Who knew that the Stargate would ever be opened up again?
On this day back in 1997, that's just what happened when Showtime (a premium cable network) launched a new series in the Stargate: SG-1 universe when "Children of the Gods" premiered. The program didn't stay on Showtime forever -- it eventually transferred over to Syfy -- but O'Neill and company suited up once more to save the world as we know it.
On this day back in 1997, that's just what happened when Showtime (a premium cable network) launched a new series in the Stargate: SG-1 universe when "Children of the Gods" premiered. The program didn't stay on Showtime forever -- it eventually transferred over to Syfy -- but O'Neill and company suited up once more to save the world as we know it.
For all intents and purposes, the venerable Frank Shannon was the first Dr. Zarkov to work with the legendary space hero as he appeared as the scientist in Flash Gordon (1936), Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars (1938), and Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe (1940). Though he's no longer with us, Shannon was born on this day in 1874. [Source: IMDB.com]
To be fair, Keenan Wynn really only dabbled in the realm of Science Fiction. In his career, he sported roles in such properties as The Twilight Zone, Dr. Strangelove (1964), Kolchak: The Night Stalker, Laserblast (1978), The Bionic Woman, Piranha (1978), The Clonus Horror (1979), The Greatest American Hero, and Hyper Sapien: People From Another Star (1986). That may seem like more than "dabbling," but the actor leaves behind a resume of over 250 roles. Though he's no longer with us, Wynn was born on this day in 1916. [Source: IMDB.com]
In the guise of the villainous 'Largo,' Adolfo Celi (above, in white) gave James Bond a run for his money in Thunderball (1965). Though he's no longer with us, Celi was born on this day in 1922. [Source: IMDB.com]
It's often forgotten or overlooked but when Charlton Heston's 'Taylor' arrived on the Planet Of The Apes (1968) he wasn't alone; he's simply the only one upon whom the movie centers. Robert Gunner (above center) played Astronaut 'Landon' in the seminal SciFi film, and -- though he's no longer with us -- Gunner was born on this day in 1931. [Source: IMDB.com]
Don Galloway enjoyed a pair of guest spots aboard NBC's popular Knight Rider during the shows run. Though he's no longer with us, Galloway was born on this day in 1937. [Source: IMDB.com]
Ah, the lovely Danielle De Metz was certainly one of the leading ladies of genre entertainment for a certain generation. Her career boasts appearance aboard Return of The Fly (1959), Valley Of The Dragons (1961), The Magic Sword (1962), and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. De Metz was born on this day in 1938. [Source: IMDB.com]
Science Fiction comic book author Pierre Christin is chiefly responsible for bringing the Valerian and Laureline property to life, and it was the inspiration behind Luc Besson's Valerian motion picture. Christin was born on this day in 1938. [Source: IMDB.com]
Everyone remembers the name of George Lucas, but those of us who were there at the beginning of Star Wars probably also remember the name of Producer Gary Kurtz, who worked with Lucas on both A New Hope (1977) and The Empire Strikes Back (1980). He also produced such other films as The Dark Crystal (1982), Return To Oz (1985), and Slipstream (1989). Though he's no longer with us, Kurtz was born on this day in 1940. [Source: IMDB.com]
ExtraExtra Alert:
I've seen Kurtz's curious Slipstream (1989). While I don't think it's a particular good film, I do believe it's a very respectable B-Movie to a small degree. If you're interested in knowing my thoughts on the flick, they're available right here.
ExtraExtra Alert:
I've seen Kurtz's curious Slipstream (1989). While I don't think it's a particular good film, I do believe it's a very respectable B-Movie to a small degree. If you're interested in knowing my thoughts on the flick, they're available right here.
