One of legendary K.T. Stevens' last roles was a terrific guest spot as an aging Starfigher pilot pulled out of retirement for one more job aboard NBC's Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. Though she's no longer with us, Stevens was born on this day in 1919. [Source: IMDB.com]
Early in her career, Lola Albright made a splash in the SciFi feature The Monolith Monsters (1957) for Universal Pictures. Later in her career, she enjoyed guest spots aboard The Incredible Hulk and Airwolf. Though she's no longer with us, Albright was born on this day in 1924. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Sally Ann Howes joined Dick Van Dyke in silver screen history for her part aboard the Fantasy-themed Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968). Howes was born on this day in 1930. [Source: IMDB.com]
From 1966 through 1988, the venerable Roy Skelton served as one of the talented actors who supplied the voice to those menacing Daleks in the greater universe of Doctor Who. Though he's no longer with us, Skelton was born on this day in 1931. [Source: IMDB.com]
Not only did Dick Giordano create some of the most interesting artwork for a generation of comic books readers but also for a time he served as the Executive Editorial Director for DC Comics. Perhaps his most notable work throughout his career was in the wide universe of Batman titles, but he also managed to contribute to the works of Superman, Wonder Woman, Jonah Hex, and even Star Trek. Though he's no longer with us, Giordano was born on this day in 1932. [Source: Memory Alpha]
The incomparable Diana Rigg! Not only did she serve as one of the sexiest do-gooders in all of spydom ever aboard the fondly remember The Avengers from 1965 through 1968, but also she stole the heart of no less than James Bond himself aboard On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1968). A number of years later, she guested aboard the BBC's long-running Doctor Who on "The Crimson Horror." And even more recently she brought 'Olenna Tyrell' to life aboard HBO's epic Game Of Thrones. Though she's no longer with us, Rigg was born on this day in 1938. [Source: IMDB.com]
I seriously don't know all that much about the late Natalie Wood. I know that the last film she appeared in was 1983's Brainstorm (above photo, right, in the blue sweater), a film I've tried to watch on a few occasions but have yet to successfully make it through. (Kinda slow.) I also know that there are some questions that still linger regarding her untimely demise. (It remains classified as an accidental drowning.) However, it's sad when we lose talent at any age, and, although she's no longer with us, Wood was born on this day in 1938.
The lovely Carolyne Barry only appeared briefly aboard the classic Star Trek episode "Arena," but she followed that up years later with an equally brief guest spot aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation. Though she's no longer with us, Barry was born on this day in 1943. [Source: IMDB.com]
Randal Kleiser earned his place in Science Fiction History by directing a little something something called Flight Of The Navigator (1986). Kleiser was born on this day in 1946. [Source: IMDB.com]
2003's The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is one of those films that methinks Hollywood had high hopes for, but (alas) it wasn't meant to be. If I remember correctly, there was a fair amount of scuttlebutt in the press regarding on-set troubles, and perhaps that ended up jinxing the high-profile property. Naseeruddin Shah appeared as Captain Nemo in the flick, and Shah was born on this day in 1950. [Source: IMDB.com]
Fritz Sperberg is a character actor whose career boasts appearances aboard Legend, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Star Trek: Voyager. Sperberg was born on this day in 1951. [Source: IMDB.com]
With over two hundred different screen credits to her name, Lee Garlington has to be one of the busiest actresses in the business. She hasn't done a wealth of Science Fiction and Fantasy, but she has appeared in Automan, The Seventh Sign (1988), Hell Comes To Frogtown (1988), Field Of Dreams (1989), Quantum Leap, Dark Skies, Invasion, Pulse 2: Afterlife (2008), and Flashforward. Garlington was born on this day in 1953. [Source: IMDB.com]
The always beautiful Donna Dixon had a small role aboard Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983) with John Lithgow. Dixon was born on this day in 1957. [Source: IMDB.com]
Never forget that for as many bright and creative people it takes to bring a program to life on screen there are at least as many behind-the-scenes working to make it all possible. Producer Merri Howard certainly left her imprint on the greater world of Trekdom by serving in production duties for Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Enterprise. Howard was born on this day in 1957. [Source: Memory Alpha]
Funnyman Carlos Alazraqui (from Comedy Central's Reno 911) took time off from making laughs to lend his voice to the character of Bane aboard the Justice League: Doom (2012) animated feature. Check out his resume, and you'll find he's done a wealth of quality voice acting in other projects. Alazraqui was born on this day in 1962. [Source: IMDB.com]
Actor Frank Whaley is a familiar face who pops up in an awful lot of unusual places and, while there, seems to make the best of them. Genre fans certainly know him best from his small role in Field of Dreams as well as his stint as 'Future Guy' from USA Network's The Dead Zone television show. More recently, he turned up aboard Netflix's Luke Cage series. Whaley was born on this day in 1963. [Source: IMDB.com]
Dean Winters enjoyed a recurring role on Fox TV's underrated Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles as Charley Dixon, a love interest for the fabled Ms. Connor herself. Winters was born on this day in 1964.
