Late in her life and professional career, award-winning actress Viveca Lindfors went deep into the realm of Fantasy with a role aboard the popular Stargate (1994) motion picture, the very same that spawned a franchise. Though she's no longer with us, Lindfors was born on this day in 1920.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
Lo and behold, Lindfors wasn't exactly as much a stranger to genre as one might think. In fact, back in 1982, the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films nominated her for a Saturn Award in the category of 'Best Supporting Actress' for her work in the film The Hand (1981).
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
Lo and behold, Lindfors wasn't exactly as much a stranger to genre as one might think. In fact, back in 1982, the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films nominated her for a Saturn Award in the category of 'Best Supporting Actress' for her work in the film The Hand (1981).
Bernard Cribbins' recent run on the BBC's long-running Doctor Who actually isn't his first adventure alongside the legendary time traveler: in fact, Cribbens was there back near the Doctor's beginning, joining no less than Peter Cushing as the singular character in the 1966 big screen outing, Daleks' Invasion of Earth 2150 A.D. The actor also appeared as a guest star aboard Space:1999 in its heyday, and I recently recognized the man from his role in 1965's She. Though he's no longer with us, Cribbins was born on this day in 1928.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
In response to his work in Doctor Who, the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films nominated Cribbins for a Saturn Award (in 2010) in the category of 'Best Guest Performance In A Television Series.'
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
In response to his work in Doctor Who, the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films nominated Cribbins for a Saturn Award (in 2010) in the category of 'Best Guest Performance In A Television Series.'
The revered Barbara Steele has a resume incredibly chocked full of some horrific cinema exploits, and she even gave the SciFi/Horror hybrid a performance with the role of Dr. Mengers in Piranha (1978). But I'd be a fool if I failed to highlight some of her other work, including screen time aboard Black Sunday (1960), The Pit And The Pendulum (1961), The Horrible Dr. Hichcock (1962), The Ghost (1963), Castle Of Blood (1964), The Long Hair Of Death (1965), Terror-Creatures From The Grave (1965), Nightmare Castle (1965), She Beast (1966), An Angel For Satan (1966), The Crimson Cult (1968), Night Gallery, Shivers (1975), The Space-Watch Murders (1975), The Silent Scream (1979), Dark Shadows, The Boneyard Collection (2008), and Minutes Past Midnight (2016). Without a doubt, Steele remains -- for those of a certain era -- one of the grandest dames in Horror that there ever was. Steele was born on this day in 1937.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
In 2017, Fangoria inducted the lovely lady into its Horror Hall Of Fame at its Fangoria Chainsaw Awards ceremony.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
In 2017, Fangoria inducted the lovely lady into its Horror Hall Of Fame at its Fangoria Chainsaw Awards ceremony.
Jon Voight remains one of the most talented actors of his generation, but he's not so 'above the fray' that he'll turn down a role in something as mainstream as Michael Bay's Transformers (2007). Voight was born on this day in 1938.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Before he took audiences to a galaxy far, far away, writer/director George Lucas gave viewers a look at one very dark future in THX 1138 (1971). Maggie McOmie went along for the visual ride in her first starring role ever. McOmie was born on this day in 1941.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Patricia Clarkson had a small but critical role in 2014's under-appreciated The Maze Runner as well as the franchise sequels. The amazingly talented lady was born on this day in 1959.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Ah, Michael Cudlitz! My heart's broken over what went down with the character of Abraham Ford on AMC's The Walking Dead, but we'll always have Surrogates (2009). (That's him, in the front seat above, with the earpiece.) Cudlitz was born on this day in 1964.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Believe it or not, John Newton got his start on the small screen in the big role of no less than Superboy for a run of twenty-six episodes. Thankfully, the man continued to work in genre projects, and fans can see him doing the acting 'thang' in such properties as Viper, Operation Sandman (2000), Tru Calling, S.S. Doomtrooper (2006), Dark Mirror (2007), The Haunting Of Molly Hartley (2008), Yesterday Was A Lie (2009), and Surge Of Power: Revenge Of The Sequel (2016). Newton was born on this day in 1965.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The delicious Alexandra Kamp stepped into Fantasy history as the lead in Sumuru (2003), a theatrical adaptation based on the cult novels of Sax Rohmer. She also starred in the SciFi/Comedy 2001: A Space Travesty (2000). Kamp was born on this day in 1966.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Ahem. Back when he was Andy Wachowski, the now-known-as Lilly Wachowski teamed up with then-brother-now-sister Lana Wachowski -- known as the writing team of 'the Wachowski Brothers' (now known as 'The Wachowskis') -- and crafted a little something-something better known as The Matrix (1999) as well as its assorted sequels. Together, they've gone on to identity changes and some utter box office failures, including Cloud Atlas (2012) and Jupiter Ascending (2015). There's a film in there somewhere. In any event, Wachowski was born on this day in 1967.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
