Did it happen ... or didn't it?
Roswell, New Mexico's claim to fame would have to be the (ahem) alleged UFO landing which was first reported by farmer Mack Brazel on this day back in 1947, and -- since that time -- the government has claimed many, many things. First, there was nothing to it; then, it was a weather balloon; then, it turned into some kind of aerial crash test dummies story; and now I think they're sticking with the weather balloon, albeit a more experimental model (or some other such nonsense). Whatever the case may be, a reasonable wealth of eyewitnesses to the events that followed has certainly kept the door open for ample speculation, and much of the reportage has bled over into the realm of Science Fiction, influencing countless impressive properties from NBC's Dark Skies to Fox TV's mega-popular The X-Files.
Will we ever know the truth? Well, the government says you do ... but who's gonna take them at their word, eh?
Roswell, New Mexico's claim to fame would have to be the (ahem) alleged UFO landing which was first reported by farmer Mack Brazel on this day back in 1947, and -- since that time -- the government has claimed many, many things. First, there was nothing to it; then, it was a weather balloon; then, it turned into some kind of aerial crash test dummies story; and now I think they're sticking with the weather balloon, albeit a more experimental model (or some other such nonsense). Whatever the case may be, a reasonable wealth of eyewitnesses to the events that followed has certainly kept the door open for ample speculation, and much of the reportage has bled over into the realm of Science Fiction, influencing countless impressive properties from NBC's Dark Skies to Fox TV's mega-popular The X-Files.
Will we ever know the truth? Well, the government says you do ... but who's gonna take them at their word, eh?
Singer and actor Burl Ives is certainly not remembered for Science Fiction, but he did headline a project called Earthbound in 1981. In 1978, he explored the SciFi and Fantasy elements surrounding a kinda/sorta global phenomenon in The Bermuda Depths, a telefilm from Rankin/Bass Productions. And SciFiHistory.Net wouldn't be doing its job properly if we failed to mentioned that Ives provided the narration for the Lucasfilm Star Wars telefilm The Ewok Adventure (1984). Though he's no longer with us, Ives was born on this day in 1909. [Source: IMDB.com]
I don't know about the rest of you, but I grew up on a regular diet of SciFi movies on television whenever I could find one. In my youth, none stuck with me more than the popular War of the Worlds, based on the epic H.G. Wells novel of the same name. In that picture, Gene Barry played 'Dr. Clayton Forrester,' the man of science caught between helping mankind avert the invasion and saving those he loved most. Barry even had a cameo in Steven Spielberg's tepid 2005 remake, but, for my tastes, he was one of the best reasons to still prefer the original. He was born on this day back in 1919; he passed in December of 2009, but, as a fellow physician reminds us, "He'll never die so long as we remember him." [Source: IMDB.com]
Late in his career, the venerable Sam Wanamaker joined the 80's version of the DC Universe with a role aboard Superman IV: The Quest For Peace (1987). Earlier in his professional career he enjoyed a visit to the world of The Outer Limits; he directed in the realm of Fantasy with his work on Sinbad And The Eye Of The Tiger (1977); and still managed to find time for work in all kinds of conventional dramas and comedies. Though he's no longer with us, Wanamaker was born on this day in 1919. [Source: IMDB.com]
Fans of the SciFi/Cult-Classic The Prisoner might remember the lovely Angela Browne from her guest shot on the program in the guise of 'Number Eighty-Six.' She also enjoyed a guest spot aboard Out Of The Unknown. Though she's no longer with us, Browne was born on this day in 1938. [Source: IMDB.com]
The mighty Rexor -- as played by the musclebound Ben Davidson -- stayed at the side of his master, the nefarious Thulsa Doom, aboard 1982's epic silver screen Fantasy Conan The Barbarian. Though he's no longer with us, Davidson was born on this day in 1940. [Source: IMDB.com]
Expert Star Wars collector Steve Sansweet built a career out of keeping the millions and millions of Star Wars fans informed about the various developments in the wide, wide world of plastic taking the shapes of their favorite heroes, rebels, and villains on behalf of the Lucasfilm empire. Sansweet was born on this day in 1945. [Source: Wikipedia.org]
Book him, Dano! Well ... book him, Space Dano! Conroy Gedeon played the Starfleet police officer who cautioned a mildly rattled Leonard McCoy in Star Trek: The Search for Spock when the good doctor was found openly discussing Project Genesis in some planetary watering hole. Gedeon was born on this day in 1947. [Source: Memory Alpha]
The great Harry Turtledove has long been regarded as the master of Alternative History, creating entire worlds out of some of the most incredible "What If ..." scenarios known to modern man. Turtledove was born on this day in 1949. [Source: Wikipedia.org]
In 1977's Star Wars, Jeremy Sinden was better known as 'Gold Two.' For he was part of the team that first went in for the kill, that first went in to the dreaded Death Star trench in hopes of destroying that vast space station. And -- as fate would have it -- 'Gold Two' was the first one shot down by the pursuing Darth Vader. Though he's no longer with us, Sinden was born on this day in 1950. [Source: IMDB.com]
Actor Will Patton has an impressive career that currently spans three-and-one-half-decades. This screen veteran has graced SciFi with his presence in VR5, The Postman, Armageddon (1998), TNT's Falling Skies, and the short-lived Swamp Thing. Patton was born on this day in 1954. [Source: IMDB.com]
