It takes talent to compose and conduct movie and television scores, but I have to believe it takes an exceptional genius to do so for science fiction and fantasy properties. That's because it takes a precious mind indeed to take into the various flights of whimsy that make these projects truly work.
Jerry Goldsmith began composing themes in the early 50's, and he worked in the industry for over five decades. While gainfully employed, he either scored or conducted the music for such entertainment vehicles as the original Twilight Zone television show, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Logan's Run, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, and Star Trek: First Contact. I, for one, can remember having the TMP soundtrack on LP (Google it, if you don't know what that is) and listening to it over and over and over and over again, marveling at its brilliance. His is an amazing resume (check it out at IMDB.com).
Though he's no longer with us, Goldsmith was born on this day in 1929.
Jerry Goldsmith began composing themes in the early 50's, and he worked in the industry for over five decades. While gainfully employed, he either scored or conducted the music for such entertainment vehicles as the original Twilight Zone television show, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Logan's Run, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, and Star Trek: First Contact. I, for one, can remember having the TMP soundtrack on LP (Google it, if you don't know what that is) and listening to it over and over and over and over again, marveling at its brilliance. His is an amazing resume (check it out at IMDB.com).
Though he's no longer with us, Goldsmith was born on this day in 1929.
Why, it took an actress the likes of which Dame Judith Anderson delivered in order to sell audiences on the Vulcan voodoo required to remove Spock's katra from Dr. McCoy's body and return it to the Genesis-regenerated Science Officer's soul, as shown above in a scene from Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Though she's no longer with us, Anderson was born on this day in 1897.
The great Lon Chaney Jr may not have enjoyed as big a theatrical career as his father, but he definitely earned a place in cinema history all of his own. Fans might recognize the actor for his work aboard One Million B.C. (1940), The Wolf Man (1941), The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942), The Mummy's Tomb (1942), Indestructible Man (1956), and The Alligator People (1959). Though he's no longer with us, Chaney Jr was born on this day in 1906.
Douglas Spencer thrilled audiences with his portrayal of 'The Monitor' aboard one of the landmark Science Fiction films of the 1950's: This Island Earth (1955). He also left quite an impression in the role of a Martian aboard Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone. Though he's no longer with us, Spencer was born on this day in 1910. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though she eventually found her way to some memorable performances in Horror, the lovely Hazel Court started out with a solid track record in Science Fiction and Fantasy with work in such projects as Devil Girl From Mars (1954), The Invisible Man, and The Twilight Zone. Though she's no longer with us, Court was born on this day in 1926. [Source: IMDB.com]
The charismatic Robert Wagner yucked it up as 'Number Two' aboard the SciFi-lite Austin Powers' franchise. Wagner was born on this day in 1930.
English-born actor Barrie Ingham maintained a resume solid in genre credentials. After enjoying some work in the universe of Doctor Who, the man moved to America where he found screen time in Tales Of The Gold Monkey, Voyagers!, Airwolf, Faerie Tale Theatre, Shadow Chasers, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Josh Kirby: Time Warrior. Though he's no longer with us, Ingham was born on this day in 1932. [Source: IMDB.com]
According to IMDB.com, the very first professional gig for the lovely Carol Royle was a guest appearance aboard Blake's 7. Royle was born on this day in 1954. [Source: IMDB.com]
Fitness queen Bess Motta's Hollywood resume is understandably light -- in the 80's, she headlined the 20 Minute Workout. But her greatest claim to fame so far as SciFi fans are concerned was playing Ginger Ventura, roommate and girlfriend to Linda Hamilton's Sarah Connor in The Terminator (1984). Motta was born on this day in 1958.
Rupert Vansittart has had the distinct pleasure of appearing in both the Doctor Who universe as well as HBO's thrilling Game Of Thrones adaptation. Vansittart was born on this day in 1958.
The BBC original Life On Mars remains one of the finest examples of Fantasy-fueled television for the modern era. Aboard the show, the venerable Philip Glenister played the role of 'Gene Hunt' pitch perfect opposite John Simm as 'Sam Tyler.' Glenister was born on this day in 1963.
The lovely Meadow Williams turned more than a few heads in the role of 'Mother Supreme' aboard Officer Downe (2016) for Blackmrkt and Living Out Loud Films. Williams was born on this day in 1966.
Before going on to create the entertainment juggernaut that became Breaking Bad, Vince Gilligan was part of another entertainment juggernaut: he wrote many episodes for and served as a co-executive producer for much of The X-Files. Gilligan was born on this day in 1967.
