Famed thinker Johannes Kepler lived at a time when there wasn't as much difference between astrology and astronomy so some may dismiss some of his ideas of fantastical (I'd argue it's the foundation of good Science Fiction!), but the scientist is revered for delineating the laws of planetary motion. His theories meant that Earth and the planets moved around the sun instead of having our big blue marble as the center of the universe, a bit of a controversial notion at the time. But, as a thinker, he also wrote a little something something called Somnium, a novel which many regard as one of the earliest examples of Science Fiction. In it, a mother and her son learn from a demon about a society of demons on the moon who are oppressed by the sun itself. Though he's no longer with us, Kepler was born on this day in 1571. [Source: Wikipedia.org]
The late Thea von Harbou penned the novel Metropolis based upon her uncredited screenplay for husband/director Fritz Lang. She also collaborated with the film legend on other projects. Though she's no longer with us, von Harbou was born on this day in 1888. [Source: IMDB.com]
The fetching Jean Hale does have a few genre credentials worth mentioning. First, she enjoyed a guest visit to the world of TV's popular My Favorite Martian. Second, she dipped her delicate toes into the world of 60's camp with two visits to Batman. Lastly, she turned up in the popular men's Fantasy/Adventure film In Like Flint (1967). Hale was born on this day in 1938. [Source: IMDB.com]
A fantastic character actor with over 100 different roles to his name, John Amos was a regular as part of the short-lived Future Cop back in the 1970's. Amos was born on this day in 1939. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though she's possibly better remembered for her work in Horror, the lovely Lisa Schrage did give SciFi/Fantasy a whirl aboard the 1980's incarnation of The Twilight Zone and a big role aboard Gnaw: Food Of The Gods 2 (1989). Schrage was born on this day in 1956. [Source: IMDB.com]
The venerable Greg Lawson played Sheriff Elmore Leonard (above right) in 2014's lukewarm SciFi thriller, Mutant World. More recently, he's turned up in semi-regular fashion aboard Syfy's Wynnona Earp. Lawson was born on this day in 1957. [Source: IMDB.com]
Whew! Some days, my job documenting the highs and lows of SciFi ain't easy. You wanna see what I mean? Well, Google pictures of 80's scream queen Barbara Crampton! Initially, I was trying to find a great still of her from Re-Animator, but all I could find were entirely inappropriate for our family-friendly forum! Anyway, Ms. Crampton built a solid career on her assets (pun intended), appearing in such films as the aforementioned Re-Animator, From Beyond, and a little something called Robot Wars. She was born on this day in 1958. [Source: IMDB.com]
Back in 1982, Maryam d'Abo graced SciFi with her presence with an appearance in the cheesy flick XTro. (For those keeping score, that was her theatrical debut.) In 1988, she did so again, taking a role in Something Is Out There TV series. She's also had stints in Space Precinct and something called Timelock. D'Abo was born on this day in 1960. [Source: IMDB.com]
In the guise of 'Deputy Andy Brennan,' the great and unpredictable Harry Goaz traffics in the realm of David Lynch and Mark Frost's dark Fantasy, Twin Peaks. He's also dabbled in the vicinity of Eerie, Indiana for good measure. Goaz was born on this day in 1960. [Source: IMDB.com]
In the role of Juanita Jordan, Theresa Randle waited patiently for her husband Michael to save the universe with his high-flying basketball skills aboard the Warner Bros.'s SciFi/Family classic, Space Jam (1996). Randle was born on this day in 1964. [Source: IMDB.com]
When Supergirl switched from CBS over to The CW for the program's second season, Ian Gomez joined the show in the role of Snapper Carr, crack editor for Cat Grant's publications. Gomez was born on this day in 1964. [Source: IMDB.com]
Oh, how far you've come! The lovely Eva LaRue got one of her big breaks in the realm of Fantasy with the role of 'Ismene' aboard the somewhat cheesy epic The Barbarians (1987) for Cannon Films. LaRue was born on this day in 1966. [Source: IMDB.com]
Professional wrestlers have long been afforded the opportunity to suit up for some genre projects, and even Chyna did so to headline the SciFi telefilm, Alien Fury: Countdown to Invasion (2000). She took up arms against the invading menace once again in 2003 with a role board Alien Tracker. And while others might find mentioning it a bit dubious on my part, the female athlete painted herself green in order to take on the role of the SheHulk aboard a few Axel Braun parodies. (You kids are old enough to Google that one for yourselves.) Though she's no longer with us, Chyna was born on this day in 1969. [Source: IMDB.com]
The incomparable Sarah Vowell uses her pipes to help bring 'Violet Parr' to vocal life aboard Walt Disney's terrific Superhero/Fantasy The Incredibles. Vowell was born on this day in 1969. [Source: IMDB.com]
A few years after his debut theatrical performance in 1985's Silverado, Thomas Wilson Brown broke through again as one of the ensemble of children with a 'size problem' in 1989's Honey, I Shrunk The Kids. Brown was born on this day in 1972. [Source: IMDB.com]