Wikipedia.org estimates that comics scribe Paul Kupperberg has contributed well over 1,000 separate tales to the business, having worked on such titles as Green Lantern, The Superman Family, Star Trek, and (obviously!) many, many others. Kupperberg was born on this day in 1955. [Source: Wikipedia.org]
Welcome to the big leagues, milady! Back in 1983, Jackie Kong scored her directing debut marshalling a Horror/SciFi project named The Being to the silver screen. And not only did she direct it, but she wrote it as well. Kong was born on this day in 1957. [Source: IMDB.com]
At least, we'll always have Paris ... voice actress Samantha Paris, that is. During the late 1980's, she voiced 'Meg Bennett' of the fondly remembered SciFi/Animation Bionic Six for TMS Entertainment. Paris was born on this day in 1960. [Source: IMDB.com]
If IMDB.com has it listed correctly, then the dreamy Traylor Howard got her professional debut aboard an episode of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman in 1994. Howard was born on this day in 1966. [Source: IMDB.com]
Alexandra Castillo is the kind of actress who pops up in smaller roles and makes the best of them. Since her career began, she's appeared in such SciFi projects as The 6th Day, Stephen King's The Dead Zone, Mutant X, 2012, and Warehouse 13. Castillo was born on this day in 1971. [Source: IMDB.com]
Phillip Rhys played one of the many "The Husbands of River Song" in a 2015 episode of the long-running Doctor Who. More recently, he turned in solid work aboard the short-lived Syfy serial Nightflyers in 2018. Rhys was born on this day in 1972. [Source: IMDB.com]
Pascale Hutton endured a handful of smaller parts until finally landing a spot as a recurring regular on Syfy's Sanctuary as Abby Corrigan. Since that program ended, she continues to keep busy, though in much more mainstream fare. Corrigan was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
When she was but an urchin, the lovely Rochelle Davis held her own on the silver screen in The Crow (1994), one of the truly great Fantasy films to come out of the 1990's. Davis was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
Daniel Newman played a role -- albeit briefly -- aboard NBC's Heroes during the program's original run, and he also played a role in the short-lived SciFi series, Surface. More recently, he turned in some great work fighting the Apocalypse that is AMC's The Walking Dead. Newman was born on this day in 1981. [Source: IMDB.com]
It isn't every Star Trek fan who gets to turn an obsession into a career, but for Gabriel Koerner -- profiled in both Trekkies and Trekkies 2 -- it means he gets to live the dream. The dedication to his craft has given him the opportunity to work on such projects as Syfy's Battlestar Galactica, Serenity (2005), Superman Returns (2006), and the web series Star Trek Continues. Koerner was born on this day in 1982. [Source: Memory Alpha]
While building a name for himself in period dramas, the hunky Torrance Coombs still managed to secure guest spots aboard Syfy's Battlestar Galactica and Haven. Coombs was born on this day in 1983. [Source: IMDB.com]
The talented Haley Hudson made an appearance on Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles during its second and final season. Hudson was born on this day in 1986. [Source: IMDB.com]
I gave Syfy's Helix a chance (three episodes), but it just didn't quite stick. Loved the setting and the premise; it just seemed to really do nothing new with it. Still, I can appreciate a fresh face as much as the next, and Jordan Hayes certainly brought that to her work. Hayes was born on this day in 1987. [Source: IMDB.com]
Earlier in his professional career, Tyler Johnston enjoyed a guest visit to the wide, wide world of The CW's Smallville. As far as genre work goes, he's also enjoyed work aboard Zixx: Level Two, Decoys 2: Alien Seduction (2007), V, Supernatural, and the SciFi/Short-Film Firebase (2017). Johnston was born on this day in 1987. [Source: IMDB.com]
In between her roles in mainstream dramas, the lovely Kara Killmer scored a SciFi role in telefilm Horizon (2013). Killmer was born on this day in 1988. [Source: IMDB.com]
Another SciFi property that underwent a reboot was Bionic Woman. As much as I wanted it to work for me, (again) it just didn't. One bright spot was the young Lucy Hale who played Becca Sommers. Otherwise, Hale can be found as part of the cast to Pretty Little Liars, and she recently released her first album (pop country). Hale was born on this day in 1989. [Source: IMDB.com]
John Carter is a film that shouldn't have failed but did. Somehow this property -- a myth that's inspired countless filmmakers and storytellers all the world wide -- failed to tap into that fertile territory often explored in books, on television, and in film. Go figure. Still, kudos to Walt Disney for trying to make it work as those of us who enjoyed the film briefly were given a chance to see one of the seminal works of our children brought to life. Young Daryl Sabara was given the chance to portray the young Edgar Rice Burrough as he learned a think or two about his family's secrets, and Sabara was born on this day in 1992. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1968 (across all of Spain), the original Planet Of The Apes enjoyed its theatrical release. The SciFi/Classic feature starred Charlton Heston and Roddy McDowall, and here’s the plot summary from IMDB.com:
“An astronaut crew crash-lands on a planet in the distant future where intelligent talking apes are the dominant species, and humans are the oppressed and enslaved.”