Laura Dern played a brainy scientist helping her friends stay alive in the ultimate theme park gone awry in Steven Spielberg's
Jurassic Park (1993). Dern was born on this day in 1967.
Jurassic Park (1993). Dern was born on this day in 1967.
Though perhaps her real clout comes in mainstream comedies, Elizabeth Banks did a comedic dark turn by assuming the role of Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games franchise. Banks was born on this day in 1974.
The luscious and brainy Brit Keeley Hawes lit up small screens for several seasons as one of the main players for the BBC's smart spy drama, Spooks (aka MI-5). In 2014, she made a terrific guest appearance on Doctor Who. Hawes was born on this day in 1976.
The talented Max Brown certainly has built a resume around a few appearances in some quality genre projects. He's been seen in Sleepy Hollow, Agent Carter, and Beauty and the Beast. Brown was born on this day in 1981.
German-born Tom Schilling brought his A-game to Who Am I (2014), a SciFi/Drama exploring identity where technology and humanity intersect. Schilling was born on this day in 1982.
Jade Ramsey was all smiles and hot school-girl-outfits for her work aboard TV's Fantasy-themed House Of Anubis. Ramsey was born on this day in 1988. [Source: IMDB.com]
... and, no, that isn't a case of deja vu you're suffering ... that's Nikita Ramey -- the twin of the equally talented Jade Ramsey (see above) who also enjoyed some screen time in TV's House Of Anubis. Ramsey was born on this day in 1988. [Source: IMDB.com]
Young and perky Lexi Atkins found out that reanimating animal corpses was nothing to laugh about in the cult flick Zombeavers (2014) for Armory Films. Atkins was born on this day in 1992.
Yes, yes, and yes: I know that most folks didn't much care for Suicide Squad (2016) ... but I enjoyed it pretty much as a straight-laced comic book flick. Plus, Squad gave the lovely Karen Fukuhara the chance to strut her stuff in a pretty interesting screen debut as the deadly 'Katana.' Fukuhara was born on this day in 1992.
When she was but an urchin, the young and impressionable Makenzie Vega stepped into the violent Fantasy world of Frank Miller's Sin City. In 2007, she paid a visit to the world of CBS's Ghost Whisperer. Vega was born on this day in 1994. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Chloë Grace Moretz has kinda/sorta had it tough in genre entertainment since her breakout role aboard Kick-Ass (2010); her venture closer into the realm of Dystopian/YA/Thrillers -- The 5th Wave (2016) -- mostly tanked with very little business. Still, she perseveres. Moretz was born on this day in 1997.
On this day in 1957, Attack Of The Crab Monsters made audiences afraid to go back into the water. The feature starred Richard Garland and Pamela Duncan, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Scientists become trapped on a shrinking island with intelligent, murderous giant crabs."
"Scientists become trapped on a shrinking island with intelligent, murderous giant crabs."
On this day in 1957, Roger Corman's Not Of This Earth premiered in theatres. Here's the film's summary, as provided compliments of IMDB.com:
"An alien agent from the distant planet Davana is sent to earth via a high-tech matter transporter. There he terrorizes Southern California in an attempt to acquire blood for his dying race, the result of a devastating nuclear war."
"An alien agent from the distant planet Davana is sent to earth via a high-tech matter transporter. There he terrorizes Southern California in an attempt to acquire blood for his dying race, the result of a devastating nuclear war."
On this day in 1977 (in the Netherlands), Logan's Run took it on-the-lam theatrically. Directed by Michael Anderson, the SciFi feature starred Michael York and Jenny Agutter, and here's the plot summary provided by IMDB.com:
"An idyllic science fiction future has one major drawback: life must end at the age of thirty."
"An idyllic science fiction future has one major drawback: life must end at the age of thirty."
On this day in 1984, Thor The Conqueror enjoyed a super-super-super limited U.S. theatrical release. (Basically, it opened in a single city.) According to IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In the vein of CONAN THE BARBARIAN and Lucio Fulci's CONQUEST comes a tale of mythology and magic, of how THOR, a legendary god, triumphs over overwhelming odds to great victory and the destruction of his foes. After both his parents are brutally murdered by his father's rival Gnut and his men the new born Thor is placed in hiding by the physical embodiment of the god Teisha. Raised in secret under the guidance of Teisha, Thor comes to maturity and goes on a quest to avenge the death of his parents and return peace to his lands, in the process he discovers a woman to take as his wife. Taking the beautiful warrior virgin, Ina, as his companion, his exploits lead to a confrontation with Gnut, the slayer of his father. He finds and uncovers his father's sword and masters the art of combat, all under the ever watchful eye of the amorphous Teisha. How can Thor overcome Gnut and his horde? Watch the story of Thor, The Conqueror, to this day recalled in legend and in rock drawings!"
