On this day in 1927, Fritz Lang's masterpiece Metropolis first premiered theatrically in his native Germany. The SciFi movie wouldn't hit the United States for another two months, but the film certainly set the bar as high as it could go for the potential visionary power that Science Fiction offered moviemakers of its era. Here's the film's plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In a futuristic city sharply divided between the working class and the city planners, the son of the city's mastermind falls in love with a working class prophet who predicts the coming of a savior to mediate their differences."
"In a futuristic city sharply divided between the working class and the city planners, the son of the city's mastermind falls in love with a working class prophet who predicts the coming of a savior to mediate their differences."
As Sessom, Francis X. Bushman (on the ground above) played only one of the many surprises awaiting the unfortunate astronaut discovering The Phantom Planet (1961). Though he's no longer with us, Bushman was born on this day in 1883.
Make no mistake: far more people remember funnyman Ray Bolger (above right) for his work as The Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, but SciFi fans recall his robotic guest spot late in his life aboard 1970's Battlestar Galactica. Though he's no longer with us, Bolger was born on this day in 1904.
In the role of M for the James Bond series, the venerable Bernard Lee maintained an impressive record ordering the world's greatest spy into action, including his stint in space aboard Moonraker (1979) which turned out to be the actor's final theatrical appearance for the saga. Though he's no longer with us, Lee was born on this day in 1908.
With nearly seven decades in the entertainment business, there's no doubt that Amzie Strickland touched a lot of hearts. As far as Science Fiction goes, she booked appearances aboard The Twilight Zone, The Six Million Dollar Man, Project U.F.O., Knight Rider, and ALF. Though she's no longer with us, Strickland was born on this day in 1919.
Unlike other SciFi junkies, I'm not all gaga for the late 60's series The Prisoner: it's definitely great viewing, but I'm not sure all of it is as 'prescient' as some make it out to be. In any event, Anton Rodgers played 'Number Two' aboard the program. Though he's no longer with us, Rodgers was born on this day in 1933. [Source: IMDB.com]
Sal Mineo leaves behind a legacy of over 70 different screen credits, but SciFi fans might know him best in the guise of 'Dr. Milo,' one of the ape refugees who managed to Escape From The Planet Of The Apes (1971). Though he's no longer with us, Mineo was born on this day in 1939. [Source: IMDB.com]
Walter Hill's is a name I certainly recognize. Genre fans probably know him best for action flicks, but he's also known to have contributed the story for Aliens (1986), having directed Supernova (2000), and producing AVP: Aliens Vs. Predator among many, many other things. Hill was born on this day in 1942.
The great character actor, William Sanderson, has rather deftly switched between comedy and drama, though methinks he's always played pitch perfect when cast somewhere decidedly in-between those two genres. He had a solid run on HBO's True Blood -- though I thought his character really ended up being slighted creatively -- but I'll always remember him best as J.F. Sebastian from the legendary Blade Runner. Sanderson was born on this day in 1944.
Ivar Brogger is one of those talented actors who's had the opportunity to play in more than a single universe: to date, he's secured guest spots in both Star Trek: Voyager and Andromeda. Brogger was born on this day in 1947.
Though his IMDB.com profile would make one believe he's moved on into more 'scholarly' pursuits, screenwriter Fred Bronson was responsible for crafting an episode of Star Trek: The Animated Series as well as contributing toward two hours of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Bronson was born on this day in 1949.
Early in his acting career, Ralph Byers had the chance to serve aboard no less than the Starship Enterprise in Star Trek - The Motion Picture (1979). Byers was born on this day in 1950.
Screenwriter Fran Walsh helped her hubby Peter Jackson bring J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasies to life by drafting both The Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings into scripts. Walsh was born on this day in 1959. [Source: IMDB.com]
Sherman Augustus certainly continues to seek out and explore new roles and new imaginations. He's been aboard such properties as Digital Man (1995), Space Marines (1996), Viper, Virus (1999), Star Trek: Voyager, and HBO's Westworld. Augustus was born on this day in 1959.
