For many science fiction purists, it just doesn't get any better than Blade Runner. Based on a novel by Philip K. Dick and released theatrically on this day back in 1982, Blade Runner told the story of a kinda/sorta police detective named Deckard (played by the legendary Harrison Ford) who is tasked with 'retiring' replicants -- artificial humans -- who've outlived their usefulness to a peaceful society. What he uncovers might just change the way he thinks about life, the universe, and all that jazz. Director Ridley Scott hit one out of the park with this one.
I've always thought that it wasn't so much that George Orwell "saw" the future so much as he realized what risks there were to societies moving blindly into it; and perhaps that's what made his seminal SciFi work -- 1984 -- such a thought-provoking read. Whatever the case may be -- and though he's no longer with us -- Orwell was born on this day in 1903. [Source: IMDB.com]
I was never a big fan of Lost In Space. Like many people, I think I gravitated more toward that other sci-fi show on the tube at the time (a little something called Star Trek). I didn't dislike Lost In Space; in fact, I was quite fond of most of the characters and actors. As I recall, I simply hated the fact that so many of its stories revolved around so many cheesy space monsters. Meh. However, I did love June Lockhart. As the matriarch of the Robinson family, there was a Space Age mom I had nothing but respect for. Not on the picture insert that in the world of Irwin Allen (the show's creator) even moms in space had to do the laundry. The lovely lady was born on this day in 1925.
The venerable George Murdock played so many figures of authority throughout an acting career that spanned over five decades. Trek fans remember him best as Adm. Hansen -- who fell at the hands of the Borg in the Battle of Wolf 359 (from Star Trek: The Next Generation's "The Best of Both Worlds" story), they'll no doubt recall. Older SciFi enthusiasts remember him as Dr. Salik aboard the original Battlestar Galactica. In between and beyond, he appeared in The Sword and the Sorcerer, Knight Rider, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, and The X-Files, to name but a few. Though he's no longer with us, Murdock was born on this day in 1930.
Barbara Montgomery enjoyed some modest screen time aboard such SciFi properties as NBC's popular Quantum Leap and The Meteor Man (1993). Montgomery was born on this day in 1939. [Source: IMDB.com]
Mary Beth Peil (above left) had a guest spot aboard Fox TV's long-running Fringe program back in its 2009 season. Peil was born on this day in 1940.
Take note: Michael Vejar is no stranger to genre entertainment. As a director, he's been gifted with opportunities to create installments in the various universes of The Incredible Hulk, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Quantum Leap, RoboCop, Legend, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman, Babylon 5, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Crusade, Seven Days, Star Trek: Voyager, Jeremiah, and Star Trek: Enterprise. Vejar was born on this day in 1943. [Source: Memory Alpha]
Just how popular are the worlds of Science Fiction and Fantasy? Why, they're popular enough to woo the likes of TV legend Jimmie Walker to their fair shores as he had a top role aboard The Guyver (1991) with Mark Hamill. Dy-no-mite! Walker was born on this day in 1947. [Source: IMDB.com]
Veteran character actor Michael McShane (above right) joined Matt Smith in an Earth-shattering episode of Doctor Who's seventh season ("The Angels Take Manhattan"). McShane was born on this day in 1955.
Funnyman Ricky Gervais -- that insufferable git himself -- dipped his toes into the realm of Fantasy with a guest spot aboard TV's short-lived Galavant. Gervais was born on this day in 1961. [Source: IMDB.com]
From the look of things, the delicious Jackie Swanson learned precisely how delicious she was with her work aboard the SciFi/Western Oblivion (1994) for Full Moon Entertainment. Swanson was born on this day in 1963. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though he's usually found in vastly more serious fare, John Benjamin Hickey took time off from mainstream dramas for a brainy performance in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009). Hickey was born on this day in 1963. [Source: IMDB.com]
Funny and lovely Angela Kinsey joined Jonathan Silverman aboard the dark SciFi comedy Andover (2018). Kinsey was born on this day in 1971. [Source: IMDB.com]
Hunky Jason Lewis staked out a territory all of his own aboard NBC's Fantasy-themed Midnight, Texas. Lewis was born on this day in 1971. [Source: IMDB.com]
Director Nisha Ganatra marshaled a few episodes of the SciFi/Comedy Future Man to the small screen for good measure. Ganatra was born on this day in 1974. [Source: IMDB.com]
Confession time: one of those films that defined the 1980's? The Goonies (1985)? I never cared for it. Just wasn't for me. Still, that's no fault of Jeff Cohen's, one of the film's featured players. Cohen was born on this day in 1974. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Linda Cardellini had a wonderful and important guest spot about Avengers: Age Of Ultron (2015). Cardellini was born on this day in 1975.
