Legendary producer/director/visual effects wizard Ray Harryhausen was responsible for so much of the monster movie magic in so many of the tremendous films of the 20th century. Though he's no longer with us, Harryhausen was born on this day in 1920. [Source: IMDB.com]
Franz Joseph (originally named Franz Josef Schnaubelt) was certainly instrumental in exciting a generation of Trek enthusiasts when he particpated in creating a massively-impressive set of Star Trek Blueprints for sale to the consumer market. Though he's no longer with us, Schnaubelt was born on this day in 1914. [Source: Memory Alpha]
In perhaps one of the most dubious posts to "On This Day In Science Fiction History," I'm giving a well-earned birthday shout-out to legendary screen cowboy Slim Pickins. Slim had a hugely pivotal role in Dr. Strangelove: Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb, Stanley Kubrick's SciFi-lite Cold War satire. (If you recall, it was Slim's character who rode the bomb like a buckin' bronco all the way to Ground Zero.) Then, in 1979, Slim provided the voice to an old-timey floating robot named B.O.B. in Walt Disney's The Black Hole. Though he's no longer with us, Pickins was born on this day in 1919.
"The Hand of the Goral" was the ninth episode of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century's second season. In it, screen veteran John Fujioka played the aforementioned 'Hand' (i.e. servant) of some planetary masters who endowed him with powers to alter the perception of guests to their secret world. Fujioka was born on this day in 1925.
When Paramount Pictures decided it was time to put Star Trek back onto the Boob Tube, the powers that be went to veteran TV director Corey Allen to helm Star Trek: The Next Generation's "Encounter at Farpoint." Though he's no longer with us, Allen was born on this day in 1934. [Source: IMDB.com]
Screen veteran Derek Partridge (pictured above left in the classic Star Trek episode "Plato's Stepchildren") only dabbled briefly in Science Fiction, and that's a shame: we'd definitely love to have seen more of him. In 2012, he did return in a little something called The Down Home Alien Blues, but I've not been able to find much information out about that production. Partridge was born on this day in 1935.
All careers must begin somewhere, and the lovely Maureen O'Brien got her start in the role of 'Vicki,' one of the earliest companions for the legendary Doctor Who. O'Brien was born on this day in 1943. [Source: IMDB.com]
The great Soon-Tek Oh (pictured above right from The Final Countdown) was a terrific screen heavy in genre entertainment largely throughout the 1970's and 80's. As far as SciFi goes, he had roles in Earth II (1971), Logan's Run, The Greatest American Hero, Airwolf, Highlander, Time Trax, Babylon 5, and Stargate: SG-1. Though he's no longer with us, the actor was born on this day in 1943.
He gets by with a little help from his friends, especially when his friends are toting all of the proper hunting gear! Gary Busey (above center) helped bring Predator 2 to the silver screen back in 1990, and he continues to be a force in pop culture today. The legendary Busey was born on this day in 1944. [Source: IMDB.com]
In the guise of 'Bib Fortuna,' the great Michael Carter brought to life a terrific secondary character within Jabba the Hutt's circle of influence in Star Wars: Episode VI - Return Of The Jedi (1983). FYI: the man got his acting start with a small part aboard the BBC's Doctor Who. Carter was born on this day in 1947.
While he'll no doubt always be remembered for the lovable 'Gopher' aboard TV's The Love Boat, the great Fred Grandy had a small role in Roger Corman's SciFi/Cult flick Death Race 2000 (1975). Grandy was born on this day in 1948.
That lovely Latino in distress is none other than actress Maria Conchita Alonso. She shared the screen with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the big-budget adaptation of Stephen King's The Running Man back in 1987, and -- speaking of Predator 2 -- did likewise with Danny Glover in that flick. Alonso was born on this day in 1957.
Trekkies may not know his face, but if they've seen Star Trek: First Contact then they know his voice all too well as Jeff Coopwood served as the voice of the Borg. Coopwood was born on this day in 1958. [Source: IMDB.com]
Back in 2002, the beautiful Sharon Lawrence braved the SciFi/Telefilm Atomic Twister for Once Upon A Time Films. Lawrence was born on this day in 1961.
Amanda Donohoe appeared as Admiral Enolo Phid (pictured above) in 2008's little-seen Starship Troopers 3: Marauder. Donohoe was born on this day in 1962.
Thomas W. Gabrielsson had a role aboard Real Humans, the original version of the artificial intelligence drama upon which AMC's Humans is derived from. Gabrielsson was born on this day in 1963.
Oh, you sexy thing! Back in 1992, Melora Hardin made a terrific two-part appearance alongside Scott Bakula in the time travel favorite Quantum Leap (pictured above right). The versatile actress also went on to parts in such properties as Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Timecop, The Pretender, and Self/Less. Hardin was born on this day in 1967.
