Hmm. I guess if an author is going to pen a SciFi Dystopian novel set in London then he may as well make it arguably one of the very best ever written. Such is the case with author Aldous Huxley: his Brave New World certainly set the bar high, so much so than thousands of authors have tried reaching it on their own out of respect for what he'd done first. Though he's no longer with us, Huxley was born on this day in 1894.
Screen veteran Jason Robards built his reputation around playing strong-willed dynamic males in largely mainstream drama. In the early 80's, however, he was cast to be one of the survivors of the nuclear holocaust which decimated much of the United States in the TV event, The Day After. Though he's no longer with us, Robards was born on this day in 1922.
Biff Elliot had a role aboard the classic Star Trek episode "The Devil In The Dark," and that's something worth screaming about. Though he's no longer with us, Elliot was born on this day in 1923.
Screen veteran James Best went mano-a-mano (well) against The Killer Shrews (1959) for Hollywood Pictures Corporation. He also made appearances aboard The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms (1953), Riders To The Stars (1954), Forbidden Planet (1956), I Was A Teenage Werewolf (1957), Men Into Space, The Twilight Zone, The Green Hornet, and The Brain Machine (1977). Though he's no longer with us, Best was born on this day in 1926. [Source: IMDB.com]
One could ask, "Where would smart, big screen science fiction be without the influence of director Stanley Kubrick?" His 2001: A Space Odyssey defines quality cinema for a whole generation of critics, not to mention his take on the dystopian future in A Clockwork Orange. Though he's no longer with us, Kubrick was born on this day in 1928.
The talented Joe Knowland had a spiffy li'l role as an antiques expert aboard the popular Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Knowland was born on this day in 1930.
Robert Colbert certainly made his mark in the realm of Science Fiction with a leading role aboard Irwin Allen's television series The Time Tunnel. Groovy, baby, groovy. Colbert was born on this day in 1931. [Source: IMDB.com]
True, Star Trek's third season was plagued with an awful lot of inferior storytelling, but I've always thought "The Empath" had a tone similar to much of what had come from the program's best outings. In the episode, the lovely Kathryn Hays played Gem, the empath for which the story was written. Hays was born on this day in 1933.
Director Peter Hyams has a handful of solid Science Fiction features under his belt, including Capricorn One (1977), Outland (1981), 2010 (1984), Timecop (1994), and A Sound Of Thunder (2005). Hyams was born on this day in 1943. [Source: IMDB.com]
It isn't every day that we here in the realm of Science Fiction get to celebrate the work of a legitimate Rock'n'Roll legend, but it isn't every day we're introduced to a piece of filmmaking as demented as Freejack (1992) was, either. His name? Mick Jagger. And the Mickster was born on this day in 1943. Rock on.
Good Lord, did Star Trek's second season lovely maidens get any dreamier than the dreamy Celeste Yarnall? She also enjoyed guest spots aboard The Wild, Wild West, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., and Land of the Giants. Though she's no longer with us, Yarnall was born on this day in 1944. [Source: IMDB.com]
Actress Linda Harrison played the incomparable Nova as part of the original Planet of the Apes (1968) and its sequel, Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970). She's worked sparingly since that time, but she was wooed into an appearance into 1985's Cocoon and its sequel, Cocoon: The Return (1988). Harrison was born on this day in 1945.
Helen Mirren has built a reputation in dramatic roles, but she did gives SciFi fans a great performance in 1984's 2010: The Year We Make Contact. Mirren was born on this day in 1945.
Susan George enjoyed a taste of Science Fiction with her work aboard the SciFi/Telefilm Computercide (1981). George was born on this day in 1950. [Source: IMDB.com]
Lawrence Watt-Evans (whose pseudonym is Nathan Archer) dabbles in the realms of Science Fiction and Fantasy. You can access his personal website right here, and Watt-Evans was born on this day in 1954. [Source: Wikipedia.org]
I'd heard it said somewheres that showrunners for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine had originally intended Michelle Forbes to head-up the Bajoran contingent of the cast as Ensign Ro; however, Ms. Forbes had moved on in her career and apparently was no longer interested. This paved the way for Nana Visitor to step in and have the role re-worked as Major Kira Nerys. And could you ever imagine a DS9 without Nana Visitor? I know I can't. Her portrayal of the sometimes tightly-wound-up Bajoran officer captivated fans, and she brought much depth and emotion to a universe largely underplayed by most actors. Visitor was born on this day in 1957.