“An astronaut crew crash-lands on a planet in the distant future where intelligent talking apes are the dominant species, and humans are the oppressed and enslaved.”
On this day in 1984 (in Argentina), 1990: The Bronx Warriors suited up and rode into theaters. Written (in part) and directed by Enzo G. Castellari, the Apocalypse/Thriller starred Vic Morrow, Mark Gregory, and Fred Williamson; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In a post-apocalyptic New York City, a policeman infiltrates the Bronx, which has become a battleground for several murderous street gangs."
"In a post-apocalyptic New York City, a policeman infiltrates the Bronx, which has become a battleground for several murderous street gangs."
A star is born! D.A.R.Y.L. was one of those films that certainly had an audience in mind: I just wasn't part of it. It was all a bit too neat, tidy, and sweet for my tastes. Still, the story of the boy with some secret abilities who can't remember where he comes from is probably a delight with younger ones even today. It premiered in theatres on this day back in 1985, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A young boy is found wandering without any memory of who he is. A family takes him in and begin to look for clues to help him find his way home. In the meantime, they notice that the boy seems to have certain special abilities, not usually found in kids his age, or even fully-grown adults."
"A young boy is found wandering without any memory of who he is. A family takes him in and begin to look for clues to help him find his way home. In the meantime, they notice that the boy seems to have certain special abilities, not usually found in kids his age, or even fully-grown adults."
A star is born! On this day in 1985 (in Ireland), the truth wasn't so much 'out there' as it was 'in the trunk' with the release of Repo Man. Written and directed by Alex Cox, the film starred Emilio Estevez, Harry Dean Stanton, and Tracey Walter; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A young punk recruited by a car repossession agency finds himself in pursuit of a Chevrolet Malibu that is wanted for a $20,000 bounty - and has something otherworldly stashed in its trunk."
"A young punk recruited by a car repossession agency finds himself in pursuit of a Chevrolet Malibu that is wanted for a $20,000 bounty - and has something otherworldly stashed in its trunk."
On this day in 1985, the SciFi/Comedy The Stuff released its stuff at the American box office. The feature starred Michael Moriarty and Andrea Marcovicci, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A delicious, mysterious goo that oozes from the earth is marketed as the newest dessert sensation, but the tasty treat rots more than teeth when zombie-like snackers who only want to consume more of the strange substance at any cost begin infesting the world."
"A delicious, mysterious goo that oozes from the earth is marketed as the newest dessert sensation, but the tasty treat rots more than teeth when zombie-like snackers who only want to consume more of the strange substance at any cost begin infesting the world."
A star is born! On this day in 1989 (in France), Bunker Palace Hotel enjoyed its theatrical premiere. The feature starred Jean-Louis Trintignant and Carole Bouquet, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In an imaginary dictature of a futuristic world, rebellion has broken out. The men in power scramble to the Bunker Palace Hotel, a bunker built long ago for just this kind of contingency. But a rebel spy sneaks in, and although her nature is very quickly suspected, she is left to observe the raving of the decadent power class, who keeps wondering what happened to their leader, who has failed to show up."
"In an imaginary dictature of a futuristic world, rebellion has broken out. The men in power scramble to the Bunker Palace Hotel, a bunker built long ago for just this kind of contingency. But a rebel spy sneaks in, and although her nature is very quickly suspected, she is left to observe the raving of the decadent power class, who keeps wondering what happened to their leader, who has failed to show up."
