Believe it or not, the 1950's era had some solid entries in the realms of Science Fiction and Fantasy, though many of them were decidedly a bit more youth-focused than others. Today's evidence: Rocky Jones, Space Ranger premiered on this day back then, and even featured a 10-year-old space adventurer amongst its cast. It lasted a single season on television, and here's the series' summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Cruising the galaxy in his space ship "The Orbit Jet" Space Ranger, Rocky Jones, Vena Ray, and 10 year-old Bobby defend the Earth and themselves against space-bound evil doers."
"Cruising the galaxy in his space ship "The Orbit Jet" Space Ranger, Rocky Jones, Vena Ray, and 10 year-old Bobby defend the Earth and themselves against space-bound evil doers."
The hunky Jon Hall took the silver screen by storm with roles aboard Invisible Agent (1942) and The Invisible Man's Revenge (1944). Though he's no longer with us, Hall was born on this day in 1915.
Bernard Kay (above left) left behind an acting legacy of over 150 different screen credits and was one of the actors with the good fortune to visit the ever-growing universe of Doctor Who on multiple occasions. Though he's no longer with us, Kay was born on this day in 1928.
The venerable Gerry Davis contributed scripts to the older and new incarnations of the BBC's Doctor Who as well as scripts for such other properties as Doomwatch, The Bionic Woman, The Final Countdown (1980), and Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future. Though he's no longer with us, Davis was born on this day in 1930.
She's been called many things. Number One. Nurse Chapel. Computer. But perhaps the very best is "The Grand Dame of the Galaxy" who stood alongside "The Great Bird of the Galaxy" for so very long. Mostly, she answered to Majel. Majel Barrett. Majel Barrett Roddenberry. She was such an instrumental part of the Trek franchise for very long, being there from the beginning with Gene and the rest. Though she's no longer with us, Barrett was born on this day in 1932. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though she's probably remembered more for her appearance in various Westerns or other historical films, the lovely Linda Cristal did make a guest spot aboard Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea in 1964. Cristal was born on this day in 1934.
Ah, Rees Vaughn, we hardly knew ye! In 1967, the young Rees played Latimer aboard the Star Trek classic episode, "The Galileo Seven," but only for a few moments as he was one of the stranded crewmembers quickly cut down in the line of duty. Though he's no longer with us, Vaughn was born on this day in 1935.
You young'uns won't remember this motion picture, but Futureworld (1976) was what big-screen sci-fi looked like before the advent of Star Wars. In it, a younger Peter Fonda played a reporter who'd uncovered a secret about the robots staffing a state-of-the-art Walt Disney-style theme park for adults; and the story was basically his race against time to get out alive before the malfunctioning automatons killed him. Though he's no longer with us, Fonda was born on this day in 1940.
The lovely Shakira Caine lent her exotic appeal to a small handful of uncredited appearances aboard Gerry Anderon's UFO. Caine was born on this day in 1947. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Patricia Richardson was just one of the many great actresses to make an appearances aboard NBC's popular Quantum Leap during the show's run. Richardson was born on this day in 1951.
Ronan Vibert is a talented character actor who turns up in a good number of period-style Fantasy projects, including Highlander: The Raven, Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, The Sarah Jane Adventures, Dracula Untold (2014), and Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. Vibert was born on this day in 1964.
Early in her career, Sex and the City's Kristin Davis played a very different 'big city gal' aboard the Alien Nation: Body and Soul (1995) telefilm. Davis was born on this day in 1965.
Hollywood actor and stuntman Alexander Denk has played around on camera for such properties as Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and the Cult flick Soldier (1998). Denk was born on this day in 1968.
Back in 1991, Craig Hurley played Ensign Peeples aboard "Night Terrors," a fourth season outing of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Hurley was born on this day in 1968.
The lovely Marie-Josée Croze played a small role in the less-than-lovely Battlefield Earth (2000), a John Travolta project deemed to be one of the worst films ever made. Croze was born on this day in 1970. [Source: IMDB.com]
With roles in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Batman V Superman, Callan Mulvey is one of those rare actors who has had the chance to play in both the Marvel and DC Comic universes. Mulvey was born on this day in 1975.