"In the vein of CONAN THE BARBARIAN and Lucio Fulci's CONQUEST comes a tale of mythology and magic, of how THOR, a legendary god, triumphs over overwhelming odds to great victory and the destruction of his foes. After both his parents are brutally murdered by his father's rival Gnut and his men the new born Thor is placed in hiding by the physical embodiment of the god Teisha. Raised in secret under the guidance of Teisha, Thor comes to maturity and goes on a quest to avenge the death of his parents and return peace to his lands, in the process he discovers a woman to take as his wife. Taking the beautiful warrior virgin, Ina, as his companion, his exploits lead to a confrontation with Gnut, the slayer of his father. He finds and uncovers his father's sword and masters the art of combat, all under the ever watchful eye of the amorphous Teisha. How can Thor overcome Gnut and his horde? Watch the story of Thor, The Conqueror, to this day recalled in legend and in rock drawings!"
On this day in 1989 (in Poland), the Polish-language SciFi feature On The Silver Globe enjoyed its theatrical release. Written and directed by Andrzej Zukawski, the film starred Andrzej Seweryn and Jerzy Trela, and here's the premise from IMDB.com:
"A team of astronauts land on an inhabitable planet and form a society. Many years later, a single astronaut is sent to the planet and becomes a messiah."
"A team of astronauts land on an inhabitable planet and form a society. Many years later, a single astronaut is sent to the planet and becomes a messiah."
On this day in 1995 (in Romania), Timecop traveled to the past for interested audiences. Directed by Peter Hyams, the SciFi feature 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 2010 (in Japan), Fireball erupted on home video. Directed by Kristoffer Tabori, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Lexa Doig and Ian Somerhalder, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Inspector Ava Williams investigates a prison fire to its source, a prisoner seeking revenge against those who put him behind bars."
"Inspector Ava Williams investigates a prison fire to its source, a prisoner seeking revenge against those who put him behind bars."
On this day in 2012, the 1924-produced Aelita: Queen Of Mars played for audiences in attendance of the Berlin International Film Festival. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A mysterious radio message is beamed around the world, and among the engineers who receive it are Los, the hero, and his colleague Spiridonov. Los is an individualist dreamer. Aelita is the daughter of Tuskub, the ruler of a totalitarian state on Mars in which the working class are put into cold storage when they are not needed. With a telescope, Aelita is able to watch Los. As if by telepathy, Los obsesses about being watched by her. After some hugger-mugger involving the murder of his wife and a pursuing detective, Los takes the identity of Spiridonov and builds a spaceship. With the revolutionary Gusev, he travels to Mars, but the Earthlings and Aelita are thrown into prison by the dictator. Gusev and Los begin a proletarian uprising, and Aelita offers to lead the revolution, but she then establishes her own totalitarian regime. Los is shocked by this development and attempts to stop Aelita, and then reality and fantasy become confused, and Los discovers what has really happened."
"A mysterious radio message is beamed around the world, and among the engineers who receive it are Los, the hero, and his colleague Spiridonov. Los is an individualist dreamer. Aelita is the daughter of Tuskub, the ruler of a totalitarian state on Mars in which the working class are put into cold storage when they are not needed. With a telescope, Aelita is able to watch Los. As if by telepathy, Los obsesses about being watched by her. After some hugger-mugger involving the murder of his wife and a pursuing detective, Los takes the identity of Spiridonov and builds a spaceship. With the revolutionary Gusev, he travels to Mars, but the Earthlings and Aelita are thrown into prison by the dictator. Gusev and Los begin a proletarian uprising, and Aelita offers to lead the revolution, but she then establishes her own totalitarian regime. Los is shocked by this development and attempts to stop Aelita, and then reality and fantasy become confused, and Los discovers what has really happened."
On this day in 1960, Men Into Space aired "Dateline: Moon." This served as the nineteenth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A maverick journalist wins an opportunity to visit the Moon base. As an opportunist, he will look for anyway to manufacture a story, and his gambling habits put him at odds with the base commander."
"A maverick journalist wins an opportunity to visit the Moon base. As an opportunist, he will look for anyway to manufacture a story, and his gambling habits put him at odds with the base commander."