Character actor Reed Diamond played a role in Josh Whedon's SciFi-lite Dollhouse for Fox TV. He's also been a part of ABC TV's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and NBC's stellar Journeyman. Diamond was born on this day in 1967.
I remember saying at one time (in an online chat forum) that all of those characters from ABC TV's wildly popular Lost program would experience difficulty in 'breaking out of that mold' once they went to find work when that program ended, and it appears I was marginally correct. While stand-out island hunk Josh Holloway continues to find employment, nothing seems to have stuck for the long term. More recently he's headlined USA Network's Colony. Holloway was born on this day in 1969. [Source: IMDB.com]
Cosima Shaw explored the brave new world waiting for us out there on the Red Planet in the SciFi/Docudrama Mars. She also visited the greater worlds of Doctor Who. Shaw was born on this day in 1972. [Source: Doctor Who Guide]
Under her birth name of Colleen Ann Fitzpatrick, singer Vitamin C (above right) bared her teeth as required for Dracula 2000 (2000). Fitzpatrick was born on this day in 1972. [Source: IMDB.com]
Omar Epps helped elevate the storytelling aboard Resurrection for all of its twenty-one episodes. He also appeared in Dracula 2000 (2000). Epps was born on this day in 1973. [Source: IMDB.com]
Take note, Star Trek fans: with the departure of JJ Abrams from his active role in the franchise, Paramount Pictures briefly flirted with the idea of giving the keys to the Roddenberry kingdom to this man -- Roberto Orci. Why was that important? Well, Orci's on record (in several instances) in spouting his rather vicious disdain for Trekkies. That's all you need to know when you ask what Paramount thinks of you and your beloved franchise. Orci was born on this day in 1973.
So zany it's sexy Judy Greer enjoyed a small but critical role in 2015's summer blockbuster Jurassic World. She's also the voice of Cheryl Tunt on FX's marvelous spy parody Archer. Greer was born on this day in 1975.
The lovely Aimee Mullins has appeared aboard the Netflix Fantasy-themed juggernaut Stranger Things. Mullins was born on this day in 1975. [Source: IMDB.com]
Proving yet once again that Science Fiction comes in all shapes, sizes, and degrees of sexiness, the lovely Penny Vital (as Penny Drake) delved into SciFi camp for her requirements in Star Chicks. Vital was born on this day in 1977. [Source: IMDB.com]
In his youth, Charlie Korsmo lit up the silver screen alongside Warren Beatty in Walt Disney's adaptation of Dick Tracy (1990). Korsmo was born on this day in 1978. [Source: IMDB.com]
Rory Jennings played an important role aboard "The Idiot's Lantern," a second season episode of the relaunched Doctor Who's second season. Jennings was born on this day in 1983. [Source: IMDB.com]
The talented Osric Chau continues to dabble in quality genre projects. He's boarded such properties as 2012 (2009), Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, The Akira Project (2014), The 100, Demon X, Supernatural, and Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. Chau was born on this day in 1986. [Source: IMDB.com]
Aside from an appearance aboard Clash Of The Titans (2010), Sinead Michael also enjoyed a run aboard the Doctor Who spin-off, The Sarah Jane Adventures. Michael was born on this day in 1998. [Source: Doctor Who Guide]
A star is born! On this day in 1970, Frankenstein 1970 lumbered its way onto U.S. silver screens. Directed by Howard W. Koch, the monster movie starred Boris Karloff, Tom Duggan, and Jana Lund; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Baron Victor Von Frankenstein has fallen on hard times; he was tortured at the hands of the Nazis for not cooperating with them during World War II and he is now badly disfigured. As his family's wealth begins to run out, the Baron is forced to allow a TV crew shooting a documentary on his monster-making ancestors to film at his castle in Germany. However, the Baron has some ideas of his own: using the money from the crew's rent he buys an atomic reactor and uses it to create a hulking monster, transplanting his butler's brain into the thing and using it to kill off the crew for more spare parts."
