Believe it or not: July 1st 1955 is the recognized birthdate for Robby the Robot, arguably one of the most recognizable automatons in the history of film and television. Designed to wow audiences with his big screen debut aboard Forbidden Planet (1956), Robby was first cobbled together by some incredible craftsmen worked for MGM Studios. He went on to roles in The Invisible Boy (1957), Invasion of the Neptune Men (1961), The Twilight Zone, Lost In Space, Ark II, Space Academy, Project UFO, Wonder Woman, and Gremlins (1984). That, my friends, is precisely how Science Fiction History is made.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Hollywood heavyweight Charles Laughton certainly found he had bitten off more than he could chew for his work as 'Dr. Moreau' aboard Island of Lost Souls (1932). Pretty soon, Moreau's creations would be biting off more than they could chew as well! Laughton was said to have based his interpretation of Moreau on that of his personal dentist. (How that's for method acting?) Though he's no longer with us, Laughton was born on this day in 1899.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Murray Matheson made things difficult for Commander Adama in his appearance in "Greetings From Earth," a key episode of the 1970's favorite, Battlestar Galactica. Much earlier in his professional career, genre fans got a glimpse of the actor's potential when he played 'The Clown' aboard an episode of TV's popular The Twilight Zone. (Incidentally, he also enjoyed a small role in the 1983 Twilight Zone motion picture.) Though he's no longer with us, Matheson was born on this day in 1912.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Jean Marsh enjoyed an on-again-off-again small screen relationship with the BBC's Doctor Who, appearing throughout the first TV incarnation as 'Sara Kingdom,' 'Morgaine,' and 'Joanna.' Also -- in 1994 -- she appeared in a five-episode arc of the original The Tomorrow People. Still, genre fans might know her best from the role of 'Queen Bavmorda' in George Lucas' Willow (1988). Marsh was born on this day in 1934.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
That man with that unassumingly grandfatherly face is none other than actor David Prowse, the only fellow in all of the known galaxies to possess the physical prowess to embody the Dark Lord of the Sith himself, Star Wars' Darth Vader. Prowse continues to make appearances around the world in support of that franchise recounting adventures from a long time ago. Still, the man is no one-hit-wonder, and his resume includes stops aboard such projects as Ace Of Wands, The Horror Of Frankenstein (1970), A Clockwork Orange (1971), Vampire Circus (1972), Doctor Who, The Tomorrow People, Frankenstein And The Monster From Hell (1974), Space:1999, Jabberwocky (1977), The People That Time Forgot (1977), The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, Mission Backup Earth. Though he's no longer with us, Prowse was born on this day in 1935.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Veteran genre actress Karen Black probably has a name most genre fans wouldn't recognize today, but she was a pretty big thing in the 70's and 80's. In 1986, director Tobe Hooper cast her in a role in his remake of Invaders from Mars, giving the lady one more chance to scream for dear life! Though she's no longer with us, Black was born on this day in 1939.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Frank Parker enjoyed screen time on two of the biggest SciFi franchises of my teen years, namely Battlestar Galactica and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. Though he's no longer with us, Parker was born on this day in 1939.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Personally, I've always loved recounting Star Trek's 'dubious achievements,' and there's probably none more dubious than Genevieve Bujold's near-miss as the Starfleet Captain Who Almost Was. She was originally cast to appear as Capt. Kathryn Janeway -- the first female starship captain to be given her own TV show in Star Trek: Voyager -- but she never made it to the small screen. From all I've ever really been able to get confirmed, producers allege she just wasn't right for the property after only a few days of shooting. Whatever. Bujold was born on this day in 1942.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Although more widely known for her stint in the pop and rock music world, Deborah Harry also dabbled in the field of acting, most notably playing 'Nicki Brand' in David Cronenberg's Horror/SciFi masterpiece (or is it?) Videodrome (1983). (Interestingly enough, I've read that Harry was the original choice for the replicant 'Pris' from Ridley Scott's seminal Blade Runner, though I've never read the why or how she lost the part to Daryl Hannah. Could it be that her music stardom wasn't strong enough at the time?) Harry was born on this day in 1945.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Though her flirtation with film was brief, Kathleen Miller still managed to squeeze in a great genre appearance aboard Strange New World (1975). Though she's no longer with us, Miller was born on this day in 1945.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Terrence Mann has certainly enjoyed an interesting career in the realm of Science Fiction, making appearances in such properties as the Critters franchise, Time After Time, and Netflix's Sense8. Mann was born on this day in 1951.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Veteran SNL actor, comedian, paranormal enthusiast, and general Ghostbuster himself Dan Aykroyd turns another year older and another year wiser today. Aykroyd remains the driving force behind keeping the Ghostbusters franchise alive. Aykroyd was born on this day in 1952.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