To be fair, Busy Philipps is probably too busy with more mainstream comedies and dramas to grace the frames of Science Fiction these days. So kudos to the lady for taking time to appear in several episodes of Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles when she did, and keep in mind, Busy: we'd always love to have you back! Philipps was born on this day in 1979.
Shannon Lucio has definitely proven herself in the realm of genre entertainment. She's enjoyed screen time aboard The Gates, Daybreak, Supernatural, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and HBO's True Blood. Lucio was born on this day in 1980.
The lovely Sheridan Smith has a terrific resume in more mainstream fare, but she's also had time to participate in the realm of Doctor Who's audio adventures. As far as Fantasy goes, she's booked roles aboard Galavant and The Huntsman: Winter's War (2016). Smith was born on this day in 1980.
Korean actor Rain showed up 'ready to rumble' with the best of 'em for his work aboard Speed Racer (2008) for Warner Bros. Rain was born on this day in 1982. [Source: IMDB.com]
Plucky Blaine Saunders sacrificed a measure of that pluckiness for her work as 'Becky' aboard HBO's Fantasy True Blood. She also enjoyed a guest spot aboard CBS's short-lived SciFi series Threshold. Saunders was born on this day in 1993. [Source: IMDB.com]
Holy crud! What a hard working young lady is Mckenna Grace! She's only been "in the biz" since 2013 and has already built a resume of nearly 50 credits! Genre fans probably know her best from appearances on ABC TV's Once Upon A Time, and Grace was born on this day in 2006.
On this day in 1953, Robot Monster revealed itself as a threat to humanity ... or, at least, lovely 1950's era beauties. The SciFi feature starred George Nader and Claudia Barrett, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The monstrous Ro-Man attempts to annihilate the last family alive on Earth, but finds himself falling for their beautiful daughter."
"The monstrous Ro-Man attempts to annihilate the last family alive on Earth, but finds himself falling for their beautiful daughter."
On this day in 1957, The Curse Of Frankenstein (from Warner Bros. and Hammer Studios) enjoyed its U.S. theatrical run. The SciFi/Horror film starred Peter Cushing and Hazel Court, and here's the plot summary that's listed on IMDB.com:
"Victor Frankenstein builds a creature and brings it to life, but it behaves not as he intended."
"Victor Frankenstein builds a creature and brings it to life, but it behaves not as he intended."
On this day in 1958 (in Mexico), Ed Wood Jr's Bride Of The Monster explored its cinematic nuptials. The feature starred Bela Lugosi and Tor Johnson, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A mad doctor attempts to create atomic supermen."
Well, curse those mad doctors ...
"A mad doctor attempts to create atomic supermen."
Well, curse those mad doctors ...
On this day in 1962 (in Sweden), Atlantis: The Lost Continent rose from the depths cinematically before -- ahem -- sinking to the bottom of the sea again (sorry, spoilers!). The Fantasy film starred Sal Ponti and Joyce Taylor, and here's the plot summary as provided by the reliable folks at IMDB.com:
"A Greek Fisherman brings an Atlantean Princess back to her homeland which is the mythical city of Atlantis. He is enslaved for his trouble. The King is being manipulated by an evil sorcerer who is bent on using a natural resource of Atlantis to take over the world. The Atlanteans, or rather the slaves of Atlantis, are forced to mine a crystalline material which absorbs the suns rays. These crystals can then be used for warmth. The misuse of science has created weapons out of the crystals that can fire a heat ray to destroy whatever it touches."