"Baron Victor Von Frankenstein has fallen on hard times; he was tortured at the hands of the Nazis for not cooperating with them during World War II and he is now badly disfigured. As his family's wealth begins to run out, the Baron is forced to allow a TV crew shooting a documentary on his monster-making ancestors to film at his castle in Germany. However, the Baron has some ideas of his own: using the money from the crew's rent he buys an atomic reactor and uses it to create a hulking monster, transplanting his butler's brain into the thing and using it to kill off the crew for more spare parts."
On this day in 1978 (in Iran), the original Star Wars opened theatrically. The SciFi/Fantasy film starred Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle-station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the evil Darth Vader."
"Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle-station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the evil Darth Vader."
On this day in 1981 (in Spain), the good people of Barcelona were treated to the cinematic Battle Beyond The Stars. The feature starred Richard Thomas and George Peppard, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A young farmer sets out to recruit mercenaries to defend his peaceful planet, which is under threat of invasion by the evil tyrant Sador and his armada of aggressors."
"A young farmer sets out to recruit mercenaries to defend his peaceful planet, which is under threat of invasion by the evil tyrant Sador and his armada of aggressors."
A star is born! Although artificial intelligence of almost any kind usually ends up getting the dark and ominous treatment in most major motion picture films, every now and then there's one that comes along and treats it much differently. Exhibit A: Electric Dreams, which premiered on this day back in 1984. Believe it or not, the flick actually postulated a clever love triangle between a man, a woman, and a machine ... erm ... not that kind of machine. Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"An artificially intelligent PC and his human owner find themselves in a romantic rivalry over a woman."
"An artificially intelligent PC and his human owner find themselves in a romantic rivalry over a woman."
A star is born! On this day in 1993 (in Germany), Arcade was finally released to the masses-at-large by way of a home video launch. With a screenplay by David S. Goyer and directed by Albert Pyun, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Peter Billingsley, Megan Ward, and John de Lancie; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Alex Manning is a troubled suburban teenager. Her mother committed suicide and the school counselor feels that she has not dealt with her feelings properly. Manning and her friends decide to visit the local video arcade known as "Dante's Inferno" where a new virtual reality arcade game called "Arcade" is being test marketed by a computer company CEO who is more than willing to hand out free samples of the home console version and hype up the game as if his job is depending on it, and it is. However, it soon becomes clear that the teenagers who play the game and lose are being imprisoned inside the virtual reality world by the central villain "Arcade". And it gets worse when a virtual reality game begins to take over the minds of teenagers. The computer company felt it would be a good idea to use a boy's brain cells in order to make the game's villain more realistic. Instead, it made the game deadly. And so now Nick and Alex must enlist the help of the game's programmer and head to the video arcade for a final showdown with "Arcade" and his deadly virtual world."
"Alex Manning is a troubled suburban teenager. Her mother committed suicide and the school counselor feels that she has not dealt with her feelings properly. Manning and her friends decide to visit the local video arcade known as "Dante's Inferno" where a new virtual reality arcade game called "Arcade" is being test marketed by a computer company CEO who is more than willing to hand out free samples of the home console version and hype up the game as if his job is depending on it, and it is. However, it soon becomes clear that the teenagers who play the game and lose are being imprisoned inside the virtual reality world by the central villain "Arcade". And it gets worse when a virtual reality game begins to take over the minds of teenagers. The computer company felt it would be a good idea to use a boy's brain cells in order to make the game's villain more realistic. Instead, it made the game deadly. And so now Nick and Alex must enlist the help of the game's programmer and head to the video arcade for a final showdown with "Arcade" and his deadly virtual world."