Sorry, folks. There are some topics I just won't mince words on, and one of those topics is Superman Returns. Short story: it's a wretched, wretched movie. On so many levels. Granted, it did give us Kevin Spacey channeling Gene Hackman, so much so that I would rather have seen Gene Hackman in the role of Lex Luthor again, but it is what it is. Spacey -- on the other hand -- was born on this day in 1959.
You say you've driven a starship? Then you definitely deserve our attention! Veteran character actor Boris Lee Krutonog began a character in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country that was given a bit of a follow-up aboard an episode of Star Trek: Voyager. The actor has also made appearances aboard Monolith (1993), M.A.N.T.I.S., Millennium, and NightMan. Krutonog was born on this day in 1960. [Source: IMDB.com]
HubbaHubba Alert! A completely fetching Deirdre Imershein made visits to both Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Imershein was born on this day in 1963.
Though I suspect when Hollywood looks back on her career, Sandra Bullock will least likely be remembered for her work in Science Fiction, but that didn't stop her from achieving big screen attention by appearing alongside George Clooney in the box office smash Gravity. Bullock was born on this day in 1964.
When Paramount Pictures dipped back into the Fantastical waters for its 2014 adaptation of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, producers hired funnyman Danny Woodburn to voice the central character of 'Splinter.' Woodburn was born on this day in 1964. [Source: IMDB.com]
Well before he achieved leading man status in major motion pictures, a much younger Jason Statham popped up in some curious genre entertainment. John Carpenter took a liking to him and cast him alongside Natasha Henstridge (of Species' fame) in the curiously silly Ghosts of Mars (2001). Statham was born on this day in 1967.
The lovely Olivia Williams first came to the attention of Science Fiction fans when she appeared alongside Kevin Costner in 1997's The Postman. About ten years later, she took a major role in the Joss Whedon TV program Dollhouse. Williams was born on this day in 1968.
Cress Williams dove feet first into the realm of The CW's Superhero line-up as the lead do-gooder aboard Black Lightning. Williams was born on this day in 1970. [Source: IMDB.com]
Spencer Wilding is certainly someone to watch ... well, that is when you can tell it's him under all of that makeup and costuming. Genre fans might know of him from The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy (2005), Eragon (2006), The Golden Compass (2007), Wrath Of The Titans (2012), Doctor Who, Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014), Jupiter Ascending (2015), and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016). Wilding was born on this day in 1972. [Source: IMDB.com]
God's gift to heterosexual males everywhere -- Kate Beckinsale -- graciously stepped into the shoes previously filled by Sharon Stone with the 2012 remake of Total Recall. While many found the updating a bit too obligatory, it was certainly grand to see Kate show up in a SciFi vehicle. Beckinsale was born on this day in 1973.
Lovely lady Susse Budde may not have a wealth of SciFi appearances to her name, but fans still have work aboard ABC TV's Lost and a small role in Cloverfield to get excited about. Budde was born on this day in 1973. [Source: IMDB.com]
Ben Cotton continues to delight audiences whenever given the opportunity. We've seen him chew scenery in Stargate: Atlantis, Kyle XY, Alcatraz, Fringe, Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome, and Mars. Cotton was born on this day in 1975.
The lovely Eve Myles plays the curiously equally lovely Gwen Cooper for the BBC's Doctor Who spin-off -- Torchwood -- focusing on the adventures of Captain Jack Harkness and his crew. Myles was born on this day in 1978.
Hawaiian-born Mageina Tovah joined Tobey Maguire in Spider-man 2 (2004) and 3 (2007) for some web-slinging action. Tovah was born on this day in 1979.
HubbaHubba Alert! The beautiful Anna Bell Peaks made an appearance in an (ahem!) adult-themed pornographic parody of DC Comics' Fantasy-themed Suicide Squad. Bless her heart! Peaks was born on this day in 1981. [Source: Wikipedia.org]
Honestly, CBS's Under The Dome just never quite fell on to my radar. I watched the first episode; I wasn't impressed; so I tuned it out. In any event, Megan Ketch enjoyed a solid run on the SciFi/Fantasy program, and Ketch was born on this day in 1982. [Source: IMDB.com]
Without a doubt, Louisa Mignone has established herself as a player in the world of Science Fiction with prominent roles aboard Infini (2015) and The Osiris Child (2016). Mignone was born on this day in 1983. [Source: IMDB.com]
Miriam McDonald plunged headfirst into the realm of Fantasy with a role aboard The Sea Beast (2008) for The SciFi Channel. She followed that up on dry land with some work aboard Wolves (2014) for Copperheart Entertainment. McDonald was born on this day in 1987. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1968, humanity was granted yet another look at the Red Planet with the theatrical release of Mission Mars. The feature starred Darren McGavin and Nick Adams, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Three American astronauts who land on Mars discover the body of a frozen Russian cosmonaut and a mysterious talking orb."