You know, color me naive but I would've liked to have seen what actor Alan Ruck could've done with the Star Trek franchise. Granted, his character only had a brief appearance -- his Capt. Harriman only had the conn briefly in the vignette that set-up the events for Star Trek: Generations -- but it would've been pretty nifty to see where the character went with that. Ruck was born on this day in 1956.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Lisa Blount was definitely a face to watch back in the 1970's and 80's as she perpetually found more challenging work as her career wore on. Genre fans might recognize her from Radioactive Dreams (1985), Annihilator (1986), TV's Starman, and Nightflyers (1987). Though she's no longer with us, Blount was born on this day in 1957.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Dale Midkiff did a pretty solid job headlining the Sci-Fi property Time Trax when it aired for two seasons on the UPN Network. The series was conceived by Star Trek producer Harve Bennett, so it had some working similarity to Trek's age-old morality play format. Midkiff was born on this day in 1959.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The original Species (1995) was certainly popular enough and made enough money at the box office to warrant another trip into that universe, so Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contracted screenwriter Chris Brancato to craft a follow-up, one rather predictably titled Species II (1998). This talented storyteller is no stranger to Science Fiction as he's completed scripts for such other properties as The X-Files, The Outer Limits, First Wave, Miracles (where his script is, arguably, the very best in the series' short life), and Tru Calling. Eventually, he's turned his eye more toward conventional fare, and his work in bringing the Narcos crime saga to life for Netflix is nothing short of spectacular. Brancato was born on this day in 1962.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The great Andre Braugher played Gen. George W. Mancheck (pictured above) in the miniseries adaptation of the Michael Crichton SciFi thriller, The Andromeda Strain, in the 2008 TV season. Braugher was born on this day in 1962.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
As those of you who follow this space know, I was massively disappointed with Star Trek: Enterprise. Don't get me wrong -- I was all for going back to the era the show promised to visit; it's just that I didn't feel the stories were all that special or interesting. But the cast? They were the usual top-notch group of talent, especially Dominic Keating who I've had the chance to hear speak at a recent convention. Keating was born on this day in 1962.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Adult film temptress Theresa Lynn maintains only a short resume on IMDB.com (only a dozen film credits), but thankfully she dipped her delicate toes into a little something something called Vampire Vixens From Venus (1995) so that I can give her a proper nod in this space. Lynn was born on this day in 1964.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Feast your eyes on film and TV star Denice Duff. Her name may not be as well known as some, but she has a franchise that's clearly near and dear to her heart: the Subspecies property looks to be going into its fifth production (if IMDB.com can be trusted), and she's been in four of them. Plus, she's had appearances in such genre titles as Frogtown II (1992), Dark Vengeance (1992), Invasion, The Monster Man (2001), and Vampire Slaughter: Eaten Alive (2018). Duff was born on this day in 1965.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Ahem. SciFi doesn't get the talent the likes of Pamela Anderson all that often (ahem), but occasionally pin-up quality good looks and fandom do go hand-in-hand. One would easily conclude that Anderson's charms were custom made for Barb Wire, the film essentially a Casablanca-remake done by way of the Apocalypse. In 2003, she provided the voice to the animated television vigilante Stripperella, a fun little ditty created (in part) by the late Stan Lee. Anderson was born on this day in 1967 ... and guys love her for her personality.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
And just how did mankind reward her for her work on the silver screen in Barb Wire? Why, those knuckleheads at the Razzie Awards gifted her with the statue for 'Worst New Star' at their 1997 ceremony. For shame!
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
And just how did mankind reward her for her work on the silver screen in Barb Wire? Why, those knuckleheads at the Razzie Awards gifted her with the statue for 'Worst New Star' at their 1997 ceremony. For shame!