A star is born! On this day in 2000 (in Argentia), something very wicked looking crawled out of the web with the premiere of Spiders! Directed by Gary Jones, the SciFi/Horror starred Lana Parrilla, Josh Green, and Oliver Macready; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A DNA experiment on a rare breed of spider is taking place on a NASA space shuttle, when a freak meteor shower engulfs the shuttle, causing everything to go horribly wrong. One survivor is found on the ship and watched over in a secret location deep in the California desert. The problem continues, as the survivor isn't alone, as another deadly spiders climbs out of him and goes on a rampage around the ship. Curious reporter Marci Eyre must now survive, escape and warn everyone before the spider reaches outside the desert."
"A DNA experiment on a rare breed of spider is taking place on a NASA space shuttle, when a freak meteor shower engulfs the shuttle, causing everything to go horribly wrong. One survivor is found on the ship and watched over in a secret location deep in the California desert. The problem continues, as the survivor isn't alone, as another deadly spiders climbs out of him and goes on a rampage around the ship. Curious reporter Marci Eyre must now survive, escape and warn everyone before the spider reaches outside the desert."
On this day in 2002 (in Mexico), our collective future indeed didn't look bright in the story that was Resident Evil. Written and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, the SciFi/Horror starred Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez, and Anna Bolt; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A special military unit fights a powerful, out-of-control supercomputer and hundreds of scientists who have mutated into flesh-eating creatures after a laboratory accident."
"A special military unit fights a powerful, out-of-control supercomputer and hundreds of scientists who have mutated into flesh-eating creatures after a laboratory accident."
A star is born! On this day in 2011 (in New Zealand), Ryan Reynolds took to the silver screen in the theatrical premiere of DC Comics' Green Lantern. Directed by Martin Campbell, the film also starred Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, and Mark Strong; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Reckless test pilot Hal Jordan is granted an alien ring that bestows him with otherworldly powers that inducts him into an intergalactic police force, the Green Lantern Corps."
"Reckless test pilot Hal Jordan is granted an alien ring that bestows him with otherworldly powers that inducts him into an intergalactic police force, the Green Lantern Corps."
On this day in 2013, movie audiences were introduced to a whole new take on the DC Cinematic Universe when Man Of Steel premiered theatrically. The feature starred Henry Cavill and Amy Adams, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Clark Kent, one of the last of an extinguished race disguised as an unremarkable human, is forced to reveal his identity when Earth is invaded by an army of survivors who threaten to bring the planet to the brink of destruction."
"Clark Kent, one of the last of an extinguished race disguised as an unremarkable human, is forced to reveal his identity when Earth is invaded by an army of survivors who threaten to bring the planet to the brink of destruction."
On this day in 1969, Doctor Who aired "The War Games: Part 9." This served as the forty-third episode of the program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"To prove his loyalty to the Aliens, the Doctor is ordered to reprocess his friends while the Security Chief finally uncovers evidence of the War Chief's treachery."
"To prove his loyalty to the Aliens, the Doctor is ordered to reprocess his friends while the Security Chief finally uncovers evidence of the War Chief's treachery."
On this day in 1987, Bionic Six aired "Return Of The Bunji." Officially, this served as the seventeenth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by Wikipedia.org:
"Prof. Sharp receives a message from Momo Yashima, an ally of Karate-1's from Dragon's Rock. The Bionic Six travel to Momo's village in Japan, where they must protect the village from the threat of the Ancients, ghosts from the past. The Ancients are angered because someone unworthy has desecrated the Armor of Light in the Temple of the Lost Samurai."
"Prof. Sharp receives a message from Momo Yashima, an ally of Karate-1's from Dragon's Rock. The Bionic Six travel to Momo's village in Japan, where they must protect the village from the threat of the Ancients, ghosts from the past. The Ancients are angered because someone unworthy has desecrated the Armor of Light in the Temple of the Lost Samurai."
On this day in 1987, TV's Bionic Six aired "Crown Of The Scarab King." Officially, this served as the eighteenth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by Wikipedia.org:
"Professor Sharp and a team of archaeologists discover the ancient Scarab Scroll: a map to an ancient treasure. Bionic One turns over command of the team to the kids for 24 hours, and the kids must learn how to work together before Dr. Scarab gains control the Crown of the Scarab King."
"Professor Sharp and a team of archaeologists discover the ancient Scarab Scroll: a map to an ancient treasure. Bionic One turns over command of the team to the kids for 24 hours, and the kids must learn how to work together before Dr. Scarab gains control the Crown of the Scarab King."
