Arnold Schwarzenegger has a long, distinguished affiliation with science fiction, and perhaps one of the best -- even to this day -- remains 1987's seminal sci-fi juggernaut Predator. The film was perfectly conceived -- it's man versus alien in a clever variation of Agatha Christie's 'Ten Little Indians' mode -- as well as perfectly cast and perfectly shot. It remains the highwater mark for the series, and it's still watchable even to this day. It first played to audiences on this day in 1987.
Ben Frommer was one of those talented bit players who made a living stealing small scenes aboard any property that gave him the opportunity. Leaving behind a legacy of nearly one hundred and fifty screen credits, fans know him best from work in Plan 9 From Outer Space (1959), Batman, Lost In Space, The Six Million Dollar Man, Battlestar Galactica (at right, under makeup), and The Incredible Hulk. Though he's no longer with us, Frommer was born on this day in 1913.
The late, great Irwin Allen was responsible for the Science Fiction of a whole generation of viewers, conceiving and/or producing such programs as Lost In Space, Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea, Time Tunnel, and others. Though he's no longer with us, Allen was born on this day in 1916.
Jim Nabors (above right) stepped into the magical realms of Sid and Marty Krofft for the role of 'Fum' aboard 1975's The Lost Saucer. Nabors was born on this day in 1930.
Not only is he responsible in no small way for the creation of DC Comics' Swamp Thing but also Len Wein has left his stylings all over the greater world of comicdom, penning stories for such tentpoles as Wolverine, X-Men, Justice League, and Star Trek. Wein was born on this day in 1948. [Source: Wikipedia.org]
Aboard the SciFi/Thriller DNA (1996), actor Roger Aaron Brown took 'one for the team,' opting for a noble death in lieu of the film's entire cast. He's also served time aboard The Incredible Hulk, Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979), Alien Nation (1988), Hard Time on Planet Earth, Robocop 2 (1990), Galaxis (1995), Dark Skies, and Supernatural. Brown was born on this day in 1949. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though he may not have had much to say, Dexter Clay turned a background role as a ship's security officer aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation into a whopping twenty-eight appearances. Though he's no longer with us, Clay was born on this day in 1956. [Source: Memory Alpha]
Timothy Busfield (above left) joined Kevin Costner aboard Field Of Dreams (1989), arguably one of the most impressive Fantasy-themed flicks of its generation. The actor has also sported roles aboard The Outer Limits, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Revolution, and Sleepy Hollow. Busfield was born on this day in 1957.
When mankind enslaved women against their will in the SciFi/Apocalyptic thriller The Sisterhood (1988), the lovely Rebecca Holden packed some heat and took a stand. She's also appeared aboard the 1980's TV favorite Knight Rider for several episodes. Holden was born on this day in 1958.
Funnyman Scott Thompson brought his love of quirky characters to bear aboard a guest spot of Star Trek: Voyager. Thompson was born on this day in 1959. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Felecia M. Bell had a total of three visits to the world of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, helping to bring Capt. Sisko's late wife Jennifer back to life via the Mirror Universe. Bell was born on this day in 1960. [Source: IMDB.com]
Paul Schulze is a talent who pops up all over the place yet never seems to get enough credit for the work he does. I remember him best in the role of Ryan Chappelle from Fox TV's 24, but he's also been a part of Alien Fury: Countdown to Invasion, Roswell, Journeyman, and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Schulze was born on this day in 1962.
Patrice Martinez turned in some voice tracks for a guest spot aboard the animated incarnation of Phantom 2040. Martinez was born on this day in 1963. [Source: IMDB.com]
Actor Tim DeKay has rather effortlessly flitted in and out of a variety of quality genre projects, and he's been dabbling in Science Fiction since his early days. He's appeared in such properties as SeaQuest 2032, Invasion (TV movie), Carnivale, The 4400, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. DeKay was born on this day in 1963.
Sadly, Paula Marshall doesn't do more Science Fiction. Oh, early in her career she had a few great roles -- she played the original Iris West in CBS's The Flash; she had a small role in an episode of Superboy; and she appeared in Warlock: The Armageddon -- but since then it's largely been vastly more conventional fare. Marshall was born on this day in 1964.
Christopher Liam Moore made a pair of appearances in the greater world of Star Trek: Voyager, one buried heavily under make-up and one not. Moore was born on this day in 1964. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Frances O'Connor has a terrific resume, both in and out of genre work. Perhaps her best known SciFi roles is as 'Monica Swinton' in Steven Spielberg's A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001), but she's also had appearances in Timeline (2003) and other great dramas. O'Connor was born on this day in 1967.
The always reliable Rick Hoffman played a supporting role in the short-lived 2009 Knight Rider television reboot. Hoffman was born on this day in 1970.
Actor and general goofball Jason Mewes enjoyed a pair of cameo-style appearances aboard Kevin Smith-directed episodes of The CW's popular The Flash. Mewes was born on this day in 1974. [Source: IMDB.com]
The talented James Ashcroft finds a way to squeeze his work into great scenes whenever he gets the chance. He's been a part of such properties as Dark Angel, Special Unit 2, Taken (miniseries), Catwoman (2004), Stargate: SG-1, Dead Like Me, Supernatural, Battlestar Galactica (Syfy), and Eureka. Ashcroft was born on this day in 1978.