In early 2014, lovely Jennifer Ehle made an appearance in the RoboCop reboot, playing the head of OCP's legal affairs department. In 2015, Science Fiction called upon her again with a part aboard Advantageous. In 2017, she dipped into the realms of Fantasy for a role aboard I Kill Giants. In 2023, she enjoyed a bit of screen time aboard Dead Ringers. Ehle was born on this day in 1969.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Actresses like Ingrid Torrance are truly the backbone of SciFi entertainment. Why? Because they toil away in some of the smaller roles, using their gifts to bring secondary characters to life for fans of these respective programs. She's made appearances in such properties as Poltergeist: The Legacy, The Sentinel, Viper, First Wave, The Outer Limits, Seven Days, Smallville, Stargate: SG-1, The 4400, Blade: The Series, Fringe, The Tomorrow People, and Supernatural. Torrance was born on this day in 1969.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Patrick Fischler is one of those great scene-stealing character actors you've seen all over the place but never quite lands in the spotlight enough. Genre fans know him from work in Birds Of Prey, Angel, Star Trek: Enterprise, The Middleman, Pushing Daisies, Lost, and Once Upon A Time, to name a few. Fischler was born on this day in 1969.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Leonor Varela caught fandom's eye when she appeared as Nyssa in Blade II. Since then, she's appeared in such other genre projects as Stargate: Atlantis, Human Target, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Varela was born on this day in 1972.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Critical darling Jude Law (above center) made a splash in Science Fiction first by appearing in Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow and then following it up with 2010's Repo Men. He's also booked appearances in eXistenZ and Steven Spielberg's A.I. Artificial Intelligence. Law was born on this day in 1972.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Maria Dizzia seemed to know a little bit more about a greater alien conspiracy than she was letting on with her work aboard the short-lived Emergence TV series. Dizzia was born on this day in 1974.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Actor Mekhi Phifer followed up his appearance in Torchwood: Miracle Day with a role in 2014's Divergent, a role he backed up with even a bit more muscle and menace in its sequel, Insurgent (2015). Phifer was born on this day in 1974.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Unlike so many others, I didn't mind Alien: Covenant (2017). My central issue with it was that the only reason I could find as a viewer to justify its existence was its obvious tie-in with Ridley Scott's Prometheus (2012), itself a rather loose addition to the growing mythology of the Alien cinematic universe. In any event, funnyman Danny McBride played a credible 'blue collar' addition to space exploration -- very similar thematically to Scott's Alien (1979) -- and the actor was born on this day in 1976.
[Source: IMDB.com]
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2017, I attended a screening of Alien: Covenant (2017) during its original theatrical run. Interested readers can find my review right here.
[Source: IMDB.com]
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2017, I attended a screening of Alien: Covenant (2017) during its original theatrical run. Interested readers can find my review right here.
Syfy's Dark Matter is a hard show to love. In short, it's a SciFi serial that's essentially about nothing ... or it's safe to say that there's no central storyline that I've been able to discern. Still, the galaxy is always big enough for charismatic bad guys, of which the impressive Ennis Esmer gave it a go for a few episodes. Esmer was born on this day in 1978.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
What would a rebellion be, after all, without a few lovable rogues? Diego Luna brought a measure of charisma to the role of Cassian Andor in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016). Luna was born on this day in 1979.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Charlotte Riley played a role aboard the fantastic Edge of Tomorrow (2014) with Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt. Riley was born on this day in 1981.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Iain De Caestecker has found acting happiness on the small screen as one of the regulars in the Marvel Universe creation better known as Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. for ABC TV. De Caestecker was born on this day in 1987.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Pretty lady Tori Anderson enjoyed a recurring role aboard Syfy's flagship series, Killjoys, in 2016. As far as SciFi goes, she's also booked roles on The Twilight Zone, Smallville, The 4400, and Warehouse 13. Anderson was born on this day in 1988.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Model and actress Mecia Simson has enjoyed a fair amount of screen time aboard Netflix's popular Fantasy series The Witcher. Simson was born on this day in 1989.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Hard-working actress Cyrina Fiallo doesn't have much genre work on her resume but that can always change. In the meantime, we'll have to make do with her appearance aboard the fan-favorite series Supernatural to tide us over. Fiallo was born on this day in 1991.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Dylan Minnette's work first fell onto SciFiHistory.Net's radar with his appearance on ABC TV's long-running Lost (he played Jack Shephard's son, David, in the final season). He's also put in guest spots aboard Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Minnette was born on this day in 1996.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
As I've said many, many times as the editor of SciFiHistory.Net, we here love ladies who play dress up, especially when they serve the forces of good! Today's evidence: Paris Berelc plays 'Skylar Storm' aboard the SciFi/Family-friendly Lab Rats: Elite Force for the Walt Disney Company. May she be forever clad in Spandex! Berelc was born on this day in 1998.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1909 (in the U.S.), The Battle In The Clouds (aka The Airship Destroyer) was fought in the skies ... well, theatrically, that is. Written and directed for the screen by Walter R. Booth, the film has been largely celebrated amongst academics as being one of the first 'future wars' adventure of its kind. Here's the plot information as provided by IMDB.com:
"Section 1: Preparation. The Aero camp. Loading supplies. Start of the airships. The inventor of the airship destroyer. His love story. The parting. The alarm. The aero fleet in full flight. The aerial torpedo and its inventor. Section 2: Attack. In the clouds. Dropping live shells from the firing deck of an airship. The chase. High angle firing from a gun on an armored motor car. Total destruction of the car. Railway wrecked by the aerial fleet. Shelling the signal box. The heroic operator meets death at his post. The fight in the air. Airship versus aeroplane. Wreck of the aeroplane. The burning of a town by the aerial fleet. Thrilling rescue of his sweetheart by the inventor. Section 3: Defense. The inventor with the assistance of his sweetheart sends his airship destroyer on its mission of vengeance. The torpedo, steered through the air by wireless telegraphy. One flash and the airship is doomed. It falls, a mass of scorching fire, into the waters of a lake."