On this day in 1966 (in the United Kingdom), Thunderbirds aired "Move -- And You're Dead." Officially, this served as the twentieth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Alan returns to motor racing and attracts the attention of a rival team who want access to Brains' advanced designs. He along with Grandma are left to die on an abandoned bridge with a motion sensitive bomb. International Rescue must figure out how to both rescue Alan and Grandma and to stop the bomb from destroying the bridge."
"Alan returns to motor racing and attracts the attention of a rival team who want access to Brains' advanced designs. He along with Grandma are left to die on an abandoned bridge with a motion sensitive bomb. International Rescue must figure out how to both rescue Alan and Grandma and to stop the bomb from destroying the bridge."
On this day in 1968 (in the United Kingdom), Doctor Who aired "The Web Of Fear: Part 2." Officially, this served as the twenty-fourth episode in the program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Jamie and Victoria are reunited with Travers before Jamie joins the soldiers in attempting to find out what has happened to the Doctor."
"Jamie and Victoria are reunited with Travers before Jamie joins the soldiers in attempting to find out what has happened to the Doctor."
On this day in 1973 (in the United Kingdom), Doctor Who aired "Carnival Of Monsters: Part 3." Officially, this served as the seventh episode in the program's tenth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Doctor and Jo return to the Bernice to try and aid their escape but find themselves pursued by the Drashigs."
"The Doctor and Jo return to the Bernice to try and aid their escape but find themselves pursued by the Drashigs."
On this day in 1979 (in the United Kingdom), Doctor Who aired "The Armageddon Factor: Part 4." Officially, this served as the twenty-fourth episode in the program's sixteenth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Doctor sends Shapp and Merak back to Atrios to try and halt the Marshal's attack, while he and Romana attempt to disable Mentalis."
"The Doctor sends Shapp and Merak back to Atrios to try and halt the Marshal's attack, while he and Romana attempt to disable Mentalis."
On this day in 1980, Galactica 1980 concluded its first adventure with the airing of "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part 3." This served as the third episode to the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Troy and Dillon leap back with Jamie to 1944 to stop Xaviar's attempt to help the development of the V-2 rocket at Peenemunde. Later they return to 1980 CA but need to secure their impounded Vipers from U.S. military inspection."
"Troy and Dillon leap back with Jamie to 1944 to stop Xaviar's attempt to help the development of the V-2 rocket at Peenemunde. Later they return to 1980 CA but need to secure their impounded Vipers from U.S. military inspection."
On this day in 1982, The Greatest American Hero aired "The Shock Will Kill You." This served as the thirteenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"While rescuing a stricken space shuttle Ralph becomes hyper-magnetized resulting his being attracted to all things metal."
"While rescuing a stricken space shuttle Ralph becomes hyper-magnetized resulting his being attracted to all things metal."
On this day in 1990, Star Trek: The Next Generation continued on its third season, arguably the time when the stories started to dramatically improve. "A Matter of Perspective" -- despite the above picture leading one to suspect it was a Data-centric story -- actually explored a particular quandary for Commander Riker. Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"The widow of respected scientist Dr. Nel Apgar accuses Riker of seducing her and killing her husband. Rather than turn Riker over for unfavorable trial, the Enterprise reconstructs the facts."
"The widow of respected scientist Dr. Nel Apgar accuses Riker of seducing her and killing her husband. Rather than turn Riker over for unfavorable trial, the Enterprise reconstructs the facts."
On this day in 1993, the UPN aired "Fire and Ice," the third episode in Time Trax's first season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Darien tracks a series of jewel thefts to two thieves from the future, nicknamed 'Fire and Ice', and suspects they are working with Dr. Sahmbi."
"Darien tracks a series of jewel thefts to two thieves from the future, nicknamed 'Fire and Ice', and suspects they are working with Dr. Sahmbi."
On this day in 1997, the battle for the Alpha Quadrant really started to take shape as part of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's fifth season, when "In Purgatory's Shadow" aired. Here's the episode summary, compliments of IMDB.com:
"A coded message from the Gamma Quadrant leads Garak to believe his mentor, Enabran Tain, is still alive. He and Worf seek him out, only to discover something much worse: a Dominion invasion fleet poised to attack the Alpha Quadrant."
"A coded message from the Gamma Quadrant leads Garak to believe his mentor, Enabran Tain, is still alive. He and Worf seek him out, only to discover something much worse: a Dominion invasion fleet poised to attack the Alpha Quadrant."