Bruce Watson didn't leave us an exhaustive career in the entertainment industry, but he did squeeze in a role aboard Star Trek's "The Man Trap" for posterity's sake. Though he's no longer with us, Watson was born on this day in 1940. [Source: IMDB.com]
In his career as a director, Matthew Robinson had the good fortune of completing episodes for such Doctor Who TV serials as "Resurrection of the Daleks" and "Attack of the Cybermen." Robinson was born on this day in 1944. [Source: Doctor Who Online Guide]
James W. Jansen enjoyed a pair of great appearances as completely different and unrelated characters aboard Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Jansen was born on this day in 1945. [Source: Memory Alpha]
A young and lovely Gwynne Gilford (above right) found herself trapped by the ultimate in oozing space entities in 1972's Beware The Blob! And today's trivia note: the lady is the real-life mother to none other than Star Trek's Chris Pine. Gilford was born on this day in 1946.
If your motion picture or television program needs a convincing Russian general who tends to serve his own nefarious purposes, there's no better choice these days than Rade Serbedzija (seen above from X-Men: First Class). He also had a recurring role in NBC TV's Surface program back in 2005. Serbedzija was born on this day in 1946.
Think what you may, but I've always argued that the current crop of Superhero movies truly owes a debt to the works of Ilya Salkind. For those unaware, Salkind was one of the producers who brought Superman to life cinematically in the 1970's and 80's, showing Hollywood once and for all how to not only bring these caped wonders to the silver screen but also to do so with drama and respect. Salkind was born on this day in 1947. [Source: IMDB.com]
Lenore Kasdorf has definitely earned a few mentions in Science Fiction with roles aboard The Six Million Dollar Man, Airwolf, Knight Rider, The Flash, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Babylon 5, and Starship Troopers (1997). Kasdorf was born on this day in 1948. [Source: IMDB.com]
Veteran character actor Maury Chaykin made a name for himself by playing all sorts of interesting characters large and small. Science Fiction fans know him best for his work in such programs as Eureka, Stargate: SG-1, Andromeda, Millennium, and that newfangled The Twilight Zone. Though he's no longer with us, Chaykin was born on this day in 1949.
Earlier in his career, Nigel Plaskitt enjoyed a guest spot aboard "The Ribos Operation," one of the Doctor Who serials from the late 1970's. Plaskitt was born on this day in 1950. [Source: Doctor Who Online Guide]
A lovely Roxanne Hart was finally able to cure Christopher Lambert as the Highlander of what ailed him most: eternal love. Can ya blame him?! Yowza! There can be only one, after all. Hart was born on this day in 1952.
Fanboys, I ask you: where oh where would we be without the talented and super hot blondes? No where that I'd wanna live, I can say that! The great Rebecca Staab missed the limelight (as it were) when 1994's campier version of Fantastic Four really fell off the radar, but that'll never keep me from giving a lady in Spandex the proper shout-out from my corner of the internet! Staab was born on this day in 1961.
Though it looks like actor John Putch has moved more into the realm of directing these days, he previously played a few Benzites aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation, one of which kinda/sorta chummed it up with Wesley Crusher in "Coming Of Age." Putch was born on this day in 1961. [Source: IMDB.com]
I can't begin to tell you how much I'm looking forward to Star Wars: Rogue One -- A Star Wars Story. I just so much love the era of the original trilogy, and this one definitely has a cast worth getting excited about, including the great Donnie Yen! He's been a part of so many terrific flicks, and I'm thrilled to add him to these pages here. Yen was born on this day in 1963.
Kellie Waymire was an actress whose flame was extinguished far too soon. I first remember her appearance as one of George Costanza's conquests on Seinfeld, but then I noticed her landing guest spots in Star Trek: Voyager, The X-Files, and Star Trek: Enterprise. Though she's no longer with us, Waymire was born on this day in 1967.
Italian actress Maria Grazia Cucinotta played a role aboard the Fantasy-themed Into The Rainbow (2017). She also was seen -- albeit too briefly -- in The World Is Not Enough (1999). Cucinotta was born on this day in 1968. [Source: IMDB.com]
Actor Cliff Curtis is an award-winning talent hailing from New Zealand whose had significant roles in some of the more notable box office releases of the last two decades. The one that matters most (so far as this space is concerned) is his role as Searle in 2007's stellar Sunshine. Curtis was born on this day in 1968.