Judith Hoag slips almost effortlessly in and out of genre entertainment, though she has been away from our corners for quite some time. She was the first April O'Neil in 1990's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. She's also appeared in Quantum Leap, The Adventures of Brisco County Jr., The Burning Zone, Armageddon, Strange World, Carnivàle, and The X-Files. Hoag was born on this day in 1968.
In his youth, Ilan Mitchell-Smith (above right) created a comic SciFi stir with his role aboard Weird Science (1985). He also enjoyed a guest starring role aboard Superboy. Mitchell-Smith was born on this day in 1969.
Aleks Paunovic continues to be a very busy talent. He's been seen aboard such properties as Roswell: The Aliens Attack (1999), Wishmaster 4: The Prophecy Fulfilled (2002), Jeremiah, Stargate: SG-1, Andromeda, Mutant X, The Dead Zone, Painkiller Jane, Eureka, Kraken: Tentacles of the Deep (2006), Battlestar Galactica (Syfy), Flash Gordon (TV), Bionic Woman, Stargate: Atlantis, Fireball (2009), Sanctuary, Riverworld, Caprica, Smallville, The 100, iZombie, Continuum, and Van Helsing (Syfy). That is some resume! Paunovic was born on this day in 1969. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though her career focuses leans more toward conventional dramas, Christina Chang does have some genre credentials worth celebrating, including work aboard No Ordinary Family, Extant, and Lucifer. Chang was born on this day in 1971. [Source: IMDB.com]
Sharon Conley enjoyed a small background role (as a computer technician) aboard The Hunger Games (2012). As far as genre appearances go, she's also visited the worlds of Green Lantern (2011), Teen Wolf, and Constantine. Conley was born on this day in 1971. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Zuleikha Robinson had a great guest starring role aboard ABC TV's long-running and popular Lost. She also had a great role on Fox TV's The Lone Gunmen during its single-season existence. Robinson was born on this day in 1977. [Source: IMDB.com]
The hunky Will Kemp sacrificed his shirt for his art, namely his work aboard the cinematic Fantasy that was Van Helsing (2004). Kemp was born on this day in 1977. [Source: IMDB.com]
Bradley Stryker is one of those great character actors who does big things with smaller roles. He's been a part of Angel, Smallville, Fringe, Supernatural, iZombie, and The 100. Stryker was born on this day in 1977. [Source: IMDB.com]
Dreamily sexy singer/songwriter Nicole Scherzinger enjoyed a dreamy cameo-style appearance aboard Columbia Pictures' Men In Black 3. Scherzinger was born on this day in 1978. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Stephanie Lemelin (above right) has left some quality footprints in the realm of genre entertainment. She's been involved with Anonymous Rex (2004), the Aliens: Colonial Marines video game, the Young Justice animated series, and many, many more. Lemelin was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
Alexander Wraith continues to build inroads to the realms of Science Fiction and Fantasy. Thus far, he's been a part of Westworld and Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Wraith was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
The BBC's legendary Sci-Fi time traveler Doctor Who has a tradition of airing a special holiday-themed episode on Christmas Day; and -- for my tastes -- one of its finest adventures played on December 25, 2010. The tale was essentially a Who-flavored retelling of "A Christmas Carol," and one of its stars was the ravishingly lovely Katherine Jenkins who incidentally has the voice of an angel. Jenkins was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
Take some time to peruse the career citations of voice actor Matthew Mercer: to date, he maintains an incredible roster of 300+ different projects. Major kudos for serving as the voice of Luke Skywalker aboard Star Wars: Battlefront II (2017). Mercer was born on this day in 1982. [Source: IMDB.com]
A youngish Christopher Egan joined forces with Milla Jovovich in 2007's Resident Evil: Extinction. Now, the young man can be found as part of the cast on Syfy's Dominion. Egan was born on this day in 1984. [Source: IMDB.com]
While Addison Timlin's star continues to rise, she's really only dabbled in the realm of Fantasy with roles aboard TV's Zero Hour and Fusion Films' Odd Thomas (2013). Timlin was born on this day in 1991. [Source: IMDB.com]
Erm ... is bullying logical? One of the things JJ Abrams' middling reboot of the popular Star Trek franchise proved back in 2009 was that even Vulcan youth can behave a bit like thugs. Young Lorenzo James Henrie (above left) played one of the heavies, and Henrie was born on this day in 1993. (FYI: the talented young actor has also appeared on Fear The Walking Dead and Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. to expand on his talents.) [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1926, the French-language Fantasy At 3:25 (aka Paris Qui Dort) enjoyed its U.S. debut in New York City. Written and directed by René Clair, the feature starred Henri Rollan and Charles Martinelli, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A scientist's invisible ray freezes Paris into immobility."