"A Greek Fisherman brings an Atlantean Princess back to her homeland which is the mythical city of Atlantis. He is enslaved for his trouble. The King is being manipulated by an evil sorcerer who is bent on using a natural resource of Atlantis to take over the world. The Atlanteans, or rather the slaves of Atlantis, are forced to mine a crystalline material which absorbs the suns rays. These crystals can then be used for warmth. The misuse of science has created weapons out of the crystals that can fire a heat ray to destroy whatever it touches."
On this day in 1965 (in the city of London), Dr. Who And The Daleks enjoyed its original theatrical premiere! The feature cast Peter Cushing in the role as the time traveller from Gallifrey, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"An eccentric inventor and his companions travel in his TARDIS to the Planet Skaro and battle the evil menace of the Daleks."
"An eccentric inventor and his companions travel in his TARDIS to the Planet Skaro and battle the evil menace of the Daleks."
Another popular yet violent '70's sci-fi flick was Norman Jewison's Rollerball. It premiered theatricallly on this day in 1975, and -- for a short time -- it kinda/sorta set a trend with the way the violence of our future would be depicted. According to 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."
Megaforce is the kind of low-budget shlock movie studios were all too happy to greenlight after many vastly superior sci-fi gems proved highly profitable. Released on this day theatrically back in 1982, this kinda/sorta cult stinker starred a young Barry Bostwick, and producers even imported Persis Khambata hot from her fame in Star Trek - The Motion Picture. Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Ace Hunter is the leader of Megaforce, an elite group of American soldiers who travel the world to fight Evil. In this case, Evil is represented by a third rate dictator who they must blow to bits."
"Ace Hunter is the leader of Megaforce, an elite group of American soldiers who travel the world to fight Evil. In this case, Evil is represented by a third rate dictator who they must blow to bits."
Also scaring its way into theatres on this day in 1982 was John Carpenter's remake of The Thing. This flick has always fittingly enjoyed a relatively rabid following, most of which proclaiming it Carpenter's best. Personally, I thought it grew a bit long in the tooth in the second half, and I much prefer another gem from the master a bit more. From IMDB.com:
"Scientists in the Antarctic are confronted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of the people that it kills."
"Scientists in the Antarctic are confronted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of the people that it kills."
On this day back in 1992, Bad Channels made an appearance, though all the info I can find about its release is a bit unclear as to whether it screened theatrically or went directly to home video. (That's never a good thing!) In any event, here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"An alien determined to capture human females takes over a radio station to do it."
Apparently, there's an awful lot of shrinkage involved.
"An alien determined to capture human females takes over a radio station to do it."
Apparently, there's an awful lot of shrinkage involved.
Ahem. As I often caution viewers, SciFi properties can come in all shapes, sizes, and persuasions. That said, on this day in 1996, a little SciFi something called Alien Abduction: Intimate Secrets enjoyed its release on home video. The feature starred Darcy DeMoss and Pia Reyes, and here's the premise as listed on IMDB.com:
"In this erotic sci-fi adventure, three beautiful women find themselves unwilling subjects of an alien scientist's sexy experiments."
Remember: it's science, people. Science!
"In this erotic sci-fi adventure, three beautiful women find themselves unwilling subjects of an alien scientist's sexy experiments."
Remember: it's science, people. Science!
By the Lords Of Kobol, that's gonna leave a mark! On this day in 2011, Swamp Shark took a bite out of TV ratings. The SciFi/Comedy starred Christopher Berry and Wade Boggs, and here's the premise from IMDB.com:
"An animal smuggling deal goes wrong, resulting in a large shark escaping into the swampy backwoods river."
"An animal smuggling deal goes wrong, resulting in a large shark escaping into the swampy backwoods river."
On this day in 1955, Science Fiction Theatre aired "Hour Of Nightmare." This served as the twelfth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A husband and wife freelance photography team travels to Mexico to photograph mysterious flying objects in the night sky and stumble upon a dead alien."
"A husband and wife freelance photography team travels to Mexico to photograph mysterious flying objects in the night sky and stumble upon a dead alien."
