On this day in 1972, the fourth film in the series -- Conquest of the Planet of the Apes -- premiered theatrically. Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"In a futuristic world that has embraced ape slavery, Caesar, the son of the late simians Cornelius and Zira, surfaces after almost twenty years of hiding out from the authorities, and prepares for a slave revolt against humanity."
"In a futuristic world that has embraced ape slavery, Caesar, the son of the late simians Cornelius and Zira, surfaces after almost twenty years of hiding out from the authorities, and prepares for a slave revolt against humanity."
Nestor Paiva (above right) was one of those background actors hired specifically for his ability to play practically any type of foreigner. Genre fans probably know him best from appearances as 'Lucas' in Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954) and Revenge Of The Creature (1955). Though he's no longer with us, Paiva was born on this day in 1905. [Source: IMDB.com]
Screen curmudgeon Harvey Vernon phoned in his Star Trek: Deep Space Nine via subspace. Go figure. Though he's no longer with us, Vernon was born on this day in 1927. [Source: IMDB.com]
Producer Jeri Taylor was one of the driving creative storytelling forces behind both Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Voyager. Taylor was born on this day in 1938. [Source: IMDB.com]
Star Trek enthusiasts -- mostly male one, methinks -- will debate forever which actresses who guest-starred aboard their beloved franchise is the most memorable, and -- for what it's worth -- Charlene Polite definitely deserves a second look. I think she's often forgotten, mostly as she appeared in the program's heavily-flawed third season and aboard arguably one of the show's lesser entries; but she's definitely easy on the eyes. Though she's no longer with us, Polite was born on this day in 1943. [Source: IMDB.com]
Nicolas Surovy is no slouch when it comes to genre appearances. He's scored roles in such properties as Doctor Franken (1980), The Twilight Zone, 12:01 (1993), The Adventures Of Brisco County Jr., Star Trek: Voyager, SeaQuest 2032, The Visitor, The X-Files, and Angel. Surovy was born on this day in 1944. [Source: IMDB.com]
Actor Vincent D'onofrio was barely recognizable for his part in the original Men In Black (1997). He played Edgar, the homicidal alien who sent all action in motion in the film, but the latter half has his shtick pretty much covered by a CGI creation. And this summer he dipped deeply into SciFi's waters by appearing as the 'heavy' opposite Chris Pratt in Jurassic World (pictured above). D'onofrio was born on this day in 1955. [Source: IMDB.com]
Funnyman David Alan Grier (above left) delivered the necessary laughs (as expected) with his work aboard Jumanji (1995). Grier was born on this day in 1956.
The talented Ilene Chaiken has quality roots in some interesting genre-related projects. As a screenwriter, she penned the story and script for Barb Wire (1996), and -- more recently -- she served as executive producer for Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale. Chaiken was born on this day in 1957. [Source: IMDB.com]
Actress and producer Lisa London hasn't delved into the realm of Science Fiction all that much, but small roles aboard Amazing Stories and Xtro 3: Watch The Skies (1995) do deserve mention. London was born on this day in 1957. [Source: IMDB.com]
Rupert Graves (pictured above far left) made an appearance in an episode of the BBC's signature SciFi series, Doctor Who, alongside Matt Smith and friends in 2012's "Dinosaurs On A Spaceship." Graves was born on this day in 1963.
Director Mark Waters sunk his teeth firmly into Fantasy with his directorial take on The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008). Waters was born on this day in 1964.
Born on this day in 1966, Marton Csokas hails from New Zealand -- the land most folks know as Middle-Earth these days -- and, since 1990, he's built a terrific career in both conventional and voice acting. While he's lent his vocal talents to such projects as Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones and the Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters video game, he's appeared on screen in such properties as Farscape, Aeon Flux, and Cleopatra 2525.
Peter Outerbridge has dabbled in some delicious Sci-Fi properties, including Mission to Mars, The Outer Limits, Millennium, and ReGenesis. Most recently, he can be seen as part of the BBC's pretty stellar Orphan Black and Syfy's The Expanse series. Outerbridge was born on this day in 1966. [Source: IMDB.com]
It's another case of 'You May Not Know His Face, But You've Possibly Heard His Voice'! Actor Brian Bloom has been a part of many genre-related projects as a voice actor, bringing to life characters for various Star Wars video properties and several animated Marvel franchises. Bloom was born on this day in 1970.
Chris Conrad went to the mat to defend life as we know it as part of his role aboard Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997). He's also appeared aboard Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Young Hercules, and Portal (2009). Conrad was born on this day in 1970.