When Supernova (2000) brought its threat to the 22nd century, it also brought Wilson Cruz in the role of 'Benj Sotomejor' as a member of the crew. More recently, the actor has turned up as a series regular aboard CBS's controversial Star Trek: Discovery. Cruz was born on this day in 1973. [Source: IMDB.com]
For the Heroes franchise, Masi Oka plays Hiro Nakamura, the time-hopping semi-samurai with a penchant for showing up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Oka was born on this day in 1974. [Source: IMDB.com]
In Syfy's TV adaptation of 12 Monkeys, Aaron Stanford plays time traveler James Cole, the man tasked with hopping dangerously through time trying to prevent to collapse of civilization. Stanford was born on this day in 1976. [Source: IMDB.com]
Ah, it ain't easy being green! Somewhere under all that prosthetic makeup and coloring is actress Sinead Keenan: she played the singular Addams in the stellar BBC Doctor Who two-parter, The End of Time, during David Tennant's run. Keenan was born on this day in 1977. [Source: IMDB.com]
Lovely Lisa Jakub exploded onto the SciFi scene with a wonderful smaller role in 1996's epic Independence Day, and then she lit the indie scene on fire a few years later in the wonderful short flick every Star Wars fan should see, George Lucas in Love. Jakub was born on this day in 1978. [Source: IMDB.com]
Swedish-born actress Frida Farrell showed up toting iron for her work aboard the SciFi feature Chrome Angels (2009). Farrell was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
Always a joy to watch, Elizabeth Rodriguez is probably best known for her work as the feisty and conniving Aleida Diaz aboard Netflix's Orange Is The New Black, but she's also put in appearances aboard FlashForward, Fear The Walking Dead, and NBC's Grimm. Rodriguez was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
I'm telling you, she has the face of a pixie! The lovely Emilie de Ravin roared onto the scene as one member of the plane crash survivors from ABC TV's super-popular Lost ... and, sadly, she really hasn't done much since. Not that she needs to, but fans would probably love to see her try something else, especially after Lost's letdown ending. Emilie was born on this day in 1981. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though her resume appears to be largely more mainstream dramas, the dreamy Sitara Hewitt enjoyed a guest visit to the world of Lost Girl in 2011. Hewitt was born on this day in 1981. [Source: IMDB.com]
2016's Shortwave gave actor Jay Ellis the chance to play inside the realm of Science Fiction; the SciFi/Thriller has proven quite popular on the awards' circuit. Ellis was born on this day in 1981. [Source: IMDB.com]
Like so many, I continue to be dumbfounded by all of the praise for HBO's adaptation of Michael Crichton's Westworld. To me, it remains largely incoherent with a mess of storylines jumbled together seemingly meant to lead audiences to a relatable conclusion. Who knows where it's going? Perhaps Halley Wegryn Gross, as she's served as one of the writers on the program. Gross was born on this day in 1985. [Source: IMDB.com]
Jessica Harmon joined The CW's The 100 in a recurring guest spot through the show's third season. The actress has also booked visits aboard The Outer Limits, Hollow Man II (2006), Battlestar Galactica: The Face of the Enemy (miniseries), Kyle XY, Arrow, Supernatural, and iZombie. Harmon was born on this day in 1985. [Source: IMDB.com]
The luminous (pun intended!) Lily Cole played the role of the Siren aboard Doctor Who's "The Curse of the Black Spot" in 2011 on the popular BBC program. Cole was born on this day in 1987. [Source: IMDB.com]
Not even the exotic beauty of international sensation Hera Hilmar was enough to elevate Peter Jackson's lukewarm adaptation of Mortal Engines (2018) at the box office. Hilmar was born on this day in 1988. [Source: IMDB.com]
The delicious Brittany Anne Pirtle lit up the small screen in her bid to keep the world safe from evil aboard a small handful of Power Rangers' entities. Pirtle was born on this day in 1989. [Source: IMDB.com]
Olivia Cooke seemingly burst onto the scene with a breakout performance on A&E's Bates Motel, but SciFi fans might recognize her better from 2014's The Signal. Cooke was born on this day in 1993. [Source: IMDB.com]
Oh, what a talent! And at such a young age to have already acted in two of SciFi's biggest franchises! In 2010, Laurence Belcher appearead alongside no less than Matt Smith in the delightful "A Christmas Carol" episode of Doctor Who; and then in 2011 he appeared on the big screen as the youngest incarnation of Charles Xavier in X-Men: First Class. Belcher was born on this day in 1995. [Source: IMDB.com]
Young Timothée Chalamet leapt into the world of Science Fiction with a small role aboard Christopher Nolan's Interstellar (2014) for Paramount Pictures. Chalamet was born on this day in 1995. [Source: IMDB.com]
A star is born! On this day in 1951, Captain Video: Master of the Stratosphere premiered theatrically. A motion picture serial, Captain Video starred Judd Holdren in the lead role, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Space hero Captain Video battles the evil Vultura on the planet Atoma."