The lovely Kelly Macdonald enjoyed a dip into the realm of Science Fiction with a role aboard the telefilm The Child In Time (2017) for the BBC. Madonald was born on this day in 1976. [Source: IMDB.com]
At well over six and one-half feet, there's few Erika Ervin doesn't tower over! Indeed, she used her physical presence to her advantage aboard ABC TV's Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. to her advantage. Ervin was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
Russia-born Inna Korobkina found herself packing a demon of a child during the end of the world that was Zack Snyder's Dawn Of The Dead (2004). Korobkina was born on this day in 1981. [Source: IMDB.com]
Funnyman and unfortunately politically intolerant Josh Gad helped deliver what laughs could be found to Pixels (2015) for Columbia Pictures. (Why do so many in Hollywood seemingly hate the folks who see their movies and TV projects? It defies logic, people.) More recently he enjoyed a bit of screen time aboard HBO's SciFi/Sitcom Avenue 5. Gad was born on this day in 1981. [Source: IMDB.com]
SciFi fandom always embraces a ginger ... especially when that ginger looks like Emily Blunt! Blunt had a relatively small but critical role in Looper, and she totally rocked our collective worlds as the 'Full Metal Bitch' from 2014's stellar Edge of Tomorrow. At this point, I'm willing to christen her as the 'go to' gal when we need a tough but sensitive lead for any SciFi project so long as she stops dishing on America. (We here at SciFiHistory.Net are very pro-USA!) Blunt was born on this day in 1983.
The dreamy Samara Weaving played a role aboard the less-than-dreamy Monster Trucks (2016). She also had a role aboard Starz Network's Ash Vs. Evil Dead. Weaving was born on this day in 1992.
When she was only a li'l sprite, Dakota Fanning headlined alongside Tom Cruise in Steven Spielberg's (unnecessary) remake of War of the Worlds. She's since blossomed into an even more talented young lady who continues to seek and explore good work. Fanning was born on this day in 1994.
Cameron Palatas enjoyed a guest spot aboard the Fantasy-themed property from Marvel and Walt Disney Studios, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Palatas was born on this day in 1994. [Source: IMDB.com]
Newcomer Emilia Jones is one busy young lady, but she wasn't too busy to appear in "The Rings Of Akhaten," a 2013 episode of the BBC's long-running Doctor Who. Jones was born on this day in 2002.
A star is born ... or is that "saddled"? Well, now ... it isn't every day we get to talk about something that's billed as a Musical/SciFi/Western, but on this day in 1935 such a property came into existence: The Phantom Empire starred Gene Autry and Frankie Darro. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's what you need to know about that:
"When the ancient continent of Mu sank beneath the ocean, some of its inhabitant survived in caverns beneath the sea. Cowboy singer Gene Autry stumbles upon the civilization, now buried beneath his own Radio Ranch. The Muranians have developed technology and weaponry such as television and ray guns. Their rich supply of radium draws unscrupulous speculators from the surface. The peaceful civilization of the Muranians is corrupted by the greed from above, and it becomes Autry's task to prevent all-out war, ideally without disrupting his regular radio show."
"When the ancient continent of Mu sank beneath the ocean, some of its inhabitant survived in caverns beneath the sea. Cowboy singer Gene Autry stumbles upon the civilization, now buried beneath his own Radio Ranch. The Muranians have developed technology and weaponry such as television and ray guns. Their rich supply of radium draws unscrupulous speculators from the surface. The peaceful civilization of the Muranians is corrupted by the greed from above, and it becomes Autry's task to prevent all-out war, ideally without disrupting his regular radio show."
On this day in 1956 (in Australia), This Island Earth visited Earth's theaters. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary for the SciFi release:
"Aliens come to Earth seeking scientists to help them in their war."
"Aliens come to Earth seeking scientists to help them in their war."
On this day in 1961 (in Mexico), 12 To The Moon blasted off theatrically. The feature starred Ken Clark and Michi Kobi, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An international team embarks on an expedition to the moon in an uncommonly spacious rocketship. There they encounter a faceless alien intelligence who conclude that the human race is too immature and dangerous and must be destroyed."
"An international team embarks on an expedition to the moon in an uncommonly spacious rocketship. There they encounter a faceless alien intelligence who conclude that the human race is too immature and dangerous and must be destroyed."
On this day in 1978 (in Peru) the original Star Wars opened for the first time theatrically. The feature starred Luke Hamill and Harrison Ford, and here's the plot summary that's been provided by 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 evil 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 evil Darth Vader."