Luscious Kate Luyben has never had any big breakout role in Science Fiction, but she's enjoyed a handful of smaller parts that have helped to give her a presence. She's been seen on The Sentinel, The X-Files, Millennium, Max Q, Harsh Realm, First Wave, and Dark Angel. Luyben was born on this day in 1972.
Early in her career, the fabulous Molly Parker dabbled in Science Fiction and Fantasy with roles aboard such properties as The Outer Limits, Highlander (TV), The Sentinel, and Poltergeist: The Legacy. More recently, she re-entered the world of SciFi in the guise of 'Maureen Robinson' aboard Netflix's reboot of Lost In Space. Parker was born on this day in 1972. [Source: IMDB.com]
Colton Dunn helped defend Earth from an alien menace aboard the YouTube.Com original move Lazer Team (2015) and Lazer Team 2 (2018). Dunn was born on this day in 1977. [Source: IMDB.com]
It may not be much, but it certainly counts: Rick Gonzalez (above left) joined Tom Cruise in facing Steven Spielberg's dreaded War of the Worlds back in 2005. Gonzalez was born on this day in 1979.
Desi Lydic is known for her work in mainstream comedies, and she used her gift for laughs to bring more than a little bit of mirth to William Shatner's Invasion Iowa project back in 2005. Lydic was born on this day in 1981.
Though she dabbled off and on in a handful of fairly conventional television dramas for her first few years, Lizzy Caplan (above left) really hit it big in entertainment when she joined the cast of the modern-day monster movie, Cloverfield, in 2008. Although she's now pretty much centered back in the realm of regular programming, SciFi would definitely love to see more of her. Caplan was born on this day in 1982.
Back in 2013, Ashley Walters (above left) joined Matt Smith in the popular episode of Doctor Who, "Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS." The actor has also appeared in Speed Racer (2008), Outcasts, Sinbad, and The Aliens. Walters was born on this day in 1982. [Source: IMDB.com]
Unlike most critics, I didn't spend much time tripping over myself to praise HBO's Westworld: I found much of its first and second seasons a bit under-programmed, but I did like many of its players ... including the lovely Angela Sarafyan who played the soiled dove 'Clementine Pennyfeather.' Over the course of her time as an 'android,' she discovers that reality is quite complicated. And bloody. Sarafyan was born on this day in 1983. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Julie Engelbrecht enjoyed a little bit of exposure in a very important episode of FX's The Strain from Guillermo del Toro in 2015. Engelbrecht was born on this day in 1984.
Actor and wrestler Cody Runnels has appeared in the greater DC Television Universe aboard The CW's Arrow on a few occasions. Runnels was born on this day in 1985.
Earlier in his career, Sean Marquette had a recurring guest spot aboard USA Network's popular The 4400. Marquette was born on this day in 1988.
Arguably, the original Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory remains one of the greatest Fantasy films of its generation. It was released on this day in 1971, and it starred the legendary Gene Wilder as the central figure, a chocolatier (and more) shrounded in mystery. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Charlie receives a golden ticket to a factory, his sweet tooth wants going into the lushing candy, it turns out there's an adventure in everything."
"Charlie receives a golden ticket to a factory, his sweet tooth wants going into the lushing candy, it turns out there's an adventure in everything."
On this day in 1978 (in Japan), the original SciFi spectacle Star Wars enjoyed its theatrical release. The feature starred Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle-station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the evil Darth Vader."
"Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle-station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the evil Darth Vader."
Good grief. How awful does a film have to be in order to cast Rob Schneider to make it even remotely palatable? That would be very bad. Very bad, indeed. Such was the case with 1995's version of Judge Dredd, starring the incomparable Sylvester Stallone and -- yes, you guessed it -- Rob Schneider. I guess it could've been worse. I just can't imagine how. It first played theatrically on this day in 1995.
On this day in 1998, Watchers Reborn (aka Watchers 4) brought the franchise roaring back to life. This one starred the estimable Mark Hamill, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"An extra-smart dog and detective team up to stop a DNA enhanced killer."
"An extra-smart dog and detective team up to stop a DNA enhanced killer."
On this day in 1999 (in Argentina), Bridge of Dragons enjoyed its home video premiere. The feature starred Dolph Lundgren and Valerie Chow, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The tough and cold mercenary Warchild, is working for the man who took care of his war training and upbringing, the greedy General Ruechang. Ruechang is planning to take over the country by marrying Princess Halo. But Halo discovers that Ruechang killed her father to gain more power than he had working for the King, so she decides to run away. Warchild is the one who has to bring her back to Ruechang, but the one thing no one counted on happens... Warchild and Halo falls in love, and together they take on the forces of Ruechang..."
