Think what you may about the career of screen legend Arnold Schwarzenegger, but for me it really all shot into the stratosphere with Paul Verhoeven's Total Recall. Sure, he had droned his way through The Terminator with respectable ablomb, and, yeah, he did what he needed to save himself from falling prey to The Predator ... but Total Recall seems to me to be the first film that really brought in non-Science-Fiction viewers to see what all the fuss was about. I think that says something to the man's career as well as to his crossover appeal.
This classic SciFi film premiered theatrically on this day in 1990.
This classic SciFi film premiered theatrically on this day in 1990.
TV legend Andy Griffith (above center) gave Science Fiction a try (albeit briefly) with the plum role of 'Harry Broderick,' an aging entrepreneur who sought to 'salvage' what NASA left on the moon in TV's Salvage 1. Though he's no longer with us, Griffith was born on this day in 1926.
Crooner Pat Boone stripped off his shirt and played the hunky Alec McEwan in the big screen adaptation of Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959). Boone was born on this day in 1934.
How blessed is sci-fi that we can even occasionally lure a talent like Morgan Freeman to visit our universe? Freeman paired up with Scientology's Tom Cruise to bring us 2013's Oblivion, and he recently joined mankind's vastly overrated Johnny Depp in the box office dud, Transcendence. Morgan, if you're reading this, you can play in our genre any time you like. Freeman was born on this day in 1937.
Rene Auberjonois played the shapeshifting 'constable' aboard Star Trek: Deep Space Nine throughout its seven seasons. Under the actor's skilled performance, audiences were treated to a man in conflict slowly finding his way (and his 'soul') in a chaotic universe. The man has also been around the Trek universe in a few different incarnations, including a small role in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country as well as making a visit to Star Trek: Enterprise. And -- if you want to see an impressive resume for someone in the entertainment business -- check out his entire profile on IMDB.com because Rene's done scads and scads of terrific work. Auberjonois was born on this day in 1940.
In the role of 'Vince Teagues,' the venerable Richard Donat was only one of the ensemble behind the Syfy Network's popular Haven series. Donat was born on this day in 1941.
Though Robert Powell is probably remember more for playing Jesus Christ in the 1977 miniseries of the same name, SciFi fans recognize him from his work aboard TV's Doomwatch. Powell was born on this day in 1944.
Screen veteran Brian Cox is another face who's appeared in countless good films, but he's rarely dabbled in the world of sci-fi. He showed up in 2011's Rise of the Planet of the Apes; he also appeared in 2009's TV miniseries remake of The Day of the Triffids; and even did some work in the BBC's epic Doctor Who franchise. Cox was born on this day in 1946.
Brazil (1985) is one of those rare sci-fi flicks I just don't get, mostly because I've never actually been able to "get" through hit. I've tried watching this alleged gem three different times, and -- I kid you not -- every time I've fallen asleep. It's on my bucket list. Actor Jonathan Pryce headlined it as the unfortunate bureaucrat who finds himself an enemy of the future government. Pryce was born on this day in 1947.
I have always been a fan of Powers Boothe. He first caught my eye in a pay-cable series exploring the cases of Philip Marlowe, and then he turned up in the cult film Red Dawn. Thankfully, he continues to find solid work today, having made appearances as part of ABC's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Though he's no longer with us, Boothe was born on this day in 1948.
Though the lovely Robin Mattson is probably more remembered for her contributions to daytime soap operas, she has managed to include a few genre appearances in her resume. She sported roles aboard Phantom of the Paradise (1974), The Six Million Dollar Man, The Incredible Hulk, and Captain America (1979). Mattson was born on this day in 1956.
Tom Irwin is one of those great character actors who can do big things with smaller roles. He doesn't do much Science Fiction and Fantasy, but he has appeared on The Sky's On Fire (1999), The Outer Limits, Angel, Miracles, and ABC TV's Lost. Irwin was born on this day in 1956.
Lovely Teri Polo joined Charlie Sheen in exposing the delicious conspiratorial efforts behind an alien agenda in The Arrival (1996), a flick reminiscent of the best parts of the long-running The X-Files series. Polo was born on this day in 1969.
Another day, another Power Rangers citation! Paul Schrier (above left) has played Farkas 'Bulk' Bulkmeier as part of several incarnations of the greater Power Rangers universe. Schrier was born on this day in 1970.
Rick Gomez had a small role in Michael Bay's Transformers (2007), the film which launched the big screen franchise. Gomez was born on this day in 1972.
Adam Garcia played a role in the BBC's "The Christmas Invasion," the episode that brought David Tennant into the role of the legendary time traveler, Doctor Who. Garcia was born on this day in 1973.