"Space hero Captain Video battles the evil Vultura on the planet Atoma."
On this day in 1977 (in London and Ireland), theatres celebrated the theatrical opening of the original Star Wars. The feature starred Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher, and here's the plot summary from 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 Portugal), audiences were chilled and thrilled with the release of the Horror/SciFi/Telefilm Frankenstein: The True Story. The feature starred Jane Seymour and James Mason, and here's the premise from IMDB.com:
"When the brilliant but unorthodox scientist Dr. Victor Frankenstein rejects the artificial man that he has created, the Creature escapes and later swears revenge."
"When the brilliant but unorthodox scientist Dr. Victor Frankenstein rejects the artificial man that he has created, the Creature escapes and later swears revenge."
On this day in 1983 (in the United Kingdom), 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:
"From the sky will come the Black Fortress. From the Fortress will come the Slayers to devour the planet of Krull. Then shall a girl of ancient name become queen...she shall choose a king...and together they shall rule the planet. And their son shall rule the galaxy."
"From the sky will come the Black Fortress. From the Fortress will come the Slayers to devour the planet of Krull. Then shall a girl of ancient name become queen...she shall choose a king...and together they shall rule the planet. And their son shall rule the galaxy."
On this day in 1995, the James Glickenhaus written & directed Timemaster premiered. The SciFi/Western starred Pat Morita and Joanna Pacula, and here's the premise from IMDB.com:
"Young Jesse travels through time trying to stop a bunch of evil, virtual, fight managers from destroying Earth."
"Young Jesse travels through time trying to stop a bunch of evil, virtual, fight managers from destroying Earth."
On this day in 2000 (in South Korea), audiences were treated to the release of the SciFi/Horror flick Spiders. The film starred Lana Parrilla and Josh Green, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A DNA experiment on a rare breed of spider is taking place on a NASA space shuttle, when a freak meteor shower engulfs the shuttle, causing everything to go horribly wrong. One survivor is found on the ship and watched over in a secret location deep in the California desert. The problem continues, as the survivor isn't alone, as another deadly spiders climbs out of him and goes on a rampage around the ship. Curious reporter Marci Eyre must now survive, escape and warn everyone before the spider reaches outside the desert."
"A DNA experiment on a rare breed of spider is taking place on a NASA space shuttle, when a freak meteor shower engulfs the shuttle, causing everything to go horribly wrong. One survivor is found on the ship and watched over in a secret location deep in the California desert. The problem continues, as the survivor isn't alone, as another deadly spiders climbs out of him and goes on a rampage around the ship. Curious reporter Marci Eyre must now survive, escape and warn everyone before the spider reaches outside the desert."
On this day in 2001, theatres in Russia celebrated their original 1981-produced SciFi film To The Stars By Hard Ways with a special anniversary theatrical run. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A female creature created in space tries to live on earth and has special (and sometimes dangerous) powers."
"A female creature created in space tries to live on earth and has special (and sometimes dangerous) powers."
On this day in 1952, Space Patrol aired "The Conspiracy." Officially, this served as the fifty-second episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV Guide:
"A scientist disappears from Terra's experimental laboratory."
"A scientist disappears from Terra's experimental laboratory."
On this day in 1963, The Twilight Zone aired "Ring-A-Ding Girl" as part of its fifth and final season. Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"Movie star Bunny Blake receives a ring from her hometown which is giving her warnings to come home while she flies cross country."
"Movie star Bunny Blake receives a ring from her hometown which is giving her warnings to come home while she flies cross country."
On this day in 1964, Gerry Anderson's Stingray aired "Tune Of Danger." Officially, this served as the thirteenth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Learning that a jazz group is to give a concert in the undersea city of Aphony, where Marina's father lives, Surface Agent X20 plants a bomb in the group's bass."
"Learning that a jazz group is to give a concert in the undersea city of Aphony, where Marina's father lives, Surface Agent X20 plants a bomb in the group's bass."
On this day in 1967, Irwin Allen's Lost In Space aired "The Anti-Matter Man." This served as the fifteenth episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"John Robinson and Don West are transported onto a strange new world where their evil opposites exist and plan to change places with them. Will, The Robot and a reluctant Dr. Smith set out to find and help the real Don and John only to be pursued by a evil John Robinson."
"John Robinson and Don West are transported onto a strange new world where their evil opposites exist and plan to change places with them. Will, The Robot and a reluctant Dr. Smith set out to find and help the real Don and John only to be pursued by a evil John Robinson."