On this day in 1989 (in Uruguay), Melanie Griffith brought her A-Game to some SciFi cheesery better known as Cherry 2000. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In 2017, a successful businessman travels to the ends of the earth to find that the perfect woman is always under his nose. He hires a sexy renegade tracker to find an exact duplicate of his android wife."
"In 2017, a successful businessman travels to the ends of the earth to find that the perfect woman is always under his nose. He hires a sexy renegade tracker to find an exact duplicate of his android wife."
A star is born! On this day in 1990, Spontaneous Combustion caught fire with audiences. The feature starred Brad Dourif and Cynthia Bain, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A young man finds out that his parents had been used in an atomic-weapons experiment shortly before he was born, and that the results have had some unexpected effects on him."
"A young man finds out that his parents had been used in an atomic-weapons experiment shortly before he was born, and that the results have had some unexpected effects on him."
On this day in 1990, The Blood Of Heroes shed itself ... cinematically, that is. This Dystopian/Thriller starred Rutger Hauer and Joan Chen, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In a future where most of mankind and technology is wiped out, six people travel from place to place playing a brutal form of football with a dog skull. They hope one day to play in the league in a city."
"In a future where most of mankind and technology is wiped out, six people travel from place to place playing a brutal form of football with a dog skull. They hope one day to play in the league in a city."
On this day in 2010, Meteor Apocalypse showed audiences one more way how it all might end. The feature starred Joe Lando and Claudia Christian, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A gigantic meteor enters Earth's orbit and begins to disintegrate, showering the entire planet with debris."
"A gigantic meteor enters Earth's orbit and begins to disintegrate, showering the entire planet with debris."
On this day in 2011 (in the United Kingdom), the SciFi/Thriller Cold Fusion found its theatrical release. The feature starred Adrian Paul and Sarah Brown, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In 1979 a UFO is spotted over Ukrainian territory in the Soviet Union. A squadron of MIG23 fighters are dispatched to intercept it."
"In 1979 a UFO is spotted over Ukrainian territory in the Soviet Union. A squadron of MIG23 fighters are dispatched to intercept it."
On this day in 2013, the SciFi/Telefilm End of the World took yet one more look at mankind's impending doom. It starred Greg Grunberg and Caroline Cave, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"A group of Apocalyptic fanatics must use their knowledge of apocalyptic movies to save the world from a devastating solar flare."
"A group of Apocalyptic fanatics must use their knowledge of apocalyptic movies to save the world from a devastating solar flare."
On this day in 2016 (in Japan), Alienate invaded megaplexes where the unsuspecting awaited its arrival. The feature starred Blake Webb and Tatum Langton, and here's the premise as listed on IMDB.com:
"A man separated from his wife fights to return home while the Earth falls to invasion."
"A man separated from his wife fights to return home while the Earth falls to invasion."
A star is born! On this day in 2017 (in a heavy handful of places near and dear to Russia), Guardians (aka The Guardians) enjoyed its first theatrical screening ever. Written (in part) and directed by Sarik Andreasyan, the SciFi/Superhero film starred Anton Pampushnyy and Sanjar Madi, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"During the Cold War, an organization called "Patriot" created a super-hero squad, which includes members of multiple Soviet republics. For years, the heroes had to hide their identities, but in hard times they must show themselves again."
"During the Cold War, an organization called "Patriot" created a super-hero squad, which includes members of multiple Soviet republics. For years, the heroes had to hide their identities, but in hard times they must show themselves again."
On this day in 2017 (in Kuwait and the United Arab Emigrates), The Worthy showed audiences who was worthier at the box office. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After the vast majority of the world's water supply is lethally contaminated, a small group of survivors who have taken refuge near a rare clean water source are thrust into a deadly game of cat and mouse and must defend their lives from infiltrators who aren't what they seem."
"After the vast majority of the world's water supply is lethally contaminated, a small group of survivors who have taken refuge near a rare clean water source are thrust into a deadly game of cat and mouse and must defend their lives from infiltrators who aren't what they seem."
On this day in 2018, Annihilation gave audiences a chilling look at a world gone awry. The feature starred Natalie Portman and Jennifer Jason Leigh, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A biologist signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition where the laws of nature don't apply."
"A biologist signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition where the laws of nature don't apply."