"Three American astronauts who land on Mars discover the body of a frozen Russian cosmonaut and a mysterious talking orb."
On this day in 1969 (in Japan), Latitude Zero enjoyed its theatrical release. The feature starred Joseph Cotten and Cesar Romero, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A journalist is saved by a giant submarine captained by a 200 year old man who takes him to an underwater paradise city where no one ages. That's when monsters and mutants sent by the captain's rival, a 200 year old scientist, attack."
"A journalist is saved by a giant submarine captained by a 200 year old man who takes him to an underwater paradise city where no one ages. That's when monsters and mutants sent by the captain's rival, a 200 year old scientist, attack."
On this day in 1975 (in Japan), the future of sports grew a bit dark with the release of Rollerball. The feature starred James Caan and Maud Adams, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In a corporate-controlled future, an ultra-violent sport known as Rollerball represents the world, and one of its powerful athletes is out to defy those who want him out of the game."
"In a corporate-controlled future, an ultra-violent sport known as Rollerball represents the world, and one of its powerful athletes is out to defy those who want him out of the game."
On this day in 1979 (in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands), the theatrical cut of Buck Rogers In The 25th Century soared into 20th century movie houses. The SciFi film starred Gil Gerard and Erin Gray, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A 20th century astronaut emerges out of 500 years of suspended animation into a future time where Earth is threatened by alien invaders."
"A 20th century astronaut emerges out of 500 years of suspended animation into a future time where Earth is threatened by alien invaders."
On this day in 1979, the Walt Disney company flirted with Science Fiction again with Unidentified Flying Oddball. The feature starred Dennis Dugan, and here's the plot summary as detailed on IMDB.com:
"An astronaut and his android double travel back to the time of King Arthur."
"An astronaut and his android double travel back to the time of King Arthur."
On this day in 1990 (in Argentina), Robocop 2 marched his mechanical way onto the silver screen. The feature starred Peter Weller and John Glover, and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"Cyborg law enforcer RoboCop returns to protect the citizens of old Detroit but faces a deadly challenge when a rogue OCP member secretly creates a new, evil RoboCop 2."
"Cyborg law enforcer RoboCop returns to protect the citizens of old Detroit but faces a deadly challenge when a rogue OCP member secretly creates a new, evil RoboCop 2."
On this day in 1990 (in West Germany), The Rift opened up in theatres. The SciFi/Horror feature starred Jack Scalia and R. Lee Emery, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An experimental submarine, the "Siren II", is sent to find out what happened to the "Siren I", which has mysteriously disappeared in a submarine rift. Things go awry when they begin to find things that shouldn't be there."
"An experimental submarine, the "Siren II", is sent to find out what happened to the "Siren I", which has mysteriously disappeared in a submarine rift. Things go awry when they begin to find things that shouldn't be there."
On this day in 1996 (in Poland), Pamela Anderson brought out the big guns in the Fantasy-themed 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."
On this day in 2011, Time Again delivered Action/Adventure with just a twist of SciFi. The feature starred Angela Rachelle and Tara Smoker, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A mysterious woman helps prevent a notorious underworld criminal from getting his hands on a set of strange coins that can tip the balance between life and death."
"A mysterious woman helps prevent a notorious underworld criminal from getting his hands on a set of strange coins that can tip the balance between life and death."
The Christian Slater space vehicle, Stranded, premiered on this day in 2013. It's not a downright awful sci-fi B-movie, but, in all honesty, it's pretty close. The greatest problem with it -- so far as I'm concerned -- is that it really brought nothing bold, new, or visionary to its slim story of astronauts battling a space virus on a small moon base. Still, it's use of practical miniatures and some claustrophobic cinematography make it a one-time-only viewing experience.
On this day in 2014, the 1978-produced Jubilee played for audiences in attendance of the New Horizons Film Festival in Poland. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Queen Elisabeth I travels 400 years into the future to witness the appalling revelation of a dystopian London overrun by corruption and a vicious gang of punk guerrilla girls led by the new Monarch of Punk."