Why can't the dreamy Kate Magowan do more Science Fiction? That's a question for the ages, my friends. She did enjoy a guest role aboard the BBC's Primeval, so I guess we need to be thankful for small favors. Magowan was born on this day in 1975.
Poor Sarah Wayne Callies: she left the zombie Apocalypse of The Walking Dead only to find herself in what appears to be an Apocalypse of another making in the USA Network's Colony. Still, she looks good for it, no? Callies was born on this day in 1977.
The lovely Danielle Harris has done far more horror than she has Science Fiction, but an appearance in Nuclear Family (2012) will earn her a mention here. Harris was born on this day in 1977.
Sometimes-model Tina Casciani is also a sometimes-actress, and thank goodness she had a small role on Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles so that I can mention her here. Casciani was born on this day in 1982.
Sylvia Hoeks' star is on the rise as she's been cast in a role in the forthcoming Blade Runner sequel, Blade Runner 2049. Hoeks was born on this day in 1983.
Taylor Handley has quietly been building a resume of smaller SciFi projects, including Battle Los Angeles (2011), Channeling (2013), Horizon (2013), and Toxin (2015). Handley was born on this day in 1984.
Relative newcomer Madison Smith (above, with the Uzi and the motorcycle helmet) joined Syfy's signature Apocalypse drama, Aftermath, for a handful of episodes. Smith was born on this day in 1990.
Young Tom Holland has joined his future at the hip with the Marvel Movie Universe: recently he joined Captain America: Civil War as the next incarnation of Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man. Holland was born on this day in 1996.
While Katniss Everdeen steals all of the glory in The Hunger Games, her opportunity would never have presented itself if younger sister Primrose hadn't originally been chosen to represent the district. Primrose is brought to life by Willow Shields. Shields was born on this day in 2000.
Curse you, MST3K! Why, it's become almost impossible to this about This Island Earth and not think of the MST3K theatrical release lampooning the said film. However, the original -- with its interociter and all -- first screened for audiences on this day in 1955.
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock kinda/sorta gets a bad rap about being slow, maybe even a bit too methodical for most audiences' tastes, but I like it plenty. It's a wonderful rumination on life and one's place in personal history, and it teaches us -- once and for all -- how the good of the one can outweigh the good of the many. It opened theatrically on this day back in 1984.
On this day in 1997 (in Spain), the SciFi/Thriller Firestorm went up in theatrical flames. The feature starred John Savage and Bentley Mitchum, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"In the year 2024, a fierce battle rages on between a ruthless villain and an android resistance group. Prsents a strong case for waging a war over rights of possession."
"In the year 2024, a fierce battle rages on between a ruthless villain and an android resistance group. Prsents a strong case for waging a war over rights of possession."
On this day in 2006, the SciFi/Comedy Spaced Out crashed down to the Earth. It starred James Vallo and Greg Maurer, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"The planet earth is in peril of impending doom, and maniacal destructive forces from outer space are closely at hand! Twisted, demented alien terrorists are single-handedly about to reap horrific havoc on earth and threaten life itself. Meanwhile, ace investigative reporter extraordinaire, Al Manac (James Vallo), has been held captive for two years in their space lair."
"The planet earth is in peril of impending doom, and maniacal destructive forces from outer space are closely at hand! Twisted, demented alien terrorists are single-handedly about to reap horrific havoc on earth and threaten life itself. Meanwhile, ace investigative reporter extraordinaire, Al Manac (James Vallo), has been held captive for two years in their space lair."
On this day in 1960, Men Into Space aired "Moon Trap." This served as the thirty-third episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Ship MR34 loses Auto-Control during landing and crashes 200 miles from Moon Base. Two of the crew survive and make for a nearby fuel-cache. Can they use the liquid oxygen there to improvise a survival igloo?"
"Ship MR34 loses Auto-Control during landing and crashes 200 miles from Moon Base. Two of the crew survive and make for a nearby fuel-cache. Can they use the liquid oxygen there to improvise a survival igloo?"
On this day in 1962, The Twilight Zone aired "The Changing of the Guard." This served as the thirty-seventh episode to the popular program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After being forced to retire, Professor Fowler contemplates suicide when he doesn't feel he has made a difference in the world. That night he has an experience that shows him that he is wrong."
"After being forced to retire, Professor Fowler contemplates suicide when he doesn't feel he has made a difference in the world. That night he has an experience that shows him that he is wrong."