Though television audiences will likely better remember him as the scheming plastic surgeon Christian Troy from FX's Nip/Tuck series, Julian McMahon played the far more villainous Victor Von Doom in both Fantastic Four (2005) and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. McMahon was born on this day in 1968.
Bryan Fuller loves his Star Trek. In fact, he's a self-professed Trekkie who has dabbled in storytelling for both Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager. Also in the world of genre entertainment, he's responsible for such programs as Wonderfalls, Dead Like Me, Pushing Daisies, Heroes, Star Trek: Discovery, and American Gods. Fuller was born on this day in 1969.
Professional wrestler Paul Levesque made a splash in fandom with an appearance aboard Blade: Trinity (2004). Levesque was born on this day in 1969. [Source: IMDB.com]
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is best known to cable subscribers from his stint on HBO's extraordinary Game of Thrones, but Science Fiction fans might also recognize him from Oblivion (2013) in which he shared the screen with no less than Morgan Freeman and Tom Cruise. Coster-Waldau was born on this day in 1970.
Funny lady Maya Rudolph played the future for laughs in Idiocracy (2006). Believe it or not, her first credited screen role is a blink-and-you'll-miss-it bit in Gattaca (1997). Rudolph was born on this day in 1972. [Source: IMDB.com]
Even today, the versatile Jonathan Rhys Meyers continues to turn in one solid performance after another. So far as genre projects go, he's best known for taking part in The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones (2013), NBC's short-lived Dracula series, and The Shadow Effect (2017). Meyers was born on this day in 1977. [Source: IMDB.com]
Actress and producer Augustine Frizzell played a small role aboard Pete's Dragon (2016). Frizzell was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
Kirsty Hinchcliffe enjoyed a role with some recurring status aboard Syfy's Fantasy-themed Haven throughout its run. Hinchcliffe was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
Kenny Wormald lumbered his way into the grim, dark Fantasy that his AMC's Fear The Walking Dead. Wormald was born on this day in 1984. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though her career is really just getting started, the lovely Charlotte Arnold has managed to give genre fans something to cheer about with work aboard Earth: Final Conflict, Zixx Level One (animated), and Beauty and the Beast (TV). Arnold was born on this day in 1989. [Source: IMDB.com]
Doe-eyed l'il Indiana Evans watched as the world around her slipped into another Ice Age in 2010's chilly Arctic Blast. Evans was born on this day in 1990.
The young Ashlyn Sanchez found herself trapped within the imagination of M. Night Shyamalan for her role in The Happening (2008). Sanchez was born on this day in 1996. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1962 (in Finland), Horror arrived at nightfall with its witching ways when the Night Of The Eagle (aka Burn, Witch, Burn) arrived in theaters. Based on a story from Fritz Leiber, the screenplay was crafted by Charles Beaumont, Richard Matheson, and George Baxt. The film was directed by Sidney Hayers and starred Peter Wyngarde, Janet Blair, and Margaret Johnston. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A woman who may be a witch defends her husband from forces attempting to harm him."
For the record:
Night Of The Eagle was nominated for the 1963 Hugo Award for 'Best Dramatic Presentation.'
"A woman who may be a witch defends her husband from forces attempting to harm him."
For the record:
Night Of The Eagle was nominated for the 1963 Hugo Award for 'Best Dramatic Presentation.'
A star is born ... and it can dance! On this day in 1965 (in the U.S.), the deliriously demented Monster A Go-Go enjoyed its silver screen premiere for the residents of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania! Directed by the team of Bill Rebane and Herschell Gordon Lewis, the film starred Philip Morton, June Travis, and George Perry; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A space capsule crash-lands on Earth, and the astronaut aboard disappears. Is there a connection between the missing man and the monster roaming the area?"
For the record:
Perhaps the film's greatest claim to fame is owed to the fact that it was lampooned by those merry yucksters at Mystery Science Theater 3000 in 1993. That's gotta count for something ... no?
