Most men of my generation can speak endlessly about their unabashed love for all things Fletch, but no film -- and I do mean no film -- owns a place in my heart, mind, and soul in quite the same way John Carpenter's seminal Escape from New York. (FYI: it premiered theatrically on this day in 1981 for those of you keeping score.) So pardon me if I gush like a schoolgirl (and also pardon me, ladies, for even having typed that phrase) about my love for dystopian drama with an attitude 'cause that's precisely what Escape is to me and the countless others who worship the film. Sure, maybe it ain't SciFi like Brazil or Gravity or Gattaca, but that's because all of those films would've been a frak of a lot shorter had Snake Plissken been called into action.
You thought he was dead? Think again.
You thought he was dead? Think again.
William Smithers has a face that was popping up all over the place during the days of my television youth. The talented character actor has been a part of such properties as Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, The Invaders, Star Trek, The Six Million Dollar Man, Deathsport (1978), and The Amazing Spider-Man. Smithers was born on this day in 1927. [Source: IMDB.com]
In his short thirty-six years on this planet, Nick Adams still managed to rack up an impressive 65 screen credits. Fans might know him from work in The Outer Limits, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Frankenstein Conquers the World (1965), Monster of Terror (1965), Invasion of the Astro-Monster (1965), and Mission Mars (1968). Though he's no longer with us, Adams was born on this day in 1931. [Source: IMDB.com]
If film careers are any indication, then the lovely Tura Satana (above right) certainly turned heads in her lifetime. Mostly, she starred in a handful of B-Pictures, the least memorable of which may just have been The Astro-Zombies (1968). Though she's no longer with us, Satana was born on this day in 1938.
Lawrence Pressman owns the distinction of appearing aboard Star Trek: Deep Space Nine not once but three times ... in the guise of three completely different characters. He's also appeared on The X-Files and Dark Angel. Pressman was born on this day in 1939. [Source: IMDB.com]
Screen veteran Robert Pine had a role in 1996's alien invasion adventure, Independence Day (pictured above). The actor has also enjoyed appearances in such projects as Quantum Leap, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Enterprise, Journeyman, and The Event. Pine was born on this day in 1941.
Actor Ron Glass was part of the very talented ensemble at the heart of Joss Whedon's kinda/sorta Western kinda/sorta Sci-Fi program Firefly that went on to become the blockbuster motion picture (not!) Serenity. (Sorry, folks, wasn't a fan of the program, but I do agree it had an immensely talented cast.) Though he's no longer with us, Glass was born on this day in 1945.
The luminous Sue Lyon is best remembered as the young temptress aboard Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of Lolita (1962), but she has a few interesting SciFi credits to her name. She appeared in End of the World (1977), The Astral Factor (1978), and Alligator (1980), each having a bit of a cult following for completely different reasons. Lyon was born on this day in 1946. [Source: IMDB.com]
If you wear the uniform, then you deserve a citation: Marco Rodriguez appeared aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation's "The Arsenal of Freedom" late in its first season. He's also shown up in such properties as Street Hawk, Werewolf, The Adventures Of Brisco County Jr., NightMan, Sliders, and Seven Days. Rodriguez was born on this day in 1953. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Janet Julian (aka Janet Louise Johnson) enjoyed a little screen time as 'Lieutenant Brie' aboard the original Battlestar Galactica. So far as genre credits go, she's also appeared in Ghost Warrior (1986), Knight Rider, and TV's Swamp Thing. Julian was born on this day in 1959.
Gina Bellman dipped her toes into the realm of Fantasy with a role aboard the short-lived Emerald City. Bellman was born on this day in 1966. [Source: IMDB.com]
Alexandra Hedison doesn't appear in projects all too often as of late, but that didn't stop her from securing roles in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, NightMan, Prey, and UPN's Seven Days. Hedison was born on this day in 1969. [Source: IMDB.com]
Gale Harold (above center) continues to turn in performances that fall onto SciFiHistory.Net's radar. Of particular note, he's been seen aboard Syfy's Defiance as well as the SciFi feature film Andron (2015). Harold was born on this day in 1969.
Actor John Simm had a brilliant breakthrough performance in the BBC's Life On Mars (which I highly recommend to those who haven't seen) ... and, of course, he was 'The Master,' a grand foil to face no less than David Tennant's incarnation of the legendary Doctor Who. Simm was born on this day in 1970, and he continues to impress with every project that he undertakes ... as 'The Master' would.
The stunning Sofía Vergara lent her considerable pipes to the role of 'Gabby Babblebrock' in the animated Escape From Planet Earth (2013). Vergara was born on this day in 1972. [Source: IMDB.com]
Peter Serafinowicz appeared in a small role in 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy (pictured above). The talented actor has also enjoyed roles and voicework in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Serafinowicz was born on this day in 1972.