Ritchie Coster (pictured above) played played Dr. Jimmy Johnson in the 2009 made-for-TV project, Virtuality, a drama in which twelve talented people were sent on a ten-year voyage to a distant planetary system. Coster was born on this day in 1967.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Spanish sensation Jordi Mollà found intergalactic acclalim for his work aboard the SciFi feature Riddick (2013). Mollà was born on this day in 1968.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
What? You say you're the ruler of an army of the dead that's about to claim all of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros? Well, I guess that deserves a mention, so kudos to Vladimir Furdik for finally proving that winter is coming on HBO's Game Of Thrones. Furdik was born on this day in 1970.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Former NYPD Blue regular Henry Simmons seriously upped his game to serve and protect by upgrading to Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Simmons was born on this day in 1970.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Liv Tyler was given the chance to play in the Marvel cinematic Universe, albeit briefly: in 2008, she played Betty Ross, the object of both Bruce Banner and some big green guy's affection in The Incredible Hulk. As far as genre goes, Tyler also left an imprint on fandom when she appeared in the world of Peter Jackson's adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings on the silver screen in the role of 'Arwen,' an Elvin heroine who answers the call to action despite her father's insistence on remaining out of the world of men. Tyler was born on this day in 1977.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
As I've frequently said, the Walt Disney Company has also done an admirable job producing some SciFi and Fantasy for the kiddies, and it probably doesn't get much more juvenile than Honey, I Shrunk The Kids: The TV Show. The lovely Hillary Tuck certainly turned a few heads back in those days, and she's dabbled in genre with parts aboard Ghost Whisperer and NBC's Grimm. Tuck was born on this day in 1978.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Hilarie Burton joined Halley Berry aboard CBS's short-lived Extant series for several episodes. Burton was born on this day in 1982.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
As 'Rico,' hunky Jared Keeso joined Matt Damon in the box office dud Elysium (2013) for TriStar Pictures. The actor has also appeared on Smallville, The 4400, ReGenesis, Caprica, and Godzilla (2014). Keeso was born on this day in 1984.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Head-turning French actress Léa Seydoux has dabbled in Fantasy with roles aboard Beauty And The Beast (2014) and the James Bond film Spectre (2015). Seydoux was born on this day in 1985.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Canadian-born Laura Jacobs continues to discover her craft in new and unique ways. Her resume is a bit light on genre credentials but we've learned to take what we can get at SciFiHistory.Net: she's garnered small roles in such properties as Almost Human, DC's Legends Of Tomorrow, and iZombie for good measure. Jacobs was born on this day in 1987.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Tim McGrath enjoyed a part of some modest substance aboard Robot Warrior: Robot Fighter (2017) for Empire Motion Pictures. McGrath was born on this day in 1987.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Since most SciFiHistory.Net readers agree that Fantasy is Science Fiction's 'kissin' cousin,' I occasionally throw in a mention for prominent actors and actresses appearing in such fare ... so in that regard here's a ShoutOut to the lovely Hannah Murray who played Gilly aboard HBO's pretty spiffy Game of Thrones. She also enjoyed a big role aboard Bridgend (2015), a celebrated Horror film from Four Sons Pictures. Murray was born on this day in 1989.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
To the actress's credit, Hannah Murray -- along with the ensemble aboard Game Of Thrones -- earned a fair amount of attention for her work in the serial.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
To the actress's credit, Hannah Murray -- along with the ensemble aboard Game Of Thrones -- earned a fair amount of attention for her work in the serial.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Science Fiction and Fantasy permeates everything and anything where folks play dress-up, and, yes, that even includes the adult film industry where lovely maidens like film temptress Mia Malkova might take on the visage of 'Slave Leia' from Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi for a wild roll in the hay. (And there's nothing wrong with that!) It looks like she's generally more of a conventional role-playing gal (from a quick summary of her IMDB.com titles, anyway); but I always find it refreshing when ladies will give a nod to our beloved genres for the purposes of ... ahem ... exploring a role. Malkova was born on this day in 1992.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Hopefully the unmitigated box office debacle that was Walt Disney's A Wrinkle In Time adaptation (of the beloved Madeleine L'Engle novel) will be the only wrinkle in young Storm Reid's budding career. She deserved better, as did audiences. But as far as genre work goes, she's continued to seek out opportunities in such projects as The Invisible Man (2020), The Suicide Squad (2021), and HBO's The Last Of Us. Reid was born on this day in 2003.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
To the actress's credit, she did garner a nomination from the 2019 NAACP Image Awards in the category of 'Outstanding Breakthrough Role in a Motion Picture' for her work.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
To the actress's credit, she did garner a nomination from the 2019 NAACP Image Awards in the category of 'Outstanding Breakthrough Role in a Motion Picture' for her work.
A star is born! On this day in 1920 (in the U.S.), the silent era SciFi/Serial The Invisible Ray appeared out of the ether on the silver screen. Written for the screen by Guy McConnell and directed by Harry A. Pollard, the feature starred Ruth Clifford, Jack Sherrill, and Sidney Bracey. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A scientist discovers a death ray and locks it in a box, giving the key to his daughter, who soon finds herself hunted by criminals looking to steal the deadly mineral."
