I see a lot of movies. I really do. And, even with all I see, it's pretty rare for me to find one that I think is just downright perfect. Just ask around. Anyway, one of the rare ones is 1987's RoboCop, released on this day back then. Seriously, it just don't get any better than that. Part man. Part machine. All cop. You couldn't ask for more. "I'd buy that for a dollar!" It begat a franchise that produced two sequels, a TV miniseries, a TV series, an animated program, and an eventual reboot.
God bless the screen sirens of another era! The lovely Acquanetta certainly turned more than a few heads with her work aboard Captive Wild Woman for Universal Pictures where she played a female gorilla transformed into a lovely human. Though she's no longer with us, Acquanetta was born on this day in 1921. [Source: IMDB.com]
Singer and actress Diahann Carroll was one of the unfortunate souls somehow coerced into appearing aboard the ill-conceived and best forgotten Star Wars Holiday Special, the red-headed stepchild of the entire Star Wars universe almost as reviled as JarJar Binks. No word yet on whether or not Disney has dismissed it from canon. Carroll was born on this day in 1935. [Source: IMDB.com]
Screen veteran Donald Sutherland has recently lent his over five decades of acting gravitas to the world of The Hunger Games, serving (with distinction) as President Snow. Otherwise, he's only dabbled in the world of Sci-Fi, the Invasion of the Body Snatchers remake notwithstanding, but we're all too happy to see him when he shows on the scene. Sutherland was born on this day in 1935.
When the original Knight Rider premiered on television with a big two-part storyline, producers entrusted the requisite villainy to the lovely Phyllis Davis. Though she's no longer with us, Davis was born on this day in 1940. [Source: IMDB.com]
For all intents & purposes, the character of Maya from Space: 1999 was intended to be a female version of Trek's wildly popular Mr. Spock. She even served as Sciences Officer aboard Moonbase Alpha! Rumor has it that she would've taken a bigger role had the show continued into a third season. Producer Fred Freiberger even worked to launch a Maya-centric spin-off that never came to life. So sad. Happy birthday wishes go out to the woman who played Maya -- the lovely Catherine Schell, born on this day back in 1944.
Veteran actor Alun Armstrong has been acting for over four decades. SciFi fans probably recall him in the role of Torquil in 1983's space fantasy Krull. Armstrong was born on this day in 1946.
The lovely P.J. Soles -- probably known as Bill Murray's best reason to stay in the Army in the classic comedy, Stripes -- ventured into the realm of SciFi camp with a role in Alienator (1990). Soles was born on this day in 1950.
I gave up a long time ago trying to explain to folks how NBC's popular action series Knight Rider isn't Science Fiction, but there's no changing the minds of some folks. They argue that KITT was the first 'Apple Car' and should be recognized as such. So be it. Consider this my unofficial surrender as Knight Rider's real star -- David Hasselhoff (pictured with his famed auto) -- celebrates his birthday today. He was born on this day in 1952.
J. Michael Straczynski has a long, distinguished career at crafting compelling stories for some of today's most dynamic characters. So far as Sci-Fi fans are concerned, his biggest claim to fame remains Babylon 5, but he's also dabbled in the world of Marvel Comics and adapted World War Z for the big screen. Straczynski was born on this day in 1954.