"Section 1: Preparation. The Aero camp. Loading supplies. Start of the airships. The inventor of the airship destroyer. His love story. The parting. The alarm. The aero fleet in full flight. The aerial torpedo and its inventor. Section 2: Attack. In the clouds. Dropping live shells from the firing deck of an airship. The chase. High angle firing from a gun on an armored motor car. Total destruction of the car. Railway wrecked by the aerial fleet. Shelling the signal box. The heroic operator meets death at his post. The fight in the air. Airship versus aeroplane. Wreck of the aeroplane. The burning of a town by the aerial fleet. Thrilling rescue of his sweetheart by the inventor. Section 3: Defense. The inventor with the assistance of his sweetheart sends his airship destroyer on its mission of vengeance. The torpedo, steered through the air by wireless telegraphy. One flash and the airship is doomed. It falls, a mass of scorching fire, into the waters of a lake."
A star is born!
On this day in 1913 (in the U.S.), Horror got a new face -- two of them, in fact -- with the theatrical release of A Modern Jekyll And Hyde. Based on the epic story from Robert Louis Stevenson, the film starred Robert Broderick, Irene Boyle, and William R. Dunn. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Dr. Henry Jekyll experiments with scientific means of revealing the hidden, dark side of man and releases a murderer from within himself."
"Dr. Henry Jekyll experiments with scientific means of revealing the hidden, dark side of man and releases a murderer from within himself."
A star is born!
On this day in 1923, Black Oxen enjoyed its very first theatrical engagement for citizens of Los Angeles, California. (The full U.S. release would follow in January, 1924.) Directed by Frank Lloyd, the Fantasy feature starred Corinne Griffith and Conway Tearle, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A Manhattan playboy falls in love with a mysterious European woman, whom he notices as an exact double for a famous socialite who disappeared at the turn of the century. At first, he thinks it's just pure coincidence, as the beautiful young woman he's currently romancing is much younger than the woman who vanished years before, but soon, he begins to believe that maybe it's not such a coincidence after all."
Editor's Note:
It would appear that this is a story lost to history somewhat as IMDB.com reports that the final three film reels are apparently missing from the only known cut of the motion picture. Who knows? Perhaps a complete cut with turn up in some secret vault in the years ahead.
"A Manhattan playboy falls in love with a mysterious European woman, whom he notices as an exact double for a famous socialite who disappeared at the turn of the century. At first, he thinks it's just pure coincidence, as the beautiful young woman he's currently romancing is much younger than the woman who vanished years before, but soon, he begins to believe that maybe it's not such a coincidence after all."
Editor's Note:
It would appear that this is a story lost to history somewhat as IMDB.com reports that the final three film reels are apparently missing from the only known cut of the motion picture. Who knows? Perhaps a complete cut with turn up in some secret vault in the years ahead.
On this day in 1950 (in Finland and South Africa), Destination Moon took viewers on a trip to our fine satellite. Directed by Irving Pichel, the groundbreaking film starred John Archer, Warner Anderson, and Dick Wesson; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After their latest rocket fails, Dr. Charles Cargraves and retired General Thayer have to start over again. This time, Gen. Thayer approaches Jim Barnes, the head of his own aviation construction firms to help build a rocket that will take them to the moon. Together they gather the captains of industry and all pledge to support the goals of having the United States be the first to put a man on the moon. They build their rocket and successfully leave the Earth's gravitational pull and make the landing as scheduled. Barnes has consumed too much fuel during the landing, leaving them short for the return voyage to Earth. After stripping the ship bare, they are still over 100 lbs too heavy, meaning that one of them will have to stay behind."
For the record:
At the 1951 Academy Awards, Destination Moon was nominated for the Oscar in the category of 'Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Color' but missed out on taking the statue home; it did, however, take home the gold in the category of 'Best Effects, Special Effects.' For the 1951 Hugo Awards, the film took home top honors in the category of 'Best Dramatic Presentation.'
"After their latest rocket fails, Dr. Charles Cargraves and retired General Thayer have to start over again. This time, Gen. Thayer approaches Jim Barnes, the head of his own aviation construction firms to help build a rocket that will take them to the moon. Together they gather the captains of industry and all pledge to support the goals of having the United States be the first to put a man on the moon. They build their rocket and successfully leave the Earth's gravitational pull and make the landing as scheduled. Barnes has consumed too much fuel during the landing, leaving them short for the return voyage to Earth. After stripping the ship bare, they are still over 100 lbs too heavy, meaning that one of them will have to stay behind."
For the record:
At the 1951 Academy Awards, Destination Moon was nominated for the Oscar in the category of 'Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Color' but missed out on taking the statue home; it did, however, take home the gold in the category of 'Best Effects, Special Effects.' For the 1951 Hugo Awards, the film took home top honors in the category of 'Best Dramatic Presentation.'