After playing a small part in saving life as we know it in 1999's Galaxy Quest, Jeremy Howard has continued to plunder the SciFi and Fantasy landscape for interesting parts to play. You may recognize him from his appearances in Men In Black II, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or 2014's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ... or you may not, as the actor generally appears in make-up or prosthetics. Howard was born on this day in 1981.
Playboy's voluptuous Kendra Wilkinson is just one of the many, many celebrities who've been wooed to clock in a cameo aboard Syfy's popular Sharknado franchise. Wilkinson was born on this day in 1985. [Source: IMDB.com]
Funnyman Dave Franco squeezed himself into a guest spot aboard the SciFi/Web-Project Other Space during its short run. Franco was born on this day in 1985.
Luke Youngblood's star continues its rise in the world of Fantasy entertainment. He's been seen in the cinematic Harry Potter universe as well as part of the short-lived Galavant. Youngblood was born on this day in 1986.
Young Abbey Lee has mastered the fine art of making even the Apocalypse sexy by playing one of the fair maidens at the heart of 2015's hit blockbuster Mad Max: Fury Road. Lee was born on this day in 1987.
Ah, that never-ending story of what could've been! For those of you who missed it, Lost In Space actually had an attempted reboot in the early 2000's with The Robinsons: Lost In Space (2004), a telefilm directed by John Woo. (FYI: as one who has seen it, the flick flacked much of Woo's usual stylishness.) Aboard this intrepid mission, young Ryan Malgarini embodied a precocious 'Will Robinson.' Malgarini was born on this day in 1992. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1984, the Apocalypse has never looked so bleak as it did in the French-language SciFi film Le Dernier Combat. The feature starred Jean Reno and Pierre Jolivet, and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"In a post-apocalyptic future where no one is able to speak, the few remaining humans fight over resources in order to survive."
"In a post-apocalyptic future where no one is able to speak, the few remaining humans fight over resources in order to survive."
On this day in 2004, Post Impact delivered audiences with yet one more look at mankind's bleak future. The SciFi feature starred Dean Cain and Bettina Zimmermann, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After a meteor strike starts a new ice age, a group of survivors tries to find a device that could give mankind new hope."
"After a meteor strike starts a new ice age, a group of survivors tries to find a device that could give mankind new hope."
On this day in 2009 (in the United Kingdom), Doghouse put all of mankind in the 'doghouse' with yet one more look at a virus-fueled Apocalypse. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A group of men, heading to a remote village to help one of their friends get over his divorce, soon discover that all the women have been infected with a virus that makes them man-hating cannibals."
"A group of men, heading to a remote village to help one of their friends get over his divorce, soon discover that all the women have been infected with a virus that makes them man-hating cannibals."
On this day in 2009, the SciFi/Telefilm Star Runners morphed into merry existence. This feature starred Star Trek: Enterprise's Connor Trinneer and James Kyson, and here's the premise from its citation on IMDB.com:
"Given a undercover government mission to retrieve a "crate" from a distant planet, TY JOHNS and LEI CHEN find that they must smuggle not a crate, but a woman off world -- and when their rocket-ship crash-lands on a planet packed with vicious giant alien bugs, they'll need all the cunning and ferocity they possess to stay alive..."
"Given a undercover government mission to retrieve a "crate" from a distant planet, TY JOHNS and LEI CHEN find that they must smuggle not a crate, but a woman off world -- and when their rocket-ship crash-lands on a planet packed with vicious giant alien bugs, they'll need all the cunning and ferocity they possess to stay alive..."
On this day in 2010, the SciFi/Telefilm Stonehenge Apocalypse premiered on the television set. The feature starred the lovely Mischa Collins and the even lovelier Torri Higginson, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Archeologists come across an Egyptian chamber, causing an electromagnetic pulse, which comes from Stonehenge, that sends destructive shockwaves around the world. When the pyramids are destroyed and the stones start doing strange things; a radio host, a team of scientists, and a team of the British military, try to stop the same force responsible for creating life on Earth, from destroying everything."
"Archeologists come across an Egyptian chamber, causing an electromagnetic pulse, which comes from Stonehenge, that sends destructive shockwaves around the world. When the pyramids are destroyed and the stones start doing strange things; a radio host, a team of scientists, and a team of the British military, try to stop the same force responsible for creating life on Earth, from destroying everything."
On this day in 2012, the SciFi/ShortFilm Ray Bradbury's Kaleidoscope enjoyed general release. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summation:
"We were hurdling through space, five of us living, each going to a separate and irrevocable fate."
"We were hurdling through space, five of us living, each going to a separate and irrevocable fate."
On this day in 2015, the park was again open for business as Jurassic World promised to thrill audiences with another go-round in the realm of re-engineered dinosaurs. Here's the plot summary as detailed by our friends at IMDB.com:
"Twenty-two years after the events of Jurassic Park, Isla Nublar now features a fully functioning dinosaur theme park, Jurassic World, as originally envisioned by John Hammond. After 10 years of operation and visitor rates declining, in order to fulfill a corporate mandate, a new attraction is created to re-spark visitor's interest, which backfires horribly."