Actor Jeff Kaake has been a part of several short-lived television series, but sci-fi fans know him best as Capt. John Boon on Space Rangers. Kaake was born on this day in 1959.
Buried somewhere under all of that makeup and latex for her work aboard Fantasy's The Beastmaster (1982) is Janet Jones, one of mankind's most equisite beauties. (FYI: she's properly billed as 'Witchwoman #3' in the motion picture.) Jones was born on this day in 1961. [Source: IMDB.com]
Evan Handler entered the greater world of ABC TV's Lost for a terrific guest spot back in 2006. Otherwise, he tends to avoid Science Fiction. Handler was born on this day in 1961. [Source: IMDB.com]
Well after finding big screen fame alongside Michael J. Fox in the cult Horror hit, The Frighteners, Trini Alvarado enjoyed a few guest spots aboard Fox TV's Fringe program. Alvarado was born on this day in 1967.
Sherry Hitch is one of those 'special effects wizards' whose behind-the-scenes efforts bring to life some of what gives audiences so much joy in Science Fiction films. She's worked on such features as Roughnecks: The Starship Troopers Chronicles, The Chronicles of Riddick, Star Trek, and Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens. Hitch was born on this day in 1970.
The beautiful Jules Bruff made a genre appearance aboard the SciFi short film Station Zero (2012). Bruff was born on this day in 1973. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Kelly Marcel was one of the creators/screenwriters responsible for bringing Fox TV's short-lived Terra Nova to life on the small screen. More recently, she crafted the screenplay for Marvel's big screen debut of Venom (2018). Marcel was born on this day in 1974. [Source: IMDB.com]
Bollywood sensation Hrithik Roshan struts his Mutant stuff headlining the Krrish saga, a cinematic take on the popular Indian superhero. Roshan was born on this day in 1974.
Multi-talented Jemaine Clement played the role of the big baddie troubling Will Smith in Men In Black III (2012). Clement was born on this day in 1974.
Early in his professional career, Lee Rumohr played a guest spot aboard the WB's popular Smallville. He's also had screen time on Mutant X, Syfy's Lost Girl, and The CW's Supernatural. Rumohr was born on this day in 1975.
Actor Antonio Cupo has certainly dabbled along the edges of Science Fiction and Fantasy. He's had roles aboard So Weird, The Immortal, Dark Angel, Special Unit 2, Andromeda, Taken (TV miniseries), and Supernatural. Cupo was born on this day in 1978. [Source: IMDB.com]
The luminous Carrie Reichenbach raced her way into genre history with a big role aboard the SciFi/Fantasy Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight. Reichenbach was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
The impressive Sarah Shahi enjoyed a prominent role aboard CBS's popular SciFi-lite property, Person Of Interest. Shahi was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
Irish-born Emily Taaffe has enjoyed a bit of screen time aboard such properties as the BBC's Atlantis and Stan Lee's Lucky Man. Taaffe was born on this day in 1984. [Source: IMDB.com]
The talented Alex Meraz continues to pop up all across the world of entertainment. Fans generally recognize him from work aboard the Twilight saga, but he's also enjoyed work aboard Suicide Squad (2016) and Bright (2017). Meraz was born on this day ibn 1985. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though Science Fiction clearly doesn't appear to be the young lady's chosen field, the lovely Emily Meade did give fanboys a flirtatious glance with a small guest starring role aboard Fox TV's Fringe. Meade was born on this day in 1989.
On this day in 1975, the SciFi/Telefilm Stowaway To The Moon aired in the vacuum. The feature starred Lloyd Bridges and Jeremy Slate, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An 11 year old boy, who has always been fascinated by space and astronauts, wishes he could go into space also. So of course it should be easy to get into Cape Kennedy, up the launch tower, and into the capsule. Naturally when something goes wrong on the journey, he will save the day."