On this day in 1954 (in Argentina), The War Of The Worlds enjoyed its theatrical release. Directed by Byron Haskin, the feature starred Gene Barry and Ann Robinson in a cinematic adaptation of the H.G. Wells' novel, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The residents of a small town in California are excited when a flaming meteor lands in the hills. Their joy is tempered somewhat when they discover that it has passengers who are not very friendly."
For the record:
Those who follow Science Fiction and Fantasy are well aware of The War Of The Worlds importance in the genre as it's been revisited countless times. There have been multiple film and television incarnations. As for the original? It won the 1954 Academy Award for 'Best Special Effects.' It won the 1954 Hugo Award for 'Best Dramatic Presentation.' And in 2011 it was inducted into the National Film Registry so that it can be preserved for the ages.
"The residents of a small town in California are excited when a flaming meteor lands in the hills. Their joy is tempered somewhat when they discover that it has passengers who are not very friendly."
For the record:
Those who follow Science Fiction and Fantasy are well aware of The War Of The Worlds importance in the genre as it's been revisited countless times. There have been multiple film and television incarnations. As for the original? It won the 1954 Academy Award for 'Best Special Effects.' It won the 1954 Hugo Award for 'Best Dramatic Presentation.' And in 2011 it was inducted into the National Film Registry so that it can be preserved for the ages.
A star is born!
On this day in 1964 (in Japan), Kwaidan enjoyed its very first theatrical exhibition. Directed by Masaki Kobayashi from a story by Yôko Mizuki and Lafcadio Hearn, the Horror/Fantasy starred Rentarô Mikuni, Michiyo Aratama, and Misako Watanabe. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"This film contains four distinct, separate stories. "Black Hair": A poor samurai who divorces his true love to marry for money, but finds the marriage disastrous and returns to his old wife, only to discover something eerie about her. "The Woman in the Snow": Stranded in a snowstorm, a woodcutter meets an icy spirit in the form of a woman spares his life on the condition that he never tell anyone about her. A decade later he forgets his promise. "Hoichi the Earless": Hoichi is a blind musician, living in a monastery who sings so well that a ghostly imperial court commands him to perform the epic ballad of their death battle for them. But the ghosts are draining away his life, and the monks set out to protect him by writing a holy mantra over his body to make him invisible to the ghosts. But they've forgotten something. "In a Cup of Tea": a writer tells the story of a man who keep seeing a mysterious face reflected in his cup of tea."
For the record:
In 1966, Kwaidan enjoyed an impressive Academy Awards nomination in the category of 'Best Foreign Language Film.'
"This film contains four distinct, separate stories. "Black Hair": A poor samurai who divorces his true love to marry for money, but finds the marriage disastrous and returns to his old wife, only to discover something eerie about her. "The Woman in the Snow": Stranded in a snowstorm, a woodcutter meets an icy spirit in the form of a woman spares his life on the condition that he never tell anyone about her. A decade later he forgets his promise. "Hoichi the Earless": Hoichi is a blind musician, living in a monastery who sings so well that a ghostly imperial court commands him to perform the epic ballad of their death battle for them. But the ghosts are draining away his life, and the monks set out to protect him by writing a holy mantra over his body to make him invisible to the ghosts. But they've forgotten something. "In a Cup of Tea": a writer tells the story of a man who keep seeing a mysterious face reflected in his cup of tea."
For the record:
In 1966, Kwaidan enjoyed an impressive Academy Awards nomination in the category of 'Best Foreign Language Film.'
On this day in 1972 (in Uruguary), The Light At The End Of The World was shown in theaters. Directed by Kevin Billington, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Kirk Douglas, Yul Brynner, and Samantha Eggar. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A ruthless pirate captures the keeper of a lighthouse, in the most southern city in Argentina. His goal is obvious and horrific. He plans to control the lighthouses signals in a way that the passing ships will be crushed on the rocks."
"A ruthless pirate captures the keeper of a lighthouse, in the most southern city in Argentina. His goal is obvious and horrific. He plans to control the lighthouses signals in a way that the passing ships will be crushed on the rocks."
A star is born ... but it looks like this one is about to be all wet!
On this day in 1973 (in Japan), the water was on the rise with the big screen theatrical debut of Nihon chinbotsu (aka Submersion Of Japan). Directed by Shirô Moritani and Andrew Mayer, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Lorne Greene, Shirô Moritani, and Rhonda Hopkins. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Racked by earthquakes and volcanos, Japan is slowly sinking into the sea. A race against time and tide begins as Americans and the Japanese work together to salvage some fraction of the disappearing Japan."
"Racked by earthquakes and volcanos, Japan is slowly sinking into the sea. A race against time and tide begins as Americans and the Japanese work together to salvage some fraction of the disappearing Japan."
On this day in 1986 (in West Germany), The Aurora Encounter showed that not only life was out there but also it could come here! Directed by Jim McCullough Sr. from a story by Jim McCullough Jr., the SciFi/Fantasy starred Jack Elam, Peter Brown, and Dottie West. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In 1897, residents of a small Texas town are visited by a benevolent extraterrestrial being whose presence divides the community."
"In 1897, residents of a small Texas town are visited by a benevolent extraterrestrial being whose presence divides the community."
A star is born!