"The Inner Light" remains one of the very best episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, and the lovely Margot Rose played the part of a young woman whose planet has been lost to history aboard this touching hour. Rose was born on this day in 1956. [Source: IMDB.com]
If you've played one of the most beloved secondary characters in the history of Star Wars, then you're going to earn a citation here. Tim Rose helped bring to life 'Admiral Ackbar' in the Original Trilogy, sadly to only see the military legend unceremoniously killed off the JJ Trilogy of the mid-20Teens. Shameful, Disney. Just shameful. Rose was born on this day in 1956. [Source: IMDB.com]
Former Playboy Playmate Jodie Fisher lent her pipes to a character aboard the Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (1997) video game from Interplay Entertainment. Fisher was born on this day in 1960. [Source: IMDB.com]
In the late 1990's, the video game Mortal Kombat inspired a pair of major motion pictures, giving the hunky and talented Robin Shou the chance to strut his stuff on the silver screen as 'Liu Kang.' Shou was born on this day in 1960. [Source: IMDB.com]
Years after being menaced onscreen by none other than Freddy Krueger in the Nightmare on Elm Street series, the luminous Heather Langenkamp enjoys a kinder, gentler career in the realm behind-the-screen with make-up and special effects. However, she did suit up admirably for a background role in JJ Abrams' Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) for good measure ... and I'm guessing not even Mr. Krueger would've had anything to do with her at that point! Langenkamp was born on this day in 1964. [Source: IMDB.com]
Alex Winter is only one-half of the famous screen comedy duo Bill and Ted -- most notably from Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure -- two nitwits sent traveling through time in order to save the future as well as finish a killer book report. Winter was born on this day in 1965.
Alexandra Wilson was one of the space doctors dispensing space medicines on the edge of the Final Frontier aboard the short-lived Mercy Point for UPN. Wilson was born on this day in 1968. [Source: IMDB.com]
Methinks the star of actor Jason Clarke is on the rise! He's done some terrific work in mainstream dramas -- both on television and in the movies -- but his star turn in 2014's blockbuster Dawn of the Planet of the Apes certainly bodes well for his future. Plus, he took on the role of John Connor in the latest Terminator revisioning, Terminator: Genisys. Clarke was born on this day in 1969.
Elena Anaya catapulted herself into the league of Fantasy with a villainous role aboard DC Comics' Wonder Woman (2017). Anaya was born on this day in 1975. [Source: IMDB.com]
Eddie Shin has effortlessly been slipping in and out of some quality genre projects including work aboard Agent Carter, Lucifer, Westworld, and The Man In The High Castle. Shin was born on this day in 1976. [Source: IMDB.com]
Mike Vogel (pictured) played a part in 2008's break-out sleeper monster hit Cloverfield coming from producer JJ Abrams and director Matt Reeves. Furthermore, he did a terrific job as the American farmer who makes first contact with an alien intellect aboard Syfy's adaptation of Childhood's End. Vogel was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
In 2008, actress Melanie Thierry shared the screen alongside Vin Diesel in the passable Sci-Fi flick, Babylon A.D. In it, she played the mysterious Aurora, a young woman in the post-Apocalyptic future who may've been carrying the genetic material to create an all-new Messiah. Thierry was born on this day in 1981.
Lovely Sarah Jones did all she could to help elevate Fox TV's Alcatraz to the heights a JJ Abrams production usually enjoys. However, the writing ended up only toying with the central mystery circumstantially, and methinks viewers thought they were in store for another debacle that was ABC TV's Lost (also a JJ Abrams entity). Still, here's hoping she lands in another SciFi property real soon as the lady can turn heads. Jones was born on this day in 1983.
Tom Cullen played a role in 2013's somewhat critically maligned The Last Days On Mars (pictured above). Cullen was born on this day in 1985.
Another day, another Power Rangers citation! The fetching Meghan Camarena suited up for justice in the guise of the Pink Ranger aboard Power Rangers HyperForce for Saban. Camarena was born on this day in 1987. [Source: IMDB.com]
Summer Bishil has turned in some downright fanciful work aboard the popular Fantasy TV series The Magicians. Bishil was born on this day in 1988. [Source: IMDB.com]
Billie Lourd joined her mother Carrie Fisher on the silver screen with roles aboard Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015) and Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017). Lourd was born on this day in 1992. [Source: IMDB.com]
Relative newcomer Jessica Amlee is well on her way to building an impressive resume in genre entertainment. Thus far, she's boasted guest roles in such properties as The Outer Limits, Dark Angel, Smallville, Andromeda, The Twilight Zone, Jeremiah, Stargate: Atlantis, and The Dead Zone. Amlee was born on this day in 1994.