"An 11 year old boy, who has always been fascinated by space and astronauts, wishes he could go into space also. So of course it should be easy to get into Cape Kennedy, up the launch tower, and into the capsule. Naturally when something goes wrong on the journey, he will save the day."
On this day in 1994, the SciFi/Telefilm Natural Selection aired. The feature starred C. Thomas Howell and Lisa Zane, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Software programmer Ben Braden has it all: beautiful wife, cute kid, dream house, sports car, great job. Then one day the doorbell rings and he finds himself standing eye to eye with Alex Connelly, every inch his double and hell-bent on getting Ben's material features as well..."
"Software programmer Ben Braden has it all: beautiful wife, cute kid, dream house, sports car, great job. Then one day the doorbell rings and he finds himself standing eye to eye with Alex Connelly, every inch his double and hell-bent on getting Ben's material features as well..."
I have a vague recollection of watching The Relic in theatres when it premiered on this day back in 1997. The mildly muddled story starred Penelope Ann Miller and Tom Sizemore, and here's the premise from IMDB.com:
"A homicide detective and an anthropologist try to destroy a South American lizard-like god, who's on a people eating rampage in a Chicago museum."
"A homicide detective and an anthropologist try to destroy a South American lizard-like god, who's on a people eating rampage in a Chicago museum."
On this day in 1967, the invasion official began when The Invaders premiered in television history. The first episode ever was titled "Beachhead," and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An architect's close encounter with a spaceship leads him to investigate a small town's hydroelectric plant."
"An architect's close encounter with a spaceship leads him to investigate a small town's hydroelectric plant."
Racial harmony never came more front and center (or color-coded) in an issue of the classic Star Trek than it did in "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield." The episode first aired on this day back in 1969, and it gave TV veteran Frank Gorshin a chance to play in the Trek universe. According to IMDB.com, here's the plot summary for the fifteenth episode of the program's third season:
"The Enterprise encounters two duo-chromatic and mutually belligerent aliens who put the ship in the middle of their old conflict."
"The Enterprise encounters two duo-chromatic and mutually belligerent aliens who put the ship in the middle of their old conflict."
On this day in 1970, Doctor Who aired "Spearhead From Space: Part 2." This served as the second episode in the program's seventh season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"UNIT's attempts to locate the meteorites are hampered by the mysterious plastic Autons, being constructed by Channing at a nearby factory, while the Doctor makes another attempt to escape from the hospital."
"UNIT's attempts to locate the meteorites are hampered by the mysterious plastic Autons, being constructed by Channing at a nearby factory, while the Doctor makes another attempt to escape from the hospital."
On this day in 1976, Doctor Who aired "The Brain Of Morbius: Part 2." This served as the eighteenth episode in the program's thirteenth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Sisterhood prepare to sacrifice the Doctor to the Sacred Flame and Sarah is injured while rescuing him."
"The Sisterhood prepare to sacrifice the Doctor to the Sacred Flame and Sarah is injured while rescuing him."
Capt. Buck Rogers turned another year older, another year wiser in the January 10, 1980 episode of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century titled, "Happy Birthday, Buck." The adventure saw our intrepid space hero combating feelings of homesickness on what amounts to his 534th birthday. (Geez, maybe they should've laid off so many candles!) According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Nearing his 534th birthday, Buck Rogers feels homesick for the 20th century and Wilma Deering plans a surprise party to cheer him up. To lure Buck out of his apartment and allow Wilma to arrange the party, Dr. Huer assigns him to escort psychic courier Raylyn Derren to New Detroit. Meanwhile, the bitter and vindictive Cornell Traeger escapes from a remote planet that he has been imprisoned on for 15 years. He acquires a mutant power to change molecular structures and plans revenge on Dr. Huer for sending him on a disastrous mission. Traeger kidnaps the psychic courier to find out Dr. Huer's location and Buck must stop him before he can carry out the assassination."