"A scientist discovers a death ray and locks it in a box, giving the key to his daughter, who soon finds herself hunted by criminals looking to steal the deadly mineral."
On this day in 1952 (in Uruguay), the SciFi classic The Day The Earth Stood Still enjoyed its theatrical premiere. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the premise:
"An alien lands and tells the people of Earth that they must live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets."
"An alien lands and tells the people of Earth that they must live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets."
A star is born! On this day in 1958 (in the U.S.), Teenage Caveman brought a bow and arrow to a monster fight. Directed by Roger Corman from a story by R. Wright Campbell, the film starred Robert Vaughn, Darah Marshall, and Leslie Bradley. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A young man defies tribal laws and searches for answers. The result of his quest yields knowledge of past generations."
For the record:
Technically, I'm entirely uncertain of Teenage Caveman's actually premiere date. Thus far, I've only been able to locate its listing on IMDB.com -- which indicates a U.S. release sometime during July of 1958 -- so I am following my policy of using the first date of the month in lieu of the actual date. Should I locate more specific information, then I'll gladly correct the citation.
"A young man defies tribal laws and searches for answers. The result of his quest yields knowledge of past generations."
For the record:
Technically, I'm entirely uncertain of Teenage Caveman's actually premiere date. Thus far, I've only been able to locate its listing on IMDB.com -- which indicates a U.S. release sometime during July of 1958 -- so I am following my policy of using the first date of the month in lieu of the actual date. Should I locate more specific information, then I'll gladly correct the citation.
A star is born! On this day in 1960 (in Japan), Ghost Cat Of Otama Pond (aka Kaibyô Otama-ga-ike) dabbled in Horror and Fantasy. Written (in part) and directed by Yoshihiro Ishikawa, the film starred Shozaburo Date, Namiji Matsuura, and Noriko Kitazawa. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Two lovers lost in the mountains find themselves in a mysterious forest pond, as if some kind of force doesn't want to let them go."
"Two lovers lost in the mountains find themselves in a mysterious forest pond, as if some kind of force doesn't want to let them go."
On this day in 1961 (in Denmark), Walt Disney released The Absent Minded Professor. The SciFi/Comedy starred Fred MacMurray and Nancy Olson, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A college professor invents an anti-gravity substance which a corrupt businessman wants for himself."
"A college professor invents an anti-gravity substance which a corrupt businessman wants for himself."
A star is born! On this day in 1976 (in East Germany), audiences were treated to the theatrical premiere of In The Dust Of The Stars (aka Im Staub der Sterne). Written (in part) and directed by Gottfried Kolditz, the SciFi/Drama starred Jana Brejchova, Alfred Struwe, and Ekkehard Schall. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After a six year journey, the Spaceship Cyrno lands on the planet TEM 4 from where they had received a call for help. Strangely enough, the Temers deny having sent this message. As commander Akala prepares the spaceship to leave they get an invitation from the rich ruler of TEM 4 to be a part of a lush party. Not only do the opulent food and the seductive dancers cloud their minds, but also the drugs mixed into their food manipulate their consciousness. Only navigator Suko was left behind on the spaceship for security reasons and makes an unexpected, terrible discovery."
"After a six year journey, the Spaceship Cyrno lands on the planet TEM 4 from where they had received a call for help. Strangely enough, the Temers deny having sent this message. As commander Akala prepares the spaceship to leave they get an invitation from the rich ruler of TEM 4 to be a part of a lush party. Not only do the opulent food and the seductive dancers cloud their minds, but also the drugs mixed into their food manipulate their consciousness. Only navigator Suko was left behind on the spaceship for security reasons and makes an unexpected, terrible discovery."
On this day in 1978 (in India), the original Star Wars enjoyed its theatrical debut. The feature starred Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher, and here's the plot summary as listed on 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 1978 (in Japan), audiences were treated to the grand tour of the X-rated SexWorld. Written (in part) and directed by Anthony Spinelli, the SciFi/Adult film starred Lesllie Bovee, Kent Hall, and Kay Parker. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A bus tour takes its passengers to a place called SexWorld where they can live out their most secret desires during a weekend."
"A bus tour takes its passengers to a place called SexWorld where they can live out their most secret desires during a weekend."