On this day in 1955, Tom Corbett, Space Cadet aired "The Final Test." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's that episode's plot summary:
"The cadets are taking their final exams and must pass in order to graduate from the Space Academy. Astro, a genius with a toolbox, freezes taking his nucleonics test and it looks like he may flunk out of the Space Academy. While awaiting his fate, he joins Tom, T.J. and Eric on a flight into deep space and must repair their spaceship's engines when Captain Strong unknowingly fires space torpedoes at their vessel."
"The cadets are taking their final exams and must pass in order to graduate from the Space Academy. Astro, a genius with a toolbox, freezes taking his nucleonics test and it looks like he may flunk out of the Space Academy. While awaiting his fate, he joins Tom, T.J. and Eric on a flight into deep space and must repair their spaceship's engines when Captain Strong unknowingly fires space torpedoes at their vessel."
On this day in 1966, Doctor Who aired "The War Machines: Part 1." This served as the forty-second episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Doctor and Dodo return to London in the present day where the Doctor becomes concerned about WOTAN, a new super-computer installed in the Post Officer Tower."
"The Doctor and Dodo return to London in the present day where the Doctor becomes concerned about WOTAN, a new super-computer installed in the Post Officer Tower."
On this day in 1979, Battle Of The Planets aired "Giant Gila Monster." This served as the thirty-ninth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV.com:
"Zeno, the Zenobian has escaped from the protective custody. Mark goes undercover to try to find him."
"Zeno, the Zenobian has escaped from the protective custody. Mark goes undercover to try to find him."
On this day in 1990 (in the United Kingdom), Jupiter Moon aired the fortieth episode of its only season on television. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"As the Ilea moves further towards the Copernicus, Finbow starts suffering from the radiation influx. While Brelan, Victoria and Mercedes argue about whether to turn back, Cats guides the ship through the clouds of dangerous gases around Io."
"As the Ilea moves further towards the Copernicus, Finbow starts suffering from the radiation influx. While Brelan, Victoria and Mercedes argue about whether to turn back, Cats guides the ship through the clouds of dangerous gases around Io."
On this day in 1999, Farscape aired the tenth episode of its first season. The hour was titled "They've Got A Secret," and here's the plot summary compliments of our friends at IMDB.com:
"D'Argo falls down a shaft and accidentally breaks something. He becomes disoriented, and sees the crew as someone from his past, his wife, their son, and her killer. The crew must get D'Argo back to the present to fix the damage he caused. The crew discover something about Moya."
"D'Argo falls down a shaft and accidentally breaks something. He becomes disoriented, and sees the crew as someone from his past, his wife, their son, and her killer. The crew must get D'Argo back to the present to fix the damage he caused. The crew discover something about Moya."
On this day in 1999, Sliders aired "Strangers And Comrades." This served as the third episode in the program's fifth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Sliders find themselves trapped on Purgatory, an asteroid with a military garrison protecting a mysterious bounty that could liberate Rembrandt's world."
"The Sliders find themselves trapped on Purgatory, an asteroid with a military garrison protecting a mysterious bounty that could liberate Rembrandt's world."
On this day in 1999, Stargate: SG-1 kicked off its third season with an hour titled "Into The Fire." Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"O'Neill, Carter and Jackson are trapped on Hathor's planet. Teal'c and Hammond go to Chulak to forge a rescue plan and recover the team."
"O'Neill, Carter and Jackson are trapped on Hathor's planet. Teal'c and Hammond go to Chulak to forge a rescue plan and recover the team."
On this day in 1999, Thunderstone aired "The Serum." This served as the twentieth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by Wikipedia.org:
"With Noah and Arushka safely imprisoned in the Beast, Tao roars off leaving Chip alone under the relentless sun of the Red Desert. On a rescue mission, Sundance and Becky find him, exhausted and thirsty but alive. A smug Tao, with Noah his captive audience, tempts him with knowledge of his future; Noah is only 65 years in the future and he along with the survivors from North Col could still be alive somewhere. Tao produces a disk that he claims was found in the ruins of the old holodeck and contains a history of North Col. Noah agrees to watch it but only if Arushka is with him. The end of North Col unfolds – his family's suffering because of his illegal time-travel, the horrors of the rat carried disease rabies sweeping through the panicked citizens. Is he responsible?"