On this day in 1989 (in the U.S.), Chameleons enjoyed its broadcast television debut. Written (in part) and directed by genre master Glen A. Larson, the Superhero/Fantasy starred Crystal Bernard, Marcus Gilbert, and Mary Bergman. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In this failed television series pilot from the mind of Glen A. Larson, Shelley, a slightly-crazy heiress, discovers that her eccentric millionaire uncle Jason Carr was rather more eccentric than even she had thought. He was a costumed superhero in his spare time, half of a duo calling itself "Captain Chameleon and the Paraclete of Justice". Now Shelley must find out exactly who murdered her uncle, with the help of her uncle's mysterious and handsome partner in fighting crime."
"In this failed television series pilot from the mind of Glen A. Larson, Shelley, a slightly-crazy heiress, discovers that her eccentric millionaire uncle Jason Carr was rather more eccentric than even she had thought. He was a costumed superhero in his spare time, half of a duo calling itself "Captain Chameleon and the Paraclete of Justice". Now Shelley must find out exactly who murdered her uncle, with the help of her uncle's mysterious and handsome partner in fighting crime."
A star is born ... or has it been raised from the dead?
On this day in 1992 (in the United Kingdom), yet one more theatrical incarnation of the legendary Frankenstein was delivered to the masses. Adapted for the screen and directed by David Wickes, the Horror/Fantasy starred Patrick Bergin, Randy Quaid, and John Mills. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Dr. Victor von Frankenstein creates his creature, who escapes into the countryside to find that humanity has only pain and sorrow for him. But a psychic link between created and creator draws the two ever nearer, until their paths must inevitably cross again."
For the record:
To the project's credit, Tricia Cameron enjoyed a 1994 Primetime Emmy Awards nomination in the category of 'Outstanding Individual Achievement In Hairstyling For A Miniseries Or Special.'
"Dr. Victor von Frankenstein creates his creature, who escapes into the countryside to find that humanity has only pain and sorrow for him. But a psychic link between created and creator draws the two ever nearer, until their paths must inevitably cross again."
For the record:
To the project's credit, Tricia Cameron enjoyed a 1994 Primetime Emmy Awards nomination in the category of 'Outstanding Individual Achievement In Hairstyling For A Miniseries Or Special.'
A star is born!
On this day in 1993 (in the U.S.), the R-rated SciFi/Thriller Ghost In The Machine came out of the Hollywood machine. Directed by Rachel Talalay, the feature starred Karen Allen, Chris Mulkey, and Jessica Walter. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Karl Hochman is a technician in a computer store. He is also known as the "Address Book Killer" due to his habit of stealing people's address books and proceeding to murder anyone listed in the book. Terry Munroe and her son Josh come into the store to purchase software, and a salesman uses Terry's address book to demonstrate a handheld scanner. Karl obtains the book, and while driving to Terry's house that night in a thunderstorm, his car runs off the road and lands upside down in a cemetery. While Karl is undergoing an MRI at a hospital, a surge of lightning courses through the building, and Karl's mind is transformed into electrical energy. Karl uses the electrical grid and computer networks to continue his killing spree. It is up to Terry, Josh, and computer hacker Bram Walker to stop him before it is too late."
"Karl Hochman is a technician in a computer store. He is also known as the "Address Book Killer" due to his habit of stealing people's address books and proceeding to murder anyone listed in the book. Terry Munroe and her son Josh come into the store to purchase software, and a salesman uses Terry's address book to demonstrate a handheld scanner. Karl obtains the book, and while driving to Terry's house that night in a thunderstorm, his car runs off the road and lands upside down in a cemetery. While Karl is undergoing an MRI at a hospital, a surge of lightning courses through the building, and Karl's mind is transformed into electrical energy. Karl uses the electrical grid and computer networks to continue his killing spree. It is up to Terry, Josh, and computer hacker Bram Walker to stop him before it is too late."
A star is born!
On this day in 2005 (in Japan), television audiences were treated to the small screen launch of Sôkyu no fafunâ: Raito obu refuto (aka Fafner In The Azure: Right Of Left). According to our friends at TheTVDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Yumi Ikoma and Ryou Masaoka are children who have been selected to take part in a top secret mission, to be the pilots of the first Fafner combat units; the last chance of survival for the human race. The enemy is ruthless, remorseless and is able to read the minds of humans. Therefore, the details of this mission are kept a secret even from the personnel involved. The young pilots must use all their courage and faith in order to survive and complete their mission or the fate of mankind would be compromised."
"Yumi Ikoma and Ryou Masaoka are children who have been selected to take part in a top secret mission, to be the pilots of the first Fafner combat units; the last chance of survival for the human race. The enemy is ruthless, remorseless and is able to read the minds of humans. Therefore, the details of this mission are kept a secret even from the personnel involved. The young pilots must use all their courage and faith in order to survive and complete their mission or the fate of mankind would be compromised."
A star is born!
Before the Walt Disney Company got around to their big budget theatrical debacle that was 2012's John Carter, writer/director Mark Atkins (check out his IMDB.com profile, and you'll find he has a history of piggybacking on genre-related projects) delivered up his (ahem) glorious adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Princess of Mars. This one starred Antonio Sabato Jr. as John Carter and the luscious Traci Lords fittingly as Dejah Thoris. It was first released on home video on this day in 2009. Haven't seen it, so buyer beware. Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"When a solider in the middle east gets wounded in the line of duty, he is teleported to the planet Barsoom. There, he must face the hostile aliens to fight for his survival again."