The beautiful Grace Fulton stepped into the world of the DC Cinematic Universe with a top role aboard Shazam! (2019) for Warner Bros. Fulton was born on this day in 1996. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1961 (in Argentina), Ed Wood Jr's Bride Of The Monster scared up what box office it could. The SciFi feature starred Bela Lugosi and Tor Johnson, and here's the plot summary that's provided via IMDB.com:
"A mad doctor attempts to create atomic supermen."
"A mad doctor attempts to create atomic supermen."
What?! Bill Maher?! Did Science Fiction?! Premiering on this day back in 1988, the SciFi/Telefilm Out Of Time paired up Bruce Abbott with the political pundit in a plot reminiscent of many time travel yarns:
"A cop from the future goes back in time to Los Angeles and teams up with his grandfather to capture a master criminal."
"A cop from the future goes back in time to Los Angeles and teams up with his grandfather to capture a master criminal."
On this day in 1992, Rick Moranis took his movie family on another kid-friendly adventure when Honey, I Blew Up The Kid premiered theatrically. I've never seen this one, though I'll admit that his first go round with all of that shrinking of the kids was pretty solid. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Szalinski family is back, this time hilarious disaster strikes when an experiment causes their new toddler son to grow many stories tall."
"The Szalinski family is back, this time hilarious disaster strikes when an experiment causes their new toddler son to grow many stories tall."
On this day in 1996 (in France), Pamela Anderson sported some big guns aboard the SciFi/Fantasy Barb Wire. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"During the Second American Civil War in 2017, Barb Wire owns a nightclub called the Hammerhead. Things become complicated when her ex-lover Axel Hood, who is married to the fugitive Corrina Devonshire, re-enters her life."
"During the Second American Civil War in 2017, Barb Wire owns a nightclub called the Hammerhead. Things become complicated when her ex-lover Axel Hood, who is married to the fugitive Corrina Devonshire, re-enters her life."
Regular readers here at SciFiHistory.Net have heard me lament how difficult SciFi comedies can be, but -- every now and then -- someone gets it right. Such was the case on this day in 1996 when Michael Keaton and director Harold Ramis teamed up to deliver their own 'attack of the clones' with Multiplicity. Here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"A man who never has enough time for the things he wants to do is offered the opportunity to have himself duplicated."
"A man who never has enough time for the things he wants to do is offered the opportunity to have himself duplicated."
On this day in 1999 (in South Korea), Reptilian (aka Reptile 2001) sunk its monster-sized teeth into all of mankind. The film starred Dan Cashman and Bruce Cornwell, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"It's been asleep for two hundred million years. Now it been awakened by aliens from another galaxy. The aliens are using Yonggary to destroy mankind."
"It's been asleep for two hundred million years. Now it been awakened by aliens from another galaxy. The aliens are using Yonggary to destroy mankind."
On this day in 2002, the SciFi/Horror feature Python 2 wrapped itself around audiences. The feature starred William Zabka and Dana Ashbrook, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Hired for his transportation services, a former mercenary and his wife accompanying a secret convoy to a Soviet military base find it overrun by a gigantic snake and must battle the creature to get out alive."
"Hired for his transportation services, a former mercenary and his wife accompanying a secret convoy to a Soviet military base find it overrun by a gigantic snake and must battle the creature to get out alive."
On this day in 2003 (in South Korea), the SciFi/Animated Sky Blue came down from the theatrical heavens. According to IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"2142: Pollution and climate change wiped out most of Earth's population. Ecoban city is built to withstand this. Suppression results in revolt. A childhood couple find each other as adults on opposing sides."
"2142: Pollution and climate change wiped out most of Earth's population. Ecoban city is built to withstand this. Suppression results in revolt. A childhood couple find each other as adults on opposing sides."
On this day in 2009 (in the United Kingdom), Moon first premiered theatrically. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Astronaut Sam Bell has a quintessentially personal encounter toward the end of his three-year stint on the Moon, where he, working alongside his computer, GERTY, sends back to Earth parcels of a resource that has helped diminish our planet's power problems."