"Nearing his 534th birthday, Buck Rogers feels homesick for the 20th century and Wilma Deering plans a surprise party to cheer him up. To lure Buck out of his apartment and allow Wilma to arrange the party, Dr. Huer assigns him to escort psychic courier Raylyn Derren to New Detroit. Meanwhile, the bitter and vindictive Cornell Traeger escapes from a remote planet that he has been imprisoned on for 15 years. He acquires a mutant power to change molecular structures and plans revenge on Dr. Huer for sending him on a disastrous mission. Traeger kidnaps the psychic courier to find out Dr. Huer's location and Buck must stop him before he can carry out the assassination."
On this day in 1981, Doctor Who aired "Warrior's Gate: Part 2." This served as the eighteenth episode of the program's eighteenth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Three humorless men from a damaged bulk freighter find the TARDIS. Wearily, Romana returns with them to appraise the situation of their damaged ship but, because she's a time sensitive, winds up as a living navigational component to replace their time-sensitive Tharil (lion-man) who escaped. Meanwhile the Doctor, having found a gateway, is having a time with Gundans, robot soldiers programmed to kill."
"Three humorless men from a damaged bulk freighter find the TARDIS. Wearily, Romana returns with them to appraise the situation of their damaged ship but, because she's a time sensitive, winds up as a living navigational component to replace their time-sensitive Tharil (lion-man) who escaped. Meanwhile the Doctor, having found a gateway, is having a time with Gundans, robot soldiers programmed to kill."
On this day in 1986, Misfits of Science aired "Grand Elusion." This served as the eleventh episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Misfits agree to help a former German spy reunite with his daughter who he was separated from 25 years ago in Germany. To do it, they use their powers to stage a magic show for the athletes she came from the Soviet Union with."
"The Misfits agree to help a former German spy reunite with his daughter who he was separated from 25 years ago in Germany. To do it, they use their powers to stage a magic show for the athletes she came from the Soviet Union with."
On this day in 1988, Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future aired "Gemini And Counting." This served as the twelfth episode of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A deadly virus is sweeping the passages. Pilot proposes to infiltrate Dread's chem factory Medlab 1 dressed in her old Dread Youth uniform to steal a vaccine. Once there she comes into contact with a young Dread Youth named Erin who reminds her of herself."
"A deadly virus is sweeping the passages. Pilot proposes to infiltrate Dread's chem factory Medlab 1 dressed in her old Dread Youth uniform to steal a vaccine. Once there she comes into contact with a young Dread Youth named Erin who reminds her of herself."
On this day in 1990, Quantum Leap aired "Another Mother." This served as the thirteenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"After leaping into a single mother, Sam must prevent the 15-year-old son of his host from disappearing. Al and Sam also find out that very young children can see them as they really are."
"After leaping into a single mother, Sam must prevent the 15-year-old son of his host from disappearing. Al and Sam also find out that very young children can see them as they really are."
On this day in 1993, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired "Past Prologue" as part of its inaugural season. Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"Tahna Los, a former Bajoran terrorist during the Occupation, asks Sisko for asylum on DS9. Meanwhile, the station's last Cardassian inhabitant, Garak, possibly a former spy for the Cardassian government, proves an interesting mystery to Dr. Bashir."
"Tahna Los, a former Bajoran terrorist during the Occupation, asks Sisko for asylum on DS9. Meanwhile, the station's last Cardassian inhabitant, Garak, possibly a former spy for the Cardassian government, proves an interesting mystery to Dr. Bashir."
If you've never seen Batman Beyond, then you've indeed missed something pretty special ... especially if you -- as I do -- love nearly all things Bats. This animated program took the Batman mythos well into the future to a time when Bruce Wayne finally came to grips with the fact that he was too old to keep up the fight, and, instead, he recruits a young man named Terry McGinnis to do the dirty work for him. It lasted for three seasons, and, while there's been rumors about a possible continuation both on the small screens and the big, it's right now lying in wait for someone to call it back into active service. I, for one, would be thrilled.