On this day in 1982 (in West Germany), Battletruck (aka Warlords of the Twenty-First Century) enjoyed a theatrical drive. Directed by Harley Cokeliss, the feature starred Michael Beck, James Wainwright, and Annie McEnroe. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Post World War III futuristic tale of collapsed governments & bankrupt countries heralding a new lawless age."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Battletruck enjoyed a wee bit of praise from screenings on the film festival circuit. Also, Battletruck is another one of those flicks whose original release date presently escapes me. I'll continue to search for it; in the meantime, this appears to the first one of record supported by research.
"Post World War III futuristic tale of collapsed governments & bankrupt countries heralding a new lawless age."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Battletruck enjoyed a wee bit of praise from screenings on the film festival circuit. Also, Battletruck is another one of those flicks whose original release date presently escapes me. I'll continue to search for it; in the meantime, this appears to the first one of record supported by research.
A star is born! On this day in 1983 (in Czechoslovakia), Srdecny pozdrav ze zemekoule (aka Hearty Greetings From The Globe) enjoyed its first showing of record. Written and directed by Oldrich Lipsky, the SciFi/Comedy starred Milan Lasica, Julius Satinsky, and Jiri Menzel. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Earth is approached by a flying saucer with two visitors from outer space. It turns into a beer keg and lands on the back of a truck. Second landing aliens, this time in a container for rubbish dump, land in the middle of the public settlement. Aliens, called A and B look like a normal people."
"The Earth is approached by a flying saucer with two visitors from outer space. It turns into a beer keg and lands on the back of a truck. Second landing aliens, this time in a container for rubbish dump, land in the middle of the public settlement. Aliens, called A and B look like a normal people."
A star is born! On this day in 1987, director Joe Dante served up a zany derivation on the whole fantastic voyage when the Steven Spielberg-produced Innerspace premiered in theatres. Dennis Quaid starred as the 'micronaut' miniaturized for a defense/medical experiment who accidentally gets injected into Martin Short. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A test pilot is miniaturized in a secret experiment, and accidentally injected into a hapless store clerk."
For the record:
Innerspace is one of those rare, delightful experiences wherein Comedy and Science Fiction work wonderfully in combination, and I think much of that is owed to Quaid and Short's chemistry: though they rarely appear onscreen together, they're clearly grounded in the film's 'shared relationship,' and it makes for a winning buddy formula. Plus, it doesn't hurt that the lovely Meg Ryan was near the height of her screen cuteness. The film garnered three Saturn Awards nominations for the organization's 1988 ceremony ('Best Science Fiction Film,' 'Best Director,' 'Best Special Effects') yet it failed to win in any category. Still, the feature brought home the much coveted 1988 Oscar Award for 'Best Visual Effects' ... and that's no small feat.
"A test pilot is miniaturized in a secret experiment, and accidentally injected into a hapless store clerk."
For the record:
Innerspace is one of those rare, delightful experiences wherein Comedy and Science Fiction work wonderfully in combination, and I think much of that is owed to Quaid and Short's chemistry: though they rarely appear onscreen together, they're clearly grounded in the film's 'shared relationship,' and it makes for a winning buddy formula. Plus, it doesn't hurt that the lovely Meg Ryan was near the height of her screen cuteness. The film garnered three Saturn Awards nominations for the organization's 1988 ceremony ('Best Science Fiction Film,' 'Best Director,' 'Best Special Effects') yet it failed to win in any category. Still, the feature brought home the much coveted 1988 Oscar Award for 'Best Visual Effects' ... and that's no small feat.
On this day in 1989 (in Japan), Tetsuo, The Iron Man stirred up a bag of silver at the box office. The feature starred Tomorô Taguchi and Kei Fujiwara, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A businessman accidentally kills The Metal Fetishist, who gets his revenge by slowly turning the man into a grotesque hybrid of flesh and rusty metal."
"A businessman accidentally kills The Metal Fetishist, who gets his revenge by slowly turning the man into a grotesque hybrid of flesh and rusty metal."
On this day in 1991, the SciFi/Telefilm K-9000 took a bite out of crime. It starred Chris Mulkey and Catherine Oxenburg, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A policeman and a female scientist team up to recover her latest creation, a cybernetic, crime-fighting dog."
"A policeman and a female scientist team up to recover her latest creation, a cybernetic, crime-fighting dog."
A star is born! On this day in 1991 (in the U.S.), the good people of Century City, California found themselves treated to the theatrical premiere engagement of Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Written (in part) and directed by James Cameron, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Arnold 'Screw Your Freedom' Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, and Edward Furlong. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A cyborg, identical to the one who failed to kill Sarah Connor, must now protect her ten year old son John from an even more advanced and powerful cyborg."