"A space capsule crash-lands on Earth, and the astronaut aboard disappears. Is there a connection between the missing man and the monster roaming the area?"
For the record:
Perhaps the film's greatest claim to fame is owed to the fact that it was lampooned by those merry yucksters at Mystery Science Theater 3000 in 1993. That's gotta count for something ... no?
Anyone hungry? Craving anything special ... or anyone? On this day in 1973 (in Brazil), Soylent Green was dished up to unexpecting audiences. Directed by Richard Fleischer, the feature starred Charlton Heston, Leigh Taylor-Young, and Edward G. Robinson; and here's the plot summary that's been provided via IMDB.com:
"In the world ravaged by the greenhouse effect and overpopulation, an NYPD detective investigates the murder of a big company CEO."
For the record:
I always thought that Soylent Green was really one of the first "environmentally conscious" Science Fiction films, something which tried to look at our world as a whole and what we were perhaps doing to it. I'd argue that it certainly sparked a trend in SciFi flicks to go a bit deeper into subject matter than just warp drive and laser pistols. The film was recognized by many to be worthy of acclaim. In 1974, it won the Nebula Award for Best Dramatic Presentation as well as taking the Grand Prize at the Avoriaz Fantastic Film Festival. In 1975, it won the Golden Scroll for Best Picture from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films.
"In the world ravaged by the greenhouse effect and overpopulation, an NYPD detective investigates the murder of a big company CEO."
For the record:
I always thought that Soylent Green was really one of the first "environmentally conscious" Science Fiction films, something which tried to look at our world as a whole and what we were perhaps doing to it. I'd argue that it certainly sparked a trend in SciFi flicks to go a bit deeper into subject matter than just warp drive and laser pistols. The film was recognized by many to be worthy of acclaim. In 1974, it won the Nebula Award for Best Dramatic Presentation as well as taking the Grand Prize at the Avoriaz Fantastic Film Festival. In 1975, it won the Golden Scroll for Best Picture from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films.
On this day in 1990 (in Japan), RoboCop 2 blazed a trail of cyborgian justice into theatres. Directed by Irvin Kershner, the feature gave Peter Weller a less-than-grand return as the part-man, part-machine, all-cop police detective; and here's the premise as listed on 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."
For the record:
Despite an underwhelming story, RoboCop 2 did score three impressive nominations from the 1991 Saturn Awards: Best Science Fiction Film, Best Performance By A Younger Actor, and Best Special Effects. It lost in all three categories.
"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."
For the record:
Despite an underwhelming story, RoboCop 2 did score three impressive nominations from the 1991 Saturn Awards: Best Science Fiction Film, Best Performance By A Younger Actor, and Best Special Effects. It lost in all three categories.
A star is born! On this day in 1994, the Family/Fantasy Dragonworld roared as loud as it could for audiences. Directed by Ted Nicolaou, the feature starred Alastairi Mackenzie, Brittney Powell, and Lila Kaye; and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"Young John McGowan travels to Scotland to live at his grandfather's castle after he loses his parents in a traffic accident. At the wishing tree he conjures up a dragon friend, Yowler. They grow up together, and one day documentary film maker Bob Armstrong and his daughter Beth stumble upon Yowler. Hungry for fame (and money), Bob convinces John to "rent" Yowler to local unscrupulous businessman Lester McIntyre. John is convinced in part by the offer to have the outstanding taxes on the castle paid off, partly because of his growing interest in Beth. Yowler is miserable in the new theme park built for him, and when it becomes clear that McIntyre has tricked them in order to exploit the dragon, John and his new friends take action."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Dragonworld scored a pair of wins at the 1995 Young Artists Awards.