On this day in 1999, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired the 13th episode of its seventh and final season. The hour was called "Field of Fire," and here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"Find an apparently untraceable murderer, Ezri Dax reluctantly calls up the residual consciousness remnant of her symbiont's past hidden psychopathic murderer host, Joran."
"Find an apparently untraceable murderer, Ezri Dax reluctantly calls up the residual consciousness remnant of her symbiont's past hidden psychopathic murderer host, Joran."
On this day in 1999, Star Trek: Voyager aired "Bliss." Officially, this served as the fourteenth episode in the program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Voyager crew discovers what seems to be a wormhole leading to the Alpha Quadrant and home. Images of Earth and letters from home elates the crew of Voyager. Seven, and others, however, are skeptical of this seeming deliverance."
"The Voyager crew discovers what seems to be a wormhole leading to the Alpha Quadrant and home. Images of Earth and letters from home elates the crew of Voyager. Seven, and others, however, are skeptical of this seeming deliverance."
On this day in 2003, Andromeda aired "The Risk-All Point." Officially, this served as the thirteenth episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"While on their way in the Maru to the launching of the first new Commonwealth starship in over three hundred years, Dylan, Beka, and Tyr rush ahead to warn the new battleship, the Crimson Sunrise, of an incoming Nietzschean battle group. They suspect that there is an agent on board the Sunrise, and their suspicions are confirmed when the engines go critical and the Sunrise is destroyed. Many on board the Sunrise survived in escape pods, but they discover the pods are leaking air. As they rescue the survivors, they also investigate the sabotage and realize that the saboteur may still be among them."
"While on their way in the Maru to the launching of the first new Commonwealth starship in over three hundred years, Dylan, Beka, and Tyr rush ahead to warn the new battleship, the Crimson Sunrise, of an incoming Nietzschean battle group. They suspect that there is an agent on board the Sunrise, and their suspicions are confirmed when the engines go critical and the Sunrise is destroyed. Many on board the Sunrise survived in escape pods, but they discover the pods are leaking air. As they rescue the survivors, they also investigate the sabotage and realize that the saboteur may still be among them."
I don't know any SciFi program that so successfully poked fun at itself in quite the same way that Syfy's Farscape did. On this day in 2003, the program managed to up the ante even more with the airing of "A Constellation of Doubt," the seventeenth episode of its fourth season. According to IMDB.com, here's what you need to know:
"John Crichton struggles to learn the location of the mysterious Katratzi, whilst watching a television documentary about himself and the aliens."
"John Crichton struggles to learn the location of the mysterious Katratzi, whilst watching a television documentary about himself and the aliens."
On this day in 2003, Mutant X aired "Hard Time." This served as the fourteenth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The team go undercover to investigate unexplained deaths in a prison."
"The team go undercover to investigate unexplained deaths in a prison."
On this day in 2006, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Off The Grid." This served as the sixteenth episode in the long-running program's ninth season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"While investigating the source of an addictive corn-like crop, SG-1 becomes involved in a firefight. They are forced to fall back to the gate, but as Daniel is dialing both the Stargate and the DHD are beamed away."
"While investigating the source of an addictive corn-like crop, SG-1 becomes involved in a firefight. They are forced to fall back to the gate, but as Daniel is dialing both the Stargate and the DHD are beamed away."
On this day in 2007, Star Trek's Remastered version of "The Doomsday Machine" played on U.S. television. Officially, this served as the sixth episode in the program's second season -- and it's one of my all-time favorite Treks, indeed -- and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The USS Enterprise encounters the wrecked USS Constellation and its distraught commodore who's determined to stop the giant planet-destroying robot ship that killed his crew."
"The USS Enterprise encounters the wrecked USS Constellation and its distraught commodore who's determined to stop the giant planet-destroying robot ship that killed his crew."
On this day in 2014, Almost Human aired "Perception," the tenth episode of the program's only television season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the summary:
"When Kennex and Dorian investigate the simultaneous and sudden deaths of two genetically-enhanced - or "chrome" - children, a fatal dose of the perfect designer drug appears to be the cause. As the investigation unfolds and a recent drowning victim is mysteriously connected, the case takes an unexpected turn. Meanwhile, Kennex endures painful flashes from the past and pays a visit to the recollectionist."
"When Kennex and Dorian investigate the simultaneous and sudden deaths of two genetically-enhanced - or "chrome" - children, a fatal dose of the perfect designer drug appears to be the cause. As the investigation unfolds and a recent drowning victim is mysteriously connected, the case takes an unexpected turn. Meanwhile, Kennex endures painful flashes from the past and pays a visit to the recollectionist."