"The tough and cold mercenary Warchild, is working for the man who took care of his war training and upbringing, the greedy General Ruechang. Ruechang is planning to take over the country by marrying Princess Halo. But Halo discovers that Ruechang killed her father to gain more power than he had working for the King, so she decides to run away. Warchild is the one who has to bring her back to Ruechang, but the one thing no one counted on happens... Warchild and Halo falls in love, and together they take on the forces of Ruechang..."
On this day in 2007 (in the United Kingdom), the SciFi/Animated/Telefilm Doctor Who: The Infinite Quest first aired. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Doctor and Martha Jones trek through space and time in a race against the galaxy's greatest despot, Baltazar, to follow a complex trail of clues to discover the location of the legendary lost spaceship, the Infinite, which, according to myth, can grant anybody their hearts desire."
"The Doctor and Martha Jones trek through space and time in a race against the galaxy's greatest despot, Baltazar, to follow a complex trail of clues to discover the location of the legendary lost spaceship, the Infinite, which, according to myth, can grant anybody their hearts desire."
On this day in 2008, the SciFi/Horror/Telefilm better known as Sea Beast made audiences afraid to go back into the water or even on the dock it would appear. According to IMDB.com, here's the (edited) plot summary:
"The fishing vessel Solita crosses a storm during the night and the Skipper Will McKenna witnesses a weird creature attacking the crewman Joey. They return to the dock and Will has difficulties to pay the amount he owes to the former owner of the boat, Roy. The fish population is reducing in the area and the biologist Arden is investigating the possible causes."
"The fishing vessel Solita crosses a storm during the night and the Skipper Will McKenna witnesses a weird creature attacking the crewman Joey. They return to the dock and Will has difficulties to pay the amount he owes to the former owner of the boat, Roy. The fish population is reducing in the area and the biologist Arden is investigating the possible causes."
On this day in 2009, Transmorphers: Fall of Man enjoyed its release on home video. The feature starred Bruce Boxleitner and Jennifer Rubin, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In this present day prequel, the robot invaders attack the Earth, forcing a small band of humans to seek refuge below the surface of the planet."
"In this present day prequel, the robot invaders attack the Earth, forcing a small band of humans to seek refuge below the surface of the planet."
On this day in 2011 (in Russia), the SciFi feature Target (aka Mishen) opened in theatres. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In 2020, a group of wealthy Muscovites traveling to a complex of abandoned astrophysics, where rumors say they have enough power to stop the aging process."
"In 2020, a group of wealthy Muscovites traveling to a complex of abandoned astrophysics, where rumors say they have enough power to stop the aging process."
On this day in 2012, the SciFi/Telefilm Bigfoot gave cryptozoologists hope for the elusive Sasquatch. It starred Danny Bonaduce and Barry Williams, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"1970's pop culture icons Danny Bonaduce and Barry Williams face off in the hunt for the legendary mountain creature."
"1970's pop culture icons Danny Bonaduce and Barry Williams face off in the hunt for the legendary mountain creature."
On this day in 1951, TV's Space Patrol aired "The Lost City Of The Carnacans." This served as the twenty-seventh episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by Space Patrol: Missions Of Daring In The Days Of Early Television (Kindle version):
"The United Planets Communications Commision receives a message that the underground city of Temphi, capital of the lost civilization of the Carnacans, has been discovered in the Martian Desert. Buzz, always fascinated by Carnacan history, goes exploring with Happy and Carol to learn who or what is transmitting radio messages with a 1,000-year-old transmitter from the ancient city."
"The United Planets Communications Commision receives a message that the underground city of Temphi, capital of the lost civilization of the Carnacans, has been discovered in the Martian Desert. Buzz, always fascinated by Carnacan history, goes exploring with Happy and Carol to learn who or what is transmitting radio messages with a 1,000-year-old transmitter from the ancient city."
On this day in 1962, Out Of The World aired "The Yellow Pill." This served as the second episode in the program's only season of existence, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A strait-jacketed homicidal maniac is brought to see an eminent Psychiatrist. But which of them is actually deluded?"
"A strait-jacketed homicidal maniac is brought to see an eminent Psychiatrist. But which of them is actually deluded?"
On this day in 1992, Mann & Machine aired "Mann's Fate." This served as the sixth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Mann moves in with Eve after a psychotic bomber destroys his home, seeking the person who arrested him."