"Astronaut Sam Bell has a quintessentially personal encounter toward the end of his three-year stint on the Moon, where he, working alongside his computer, GERTY, sends back to Earth parcels of a resource that has helped diminish our planet's power problems."
On this day in 2011, the SciFi/ShortFilm Small Gods enjoyed its U.S. release. The feature starred Johann Urb and Jeffrey Henderson, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"While Chicago reels from a city-wide telepathic scandal, precognitive cop, Owen Young, fights a desperate battle to keep his abilities secret with the help of his street-sharp partner, John Meyer. But when a seemingly routine case places them in the cross-hairs of a telepathic killer with unlimited power, they quickly discover that in this city, secrets never sleep."
"While Chicago reels from a city-wide telepathic scandal, precognitive cop, Owen Young, fights a desperate battle to keep his abilities secret with the help of his street-sharp partner, John Meyer. But when a seemingly routine case places them in the cross-hairs of a telepathic killer with unlimited power, they quickly discover that in this city, secrets never sleep."
On this day in 1965, Doctor Who aired "A Battle Of Wits." This served as the thirty-eighth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Doctor manages to escape from his cell and get the upper hand on the Monk but his plans are derailed when Sven and Ulf arrive at the monastery."
"The Doctor manages to escape from his cell and get the upper hand on the Monk but his plans are derailed when Sven and Ulf arrive at the monastery."
On this day in 1971, Gerry Anderson's UFO aired "The Sound Of Silence." This served as the twenty-third episode in the program's only season, and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"An alien craft lands in woodland near the home of horseman Russell Stone. When Stone goes missing suspicion initially falls on Ben Culley, a tramp with whom Stone had recently argued over trespassing on his property. However, Culley is found dead and it seems likely that the green alien who killed him has captured Stone.The trail leads to a nearby lake where it seems likely that the alien is hiding. . ."
"An alien craft lands in woodland near the home of horseman Russell Stone. When Stone goes missing suspicion initially falls on Ben Culley, a tramp with whom Stone had recently argued over trespassing on his property. However, Culley is found dead and it seems likely that the green alien who killed him has captured Stone.The trail leads to a nearby lake where it seems likely that the alien is hiding. . ."
On this day in 1972, Doomwatch aired "Deadly Dangerous Tomorrow." This served as the seventh episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the premise from IMDB.com:
"Ridge continues his ecological crusade by warning against the dangerous side effects of the chemical insecticide known as D.D.T. upon the world's developing countries. He stages a publicity stunt by flying in an Indian family and setting them up in a tent in the middle of London's St. James Park. But the prank backfires when it is discovered that one of them is suffering from malaria."
"Ridge continues his ecological crusade by warning against the dangerous side effects of the chemical insecticide known as D.D.T. upon the world's developing countries. He stages a publicity stunt by flying in an Indian family and setting them up in a tent in the middle of London's St. James Park. But the prank backfires when it is discovered that one of them is suffering from malaria."
On this day in 1992, The Ray Bradbury Theater aired "The Happiness Machine." This served as the second episode in the program's sixth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A family man, incorrigible dreamer and small-town inventor is inspired to build a machine that can create happiness. However, his wife makes him realize the irony of such concept."
"A family man, incorrigible dreamer and small-town inventor is inspired to build a machine that can create happiness. However, his wife makes him realize the irony of such concept."
On this day in 1995, Gerry Anderson's Space Precinct aired "Deathwatch: Part 1." This served as the twenty-third episode in the program's only season, and here's the plot summary from the Space Precinct Online Guide:
"A dual-personality slum lord, by the name of Borden, and his thugs wreak havoc on the tenants of a run-down apartment tower. However, there is more than meets the eye, as Brogan (Ted Shackelford) and Haldane (Rob Youngblood) realize that Borden is really something far more evil than just an unpleasant landlord. The question is not who is Borden, but rather, what is Borden?"