"With Noah and Arushka safely imprisoned in the Beast, Tao roars off leaving Chip alone under the relentless sun of the Red Desert. On a rescue mission, Sundance and Becky find him, exhausted and thirsty but alive. A smug Tao, with Noah his captive audience, tempts him with knowledge of his future; Noah is only 65 years in the future and he along with the survivors from North Col could still be alive somewhere. Tao produces a disk that he claims was found in the ruins of the old holodeck and contains a history of North Col. Noah agrees to watch it but only if Arushka is with him. The end of North Col unfolds – his family's suffering because of his illegal time-travel, the horrors of the rat carried disease rabies sweeping through the panicked citizens. Is he responsible?"
On this day in 2000, Code Name: Eternity aired "Tawrens." This served as the seventh episode of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV.com:
"Banning wants to get his hands on a formula that will enable him to make the chemicals that he needs to continue his experiments. His people attack Plaxico industries, the only place where he can find them. Ethaniel and Laura try to warn the owner of the company but are too late. Leading the attack group is a man called Tawrens, Ethaniels best friend. Ethaniel captures Tawrens and tries to find out what Banning has done to him to turn him from a fighter sent to stop Banning to someone who is now his number one soldier."
"Banning wants to get his hands on a formula that will enable him to make the chemicals that he needs to continue his experiments. His people attack Plaxico industries, the only place where he can find them. Ethaniel and Laura try to warn the owner of the company but are too late. Leading the attack group is a man called Tawrens, Ethaniels best friend. Ethaniel captures Tawrens and tries to find out what Banning has done to him to turn him from a fighter sent to stop Banning to someone who is now his number one soldier."
On this day in 2006, The 4400 aired "Gone: Part 1." This served as the third episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Tom and Diana must hunt down a kidnapper who targets 4400 children. Maia's sister, Sarah appears."
"Tom and Diana must hunt down a kidnapper who targets 4400 children. Maia's sister, Sarah appears."
On this day in 2010, A Good Knight's Quest aired the eighteenth episode of its only season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Chosen One must ask for help from an unlikely ally."
"The Chosen One must ask for help from an unlikely ally."
On this day in 2012, Syfy's Eureka aired "The Honeymooners." This served as the tenth episode in the program's fifth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Jack's idea of a romantic honeymoon doesn't quite mesh with Allison's. Holly tries on her new body. Jo and Andy followup on an investigation begun by Jack's predecessor."
"Jack's idea of a romantic honeymoon doesn't quite mesh with Allison's. Holly tries on her new body. Jo and Andy followup on an investigation begun by Jack's predecessor."
On this day in 2015, CBS's Under The Dome launched into its third (and final) season with a pair of episodes, both of which I'll happily highlight with IMDB.com's help below:
Move On (s03e01): "The residents of Chester's Mill appear both inside and outside the dome following their mysterious encounter in the tunnels beneath the town."
But I'm Not (s03e02): "The townspeople are forced to question who they can trust when new residents emerge."
Move On (s03e01): "The residents of Chester's Mill appear both inside and outside the dome following their mysterious encounter in the tunnels beneath the town."
But I'm Not (s03e02): "The townspeople are forced to question who they can trust when new residents emerge."
On this day in 2018, Salvation aired "Fall Out." This served as the first episode of the program's second (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After a nuclear incident, the secret of the asteroid becomes public, setting the world on a dangerous course. Darius, Grace, Liam and Harris must adapt to new roles in an ever-shifting landscape of fear and civil unrest."
"After a nuclear incident, the secret of the asteroid becomes public, setting the world on a dangerous course. Darius, Grace, Liam and Harris must adapt to new roles in an ever-shifting landscape of fear and civil unrest."
On this day in 1950, The Shadow radio serial aired "The Lost Mind Of Death." This particular adventure was penned by popular SciFi author Alfred Bester, but unfortunately the details of the plot are lost to history as I've found none on the internet.