On this day in 1991, Star Trek: The Next Generation aired "In Theory." This served as the twenty-fifth episode to the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary provided by our friends at TrekCore.com:
"Lt. Jenna D'Sora becomes attached to Data, who at first protests that he has no human feelings, and then attempts to emulate emotions. In the meantime, a dangerous nebula lies in the path of the Enterprise."
"Lt. Jenna D'Sora becomes attached to Data, who at first protests that he has no human feelings, and then attempts to emulate emotions. In the meantime, a dangerous nebula lies in the path of the Enterprise."
On this day in 2007, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Talion" as the seventeenth episode of the long-running program's tenth season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"At a summit conference, 32 Jaffa are killed when several bombs explode. Both Teal'c and Master Bra'tac are seriously injured in the blasts and after two weeks in a coma, Teal'c sets out to find the man he is convinced is behind the attack, Arkad. He defeated Arkad in a battle long ago and there has been bad blood between them ever since. Teal'c also suspects that Arkad may have had his mother killed. Intelligence reports indicate that Arkad is a follower of the Ori and that someone, perhaps Arkad himself, is planning to attack the Earth. When Arkad contacts the SGC he turns that information on its head by denying any role in that planned attack and offers to help them defend Earth. SG-1 is sent out to stop Teal'c who is killing and torturing people in his attempt to find his enemy."
"At a summit conference, 32 Jaffa are killed when several bombs explode. Both Teal'c and Master Bra'tac are seriously injured in the blasts and after two weeks in a coma, Teal'c sets out to find the man he is convinced is behind the attack, Arkad. He defeated Arkad in a battle long ago and there has been bad blood between them ever since. Teal'c also suspects that Arkad may have had his mother killed. Intelligence reports indicate that Arkad is a follower of the Ori and that someone, perhaps Arkad himself, is planning to attack the Earth. When Arkad contacts the SGC he turns that information on its head by denying any role in that planned attack and offers to help them defend Earth. SG-1 is sent out to stop Teal'c who is killing and torturing people in his attempt to find his enemy."
On this day in 2013, "Endless Forms Most Beautiful" aired as the first season finale to Orphan Black. Yet another clone was revealed, and the mystery deepened even further for those who remained. Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"Sarah's last chance to bring her nemesis back to sanity slips away as Art intervenes to get answers of his own. Meanwhile, the Orphans must decide whether to make peace with their creators, as Sarah is forced into a deadly confrontation with their enemy."
"Sarah's last chance to bring her nemesis back to sanity slips away as Art intervenes to get answers of his own. Meanwhile, the Orphans must decide whether to make peace with their creators, as Sarah is forced into a deadly confrontation with their enemy."
On this day in 1947, The Shadow radio serial aired "Spider Boy." For the record, this was actually the second airing of the "Spider Boy" story -- it originally aired on November 11, 1945 -- but this one was updated with an alternate cast. According to our friends at The Shadow Wiki, here's the plot summary:
"While weaving cloth in an attic, a lonely boy befriends a giant spider. Soon after, he also tries to romance a girl in the small room, but she screams of shock and runs out the building when she notices the spider. On the street, she bumps into Cranston and Margot and is taken to the hospital because she is hysterical. The duo head back to the apartment building and the lonely boy notices their approach from his window. While he hides, they enter the attic. The giant spider comes out to attack and Cranston shoots it dead. They leave and the boy is upset by the death of his "friend." Suddenly, the "power of revenge" is transmitted from the spider to the boy and he is able to spin webs. Later, he dangles a beautiful web down to the streets and Margot follows it back to the attic. She is captured by the boy and he begins to weave a web around her tighter and tighter. Out-of-nowhere, The Shadow comes to the rescue and the boy casts a web towards the window, then leaps, only to fall to his death."
"While weaving cloth in an attic, a lonely boy befriends a giant spider. Soon after, he also tries to romance a girl in the small room, but she screams of shock and runs out the building when she notices the spider. On the street, she bumps into Cranston and Margot and is taken to the hospital because she is hysterical. The duo head back to the apartment building and the lonely boy notices their approach from his window. While he hides, they enter the attic. The giant spider comes out to attack and Cranston shoots it dead. They leave and the boy is upset by the death of his "friend." Suddenly, the "power of revenge" is transmitted from the spider to the boy and he is able to spin webs. Later, he dangles a beautiful web down to the streets and Margot follows it back to the attic. She is captured by the boy and he begins to weave a web around her tighter and tighter. Out-of-nowhere, The Shadow comes to the rescue and the boy casts a web towards the window, then leaps, only to fall to his death."
On this day in 1952, The Shadow radio serial aired "The Demon Of Devil's Cove." According to our friends at The Shadow Wiki, the details of this particular tale have sadly been lost to history. Not even The Shadow knows!