"A scientist's invisible ray freezes Paris into immobility."
That's right, boys: you go to the moon, then you'd better be wearing your best starched whites! On this day in 1960 (in Mexico), the SciFi film Missile to the Moon enjoyed its release. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Escaped convicts Gary and Lon are caught hiding in a rocket by scientist Dirk Green, who forces them to pilot the ship to the moon. Dirk, who's secretly a moon being, wants to return to his home satellite. Dirk's partner Steve Dayton and his fiancé June stowaway on the ship by accident. Will they all make it back safely?"
"Escaped convicts Gary and Lon are caught hiding in a rocket by scientist Dirk Green, who forces them to pilot the ship to the moon. Dirk, who's secretly a moon being, wants to return to his home satellite. Dirk's partner Steve Dayton and his fiancé June stowaway on the ship by accident. Will they all make it back safely?"
After the success of Star Wars back in 1977, everybody (and I do mean everybody) wanted to go into outer space. Knowing a good thing when he saw it, even legendary British MI-6 Agent James Bond jumped on that bandwagon, and his producers released Moonraker on this day theatrically back in 1979. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the film's plot summary:
"James Bond investigates the mid-air theft of a space shuttle and discovers a plot to commit global genocide."
Moonraker may not go down in the history books as any fan's favorite James Bond film, but it does have a lovely Lois Chiles as Holly Goodhead. Classic Bond-girl name, if you ask me.
"James Bond investigates the mid-air theft of a space shuttle and discovers a plot to commit global genocide."
Moonraker may not go down in the history books as any fan's favorite James Bond film, but it does have a lovely Lois Chiles as Holly Goodhead. Classic Bond-girl name, if you ask me.
On this day in 1981 (in Barcelona), 1966's Star Pilot enjoyed a brief theatrical release. The feature starred Leonora Ruffo and Mario Novelli, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Aliens from the constellation Hydra crash-land on the island of Sardinia. A prominent scientist, his daughter, several young technicians, and a pair of Oriental spies are taken hostage by the beings so they can use them to repair their spaceship's broken engine. With that done, they take off towards their home planet, taking the earthlings with them. However, the humans attempt to mutiny against their captors, inadvertently sending their tiny spaceship hurtling into the infinite beyond..."
"Aliens from the constellation Hydra crash-land on the island of Sardinia. A prominent scientist, his daughter, several young technicians, and a pair of Oriental spies are taken hostage by the beings so they can use them to repair their spaceship's broken engine. With that done, they take off towards their home planet, taking the earthlings with them. However, the humans attempt to mutiny against their captors, inadvertently sending their tiny spaceship hurtling into the infinite beyond..."
On this day in 1984 (in Denmark), 'something stinks in Denmark' when the disappointing SciFi/Fantasy Krull enjoyed its theatrical release. Directed by Peter Yates, the feature starred Ken Marshall and Lysette Anthony, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A prince and a fellowship of companions set out to rescue his bride from a fortress of alien invaders who have arrived on their home planet."
"A prince and a fellowship of companions set out to rescue his bride from a fortress of alien invaders who have arrived on their home planet."
On this day in 1985 (in Japan), Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome enjoyed its theatrical release. The SciFi/Thriller starred Mel Gibson as Max himself, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"After being exiled from the most advanced town in post apocalyptic Australia, a drifter travels with a group of abandoned children to rebel against the town's queen."
"After being exiled from the most advanced town in post apocalyptic Australia, a drifter travels with a group of abandoned children to rebel against the town's queen."
On this day in 1990 (in East Germany), the SciFi/Comedy My Stepmother Is An Alien enjoyed its theatrical release. The feature starred Dan Aykroyd and Kim Basinger, and here’s the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
“An alien is sent on a secret mission to Earth, where she appears as a gorgeous, attractive, and single lady. Her mission is to make contact with a rather nerdy young scientist, who's quite overwhelmed by her attentions, and isn't aware of the connection between her arrival and his work.”
“An alien is sent on a secret mission to Earth, where she appears as a gorgeous, attractive, and single lady. Her mission is to make contact with a rather nerdy young scientist, who's quite overwhelmed by her attentions, and isn't aware of the connection between her arrival and his work.”
On this day in 2011, Michael Bay served up yet another magnum opus for his hungry fans with Transformers: Dark of the Moon unleashed upon the masses. (To be fair, this one did have a bit of a conspiracy plot involving our moon, and I did like that part of the flick.) According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's what sufficed as a plot:
"The Autobots learn of a Cybertronian spacecraft hidden on the moon, and race against the Decepticons to reach it and to learn its secrets."
"The Autobots learn of a Cybertronian spacecraft hidden on the moon, and race against the Decepticons to reach it and to learn its secrets."