Showrunners followed up the airing of that installment with a special 2nd episode, this one titled "Truth Or Consequences." According to IMDB.com, here's the premise behind that adventure:
"Eve learns more about humans while guarding a young girl and her mother, who is to testify against her accountant husband's mobster employers."
"Mann moves in with Eve after a psychotic bomber destroys his home, seeking the person who arrested him."
Showrunners followed up the airing of that installment with a special 2nd episode, this one titled "Truth Or Consequences." According to IMDB.com, here's the premise behind that adventure:
"Eve learns more about humans while guarding a young girl and her mother, who is to testify against her accountant husband's mobster employers."
On this in 1999, First Wave aired "The Decision." This served as the twenty-second episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary that's provided via IMDB.com:
"The leaders of the Gua First Wave force are meeting to decide if it is time to begin the Second Wave. They are about to vote for it unanimously when Joshua shows up and tries to persuade them (through the use of flashbacks) that too many of their experiments have gone awry -- partly from their own weaknesses, but mostly because of Subject 117: Cade Foster. He tries to convince them that if there enough humans humans with the same psychological profile as Cade, they could easily band together and could possibly defeat the Gua invasion. To prove his point, he presents as evidence events from past episodes."
"The leaders of the Gua First Wave force are meeting to decide if it is time to begin the Second Wave. They are about to vote for it unanimously when Joshua shows up and tries to persuade them (through the use of flashbacks) that too many of their experiments have gone awry -- partly from their own weaknesses, but mostly because of Subject 117: Cade Foster. He tries to convince them that if there enough humans humans with the same psychological profile as Cade, they could easily band together and could possibly defeat the Gua invasion. To prove his point, he presents as evidence events from past episodes."
On this day in 2000, Stargate: SG-1 kicked off its fourth season with an hour titled "Small Victories." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"SG-1 has to deal with a Replicator infestation on a Russian sub on Earth while Major Carter advises the Asgardians about combating the menace in their space."
"SG-1 has to deal with a Replicator infestation on a Russian sub on Earth while Major Carter advises the Asgardians about combating the menace in their space."
On this day in 2000 (in Australia), the Apocalypse-themed Thunderstone aired the third episode of its third (and final) season. According to our friends at TV.com, here's the plot summary:
"Noah, Arushka and Chip try to escape from E-Delta. Kwan takes responsibility of the animal reserve."
"Noah, Arushka and Chip try to escape from E-Delta. Kwan takes responsibility of the animal reserve."
On this day in 2001, Sherlock Holmes In The 22nd Century aired "The Adventure Of The Mazarin Chip." This served as the eighth episode of the program's second (and final) season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Moriarty and Fenwick steal the Mazarin Chip, a voice activated virtual reality microchip that can create lifelike environments on demand, then kidnap the Prime Minister of England to crash the financial market from his secret hideout."
"Moriarty and Fenwick steal the Mazarin Chip, a voice activated virtual reality microchip that can create lifelike environments on demand, then kidnap the Prime Minister of England to crash the financial market from his secret hideout."
It all came down to this: on this day in 2007, TV's Dinosapien went extinct (as it were) with the airing of "The Thunderbird." Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Dr. Aikens wants to use Eno as bait to destroy the dinosaurs as they emerge from their caves in the Badlands. Lauren is able to locate Eno with Nelson and Danielle's help. Undeterred, Dr. Aikens continues to stuff dynamite into the caves, but the Diggers arrive and chase him off. When a bolt of lightning strikes, the Thunderbird myth Ten Bears had foretold becomes a reality. Will this make Lauren and Eno's dreams come true?"
"Dr. Aikens wants to use Eno as bait to destroy the dinosaurs as they emerge from their caves in the Badlands. Lauren is able to locate Eno with Nelson and Danielle's help. Undeterred, Dr. Aikens continues to stuff dynamite into the caves, but the Diggers arrive and chase him off. When a bolt of lightning strikes, the Thunderbird myth Ten Bears had foretold becomes a reality. Will this make Lauren and Eno's dreams come true?"
On this day in 2007 (in the United Kingdom), Doctor Who aired "Last Of The Time Lords." This served as the thirteenth episode in the re-launched program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"It's been a year since The Master unleashed the mysterious Toclafane onto Earth. With the human race and The Doctor enslaved under The Master's control, Martha Jones is the only person that can help stop the evil Time Lord."