On this day in 1993 (in the Netherlands), Doctor Mordrid release his own personal 'Hell on Earth' by way of his own personal tricks with magic via home video. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"An unspeakable evil has come into our dimension and wants to rule over Earth, and only a mysterious sorceror known as Doctor Mordrid can stop him."
"An unspeakable evil has come into our dimension and wants to rule over Earth, and only a mysterious sorceror known as Doctor Mordrid can stop him."
On this day in 2007 (in Italy), Altered delivered yet one more scare to SciFi/Horror audiences. The film starred Adam Kaufman and Catherine Mangan, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Fifteen years ago, a group of men's lives were forever changed by a strange occurrence. Now, the same group of men will spend a night together ... in terror."
"Fifteen years ago, a group of men's lives were forever changed by a strange occurrence. Now, the same group of men will spend a night together ... in terror."
A star is born! On this day in 2015, the SciFi/Telefilm Shark Island (aka Zombie Shark) sunk its teeth into all of mankind. It starred Becky Andrews and Ross Britz, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A perfect getaway for four friends turns into survival when they fight an experimental shark."
"A perfect getaway for four friends turns into survival when they fight an experimental shark."
On this day in 2018 (in the U.S. and Brazil), Earth suffered yet one more alien invasion with the release of Occupation. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After their small Australian country town is annihilated by an overwhelming airborne attack, a group of civilians evade capture and discover they are now among the last remaining survivors of an extraterrestrial invasion engulfing the entire planet. As humanity falls under world-wide occupation, they form a home-grown army to fight back against vastly superior enemy forces. On the front lines of the battle for Earth, they are our last hope."
"After their small Australian country town is annihilated by an overwhelming airborne attack, a group of civilians evade capture and discover they are now among the last remaining survivors of an extraterrestrial invasion engulfing the entire planet. As humanity falls under world-wide occupation, they form a home-grown army to fight back against vastly superior enemy forces. On the front lines of the battle for Earth, they are our last hope."
On this day in 1956, Science Fiction Theatre aired "The Phantom Car." Officially, this served as the fourteenth episode in the program's second (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The sheriff ignores an old prospector who claims he was almost run over by a driverless car in the desert. Once a geologist's wife is seriously injured by the same automobile, he takes matters seriously. The lawman determines that the vehicle is radio-controlled, but don't know who's operating it or why it's hitting people."
"The sheriff ignores an old prospector who claims he was almost run over by a driverless car in the desert. Once a geologist's wife is seriously injured by the same automobile, he takes matters seriously. The lawman determines that the vehicle is radio-controlled, but don't know who's operating it or why it's hitting people."
On this day in 1992 (in Australia), The Girl From Tomorrow aired "The End Of Everything." Officially, this served as the second episode in the program's second (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Having lured Alana and Lorien into a trap, Silverthorn tries to recapture the time capsule. However, with the help of local boy Nik and his booby traps, Jenny is able to defeat Silverthorn. Meanwhile, after Alana and Lorien manage to escape, they return Jenny to the 1990s where she is reunited with her family. When Alana and Lorien return to the year 3000, they emerge from the capsule to find only a barren wasteland."
"Having lured Alana and Lorien into a trap, Silverthorn tries to recapture the time capsule. However, with the help of local boy Nik and his booby traps, Jenny is able to defeat Silverthorn. Meanwhile, after Alana and Lorien manage to escape, they return Jenny to the 1990s where she is reunited with her family. When Alana and Lorien return to the year 3000, they emerge from the capsule to find only a barren wasteland."
On this day in 1995 (in Hong Kong), Babylon 5 aired "Midnight On The Firing Line." Officially, this served as the first episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Narn attack a Centauri colony, while Raiders attack transport ships. Talia Winters arrives at the station."
"The Narn attack a Centauri colony, while Raiders attack transport ships. Talia Winters arrives at the station."
On this day in 2001, Lexx aired "Texx Lexx." Officially, this served as the second episode in the program's fourth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Xev gets separated from Kai and hitches a ride with a Texan named Rooster. He and his lovesick lug-head friends vie for Xev's love. Kai's search for Xev leads him to a weird scientist who believes the Earth is in imminent danger."