Critical darling Chiwetel Ejiofor (pictured above right) wasn't so much of a "critical darling" when he appeared in Roland Emmerich's epic disaster movie, 2012, back in 2009. Ejiofor was born on this day in 1977.
Lucy Gaskell may not be a household name, but she's certainly earned her stripes in some quality genre projects, including roles in Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of the Dragon God (2005), Doctor Who, Vampire Killers (2009), Paradox, Being Human, and Misfits. Gaskell was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
Being blonde and famous didn't keep Jessica Simpson from taking a trip into TV's The Twilight Zone back in 2003. One could argue that she's been living there ever since! Simpson was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
Sadly, the fresh-faced Haley Pullos hasn't done much by way of traditional genre roles, but she did appear in an episode of Joss Whedon's SciFi-lite Dollhouse. Pullos was born on this day in 1998. [Source: IMDB.com]
The delightful Isabela Moner proved she was woman enough to step into a big role aboard Transformers: The Last Knight (2017). Moner was born on this day in 2001. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1959 (in Finland), The Colossus of New York sets his sights on the Big Apple. The feature starred Mala Powers and John Baragrey, and here's the premise on IMDB.com:
"A brilliant surgeon encases his dead son's brain in a large robot body, with unintended results..."
"A brilliant surgeon encases his dead son's brain in a large robot body, with unintended results..."
On this day back in 1970, one of the more underrated but occasionally maligned entries in Sci-Fi (I hate it when that happens) Colossus: The Forbin Project opened theatrically ... in West Germany of all places. (Maybe East Germany cinemas were already booked?) In any event, here's the film's plot summary as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"Forbin is the designer of an incredibly sophisticated computer that will run all of America's nuclear defenses. Shortly after being turned on, it detects the existence of Guardian, the Soviet counterpart, previously unknown to US Planners. Both computers insist that they be linked, and after taking safeguards to preserve confidential material, each side agrees to allow it. As soon as the link is established the two become a new Super computer and threaten the world with the immediate launch of nuclear weapons if they are detached. Colossus begins to give its plans for the management of the world under its guidance. Forbin and the other scientists form a technological resistance to Colossus which must operate underground."
"Forbin is the designer of an incredibly sophisticated computer that will run all of America's nuclear defenses. Shortly after being turned on, it detects the existence of Guardian, the Soviet counterpart, previously unknown to US Planners. Both computers insist that they be linked, and after taking safeguards to preserve confidential material, each side agrees to allow it. As soon as the link is established the two become a new Super computer and threaten the world with the immediate launch of nuclear weapons if they are detached. Colossus begins to give its plans for the management of the world under its guidance. Forbin and the other scientists form a technological resistance to Colossus which must operate underground."
On this day in 1981, the Fantasy-themed Time Bandits enjoyed its original theatrical premiered in the United Kingdom. The feature starred Craig Warnock and Sean Connery, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A young boy accidentally joins a band of time travelling dwarves, as they jump from era to era looking for treasure to steal."
"A young boy accidentally joins a band of time travelling dwarves, as they jump from era to era looking for treasure to steal."
Remember a time when Mad Max really wasn't dwarfed by Mad Mel? On this day back in 1985, the Mad Max franchise grew by one more flick when Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome roared into theatres. It wasn't a total failure -- some critics today look back on it much more fondly than I do. I just thought its central storyline was way too similar to what had come before (in The Road Warrior, no less) with much stronger direction. Oh, well ... it'll have to do until the impending Max reboot screens. Go, Tom Hardy! Those are some pretty big sand-battered boots to fill.
On this day back in 1992, the Universal Soldier franchise became the phenomenon it is as earnestly as it could, bringing together Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundren for the first time. I didn't think the film was a complete disaster, though I'll admit I wasn't all that enamored of it. Here's the plot summary, compliments of IMDB.com:
"Luc and Scott were killed in Vietnam, but the army has a secret project for reanimating dead people as near-perfect soldiers."
"Luc and Scott were killed in Vietnam, but the army has a secret project for reanimating dead people as near-perfect soldiers."
On this day in 2000 (in Singapore), Starforce roared onto the silver screen. The SciFi/Actioner starred Michael Bergin and Amy Weber, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A warrior and a beautiful ex-convict are left to fight the galaxy's most fearsome commandos in an alien wasteland."
"A warrior and a beautiful ex-convict are left to fight the galaxy's most fearsome commandos in an alien wasteland."