The late but forever lovely Dorothy Stratten made a rare television appearance in the December 27, 1979 episode of the cult favorite Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. In it, she played -- what else? -- an intergalactic beauty queen named Miss Cosmos who was in danger of being kidnapped from the "Cruise Ship to the Stars." Naturally, Buck gets the girl ... or does he? Check it out on home video if you're so inclined.
On this day in 1985, Misfits of Science aired "Grand Theft Bunny." This served as the tenth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When a fellow scientist of Dr. Hayes takes a bunny from the test lab she broke into, the Misfits are faced with a race against time to stop the outbreak of a deadly new plague."
"When a fellow scientist of Dr. Hayes takes a bunny from the test lab she broke into, the Misfits are faced with a race against time to stop the outbreak of a deadly new plague."
On this day in 1995, SeaQuest 2032 aired "Second Chance." This served as the tenth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A reactor accident sends seaQuest back in time to an alternate 1962, where the Cuban Missile Crisis turned to nuclear war. The only chance to put things right again is to travel further back in time and prevent the first shots from being fired."
"A reactor accident sends seaQuest back in time to an alternate 1962, where the Cuban Missile Crisis turned to nuclear war. The only chance to put things right again is to travel further back in time and prevent the first shots from being fired."
On this day in 2000, Starhunter continued charting a course through its first season, airing an hour entitled "Order." According to Wikipedia.org, here's the plot summary:
"The Tulip crew watches as a religious cult flies a suicide course into the sun, but at the last second a shuttle emerges from the ship bearing the cult's leader "Brother Thirteen" along with his wife Marina and bodyguard Jacob. Dante picks up the shuttle and arrests the leader accusing him of letting his followers die. While taking the survivors to the authorities on Mercury, Thirteen enchants Luc with his psychic brainwashing power and promises to help her find her path to the Divinity Cluster if she helps him take over the ship."
"The Tulip crew watches as a religious cult flies a suicide course into the sun, but at the last second a shuttle emerges from the ship bearing the cult's leader "Brother Thirteen" along with his wife Marina and bodyguard Jacob. Dante picks up the shuttle and arrests the leader accusing him of letting his followers die. While taking the survivors to the authorities on Mercury, Thirteen enchants Luc with his psychic brainwashing power and promises to help her find her path to the Divinity Cluster if she helps him take over the ship."
On this day in 2015, World Trigger aired "Yotaro's Adventure." This served as the twelfth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from the World Trigger Wiki:
"While trying to go after Konami and the others, Yōtarō ends up getting lost and arrives at Nanao Town, where he met with Kokoa Takeda."
"While trying to go after Konami and the others, Yōtarō ends up getting lost and arrives at Nanao Town, where he met with Kokoa Takeda."
On this day in 2005, Pocket Books dipped back into the Star Trek well with the release of Star Trek: Titan - Orion's Hounds by Christopher L. Bennett. According to Amazon.com, here's the plot summary:
"As the U. S. S. Titan ventures beyond the outermost reaches of known space, the telepaths in her crew—including Diplomatic Officer Donna Troi—are overwhelmed by an alien cry of distress, leading the ship to the scene of a shocking act of carnage: a civilazation of insterstellar “whalers” preying upon and exploiting a familiar species of sentient spacebource giants."
"As the U. S. S. Titan ventures beyond the outermost reaches of known space, the telepaths in her crew—including Diplomatic Officer Donna Troi—are overwhelmed by an alien cry of distress, leading the ship to the scene of a shocking act of carnage: a civilazation of insterstellar “whalers” preying upon and exploiting a familiar species of sentient spacebource giants."
On this day in 2016, Titan Books released The Complete Aliens Omnibus: Volume 3, a collection featuring the previously-published novels "Rogue" (by Sandy Schofield) and "The Labyrinth" by S.D. Perry. Here's the product summary as provided by Amazon.com:
- Rogue: Welcome to the former penal colony of Charon, where a labyrinth of underground tunnels offer shelter to an Alien hive. Professor Ernst Kleist rules—a paranoid tyrant whose speciality is making humans disappear. Captain Joyce Palmer is bound for Charon. Only she and a few hand-picked Marines can stop Kleist in his tracks. Only they can stop the professor’s most insane creation—the Rogue.
- The Labyrinth: On the space station Innominata the infamous Dr Paul Church has built a maze of tunnels. Church is hiding the results of his latest experiments. His aim: to bring human and Alien together as one being. Colonel Dr Tony Crespi has one ambition—to work with Church. But one by one the men on Innominata have been dying in the attempt to meld Alien and man. When Crespi finds his way to the heart of the labyrinth he discovers a chamber of horrors—will he ever be able to find a way out?