For the record:
Without a doubt, Terminator 2: Judgment both raised the bar on Science Fiction films in general as well as expanded upon the mythology already established in the first feature.
"A cyborg, identical to the one who failed to kill Sarah Connor, must now protect her ten year old son John from an even more advanced and powerful cyborg."
For the record:
Without a doubt, Terminator 2: Judgment both raised the bar on Science Fiction films in general as well as expanded upon the mythology already established in the first feature.
- At the 1992 Academy Awards, T2 enjoyed an incredible four big wins in the categories of 'Best Effects - Visual Effects,' 'Best Effects - Sound Effects Editing,' 'Best Sound,' and 'Best Cinematography.' It did have to settle for the honor of a nomination alone in the category of 'Best Film Editing.'
- At the 1992 Saturn Awards (sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films), T2 took home top honors in two big categories: Linda Hamilton won 'Best Actress' and the film received the 'Best Science Fiction Film' trophy. It did have to settle for nominations alone in the categories of 'Best Supporting Actor' and 'Best Actor.'
- At the 1992 Hugo Awards, the film was awarded the big win of 'Best Dramatic Presentation.'
- In 1992, the Science Fiction And Fantasy Writers Of America presented writer/director James Cameron with the Bradbury Award for his work in bringing the feature to theaters.
How bad was 1998's disaster flick Armageddon? Well -- just to give you an idea -- it was so bad that director Michael Bay not all that long ago apologized for making it. How many years will we have to wait for a Transformers' apology, eh? The box office didn't exactly come alive on this day back then. Tickets were sold. Seats were filled. 'Nough said. As per usual, here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After discovering that an asteroid the size of Texas is going to impact Earth in less than a month, NASA recruits a misfit team of deep-core drillers to save the planet."
"After discovering that an asteroid the size of Texas is going to impact Earth in less than a month, NASA recruits a misfit team of deep-core drillers to save the planet."
On this day in 2002, Shadow Fury emerged from the shadows. The feature starred Sam Bottoms and Masakatsu Funaki, and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"Madsen, a bounty hunter with a bad liver and an even worse attitude, with the help of the lovely Dr. Forster, must stop Dr. Oh and Takeru and restore order to the world."
"Madsen, a bounty hunter with a bad liver and an even worse attitude, with the help of the lovely Dr. Forster, must stop Dr. Oh and Takeru and restore order to the world."
A star is born! On this day in 2008 (in the U.S.), Journey To The Center Of The Earth enjoyed a limited theatrical release. Directed by David Jones and Scott Wheeler, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Greg Evigan, Dedee Pfeiffer, and Jennifer Dorogi. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"From the Jules Verne classic, a hi-tech drilling rig must rescue a research team trapped deep below the Earth's surface. There they discover an exotic world -- rich with spectacular flora and fantastical creatures."
"From the Jules Verne classic, a hi-tech drilling rig must rescue a research team trapped deep below the Earth's surface. There they discover an exotic world -- rich with spectacular flora and fantastical creatures."
On this day in 2009 (in France), Showdown At Area 51 premiered to unsuspecting audiences. This SciFi quickie starred Jason London and Farscape's Gigi Edgley, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Two aliens who crash on Earth must find a buried weapon that will destroy the planet and their own society if not stopped."
"Two aliens who crash on Earth must find a buried weapon that will destroy the planet and their own society if not stopped."
A star is born! On this day in 2011 (in Brazil), The Night Of The Chupacabras (aka A Noite do Chupacabras) enjoyed its very first theatrical presentation for audiences in attendance of Fantaspoa - International Fantastic Film Festival. Written and directed by Rodrigo Aragao, the Fantasy/Horror starred Walderrama Dos Santos, Mayra Alarcon, and Kika Oliviera. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A young couple returns to their homeland to find their relatives upset by the mysterious death of the farm animals and the old feud between two enemy families."
"A young couple returns to their homeland to find their relatives upset by the mysterious death of the farm animals and the old feud between two enemy families."
A star is born! On this day in 2013 (in the United Kingdom), Zombie Massacre delivered a bit of blood and brains to the masses. Written (in part) and directed by the team of Luca Boni and Marco Ristori, the Horror/Fantasy starred Christian Boeving, Mike Mitchell, and Tara Cardinal. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A team of soldiers who are assembled to help end a zombie outbreak in a Romanian town."
"A team of soldiers who are assembled to help end a zombie outbreak in a Romanian town."