"Xev gets separated from Kai and hitches a ride with a Texan named Rooster. He and his lovesick lug-head friends vie for Xev's love. Kai's search for Xev leads him to a weird scientist who believes the Earth is in imminent danger."
On this day in 2001, Stargate: SG-1 aired "The Fifth Man." This served as the fourth episode to the program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When SG-1 flees from an expedition with Col. O'Neill and some mysterious team member named, Tyler, whom no one else knows about, stranded, the fitness of the team is questioned."
"When SG-1 flees from an expedition with Col. O'Neill and some mysterious team member named, Tyler, whom no one else knows about, stranded, the fitness of the team is questioned."
On this day in 2008 (in Germany), Doctor Who aired "The Idiot's Lantern." This served as the seventh episode in the re-launched program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"As the coronation of Elizabeth II nears, the streets of London live in fear. Faceless people are stolen from their homes in the night and something evil is lurking in the television."
"As the coronation of Elizabeth II nears, the streets of London live in fear. Faceless people are stolen from their homes in the night and something evil is lurking in the television."
On this day in 2010 (in Hungary), Doctor Who aired "Gridlock." This served as the third episode in the restarted program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Doctor takes Martha to New Earth, where she is kidnapped by two carjackers and taken to an underground Motorway, where the remainder of humanity on the planet live in perpetual gridlock."
"The Doctor takes Martha to New Earth, where she is kidnapped by two carjackers and taken to an underground Motorway, where the remainder of humanity on the planet live in perpetual gridlock."
On this day in 2014, TNT's Falling Skies aired "Mind Wars." This served as the fifth episode of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"After freeing Matt from the Espheni Youth Camp, Tom encounters two mysterious strangers in the woods, who attack his family before embarking with him on a violent journey. Hal faces almost insurmountable odds as he tries to lead the remaining Volm and 2nd Mass to a place of perceived safety. Lexi and Anne have a difference of opinions - resulting in dangerous consequences."
"After freeing Matt from the Espheni Youth Camp, Tom encounters two mysterious strangers in the woods, who attack his family before embarking with him on a violent journey. Hal faces almost insurmountable odds as he tries to lead the remaining Volm and 2nd Mass to a place of perceived safety. Lexi and Anne have a difference of opinions - resulting in dangerous consequences."
It all began right here: I don't know about you, but I completely missed the TV show called The Lottery. Never heard of it. Why that surprises me is that I'm a huge fan of the dreamy Marley Shelton -- who plays series regular Dr. Alison Lennon. I'm also a pretty big fan of the reliable Martin Donovan -- who plays Darius Hayes. However, it's apparently a SciFi drama that ended up being aired on the Lifetime Network of all places, so maybe I wasn't the target demographic. Meh. In any event, the premise sounds like it would've been in my wheelhouse, and I'm providing what I've learned of its pilot episode (it aired on this day in 2014) compliments of IMDB.com:
"One hundred eggs are inseminated by Dr. Alison Lennon as she convinces the president to hold a national lottery to see who will carry the prized embryos. However a battle over the embryos soon erupts."
"One hundred eggs are inseminated by Dr. Alison Lennon as she convinces the president to hold a national lottery to see who will carry the prized embryos. However a battle over the embryos soon erupts."
On this day in 2014, The Strain aired "The Box." Officially, this served as the second episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The four survivors begin manifesting strange symptoms, but Eph and Nora's attempt to quarantine them is thwarted as the disinformation campaign begins. Meanwhile, in jail, Setrakian receives a surprise visit from an old - a very old - acquaintance."
"The four survivors begin manifesting strange symptoms, but Eph and Nora's attempt to quarantine them is thwarted as the disinformation campaign begins. Meanwhile, in jail, Setrakian receives a surprise visit from an old - a very old - acquaintance."
On this day in 2017, Zoo aired "Welcome To The Terra Dome." This served as the fourth episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Abe and Dariela ponder over making a deal that will betray their friends. Abigail's game of cat and mouse continues. Clementine's past catches up to her."
"Abe and Dariela ponder over making a deal that will betray their friends. Abigail's game of cat and mouse continues. Clementine's past catches up to her."