"Queen Elisabeth I travels 400 years into the future to witness the appalling revelation of a dystopian London overrun by corruption and a vicious gang of punk guerrilla girls led by the new Monarch of Punk."
On this day in 1952, Space Patrol aired "Mystery Of Ancient Egypt." This served as the twenty-ninth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by Solarguard:
"Buzz Corry, with Cadet Happy, Carol and Tonga aboard the Commander's ship, the Terra Five, test its powerful star drive. The new ship accelerates them beyond the speed of light 6,000 years into the past to Ancient Egypt in the year 2700 B.C. Their mission, to discover how a piece of 30th Century metal could have gotten into the ruins of ancient Egypt."
"Buzz Corry, with Cadet Happy, Carol and Tonga aboard the Commander's ship, the Terra Five, test its powerful star drive. The new ship accelerates them beyond the speed of light 6,000 years into the past to Ancient Egypt in the year 2700 B.C. Their mission, to discover how a piece of 30th Century metal could have gotten into the ruins of ancient Egypt."
On this day in 1962, The Andromeda Breakthrough aired "Hurricane." This served as the fifth episode of the program's second season (as continued from A For Andromeda), and here's the plot summary from TV.com:
"The alien enzyme is causing the Earth's atmosphere to get thinner, and violent storms are sweeping the world. Intel get the scientists to develop a solution, to be sold on their terms. A counter-revolution led by the former president overthrows the rebels and Intel."
"The alien enzyme is causing the Earth's atmosphere to get thinner, and violent storms are sweeping the world. Intel get the scientists to develop a solution, to be sold on their terms. A counter-revolution led by the former president overthrows the rebels and Intel."
On this day in 1972, Ace Of Wands aired "The Meddlers: Part 2." This served as the second episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"With his new companions, Nikki and Chas, Tarot investigates a strange curse which has frightened the smallholders away from a London street market. Mr Dove, who watches from a nearby tower block through his binoculars, and Mockers, the local 'prophet of doom' are determined to hamper his progress."
"With his new companions, Nikki and Chas, Tarot investigates a strange curse which has frightened the smallholders away from a London street market. Mr Dove, who watches from a nearby tower block through his binoculars, and Mockers, the local 'prophet of doom' are determined to hamper his progress."
On this day in 1983, Astronauts aired the curiously-titled "Why Are We Here?" This served as the second episode in the program's second (and final) season, and here's the plot summary from Wikipedia.org:
"Ackroyd denounces the whole mission as a big publicity stunt. Mattocks, meanwhile, has been caught out acting furtively and sending scrambled messages. Gentian and Ackroyd want to know what's happening but it's top secret..."
"Ackroyd denounces the whole mission as a big publicity stunt. Mattocks, meanwhile, has been caught out acting furtively and sending scrambled messages. Gentian and Ackroyd want to know what's happening but it's top secret..."
On this day in 1988, ITV's Worlds Beyond aired "Reflections Of Evil." This served as the twelfth episode in the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TVDB.com:
"A young girl is caught up in an inexplicable series of events."
"A young girl is caught up in an inexplicable series of events."
On this day in 1997, Lexx aired "Super Nova." This served as the second episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The gang visits Kai's dead homeworld as the planet's sun is going supernova and ends up caught in a death trap set by the insane hologram of the planet's last survivor known as the Poet Man who died there driven mad by loneliness."
"The gang visits Kai's dead homeworld as the planet's sun is going supernova and ends up caught in a death trap set by the insane hologram of the planet's last survivor known as the Poet Man who died there driven mad by loneliness."
On this day in 2002, that Syfy epic Farscape aired the seventh episode of its fourth and final season. It was an hour titled "John Quixote," and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"Crichton and Chiana get stuck in a video game where they encounter strange/twisted versions of their friends. They must figure how to beat the game, or they'll be stuck inside forever. The game shows Crichton how dangerous/distracting his feelings for Aeryn are, leading him to a dark path to deal with his feelings."
"Crichton and Chiana get stuck in a video game where they encounter strange/twisted versions of their friends. They must figure how to beat the game, or they'll be stuck inside forever. The game shows Crichton how dangerous/distracting his feelings for Aeryn are, leading him to a dark path to deal with his feelings."