"Young John McGowan travels to Scotland to live at his grandfather's castle after he loses his parents in a traffic accident. At the wishing tree he conjures up a dragon friend, Yowler. They grow up together, and one day documentary film maker Bob Armstrong and his daughter Beth stumble upon Yowler. Hungry for fame (and money), Bob convinces John to "rent" Yowler to local unscrupulous businessman Lester McIntyre. John is convinced in part by the offer to have the outstanding taxes on the castle paid off, partly because of his growing interest in Beth. Yowler is miserable in the new theme park built for him, and when it becomes clear that McIntyre has tricked them in order to exploit the dragon, John and his new friends take action."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Dragonworld scored a pair of wins at the 1995 Young Artists Awards.
A star is born! On this day in 1994, Test Tube Teens From The Year 2000 came to life (on home video). Directed by genre regular David DeConteau, the film starred the lovely Morgan Fairchild, the late Ian Abercrombie, and Michele Matheson; and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"In the future, corporations have taken over the world and banned sex. A group of rebellious high school students devise a way to go back in time and change history to prevent that from happening."
For the record:
IMDB.com reports that Test Tube Teens was the first film to be produced by Torchlight Entertainment, the admitted soft-core erotica division of Full Moon Entertainment. Full moon, indeed!
"In the future, corporations have taken over the world and banned sex. A group of rebellious high school students devise a way to go back in time and change history to prevent that from happening."
For the record:
IMDB.com reports that Test Tube Teens was the first film to be produced by Torchlight Entertainment, the admitted soft-core erotica division of Full Moon Entertainment. Full moon, indeed!
On this day back in 2001, acclaimed director Tim Burton took us back to the Planet Of The Apes (even though a lot of us in love with the original series of films really wish he hadn't bothered). Still, maybe the inevitable reboot was necessary to keep the franchise alive, and, for that, I guess it's okay to be grateful. But Mark Wahlberg? Really? The modern era's answer to a role made famous by Charlton Heston? Meh. Double meh. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In 2029, an Air Force astronaut crash-lands on a mysterious planet where evolved, talking apes dominate a race of primitive humans."
For the record:
Alas, Burton's vision really broke no new ground, giving the film a general incohesiveness all revolving around his 'twist' ending. Still, the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films celebrated it with an impressive six nominations. On the flip side of things, it did take home three trophies from the 2002 Razzie Awards.
"In 2029, an Air Force astronaut crash-lands on a mysterious planet where evolved, talking apes dominate a race of primitive humans."
For the record:
Alas, Burton's vision really broke no new ground, giving the film a general incohesiveness all revolving around his 'twist' ending. Still, the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films celebrated it with an impressive six nominations. On the flip side of things, it did take home three trophies from the 2002 Razzie Awards.
On this day in 2007 (in Canada and the U.S.), Sunshine shone brightly in theaters. Many thought the film employed some heady SciFi ideas in order to explore what a future expedition to restart our sun might look like while others dismissed part of its premise as a bloated psycho killer storyline set in space. I enjoyed it well enough. Here's the premise from IMDB.com:
"A team of international astronauts are sent on a dangerous mission to reignite the dying Sun with a nuclear fission bomb in 2057."
For the record:
In all honesty, Sunshine received a wealth of praise that took for the form of award nominations but, rather surprisingly, only scored a single win -- related to its technical effects -- but I'll simply point out that it was nominated for 'Best Science Fiction Film' at the 2008 Saturn Awards.
"A team of international astronauts are sent on a dangerous mission to reignite the dying Sun with a nuclear fission bomb in 2057."
For the record:
In all honesty, Sunshine received a wealth of praise that took for the form of award nominations but, rather surprisingly, only scored a single win -- related to its technical effects -- but I'll simply point out that it was nominated for 'Best Science Fiction Film' at the 2008 Saturn Awards.
A star is born! On this day in 2016 (in the U.S.), the SciFi/Telefilm Planet Of The Sharks sunk its teeth into interested audiences. Written (in part) and directed by Mark Atkins, The feature starred Brandon Auret, Stephanie Beran, and Lindsay Sullivan; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In the near future, glacial melting has covered ninety-eight percent of Earth's landmass. Sharks have flourished, and now dominate the planet, operating as one massive school led by a mutated alpha shark."