"It's been a year since The Master unleashed the mysterious Toclafane onto Earth. With the human race and The Doctor enslaved under The Master's control, Martha Jones is the only person that can help stop the evil Time Lord."
On this day in 2007, the remastered version of Star Trek's "The Omega Glory" aired in TV syndication. (FYI: the episode's original airing was in 1968.) According to IMDB.com, here's the premise:
"Responding to a distress signal, Kirk finds Captain Tracey of the U.S.S. Exeter violating the prime directive and interfering with a war between the Yangs and the Kohms to find the secret of their longevity."
"Responding to a distress signal, Kirk finds Captain Tracey of the U.S.S. Exeter violating the prime directive and interfering with a war between the Yangs and the Kohms to find the secret of their longevity."
So far as this viewer is concerned, one of the very best episodes in all of TNT's Falling Skies alien invasion drama aired on this day in 2013 when the long-simmering feud between Tom Mason and Pope came to a head in an hour called "Search and Recover." Two great performances brought the story to life, and here's what IMDB.com had to say about it:
"When a mission goes terribly awry, Tom and Pope must rely on each other to survive. Meanwhile, Weaver and company search desperately for two members of the 2nd Mass who have gone missing."
Tip to sci-fi writers: sometimes conflict works best when you hang up all of the dangling mythology and give two good actors something to play off of ... like this hour.
"When a mission goes terribly awry, Tom and Pope must rely on each other to survive. Meanwhile, Weaver and company search desperately for two members of the 2nd Mass who have gone missing."
Tip to sci-fi writers: sometimes conflict works best when you hang up all of the dangling mythology and give two good actors something to play off of ... like this hour.
On this day in 2014, CBS's adaptation of Stephen King's Under The Dome launched into its second season with the airing of "Heads Will Roll." According to IMDB.com, here's the premise:
"As Barbie's fate lies in Big Jim's hands, the dome presents a new threat when it becomes magnetized. Meanwhile, Julia seeks out the help of a stranger to save the life of a mysterious girl."
"As Barbie's fate lies in Big Jim's hands, the dome presents a new threat when it becomes magnetized. Meanwhile, Julia seeks out the help of a stranger to save the life of a mysterious girl."
On this day in 2015, Stitchers aired "Stitcher in the Rye." This served as the fifth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"When the algorithm for the Stitchers program turns up among thousands of classified documents hidden by a conspiracy theorist, Kirsten starts to suspect her colleagues. Meanwhile, Kirsten starts getting cryptic messages from an unexpected source."
"When the algorithm for the Stitchers program turns up among thousands of classified documents hidden by a conspiracy theorist, Kirsten starts to suspect her colleagues. Meanwhile, Kirsten starts getting cryptic messages from an unexpected source."
On this day in 2015, Zoo aired "First Blood." This served as the pilot episode of the SciFi program, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Jackson Oz finds a link between his late father's theories and mysterious animal attacks."
"Jackson Oz finds a link between his late father's theories and mysterious animal attacks."
On this day in 2017, Syfy's Killjoys launched into its third season with the airing of "Boondoggie." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Dutch and D'avin, with the help of an obnoxious black market dealer, are on the hunt for a weapon that will draw out the Hullen; Johnny receives an SOS from Clara, leading him into the underground world of Hackmods."
"Dutch and D'avin, with the help of an obnoxious black market dealer, are on the hunt for a weapon that will draw out the Hullen; Johnny receives an SOS from Clara, leading him into the underground world of Hackmods."
On this day in 2015, Harper Design released The Scientific Secrets of Doctor Who. According to our friends at Amazon.com, here's the book's premise:
"The Scientific Secrets of Doctor Who is a mind-bending blend of story and science that will help you see Doctor Who in a whole new light, weaving together a series of all-new adventures, featuring every incarnation of the Doctor. With commentary that explores the possibilities of time travel, life on other planets, artificial intelligence, parallel universes and more, Simon Guerrier and Dr. Marek Kukula show how Doctor Who uses science to inform its unique style of storytelling—and just how close it has often come to predicting future scientific discoveries."
"The Scientific Secrets of Doctor Who is a mind-bending blend of story and science that will help you see Doctor Who in a whole new light, weaving together a series of all-new adventures, featuring every incarnation of the Doctor. With commentary that explores the possibilities of time travel, life on other planets, artificial intelligence, parallel universes and more, Simon Guerrier and Dr. Marek Kukula show how Doctor Who uses science to inform its unique style of storytelling—and just how close it has often come to predicting future scientific discoveries."