On this day in 2002, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Shadow Play." This served as the seventh episode in the program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Stargate Command is approached by representatives of Jonas Quinn's home planet seeking military hardware. Their world is divided into three territories and there is a long history of war among them. Jonas' country fears that the other two territories are about to sign a non-aggression pact thus making them vulnerable to attack. In return for arms, they are offering an abundance of naquadria. SGC isn't about to get involved in what amounts to a civil war but there's another possible outcome when Jonas' one-time professor, Doctor Kieran, tells them of an underground movement ready to overthrow the government and seek out a lasting peace. SG-1 travels to Jonas Quinn's home planet to obtain information on the situation there but not all is as it seems."
"Stargate Command is approached by representatives of Jonas Quinn's home planet seeking military hardware. Their world is divided into three territories and there is a long history of war among them. Jonas' country fears that the other two territories are about to sign a non-aggression pact thus making them vulnerable to attack. In return for arms, they are offering an abundance of naquadria. SGC isn't about to get involved in what amounts to a civil war but there's another possible outcome when Jonas' one-time professor, Doctor Kieran, tells them of an underground movement ready to overthrow the government and seek out a lasting peace. SG-1 travels to Jonas Quinn's home planet to obtain information on the situation there but not all is as it seems."
On this day in 2003, Mobile Suit Gundam Seed aired "Lucas Strikes." This served as the forty-second episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A war is under way between genetically enhanced Coordinators and unmodified Naturals."
"A war is under way between genetically enhanced Coordinators and unmodified Naturals."
On this day in 2007, Hyperdrive aired "Admiral's Daughter." This served as the third episode in the program's second (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Transporting the reluctant peacenik Arabella to university proves to be more troublesome that it first appears - as does she. With officers at each others throats and encounters with the Engulfers, it's anything but an easy mission."
"Transporting the reluctant peacenik Arabella to university proves to be more troublesome that it first appears - as does she. With officers at each others throats and encounters with the Engulfers, it's anything but an easy mission."
On this day in 2015, Falling Skies aired "Non-Essential Personnel." This served as the fifth episode of the program's fifth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The 2nd Mass leaves Chinatown en route to what they hope will be the final Espheni battle. Along the way, they encounter a deranged and desperate gunman who takes Weaver hostage. Meanwhile, Tom sets off to rescue Hal from Pope and his dangerous group of survivors."
"The 2nd Mass leaves Chinatown en route to what they hope will be the final Espheni battle. Along the way, they encounter a deranged and desperate gunman who takes Weaver hostage. Meanwhile, Tom sets off to rescue Hal from Pope and his dangerous group of survivors."
On this day in 2015, AMC's Humans aired the fifth hour of its popular first season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"With Karen on her tail, Leo sends Niska to George's house and an unlikely friendship begins. Also: Joe's secret threatens to destroy the Hawkins family."
"With Karen on her tail, Leo sends Niska to George's house and an unlikely friendship begins. Also: Joe's secret threatens to destroy the Hawkins family."
On this day in 2016, Zoo aired "Sex, Lies, and Jellyfish." This served as the sixth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The team travels to Portugal where they square off against a dangerous venom dealer in order to get one step closer to the cure. Also, Jackson's increasingly erratic behavior jeopardizes the entire team."
"The team travels to Portugal where they square off against a dangerous venom dealer in order to get one step closer to the cure. Also, Jackson's increasingly erratic behavior jeopardizes the entire team."
On this day in 2017, Salvation aired "Truth or Darius." This served as the third episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"It's a race against time as Darius must accelerate his plan to stop the asteroid before the Pentagon shuts him down. Also, Grace has to make difficult decisions that could have life or death consequences for millions of people, and Liam and Jillian reunite under surprising circumstances."
"It's a race against time as Darius must accelerate his plan to stop the asteroid before the Pentagon shuts him down. Also, Grace has to make difficult decisions that could have life or death consequences for millions of people, and Liam and Jillian reunite under surprising circumstances."
On this day in 1951, the SciFi/Radio drama Dimension X aired "Courtesy." This served as the program's forty-first episode, and here's the plot summary as detailed by The Oldtime Radio Review:
"When the members of an Earth expedition on an alien planet are faced with a deadly plague their only hope for a cure lies with the planet's indigenous inhabitants. Based on a short story first published in Astounding Science Fiction magazine, in August 1951; and later in Clifford D. Simak's short-story collection The Autumn Land and Other Stories, in 1990."
"When the members of an Earth expedition on an alien planet are faced with a deadly plague their only hope for a cure lies with the planet's indigenous inhabitants. Based on a short story first published in Astounding Science Fiction magazine, in August 1951; and later in Clifford D. Simak's short-story collection The Autumn Land and Other Stories, in 1990."