The dynamic program premiered on this day in 1999 with the two-part episode aptly titled "Rebirth."
The dynamic program premiered on this day in 1999 with the two-part episode aptly titled "Rebirth."
On this day in 1999, The X-Files aired "The Rain King." This served as the eighth episode in the program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"When Mulder and Scully investigate a man who claims he can control the rain in a small, drought-stricken Kansas town, they encounter a force more powerful than the weather."
"When Mulder and Scully investigate a man who claims he can control the rain in a small, drought-stricken Kansas town, they encounter a force more powerful than the weather."
On this day in 2001, TV's Seven Days aired "Adam & Even & Adam." This served as the tenth episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A top secret weapon project test gone awry seemingly kills all life on Earth except Parker, Olga, and Owsley who are deep underground in a secret government facility. Now they must make it back in time to Backstep."
"A top secret weapon project test gone awry seemingly kills all life on Earth except Parker, Olga, and Owsley who are deep underground in a secret government facility. Now they must make it back in time to Backstep."
On this day in 2001, the cast of Starhunter went boldly where no one had gone before when they aired the eleventh episode of their first season. The hour was titled "Black Light," and here's the plot summary from Wikipedia.org:
"While transporting a Raider prisoner, Electra, to Ganymede, a man suddenly appears aboard the Tulip - a legendary colonel named Bramwell who had been cryonically frozen and forgotten about in the bowels of the ship for nearly 50 years. The Colonel believes Earth is still at war with the Raiders, but when he learns the war is over, and he failed his mission, he has a breakdown. Later, Dante discovers that the Raiders are gathering nearby and Bramwell offers to redeem himself by infiltrating their base and finding Dante's son. Dante reluctantly agrees, but learns too late that Bramwell really intends to destroy his enemy in a suicide mission."
"While transporting a Raider prisoner, Electra, to Ganymede, a man suddenly appears aboard the Tulip - a legendary colonel named Bramwell who had been cryonically frozen and forgotten about in the bowels of the ship for nearly 50 years. The Colonel believes Earth is still at war with the Raiders, but when he learns the war is over, and he failed his mission, he has a breakdown. Later, Dante discovers that the Raiders are gathering nearby and Bramwell offers to redeem himself by infiltrating their base and finding Dante's son. Dante reluctantly agrees, but learns too late that Bramwell really intends to destroy his enemy in a suicide mission."
On this day in 2003, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Unnatural Selection." This served as the twelfth episode of the program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Having regained control of the X-303, the SG-1 team finds itself in an unknown part of space. Rescue comes in the form of the Asgard, specifically Thor, who needs their help. The Asgard home world has been overrun by the Replicators and they require SG-1's help as well as the relatively low tech X-303. The Asgard had set a trap for the Replicators and hoped to use a time dilation device that would give them the time they need to find a way to defeat them. The problem is that the Replicators have turned off the device and the Asgard want SG-1 to go in and activate it."
"Having regained control of the X-303, the SG-1 team finds itself in an unknown part of space. Rescue comes in the form of the Asgard, specifically Thor, who needs their help. The Asgard home world has been overrun by the Replicators and they require SG-1's help as well as the relatively low tech X-303. The Asgard had set a trap for the Replicators and hoped to use a time dilation device that would give them the time they need to find a way to defeat them. The problem is that the Replicators have turned off the device and the Asgard want SG-1 to go in and activate it."
On this day in 2018, a fan favorite aboard The X-Files enjoyed an unlikely 'return' with the airing of "This." The episode served as the second in the program's eleventh (and apparently final season), and here's the premise from IMDB.com:
"A chilling secret is revealed when an old friend reaches out to Mulder and Scully in a seemingly impossible way."
"A chilling secret is revealed when an old friend reaches out to Mulder and Scully in a seemingly impossible way."