On this day in 2015, Ghost Shark 2: Urban Jaws sunk its ghostly teeth into audiences. The feature starred Campbell Cooley and Steve Austin, and here's the premise as listed on IMDB.com:
"When Ghost Shark returns to terrorize Auckland, Mayor Broody calls in an expert ghost shark hunter to protect the citizens and finally defeat the creature."
"When Ghost Shark returns to terrorize Auckland, Mayor Broody calls in an expert ghost shark hunter to protect the citizens and finally defeat the creature."
It's a great day in fandom when there's a new Terminator movie, and -- on this day in 2015 -- Terminator Genisys was unvealed to the masses at large! Sadly, it kinda/sorta tanked -- as did Terminator: Dark Fate (2019) -- and now the franchise remains in creative limbo. Ugh. In any event, here's the premise behind Genisys as provided by IMDB.com:
"When John Connor, leader of the human resistance, sends Sgt. Kyle Reese back to 1984 to protect Sarah Connor and safeguard the future, an unexpected turn of events creates a fractured timeline."
"When John Connor, leader of the human resistance, sends Sgt. Kyle Reese back to 1984 to protect Sarah Connor and safeguard the future, an unexpected turn of events creates a fractured timeline."
A star is born! On this day in 2016, the 2006-produced Swarm of the Snakehead finally enjoyed a brief theatrical release. The feature starred Maggie Denning and Lisa Burdette, and here's the plot summary that's been provided via IMDB.com:
"A dysfunctional family vacations on Maryland shore during a deadly attack of intelligent snakehead fish."
"A dysfunctional family vacations on Maryland shore during a deadly attack of intelligent snakehead fish."
Sorry, folks, but I haven't yet seen either The Purge or its sequel -- The Purge: Election Year -- though I've been assured that the stories' themes and ideas are indeed SciFi-lite. Whatever the case, Election Year opened on this day in 2016, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Years after sparing the man who killed his son, former police sergeant Barnes has become head of security for Senator Charlie Roan, a Presidential candidate targeted for death on Purge night due to her vow to eliminate the Purge."
"Years after sparing the man who killed his son, former police sergeant Barnes has become head of security for Senator Charlie Roan, a Presidential candidate targeted for death on Purge night due to her vow to eliminate the Purge."
A star is born! On this day in 2017 (in Japan), Revolt enjoyed its first theatrical engagement ever. Written (in part) and directed by Joe Miale, the SciFi/Thriller starred Lee Pace, Bérénice Marlohe, and Jason Flemyng. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In the war-ravaged Kenyan countryside, a U.S. soldier (Lee Pace) and a French foreign aid worker (Berenice Marlohe) team up to survive an alien onslaught."
"In the war-ravaged Kenyan countryside, a U.S. soldier (Lee Pace) and a French foreign aid worker (Berenice Marlohe) team up to survive an alien onslaught."
A star is born ... and it's the end of the world as we know it yet again! On this day in 2018 (in Germany), The New End (aka Endu Neu) played for audiences in attendance of the Munich Film Festival. Written (in part) and directed by Leonel Dietsche, the SciFi/Drama starred Georg Friedrich, Sylvester Groth, and Louis Hofmann. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In a world where the right of the stronger rules, a dwarf of all people brings the male regime of violence to collapse."
For the record:
To the film's credit, The New End enjoyed a wee bit of praise from a screening on the film festival circuit.
"In a world where the right of the stronger rules, a dwarf of all people brings the male regime of violence to collapse."
For the record:
To the film's credit, The New End enjoyed a wee bit of praise from a screening on the film festival circuit.
On this day in 1960, The Twilight Zone aired "A World Of His Own." This served as the thirty-sixth episode of the program's impressive first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A writer demonstrates he can control reality simply by dictating changes."
"A writer demonstrates he can control reality simply by dictating changes."
On this day in 1967, Doctor Who aired "The Evil of the Daleks: Part 7." This served as the forty-third episode of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Daleks are poised to spread the Dalek Factor throughout the history of Earth and begin by implanting the Doctor."
"The Daleks are poised to spread the Dalek Factor throughout the history of Earth and begin by implanting the Doctor."
On this day in 1994, Robocop: The Series aired "Inside Crime." This served as the thirteenth episode in the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"The hideous face of Pudface Morgan pulls in boffo ratings for OCP's new hit "reality" show which follows the exploits of criminals, but the disfigured maniac has plans to take on RoboCop live on prime time."
"The hideous face of Pudface Morgan pulls in boffo ratings for OCP's new hit "reality" show which follows the exploits of criminals, but the disfigured maniac has plans to take on RoboCop live on prime time."