On this day in 2016, Ascension rose into prominence. The Horror/SciFi thriller starred Anne Betancourt and Christie Burke, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Still mourning the death of her mother, 16 year old Angela, who's had some behavioral/mental instability issues, tries her best to keep harmony in the house. She takes care of her 6 year old sister Chloe and tries to keep the peace with her difficult, goth 17 year old sister Becca. Becca is furious that their father Jason pulled them out of school and hired grad student Gabby to home school them. When Becca starts exhibiting bizarre behavior, only Angela can see that she is possessed by some strange alien being, and is putting Chloe in grave danger."
"Still mourning the death of her mother, 16 year old Angela, who's had some behavioral/mental instability issues, tries her best to keep harmony in the house. She takes care of her 6 year old sister Chloe and tries to keep the peace with her difficult, goth 17 year old sister Becca. Becca is furious that their father Jason pulled them out of school and hired grad student Gabby to home school them. When Becca starts exhibiting bizarre behavior, only Angela can see that she is possessed by some strange alien being, and is putting Chloe in grave danger."
On this day in 1965, Doctor Who aired "The Meddling Monk." This served as the thirty-seventh episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Doctor is being held prisoner by the Monk and Steven and Vicki's search for him brings them to the Saxon village.But a greater danger threatens when a Viking raiding party arrives."
"The Doctor is being held prisoner by the Monk and Steven and Vicki's search for him brings them to the Saxon village.But a greater danger threatens when a Viking raiding party arrives."
On this day in 1998, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Prisoners." This served as the third episode of the long-running program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"SG1 inadvertently help a desperate criminal and is charged and sentenced as accessories to his crime. They are banished to a desolate, brutal penal colony and strike a deal with a powerful female prisoner to help them escape. But is this prisoner hiding something from them?"
"SG1 inadvertently help a desperate criminal and is charged and sentenced as accessories to his crime. They are banished to a desolate, brutal penal colony and strike a deal with a powerful female prisoner to help them escape. But is this prisoner hiding something from them?"
On this day in 1998, The Outer Limits aired "Monster." This served as the eighteenth episode of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"A group of talented psychics are gathered together in an underground bunker for a military project. But then some kind of mysterious assailant begins to murder them one by one."
"A group of talented psychics are gathered together in an underground bunker for a military project. But then some kind of mysterious assailant begins to murder them one by one."
On this day in 2005, USA Network's The 4400 aired "As Fate Would Have It." This served as the fifth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Maia has a vision that frightens her and causes the NTAC serious concerns. Heidi visits her mother which makes Isabelle cry in despair. Collier sees Isabelle to get some crucial advice."
"Maia has a vision that frightens her and causes the NTAC serious concerns. Heidi visits her mother which makes Isabelle cry in despair. Collier sees Isabelle to get some crucial advice."
On this day in 2009 (in the United Kingdom), Torchwood aired "Children of Earth: Day Five." This served as the fifth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"With little choice now but to give in to their demands, the British authorities begin to round up the children under the pretense of giving them inoculations. Panic begins to set in as parents begin to wonder what is happening to their children. Captain Jack is released as are his daughter and grandson and he tries to find a way fight the 456. Gwen and her husband return home to tell Ianto's sister what has happened but they arrive to find a house full of children, whom they try to save from the arriving soldiers. With Fobisher no longer available, Col. Oduya becomes the intermediary and the 456 reveal the reason they need the children. For Captain Jack his finding a way to fight the 456 forces him to make an incredible sacrifice."
"With little choice now but to give in to their demands, the British authorities begin to round up the children under the pretense of giving them inoculations. Panic begins to set in as parents begin to wonder what is happening to their children. Captain Jack is released as are his daughter and grandson and he tries to find a way fight the 456. Gwen and her husband return home to tell Ianto's sister what has happened but they arrive to find a house full of children, whom they try to save from the arriving soldiers. With Fobisher no longer available, Col. Oduya becomes the intermediary and the 456 reveal the reason they need the children. For Captain Jack his finding a way to fight the 456 forces him to make an incredible sacrifice."
On this day in 2011, TNT's Falling Skies aired "Silent Kill." This served as the fifth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed on IMDB.com:
"Hal comes up with a risky new plan to rescue captured teenagers from the aliens, but it might require putting someone at risk."
"Hal comes up with a risky new plan to rescue captured teenagers from the aliens, but it might require putting someone at risk."
On this day in 2017, Stitchers aired "Paternis." This served as the fifth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When Cameron's incarcerated father is accused of murdering a prison guard, the team breaks protocol to stitch into the guard, all while dealing with memories of their own father figures."
"When Cameron's incarcerated father is accused of murdering a prison guard, the team breaks protocol to stitch into the guard, all while dealing with memories of their own father figures."