On this day in 2018 (via the internet to a whole host of countries), Mute enjoyed its first theatrical presentation ever. Written (in part) and directed by Duncan Jones, the SciFi/Mystery starred Alexander Skarsgård and Paul Rudd, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Berlin. Forty years from today. A roiling city of immigrants, where East crashes against West in a science-fiction Casablanca. Leo Beiler, a mute bartender has one reason and one reason only for living here, and she's disappeared. But when Leo's search takes him deeper into the city's underbelly, an odd pair of American surgeons seem to be the only recurring clue, and Leo can't tell if they can help, or who he should fear most."
"Berlin. Forty years from today. A roiling city of immigrants, where East crashes against West in a science-fiction Casablanca. Leo Beiler, a mute bartender has one reason and one reason only for living here, and she's disappeared. But when Leo's search takes him deeper into the city's underbelly, an odd pair of American surgeons seem to be the only recurring clue, and Leo can't tell if they can help, or who he should fear most."
On this day in 2018 (in Spain), The Humanity Bureau enjoyed its debut on television. Directed by Rob W. King, the feature starred Nicolas Cage and Sarah Lind, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A dystopian thriller set in the year 2030 that sees the world in a permanent state of economic recession and facing serious environmental problems as a result of global warming."
"A dystopian thriller set in the year 2030 that sees the world in a permanent state of economic recession and facing serious environmental problems as a result of global warming."
It all began right here: on this day in 1954, Rocky Jones, Space Ranger aired its first episode ever on television. It was titled "Beyond The Curtain Of Space: Chapter I," and here's the plot summary from TV.com:
"As Rocky Jones gets introduced to his new team member, Vena, his spaceship, the Orbit Jet X-V2, is almost destroyed while traveling to the planet Ophiuchus."
"As Rocky Jones gets introduced to his new team member, Vena, his spaceship, the Orbit Jet X-V2, is almost destroyed while traveling to the planet Ophiuchus."
On this day in 1963 (in the United Kingdom), Secret Beneath The Sea aired "Voyage Into Danger." Officially, this served as the second episode in the program's only season of original broadcast television. As I've been unable to locate a plot summary for this particular installment, I'm putting up the series' summary from IMDB.com:
"A sequel to City Beneath the Sea. A journalist goes to the ocean floor to look for Phenicium, a rare metal vital for space research. Of course, the bad guys want it, too."
"A sequel to City Beneath the Sea. A journalist goes to the ocean floor to look for Phenicium, a rare metal vital for space research. Of course, the bad guys want it, too."
Kirk and his crew along with their ship find themselves being declared 'destroyed' as casualties of a war they didn't even know was being waged in the first season adventure, "A Taste of Armageddon." This Star Trek show aired on this day back in 1967, and it featured some terrific guest star appearances from the lovely Barbara Babcock and Gene Lyons.
Oh, what's in a human form? Plenty when you're not used to it! That's essentially the message at the heart of Star Trek's second season airing of "By Any Other Name," which took place on this day back in 1968. Aliens 'adopt' the human form for a potential invasion, and our intrepid captain is able to use the powers of the flesh against them.
On this day in 1974, Doctor Who aired "Death to the Daleks, Part 1." This served as the eleventh episode of the program's eleventh season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"As the TARDIS heads to the paradise planet Florana where the Doctor and Sarah go for a holiday, the TARDIS goes off-course and arrives on the barren planet Exxilon, where the TARDIS is loosing power. The Doctor and Sarah finds a group of humans and Daleks are searching for Parrinium, a mineral which is the only antidote to a space plague. Both parties encounter the native people and trouble ensues. In an attempt to find what caused the power-loss, the Doctor, chased by the Daleks, enter the Exxilon's lost city to be able to stop the power draining phenomenon."
"As the TARDIS heads to the paradise planet Florana where the Doctor and Sarah go for a holiday, the TARDIS goes off-course and arrives on the barren planet Exxilon, where the TARDIS is loosing power. The Doctor and Sarah finds a group of humans and Daleks are searching for Parrinium, a mineral which is the only antidote to a space plague. Both parties encounter the native people and trouble ensues. In an attempt to find what caused the power-loss, the Doctor, chased by the Daleks, enter the Exxilon's lost city to be able to stop the power draining phenomenon."
On this day in 1984, Doctor Who aired "The Visitation, Part 4." This served as the sixteenth episode of the program's nineteenth season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"With Tegan and Richard under alien control, and the manor sealed against anyone leaving or entering, it's a question whether or not the Doctor can get to London before the Terileptils release their improved strain of black death upon the world."