"In the near future, glacial melting has covered ninety-eight percent of Earth's landmass. Sharks have flourished, and now dominate the planet, operating as one massive school led by a mutated alpha shark."
A star is born! On this day in 2018, Extinction was released to the masses-at-large via Netflix's streaming portals. Directed by Ben Young, the SciFi feature starred Michael Peña, Amelia Crouch, and Lizzy Caplan; and here's the premise as listed on IMDB.com:
"A father has a recurring dream of losing his family. His nightmare turns into reality when the planet is invaded by a force bent on destruction. Fighting for their lives, he comes to realize an unknown strength to keep them safe from harm."
"A father has a recurring dream of losing his family. His nightmare turns into reality when the planet is invaded by a force bent on destruction. Fighting for their lives, he comes to realize an unknown strength to keep them safe from harm."
On this day back in 1994, Babylon 5 was winding down its first season when it aired its eighteenth episode, an hour aptly titled "A Voice In The Wilderness, Part 1." Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"One of Delenn's old friends arrives on the station when an extinct civilization is found on the planet that Babylon 5 orbits."
"One of Delenn's old friends arrives on the station when an extinct civilization is found on the planet that Babylon 5 orbits."
Syfy's Farscape certainly explored some 'trippy' circumstances, and that was certainly the case on this day in 2001. The episode "Infinite Possibilities - Part 1: Daedalus Demands" help set the stage for another showdown between Crichton and his fractured reality. Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A wormhole appears near Talyn. Crichton realizes it's "Jack" the ancient whom he encountered earlier. The ancients have found a new home, the ancients are worried about the misuse of wormhole technology. He needs to see if Crichton is worthy of the knowledge, by investigating Furlough, who has built her own Farscape module."
"A wormhole appears near Talyn. Crichton realizes it's "Jack" the ancient whom he encountered earlier. The ancients have found a new home, the ancients are worried about the misuse of wormhole technology. He needs to see if Crichton is worthy of the knowledge, by investigating Furlough, who has built her own Farscape module."
On this day in 2001, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Red Sky." This served as the fifth episode of the long-running program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"When SG-1 inadvertently dooms a planet upon arrival, the team must overcome Asgardian diplomacy and indigenous religious prejudice to put things right."
"When SG-1 inadvertently dooms a planet upon arrival, the team must overcome Asgardian diplomacy and indigenous religious prejudice to put things right."
On this day in 2014, Falling Skies aired "Door Number Three." This served as the sixth hour of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After months apart, Tom finally reunites with his family and the 2nd Mass. But the joyous reunion is cut short as Lexi undergoes a health crisis tied to her hybrid DNA. The crisis pits family members against one another as they fight over how to deal with Lexi's illness. Anne goes to great lengths to save her daughter."
"After months apart, Tom finally reunites with his family and the 2nd Mass. But the joyous reunion is cut short as Lexi undergoes a health crisis tied to her hybrid DNA. The crisis pits family members against one another as they fight over how to deal with Lexi's illness. Anne goes to great lengths to save her daughter."
On this day in 2014, The Lottery aired "Rules of the Game." This served as the second episode of the program's first and only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Alison faces the aftermath of her actions. Vanessa, Darius, and the President's advisers debate the next steps of the Lottery. Kyle and Elvis seek refuge with an old friend, until Elvis has a diabetic attack which puts his life in danger and threatens to expose them."
"Alison faces the aftermath of her actions. Vanessa, Darius, and the President's advisers debate the next steps of the Lottery. Kyle and Elvis seek refuge with an old friend, until Elvis has a diabetic attack which puts his life in danger and threatens to expose them."
On this day in 2017, Zoo aired "Drop It Like It's Hot." This served as the fifth episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"While Jamie's under arrest, she manages to manipulate Mitch and Logan into helping her hunt shepherds, members of a secretive group responsible for sterilizing humans."
"While Jamie's under arrest, she manages to manipulate Mitch and Logan into helping her hunt shepherds, members of a secretive group responsible for sterilizing humans."