On this day in 2002 (in Australia), Farscape aired the second episode of its fourth season. The hour was titled "What Was Lost, Part 1: Sacrifice," and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"Everyone but Aeryn meets on Arnesk. Where Jool has discovered the remains of an ancient civilization."
"Everyone but Aeryn meets on Arnesk. Where Jool has discovered the remains of an ancient civilization."
On this day in 2003 (in Japan), Mobile Suit Gundam Seed aired "In the Name of Justice." This served as the thirty-sixth 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 2008 (in the United Kingdom), Doctor Who aired "Midnight." This served as the tenth episode in the re-launched program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"As part of a well-deserved holiday, the Doctor takes a tour on a planet called Midnight. Little does he know that something is knocking on the walls, although the planet shouldn't be inhabited. Soon the passengers begin to panic when one of them is possessed."
"As part of a well-deserved holiday, the Doctor takes a tour on a planet called Midnight. Little does he know that something is knocking on the walls, although the planet shouldn't be inhabited. Soon the passengers begin to panic when one of them is possessed."
Hippies In Space? Say it isn't so! On this day in 2008, Star Trek aired its remastered version of the original third season stinker "The Way To Eden" in television syndication. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A group of idealistic hippies, led by an irrational leader, come aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise."
"A group of idealistic hippies, led by an irrational leader, come aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise."
On this day in 2017, IDW Publishing released its comic miniseries Star Trek: The Next Generation: Mirror Broken: Issue 2 to the general marketplace. According to our friends at Memory Alpha, here's the plot summary:
In the sinister Mirror Universe, Captain Jean-Luc Picard is determined to get his hands on the Terran Empire's new secret weapon, the Galaxy-class warship known as Enterprise, by any means necessary. Unfortunately, one obstacle stands in his way-and his name is William T. Riker!
In the sinister Mirror Universe, Captain Jean-Luc Picard is determined to get his hands on the Terran Empire's new secret weapon, the Galaxy-class warship known as Enterprise, by any means necessary. Unfortunately, one obstacle stands in his way-and his name is William T. Riker!
Though it's largely billed as an 'action' property, The Last Of Us -- released on this day in 2013 -- clearly deals with elements involving a future Apocalypse, placing it new and dear to Science Fiction. According to IMDB.com, here's the premise:
"20 years after a pandemic destroyed the United States, Joel gets the task of taking Ellie into a nation-wide mission to unveil a secret that can save humanity."
"20 years after a pandemic destroyed the United States, Joel gets the task of taking Ellie into a nation-wide mission to unveil a secret that can save humanity."
On this day in 1943, The Adventures Of Superman radio serial began "Society Of The Flamingo." This serial aired from this day through July 5th, and I've unfortunately been able to locate a plot summary on the internet.
On this day in 1945, The Adventures Of Superman radio serial began "The Desert Adventure." This serial aired from this day through July 10th, and I've unfortunately been able to locate a plot summary on the internet.
On this day in 1948, The Adventures Of Superman radio serial aired "The Secret Of Meteor Island." This serial began on this day and aired through July 6th, and here's the (edited) plot summary from the Superman Homepage (link):
"The Daily Planet has received a mysterious radiogram from someone with the initials "E.W." The Eastern Queen will be docked at Pier Eight at noon today, and a big story will break then. Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen are among the reporters awaiting the big news from the boat. Unfortunately, Lois learns that movie queen Estelle Winson wants publicity for her comeback. The tip was a dud. Meanwhile, Jimmy was given a package by a stranger who went to make a telephone call. When the odd man had not returned, Lois and Jimmy looked inside the oilskin wrapped parcel only to find a bunch of dirty stones and broken glass inside it. The pair take a taxi back to the newspaper offices when some gunmen capture Jimmy because someone called the Count had given him the strange pebbles. Superman will soon be involved in one unusual mystery."
"The Daily Planet has received a mysterious radiogram from someone with the initials "E.W." The Eastern Queen will be docked at Pier Eight at noon today, and a big story will break then. Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen are among the reporters awaiting the big news from the boat. Unfortunately, Lois learns that movie queen Estelle Winson wants publicity for her comeback. The tip was a dud. Meanwhile, Jimmy was given a package by a stranger who went to make a telephone call. When the odd man had not returned, Lois and Jimmy looked inside the oilskin wrapped parcel only to find a bunch of dirty stones and broken glass inside it. The pair take a taxi back to the newspaper offices when some gunmen capture Jimmy because someone called the Count had given him the strange pebbles. Superman will soon be involved in one unusual mystery."
On this day in 1953, The Shadow radio serial aired "The Howling Beast." According to our friends at The Shadow Wiki, it would appear that all details regarding this particular tale have been lost to history. Not even The Shadow knows!