On this day in 1995, TekWar aired "Forget Me Not." This served as the fourteenth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by TV.com:
"Jake finds himself alone in an alley beaten and bruised with some memory loss. At Cosmos, it is discovered that memories were taken from Jake and that he must recover his missing memories or he will die. Through the investigation into what happen, Jake and Sam discover that other memories of prisoners were accidentally shared during their cryogenic state. They also find out that Jake's memories were stolen to help another inmate, Lobo to steal a shipment of rock fuel."
"Jake finds himself alone in an alley beaten and bruised with some memory loss. At Cosmos, it is discovered that memories were taken from Jake and that he must recover his missing memories or he will die. Through the investigation into what happen, Jake and Sam discover that other memories of prisoners were accidentally shared during their cryogenic state. They also find out that Jake's memories were stolen to help another inmate, Lobo to steal a shipment of rock fuel."
On this day in 1995 (in the U.S.), The Outer Limits aired "Caught In The Act." Officially, this served as the sixteenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary detailed on IMDB.com:
"A bashful woman gets possessed by an incorporeal alien that feeds on sexual energy. A series of killings starts. Her boyfriend, his scientist friend and a skeptical cop try find a way to stop the alien without killing her in the process."
"A bashful woman gets possessed by an incorporeal alien that feeds on sexual energy. A series of killings starts. Her boyfriend, his scientist friend and a skeptical cop try find a way to stop the alien without killing her in the process."
First airing ever! On this day in 2006 (in the United Kingdom), Doctor Who aired "Army of Ghosts." Officially, this served second episode of the relaunched program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"As the ghosts of loved ones appear, the whole world celebrates. But as the Doctor investigates he believes that there is a more sinister motive behind their appearence. And deep within the Torchwood tower, a mysterious sphere containing the greatest enemies of the Doctor is opened..."
"As the ghosts of loved ones appear, the whole world celebrates. But as the Doctor investigates he believes that there is a more sinister motive behind their appearence. And deep within the Torchwood tower, a mysterious sphere containing the greatest enemies of the Doctor is opened..."
On this day in 2007 (in the U.S.), The 4400 aired "Audrey Parker's Come And Gone." Officially, this served as the third episode of the program's fourth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"After taking promicin, an old lady named Audrey Parker develops the ability to astral project from her body. When she's murdered, her spirit tries to reach Tom and Diana to help them find her killer. Shawn decides to re-open the 4400 center and start healing again despite the government's warnings. Ben and Maia come to Seattle to visit Diana. Cassie leads Kyle to some interesting information."
"After taking promicin, an old lady named Audrey Parker develops the ability to astral project from her body. When she's murdered, her spirit tries to reach Tom and Diana to help them find her killer. Shawn decides to re-open the 4400 center and start healing again despite the government's warnings. Ben and Maia come to Seattle to visit Diana. Cassie leads Kyle to some interesting information."
On this day in 2012 (in the U.S.), Falling Skies aired "Young Bloods." Officially, this served as the fourth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"While on patrol together, Ben and Hal try to help a young boy and wind up having their bikes stolen."
"While on patrol together, Ben and Hal try to help a young boy and wind up having their bikes stolen."
On this day in 2017 (in the United Kingdom and the U.S.), Doctor Who aired "The Doctor Falls." Officially, this served as the twelfth episode in the relaunched program's tenth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Doctor makes a final stand against an army of Cybermen to protect a tiny band of humans from destruction."
"The Doctor makes a final stand against an army of Cybermen to protect a tiny band of humans from destruction."
On this day in 1984 (according to Wikipedia.org), William Gibson's "Neuromancer" was first published for the consumer marketplace. According to our friends at Amazon.com, here's the plot summary:
"Henry Dorsett Case was the sharpest data-thief in the business, until vengeful former employees crippled his nervous system. But now a new and very mysterious employer recruits him for a last-chance run. The target: an unthinkably powerful artificial intelligence orbiting Earth in service of the sinister Tessier-Ashpool business clan. With a dead man riding shotgun and Molly, mirror-eyed street-samurai, to watch his back, Case embarks on an adventure that ups the ante on an entire genre of fiction."
"Henry Dorsett Case was the sharpest data-thief in the business, until vengeful former employees crippled his nervous system. But now a new and very mysterious employer recruits him for a last-chance run. The target: an unthinkably powerful artificial intelligence orbiting Earth in service of the sinister Tessier-Ashpool business clan. With a dead man riding shotgun and Molly, mirror-eyed street-samurai, to watch his back, Case embarks on an adventure that ups the ante on an entire genre of fiction."