"A dual-personality slum lord, by the name of Borden, and his thugs wreak havoc on the tenants of a run-down apartment tower. However, there is more than meets the eye, as Brogan (Ted Shackelford) and Haldane (Rob Youngblood) realize that Borden is really something far more evil than just an unpleasant landlord. The question is not who is Borden, but rather, what is Borden?"
On this day in 1998, Stargate: SG-1 aired "The Gamekeeper." This served as the fourth episode of the long-running program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Exploring a strange and beautiful garden, SG-1 comes across a dome containing a race that are connected to machines. The team are captured by the machines and rendered unconscious, but awake to find themselves reliving pivotal moments of their lives, over and over again. Then they discover it is virtual reality and a mysterious keeper appears to persuade them to try different outcomes for the moments. But can the team escape his clutches, when they don't know what is real and what is not?"
"Exploring a strange and beautiful garden, SG-1 comes across a dome containing a race that are connected to machines. The team are captured by the machines and rendered unconscious, but awake to find themselves reliving pivotal moments of their lives, over and over again. Then they discover it is virtual reality and a mysterious keeper appears to persuade them to try different outcomes for the moments. But can the team escape his clutches, when they don't know what is real and what is not?"
On this day in 2005, The 4400 aired "Life Interrupted." This served as the sixth episode of the second season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"Tom Baldwin wakes up in a parallel or alternate world where he has married a woman two years ago but he has never seen her before. There is no trace of any 4400s from the future with special skills, and Jordan Collier is Governor."
"Tom Baldwin wakes up in a parallel or alternate world where he has married a woman two years ago but he has never seen her before. There is no trace of any 4400s from the future with special skills, and Jordan Collier is Governor."
I've struggled with TNT's alien invasion drama Falling Skies. For example, I just didn't think its first two seasons were really all that good. Though the program has some talent I admire, the characters all feel a bit bland. However, on this day back in 2011, the show aired the sixth episode of its inaugural season, an hour titled, "Sanctuary, Part 1." Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Lt. Terry Clayton (guest star Henry Czerny - The Tudors) of the 7th Mass arrives with word that the aliens are on their way to attack the 2nd Mass."
"Lt. Terry Clayton (guest star Henry Czerny - The Tudors) of the 7th Mass arrives with word that the aliens are on their way to attack the 2nd Mass."
On this day in 2014, Syfy's Defiance aired "Putting The Damage On." This served as the fifth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Amanda is being stalked by a man who managed to get into her room. She manages to defend herself but tells Nolan that she was attacked in New York 5 years ago. When Nolan apparently accosts her in an alleyway, she wonders if she is hallucinating. Datak Tarr is recovering from his beating and visits the house. Christie is not pleased to see him, especially after what he did to Alak. Datak sets out to rebuild his empire. Rafe has moved in with his daughter at Stahma's house and is having some trouble getting use to their customs. Someone from Doc Yewl's past arrives in Defiance."
"Amanda is being stalked by a man who managed to get into her room. She manages to defend herself but tells Nolan that she was attacked in New York 5 years ago. When Nolan apparently accosts her in an alleyway, she wonders if she is hallucinating. Datak Tarr is recovering from his beating and visits the house. Christie is not pleased to see him, especially after what he did to Alak. Datak sets out to rebuild his empire. Rafe has moved in with his daughter at Stahma's house and is having some trouble getting use to their customs. Someone from Doc Yewl's past arrives in Defiance."
On this day in 2015, Killjoys aired "A Glitch In The System." This served as the fifth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An easy salvage job on an abandoned ship takes an insidious turn when the Killjoys are trapped aboard, in a tense, terrifying standoff that forces them to confront their own darkest secrets."
"An easy salvage job on an abandoned ship takes an insidious turn when the Killjoys are trapped aboard, in a tense, terrifying standoff that forces them to confront their own darkest secrets."
Oy, not an apocalypse again! On this day in 2016, Rooster Teeth's Day 5 released "Sweet Dreams." This served as the fourth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"New clues converge in Dallas, while Ally attempts a dangerous reunion in Austin."
"New clues converge in Dallas, while Ally attempts a dangerous reunion in Austin."