"With Tegan and Richard under alien control, and the manor sealed against anyone leaving or entering, it's a question whether or not the Doctor can get to London before the Terileptils release their improved strain of black death upon the world."
On this day in 1991, Super Force aired "Come Under The Way: Part 2." This served as the twenty-first episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by TV.com:
"After a series of events Zach realizes that Dr. Landru is behind the what has been happening recently."
"After a series of events Zach realizes that Dr. Landru is behind the what has been happening recently."
On this day in 1994, Babylon 5 aired "The Parliament Of Dreams." This served as the fifth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A week long cultural festival is takes place on board the station. Catherine Sakai, Sinclair's old girlfriend, arrives on the station and G'Kar receives a death threat."
"A week long cultural festival is takes place on board the station. Catherine Sakai, Sinclair's old girlfriend, arrives on the station and G'Kar receives a death threat."
On this day in 1996, The Outer Limits aired "Straight and Narrow." This served as the eighth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Two students discover an academy with an outstanding reputation for taming youthful rebellion is using brain implants to create political assassins."
"Two students discover an academy with an outstanding reputation for taming youthful rebellion is using brain implants to create political assassins."
On this day in 2001 (in West Germany), Star Trek: Voyager aired "Virtuoso." Officially, this served as the thirteenth episode in the program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Doctor's singing talent is so appreciated by an alien species that he considers resigning his commission and staying on with his millions of adoring fans."
"The Doctor's singing talent is so appreciated by an alien species that he considers resigning his commission and staying on with his millions of adoring fans."
On this day in 2001, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Exodus." Officially, this served as the twenty-second episode in the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"SG-1 delivers their newly confiscated Goa'uld mothership to help the Tok'ra evacuate their planet and deal with their disinformed Goa'uld spy in their midst."
"SG-1 delivers their newly confiscated Goa'uld mothership to help the Tok'ra evacuate their planet and deal with their disinformed Goa'uld spy in their midst."
On this day in 2004, Mutant X aired "Loyalties Divided." This served as the fifteenth episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Brennan is forced to return to his criminal past when Mutant X discovers that his old partner is involved in stealing secrets from the Dominion."
"Brennan is forced to return to his criminal past when Mutant X discovers that his old partner is involved in stealing secrets from the Dominion."
On this day in 2005, Smallville aired "Sacred." This served as the fifteenth episode of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"When Dr. Virgil Swann dies, Clark Kent receives the octagonal metallic disc through mail. He goes to the Kawatche caves and after inserting the disc in a stone, he hears Jor-El ordering him to find the three knowledge stones to protect planet Earth against destruction. Since the first (retrieved from Lex in Egypt in the season opener) is in Clark's possession, the other two must be found. Meanwhile, Lex and Jason are in Shanghai, China trying to locate one of the stones. Lionel Luthor gives a copy of the map and an airplane to Lana Lang, and together with Clark, they travel to China and meet Lex and Jason where they get arrested and tortured in a temple by the oppressive authorities for information about the stone's whereabouts. When Lana is captured and also tortured, 'Isobel' returns to protect Lana's body and to fight Clark for the stone's procession."
"When Dr. Virgil Swann dies, Clark Kent receives the octagonal metallic disc through mail. He goes to the Kawatche caves and after inserting the disc in a stone, he hears Jor-El ordering him to find the three knowledge stones to protect planet Earth against destruction. Since the first (retrieved from Lex in Egypt in the season opener) is in Clark's possession, the other two must be found. Meanwhile, Lex and Jason are in Shanghai, China trying to locate one of the stones. Lionel Luthor gives a copy of the map and an airplane to Lana Lang, and together with Clark, they travel to China and meet Lex and Jason where they get arrested and tortured in a temple by the oppressive authorities for information about the stone's whereabouts. When Lana is captured and also tortured, 'Isobel' returns to protect Lana's body and to fight Clark for the stone's procession."
On this day in 2013, Star Wars: The Clone Wars aired "To Catch A Jedi." Officially, this served as the nineteenth episode in the program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Ahsoka is on the run and hiding in the criminal underworld of Coruscant. She strikes up an unlikely alliance with a former enemy turned bounty hunter."
"Ahsoka is on the run and hiding in the criminal underworld of Coruscant. She strikes up an unlikely alliance with a former enemy turned bounty hunter."