"When a solider in the middle east gets wounded in the line of duty, he is teleported to the planet Barsoom. There, he must face the hostile aliens to fight for his survival again."
A star is born!
On this day in 2012 (in Russia), mankind came face-to-face with some Big Bad Bugs (aka The Vortex). Written (in part) and directed by Peter Paul Basler, the Fantasy/Comedy starred Jack Plotnick, Sarah Lieving, and Ted Jonas. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After a convoy of American soldiers disappears, a special ops team is deployed to rescue them. They soon encounter an army of gigantic scorpions, spiders and snakes that have come to Earth from another dimension."
"After a convoy of American soldiers disappears, a special ops team is deployed to rescue them. They soon encounter an army of gigantic scorpions, spiders and snakes that have come to Earth from another dimension."
On this day in 2012, 1982's TRON played for audiences in attendance of a special ceremony held for the Film Society of Lincoln Center. Written (in part) and directed by Steven Lisberger, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, and Cindy Morgan. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Hacker/arcade owner Kevin Flynn is digitally broken down into a data stream by a villainous software pirate known as Master Control and reconstituted into the internal, 3-D graphical world of computers. It is there, in the ultimate blazingly colorful, geometrically intense landscapes of cyberspace, that Flynn joins forces with Tron to outmaneuver the Master Control Program that holds them captive in the equivalent of a gigantic, infinitely challenging computer game."
For the record:
As well as founding an all-new Science Fiction franchise, TRON drew the attention of critics and audiences. At the 1983 Academy Awards, the feature enjoyed two nominations in the categories of 'Best Sound' and 'Best Costume Design.' At the 1983 Saturn Awards (sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films), TRON took home top honors in the category of 'Best Costumes' but had to settle for nominations alone in the categories of 'Best Animated Film' and 'Best Science Fiction Film.'
"Hacker/arcade owner Kevin Flynn is digitally broken down into a data stream by a villainous software pirate known as Master Control and reconstituted into the internal, 3-D graphical world of computers. It is there, in the ultimate blazingly colorful, geometrically intense landscapes of cyberspace, that Flynn joins forces with Tron to outmaneuver the Master Control Program that holds them captive in the equivalent of a gigantic, infinitely challenging computer game."
For the record:
As well as founding an all-new Science Fiction franchise, TRON drew the attention of critics and audiences. At the 1983 Academy Awards, the feature enjoyed two nominations in the categories of 'Best Sound' and 'Best Costume Design.' At the 1983 Saturn Awards (sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films), TRON took home top honors in the category of 'Best Costumes' but had to settle for nominations alone in the categories of 'Best Animated Film' and 'Best Science Fiction Film.'
This is a bit weird, folks, but -- according to all details I'm able to locate -- the 2002-produced SciFi film Time Changer finally found its theatrical release on this day in 2016 (in South Korea). Written and directed by Rich Christiano, the project starred D. David Morin, Gavin MacLeod, and Hal Linden. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the straight skinny:
"A Bible professor from 1890 comes forward in time to the present via a time machine and cannot believe the things that he sees!"
"A Bible professor from 1890 comes forward in time to the present via a time machine and cannot believe the things that he sees!"
A star is born!
On this day in 2017 (in Vietnam), the dead were back in the movie business with the release of Day Of The Dead: Bloodline. Directed by Hèctor Hernández Vicens and based on the George A. Romero cinematic universe, the film starred Sophie Skelton, Johnathon Schaech, and Jeff Gum. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A small group of military personnel and survivalists dwell in an underground bunker as they seek to find a cure in a world overrun by zombies."
"A small group of military personnel and survivalists dwell in an underground bunker as they seek to find a cure in a world overrun by zombies."
On this day in 2019 (in Estonia), Rise Of The Dinosaurs (aka Jurassic Attack) sunk its teeth into audiences. Directed by Anthony Fankhauser, the SciFi/Thriller starred Gary Stretch, Corin Nemec, and Vernon Wells; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A group of soldiers attempting to rescue a hostage from a terrorist crash land into unfamiliar jungles which are inhabited by a group of long hidden dinosaurs."
"A group of soldiers attempting to rescue a hostage from a terrorist crash land into unfamiliar jungles which are inhabited by a group of long hidden dinosaurs."
On this day in 1958 (in the United Kingdom), Quatermass And The Pit aired "The Ghosts." Officially, this served as the second episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Col. Breen believes the projectile is a bomb - it's cold to the touch, slightly radioactive and made of an unknown substance, Roney's assistant Barbara Judd finds the area has a history of supernatural events, and a terrified Pte West claims to have seen an imp-like ghost: 'It went through the wall!'"
"Col. Breen believes the projectile is a bomb - it's cold to the touch, slightly radioactive and made of an unknown substance, Roney's assistant Barbara Judd finds the area has a history of supernatural events, and a terrified Pte West claims to have seen an imp-like ghost: 'It went through the wall!'"
