 2017 (in the U.S. and Canada), Space Riders: Division Earth aired "They're Here." Officially, this served as the eighth episode in the program's second (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Tensions rise between Ken and Philip, who may not be true partners after all."
"Tensions rise between Ken and Philip, who may not be true partners after all."
On this day in 2017 (in the U.S. and Canada), Space Riders: Division Earth aired "The Return Of Snakor." Officially, this served as the ninth episode in the program's second (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"With The Vicious Mist's horde about to descend on the cabin, Scarlet rips out her Emotional Regulator Chip and thirsts for blood. Ooze escapes and makes a devastating gadget with Moony, and Ken and Philip's feud reaches a fever pitch."
"With The Vicious Mist's horde about to descend on the cabin, Scarlet rips out her Emotional Regulator Chip and thirsts for blood. Ooze escapes and makes a devastating gadget with Moony, and Ken and Philip's feud reaches a fever pitch."
It all came down to this: on this day in 2017 (in the U.S. and Canada), Space Riders: Division Earth aired "The Double Zoid." Officially, this served as the tenth episode in the program's second (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Scarlet finally confronts Snakor, the murderer of her partner, while Ooze and The Vicious Myst face-off, and the only way to stop the incoming horde requires Ken and Philip to reconcile and learn the Double-Zoid."
"Scarlet finally confronts Snakor, the murderer of her partner, while Ooze and The Vicious Myst face-off, and the only way to stop the incoming horde requires Ken and Philip to reconcile and learn the Double-Zoid."
It all came down to this: on this day in 1954, the very last episode of The Shadow radio serial aired. This was the program's 665th installment -- an astonishing feat in and of itself -- and here's the plot summary for "Murder By The Sea":
"Cranston and Margot Lane, returning from a car trip, take a wrong turn and become lost. They take refuge in Dunmor Manor and stumble upon an inner-family murder -- or is it the work of a witch?"
"Cranston and Margot Lane, returning from a car trip, take a wrong turn and become lost. They take refuge in Dunmor Manor and stumble upon an inner-family murder -- or is it the work of a witch?"