On this day in 2015, 1985's The Sea Serpent (finally) enjoyed release on television. The SciFi feature starred Timothy Bottoms and Taryn Power, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A serpent, created by radioactivity, threatens a Spanish coastal town."
"A serpent, created by radioactivity, threatens a Spanish coastal town."
On this day in 2016 (in Turkey), A.R.C.H.I.E. enjoyed its premiere on television. The SciFi/Family feature starred Michael J. Fox and Katharine Isabelle, and here's the premise as provided by Amazon.com:
"Feeling alone and friendless, Isabel Sullivan befriends a stray dog named A.R.C.H.I.E. Though he looks like a normal dog, A.R.C.H.I.E. is actually a talking robotic canine that can run with blinding speed, has super strength, and x-ray vision! They become an unstoppable team as Isabel and A.R.C.H.I.E. try to save their small town, and create an unbreakable bond in the process."
"Feeling alone and friendless, Isabel Sullivan befriends a stray dog named A.R.C.H.I.E. Though he looks like a normal dog, A.R.C.H.I.E. is actually a talking robotic canine that can run with blinding speed, has super strength, and x-ray vision! They become an unstoppable team as Isabel and A.R.C.H.I.E. try to save their small town, and create an unbreakable bond in the process."
"Smile! You're on Candid Camera!" On this day in 2018, Hover enjoyed its U.S. theatrical release. Directed by Matt Osterman, the SciFi feature starred Cleopatra Coleman and Shane Coffey, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Drones are used in agriculture to optimize production and as sentinels. An employee discovers a connection between his job assisting in suicides and his employers' ownership of the drone manufacturing."
"Drones are used in agriculture to optimize production and as sentinels. An employee discovers a connection between his job assisting in suicides and his employers' ownership of the drone manufacturing."
On this day in 2018, Tau enjoyed its wide release via the internet. Directed by Federico D'Alessandro, the SciFi/Thriller starred Maika Monroe and Gary Oldman, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A woman is held captive by a scientist in a futuristic smart house, and hopes to escape by reasoning with the Artificial Intelligence that controls the house."
"A woman is held captive by a scientist in a futuristic smart house, and hopes to escape by reasoning with the Artificial Intelligence that controls the house."
On this day in 2001, Stargate: SG-1 roared out of the gates with an hour for its fifth season called "Enemies." Here's the plot summary, compliments of our friends at IMDB.com:
"Stranded in another galaxy while fleeing their attack on Apophis' fleet, that proves just the beginning of their problems as multiple enemies appear."
"Stranded in another galaxy while fleeing their attack on Apophis' fleet, that proves just the beginning of their problems as multiple enemies appear."
On this day in 2014, Falling Skies aired the second installment of its fourth season. The hour was titled "The Eye," and here's the plot summary from our friends at the Falling Skies Wiki:
"The Espheni reveal their new plan to Tom, and he is faced with an impossible decision. Meanwhile, Weaver and Pope investigate a way out of the Espheni prison, while Matt struggles to hide his true allegiance from the “Team Leaders” at the Espheni Youth Camp. Elsewhere, Anne leads an exhausting search for her daughter Lexi, while Ben’s concerns about Lexi’s increasing powers uncovers a devastating secret she’s been keeping."
"The Espheni reveal their new plan to Tom, and he is faced with an impossible decision. Meanwhile, Weaver and Pope investigate a way out of the Espheni prison, while Matt struggles to hide his true allegiance from the “Team Leaders” at the Espheni Youth Camp. Elsewhere, Anne leads an exhausting search for her daughter Lexi, while Ben’s concerns about Lexi’s increasing powers uncovers a devastating secret she’s been keeping."
On this day in 2017, The Ministry of Time aired "Tiempo de esplendor." This served as the fifth episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Peace Treaty between Philip III and Great Britain is in jeopardy by agents of a sinister time-traveling organization. In the height of the Spanish Golden Age, the trio walks into old faces, bitter rivalries and new enemies."
"The Peace Treaty between Philip III and Great Britain is in jeopardy by agents of a sinister time-traveling organization. In the height of the Spanish Golden Age, the trio walks into old faces, bitter rivalries and new enemies."
On this day in 2017, Zoo aired "No Place Like Home." This served as the first episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Ten years after the animals were cured but at the cost of sterilizing the human population, a new threat rises in the form of "the hybrids," an army of unstoppable lab-made creatures focused on destroying mankind."
"Ten years after the animals were cured but at the cost of sterilizing the human population, a new threat rises in the form of "the hybrids," an army of unstoppable lab-made creatures focused on destroying mankind."
On this day in 1952, The Shadow radio serial aired "The Case Of The Heavenly Body." According to our friends at The Shadow Wiki, it would appear that all of the details regarding this episode have been lost to history. Not even The Shadow knows!