On this day in 1961 (in the U.S.), The Twilight Zone aired "A Quality Of Mercy." Officially, this served as the fifteenth episode in the program's third season; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"On August 6, 1945 - the last day of World War II - a forward platoon acting as artillery spotters get an eager and aggressive Lieutenant Katell. The artillery has been unable to dislodge a Japanese unit from a cave and Katell decides that the unit is going to attack. He suddenly finds himself in 1942 however, leading a Japanese unit that is about to attack Americans who are holed up in a cave. He looks into a mirror of sorts when his Japanese superior orders the destruction of the American stronghold. When he flashes back to 1945, he has second thoughts about the attack."
"On August 6, 1945 - the last day of World War II - a forward platoon acting as artillery spotters get an eager and aggressive Lieutenant Katell. The artillery has been unable to dislodge a Japanese unit from a cave and Katell decides that the unit is going to attack. He suddenly finds himself in 1942 however, leading a Japanese unit that is about to attack Americans who are holed up in a cave. He looks into a mirror of sorts when his Japanese superior orders the destruction of the American stronghold. When he flashes back to 1945, he has second thoughts about the attack."
On this day in 1963 (in the U.S.), My Favorite Martian aired "How To Be A Hero Without Really Trying." Officially, this served as the thirteenth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The O'Hara's have new neighbors, the Richmonds, within the family being young Stevie and his grown up sister Jennifer. The foursome go on a picnic to Sunset Mountain, since Martin needs to pick up some bling, an alloy located there but that has not yet been discovered by humans. Stevie has a vivid imagination and likes to pretend he's from Mars, which intrigues Martin. That's OK with Tim, as that means he can spend time with Jennifer alone. However Jennifer is concerned with Stevie's ability to discern reality from fantasy. While Martin goes off to collect his bling, Stevie plays a game of pretend and climbs up the mountain, but reality hits when he can't get down on his own. Martin suggests that Tim climb up and get Stevie as an act of heroism, but Tim is afraid of heights. Martin reassures Tim that he will be safe with the assistance of his remote control gravitation machine. Tim bounds up the mountain, but doesn't know that Martin's machine breaks while he's half way up. Tim and Stevie have a couple of close calls, which Tim thinks is Martin just trying to be dramatic. Although Tim faints when he finds out the truth about the gravitation machine, he shows that one just needs to have a little faith to accomplish mountains."
"The O'Hara's have new neighbors, the Richmonds, within the family being young Stevie and his grown up sister Jennifer. The foursome go on a picnic to Sunset Mountain, since Martin needs to pick up some bling, an alloy located there but that has not yet been discovered by humans. Stevie has a vivid imagination and likes to pretend he's from Mars, which intrigues Martin. That's OK with Tim, as that means he can spend time with Jennifer alone. However Jennifer is concerned with Stevie's ability to discern reality from fantasy. While Martin goes off to collect his bling, Stevie plays a game of pretend and climbs up the mountain, but reality hits when he can't get down on his own. Martin suggests that Tim climb up and get Stevie as an act of heroism, but Tim is afraid of heights. Martin reassures Tim that he will be safe with the assistance of his remote control gravitation machine. Tim bounds up the mountain, but doesn't know that Martin's machine breaks while he's half way up. Tim and Stevie have a couple of close calls, which Tim thinks is Martin just trying to be dramatic. Although Tim faints when he finds out the truth about the gravitation machine, he shows that one just needs to have a little faith to accomplish mountains."
On this day in 1965 (in the U.S.), Irwin Allen's Lost In Space aired "Return From Outer Space." Officially, this served as the fifteenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Using a matter transfer device left behind by the Taurons, Will beams himself back to Earth. He arrives safely in the small town of Hatfield Four Corners, Vermont, but his pleas for help are considered the fantasies of a runaway boy."
"Using a matter transfer device left behind by the Taurons, Will beams himself back to Earth. He arrives safely in the small town of Hatfield Four Corners, Vermont, but his pleas for help are considered the fantasies of a runaway boy."
On this day in 1966 (in the U.S.), Star Trek aired "Shore Leave." Officially, this served as the fifteenth episode in the program's first season; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The past three months have left the crew of the Enterprise exhausted and in desperate need of a break, but does this explain McCoy's encounter with a human-sized white rabbit or Kirk crossing paths with the prankster who plagued his days at Starfleet Academy?"
"The past three months have left the crew of the Enterprise exhausted and in desperate need of a break, but does this explain McCoy's encounter with a human-sized white rabbit or Kirk crossing paths with the prankster who plagued his days at Starfleet Academy?"
I ask you: has any other television show's mythology ever been rich enough to allow for the existence of a Tribble?
On this day back in 1967, the beloved warm-fuzzy kitten of tomorrow -- the Tribble -- was introduced into Trek lore with the aptly titled, "The Trouble with Tribbles." It's a great episode -- one with plenty of tongue-in-cheek moments -- and its peppered with wonderful performances all around. If that ain't enough for you, well then it's also got Klingons. (And the hour was nominated for a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation back in 1968!) Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"To protect a space station with a vital grain shipment, Kirk must deal with Federation bureaucrats, a Klingon battle cruiser and a peddler who sells furry, purring, hungry little creatures as pets."
On this day back in 1967, the beloved warm-fuzzy kitten of tomorrow -- the Tribble -- was introduced into Trek lore with the aptly titled, "The Trouble with Tribbles." It's a great episode -- one with plenty of tongue-in-cheek moments -- and its peppered with wonderful performances all around. If that ain't enough for you, well then it's also got Klingons. (And the hour was nominated for a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation back in 1968!) Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"To protect a space station with a vital grain shipment, Kirk must deal with Federation bureaucrats, a Klingon battle cruiser and a peddler who sells furry, purring, hungry little creatures as pets."