"Twenty-two years after the events of Jurassic Park, Isla Nublar now features a fully functioning dinosaur theme park, Jurassic World, as originally envisioned by John Hammond. After 10 years of operation and visitor rates declining, in order to fulfill a corporate mandate, a new attraction is created to re-spark visitor's interest, which backfires horribly."
On this day in 2018, 1982's Cult/Fantasy hit The Beastmaster enjoyed an updated Blu-ray release. (If you're interested in picking up the release, it's available on Amazon.com right here.) The feature starred Marc Singer and Tanya Roberts, and here's the premise as listed on IMDB.com:
"A sword-and-sorcery fantasy about a young man's search for revenge. Armed with supernatural powers, the handsome hero and his animal allies wage war against marauding forces."
"A sword-and-sorcery fantasy about a young man's search for revenge. Armed with supernatural powers, the handsome hero and his animal allies wage war against marauding forces."
On this day in 2018, 1982's Xtro enjoyed a 'limited edition' Blu-ray release that's been long overdue. (Those interested might be able to purchase a copy via the link on Amazon.com right here.) The SciFi/Horror flick starred Philip Sayer and Bernice Stegers, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A man who was abducted by aliens returns to his family three years later, but his presence affects them negatively."
"A man who was abducted by aliens returns to his family three years later, but his presence affects them negatively."
On this day in 1965, "there be monsters here" as Doctor Who aired "Journey Into Terror." This served as the thirty-third episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The TARDIS lands in a haunted house where the Doctor and his friends are confronted by Dracula and Frankenstein's Monster...and then the Daleks appear."
"The TARDIS lands in a haunted house where the Doctor and his friends are confronted by Dracula and Frankenstein's Monster...and then the Daleks appear."
On this day in 1971, Doctor Who aired "The Daemons, Part 4." This served as the twenty-fourth episode of the program's eighth season, and here's the plot summary as detailed on IMDB.com:
"The Master orders Bert to set a trap for the Doctor at the village while a concussed Jo makes for the cavern."
"The Master orders Bert to set a trap for the Doctor at the village while a concussed Jo makes for the cavern."
On this day in 1993, Star Trek: The Next Generation aired "Timescape." This SciFi potboiler served as the twenty-fifth episode of the long-running program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at TrekCore.com:
"Returning via runabout from a conference, Picard, Troi, Geordi and Data encounter strange disturbances in time. Finally locating the Enterprise, they find her in an exchange of fire with a Romulan warbird, in a zone of time that moves so slowly it appears to be still."
"Returning via runabout from a conference, Picard, Troi, Geordi and Data encounter strange disturbances in time. Finally locating the Enterprise, they find her in an exchange of fire with a Romulan warbird, in a zone of time that moves so slowly it appears to be still."
On this day in 1995, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired "Facets." This served as the twenty-fifth hour of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by TrekCore.com:
"Jadzia undergoes a ritual in which the memories of each of Dax's past hosts is telepathically transferred to another person so she can come to understand them better. Problems are anticipated when it comes to encountering Joran, the mentally unstable host preceding Curzon."
"Jadzia undergoes a ritual in which the memories of each of Dax's past hosts is telepathically transferred to another person so she can come to understand them better. Problems are anticipated when it comes to encountering Joran, the mentally unstable host preceding Curzon."
On this day in 2005, The 4400 aired "Voices Carry." This served as the second episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A baseball player is overwhelmed by a special 4400 ability. Collier is involved with a weapons' dealer. To Maia's delight Diana's sister visits them. Richard and Lily seek shelter at a motel where Isabelle takes some surprising initiatives."
"A baseball player is overwhelmed by a special 4400 ability. Collier is involved with a weapons' dealer. To Maia's delight Diana's sister visits them. Richard and Lily seek shelter at a motel where Isabelle takes some surprising initiatives."
On this day in 2017, Stitchers aired "For Love Or Money." This served as the second episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The team investigates the case of a young woman found dead in her wealthy boyfriend's pool; Linus feels a connection to Ivy; Camille is intrigued by a medical examiner who likes to meet in unusual places."
"The team investigates the case of a young woman found dead in her wealthy boyfriend's pool; Linus feels a connection to Ivy; Camille is intrigued by a medical examiner who likes to meet in unusual places."
On this day in 1938, The Shadow radio serial aired "Murder On Approval." According to our friends on The Shadow Wiki, here's the plot summary:
"Enemies of the United States have developed a germ that could wipe out the entire army, eventually leaving the U.S. open to invasion. It is first tested out at a barracks near New York. The Shadow must hurry and find out who is behind it and if a cure is available."
"Enemies of the United States have developed a germ that could wipe out the entire army, eventually leaving the U.S. open to invasion. It is first tested out at a barracks near New York. The Shadow must hurry and find out who is behind it and if a cure is available."
On this day in 1944, The Adventures Of Superman radio serial began "The North Woods Story." This story began on this day and aired through June 30th, and I've been unable to locate any plot summary anywhere on the internet.