On this day in 1967 (in the United Kingdom), The Prisoner aired "Living In Harmony." Officially, this served as the thirteenth episode in the program's only season in original broadcast existence, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In a Wild West setting, a lawman who resigned is trapped in a town called Harmony where the Judge wants him to be the new sheriff - by hook or by crook."
"In a Wild West setting, a lawman who resigned is trapped in a town called Harmony where the Judge wants him to be the new sheriff - by hook or by crook."
On this day in 1968 (in the U.S.), Irwin Allen's Land Of The Giants aired "The Golden Cage." Officially, this served as the twelfth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The crew finds a woman of their size while on a trek. Mark falls in love with her, who in return, invites him to her home. Burton tries to convince Mark that this is a trap set to become a guinea pig for the Giants. However, blinded by love, Mark is unable to make up his mind, even that his urge ends up with a fight with the commander itself..."
"The crew finds a woman of their size while on a trek. Mark falls in love with her, who in return, invites him to her home. Burton tries to convince Mark that this is a trap set to become a guinea pig for the Giants. However, blinded by love, Mark is unable to make up his mind, even that his urge ends up with a fight with the commander itself..."
On this day in 1973 (in Canada), The Starlost aired "The Beehive." Officially, this served as the fifteenth episode in the program's only season on original broadcast television, and here's the plot summary from TV.com:
"Rachel, Garth and Devon are trapped inside a giant food production centre for the Ark. It is a giant beehive where some sonic experiments are causing the natives to become restless."
"Rachel, Garth and Devon are trapped inside a giant food production centre for the Ark. It is a giant beehive where some sonic experiments are causing the natives to become restless."
On this day in 1978 (in the U.S.), Wonder Woman aired "Gault's Brain." Officially, this served as the twelfth episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The living brain of a dead billionaire seeks to have itself transplanted into the perfect physical specimen."
"The living brain of a dead billionaire seeks to have itself transplanted into the perfect physical specimen."
On this day in 1979 (in the U.S.), Flash Gordon aired "Chapter 15: Revolt Of The Power Men." Officially, this served as the fifteenth episode in the program's first season; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Ergon, leader of Ming's power men, goes rogue and aids Flash and his friends in their quest to reclaim Sky City. Meanwhile, Ming makes plans to wed Dale."
"Ergon, leader of Ming's power men, goes rogue and aids Flash and his friends in their quest to reclaim Sky City. Meanwhile, Ming makes plans to wed Dale."
On this day in 1985 (in the U.S.), Amazing Stories aired "Vanessa In The Garden." Officially, this served as the twelfth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When a brilliant young artist's beloved wife dies in a carriage wreck, the grief-stricken husband is possessed with an incredible plan to bring her back through his art."
"When a brilliant young artist's beloved wife dies in a carriage wreck, the grief-stricken husband is possessed with an incredible plan to bring her back through his art."
On this day in 1986 (in the U.S.), Amazing Stories aired "The Eternal Mind." Officially, this served as the twelfth episode in the program's second (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Applying experiments with chimps to himself, a dying scientist transfers his mind into a computer. But his unique survival after physical death brings unexpected heartaches."
"Applying experiments with chimps to himself, a dying scientist transfers his mind into a computer. But his unique survival after physical death brings unexpected heartaches."
On this day in 1990 (in the U.S.), Star Trek: The Next Generation aired "The Loss." Officially, this served as the tenth episode of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"As an unknown force drags the Enterprise, Deanna Troi struggles with the loss of her powers."
"As an unknown force drags the Enterprise, Deanna Troi struggles with the loss of her powers."
On this day in 1990 (in the U.S.), Super Force aired "Water Mania." Officially, this served as the fifteenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from TV.com:
"Super Force is brought in to stop an extortion racket on The Strip."
"Super Force is brought in to stop an extortion racket on The Strip."
On this day in 1994 (in Canada), TekWar aired "Unknown Soldier." Officially, this served as the second episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary provided by IMDB.com:
"Electra is a military vet who was modified and made into an X-class soldier. She ends up being hired to work at Cosmos but things do not go well as she is being controlled by a former superior officer."
"Electra is a military vet who was modified and made into an X-class soldier. She ends up being hired to work at Cosmos but things do not go well as she is being controlled by a former superior officer."
On this day in 2008 (in the U.S.), Syfy's Sanctuary aired "Revelations: Part 1." Officially, this served as the twelfth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary provided by IMDB.com:
"In an unprecedented alliance Druitt and Sherlock Holmes work with Sanctuary to deduce why normally placid abnormals are running amok. Their plan, infiltrate their prime suspect, The Cabal."
"In an unprecedented alliance Druitt and Sherlock Holmes work with Sanctuary to deduce why normally placid abnormals are running amok. Their plan, infiltrate their prime suspect, The Cabal."
On this day in 2014 (in the U.S.), Star Wars: Rebels aired "Path Of The Jedi." Officially, this served as the ninth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Ezra must face a great challenge as part of his growth as a member of the team."
"Ezra must face a great challenge as part of his growth as a member of the team."
