On this day in 1949, author George Orwell's prophetic 1984 was first printed (in London), quickly becoming one of the definitive works exploring Dystopian themes in the world of tomorrow. According to Wikipedia.org, the novel was largely well-received, though several readers and critics found much of the work depressing. Still, the novel has gone on to be regarded as having culturally impacted our planet worldwide with ideas of "Big Brother" and "Thought Crimes" being universally embraced by those feeling oppressed by their respective governments.
I hadn't even heard of Robert F. Young -- nor am I familiar with his work -- until I started doing research for my daily column here at SciFiHistory.Net, but I immediately went over to Amazon after learning about his efforts to earmark a book for purchase. It appears that the majority of it was short stories -- indeed, Wikipedia mentions a wealth of available tales -- and the comparison to Ray Bradbury's style definitely caught my interest. Though he's no longer with us, Young was born on this day in 1915.
[Source: Wikipedia.org]
[Source: Wikipedia.org]
Many Star Wars fans don't know this, but long before the George Lucas space saga there was another 'Commando Cody,' and he was played by none other than George Wallace aboard the seminal Radar Men From The Moon (1952). The late actor leaves behind a vast resume of well over two hundred different screen credits, including work aboard Forbidden Planet (1956), The Six Million Dollar Man, Planet Of The Apes, The Bionic Woman, Monsters, Bicentennial Man (1999), The X-Files, and Minority Report (2002). Though he's no longer with us, Wallace was born on this day in 1917.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The late Robert Preston was best known in Hollywood as being part of the big movie musical, but SciFi/Fantasy fans got the chance to see him in his very last silver screen appearance as 'Centauri' in 1984's The Last Starfighter. (Incidentally, he enjoyed a nomination for 'Best Supporting Actor' for this role from the 1985 Saturn Awards.) Though he's no longer with us, Preston was born on this day in 1918.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Funnyman Jerry Stiller didn't do much genre work, but he did leave fans a few appearances worthy of note: Time Express, Tales From The Darkside, and Monsters definitely come to mind. Though he's no longer with us, Stiller was born on this day in 1927.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Having published her first story in 1956, veteran SciFi scribe Kate Wilhelm has been weaving rich tales before most of us were born. Due to her profound work, she's been inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame; she's been awarded the Solstice Award from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America; and she's one a handful of Nebula Awards over the years. If you're not familiar with her work, then get cracking, bubb. Though she's no longer with us, Wilhelm was born on this day in 1928.
[Source: Wikipedia.org]
[Source: Wikipedia.org]
That fetching passenger is none other than Dana Wynter from the SciFi classic, Invasion of the Body Snatchers. She also turned in guest-starring performances aboard The Invaders and The Questor Tapes. Though she's no longer with us, Wynter was born on this day in 1931.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Legendary funny lady Joan Rivers gave voice to the character of 'Dot Matrix' aboard Mel Brooks Science Fiction spoof Spaceballs (1987) for Brooksfilms and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Interestingly enough, she returned to the character in 2008 when she agreed to voice the animated version of it for the short-lived Spaceballs: The Animated Series. A quick look at her acting credits on IMDB.com shows that she was, largely, famous for playing herself in movies and telefilms, and that's probably because there was only one Joan Rivers! Though she's no longer with us, Rivers was born on this day in 1933.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Legendary crooner James Darren made quite an entrance to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, appearing as the holographic Vic Fontaine. He made frequent guest appearances over the next few years, and he's even become smitten with the Trek convention circuit. Happy Birthday, Mr. Darren! As far as SciFi goes, he'd previously enjoyed leading status aboard Irwin Allen's The Time Tunnel. Though he's no longer with us, Darren was born on this day in 1936.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Bernie Casey has only sparingly crossed over into the world of science fiction, but he had a great role as part of a Star Trek: Deep Space Nine two-parter entitled "The Maquis." (FYI: I my humble opinion, it's one of Trek's best two-parters -- dealing with the concepts of loyalty and betrayal in several unique ways -- but it never gets the love the other 'big concept' ones get.) He's also had the chance to appear on Babylon 5, SeaQuest 2032, and Time Trax. Though he's no longer with us, Casey was born on this day in 1939.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Early episodes of any television show can be a bit muddled, and early episodes of a Science Fiction show can be even more so due to themes, cultures, etc., all getting established. That said, Star Trek: The Next Generation's "Code Of Honor" gets maligned for being overly simple, but I thought (even with its flaws) it captured the spirit of the original Trek quite nicely. (Who knows? Maybe that was the problem: this was supposed to be 'the next generation,' and here we were with an episode that felt 20 years old?) In it, Jessie Lawrence Ferguson plays a planetary leader who gets smitten with Tasha Yar. (And who can blame him for that?!) Though he's no longer with us, Ferguson was born on this day in 1941.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
According to Wikipedia, (Henry) Peter Grimwade worked for the BBC as a production assistant, writer, and (eventually) director on its much revered and long-running SciFi program Doctor Who. Though he's no longer with us, Grimwade was born on this day in 1942.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
He's one of the few ... the proud ... the Who! No, not the band. He's one of the few men in the history of the Doctor Who franchise to play the Timelord himself! Colin Baker's run as the Doctor lasted from 1983-1986, and, while his turn on the signature alien from Gallifrey might not be as memorable to some, he certainly brought his own dramatic sensibilities to the role. Baker was born on this day in 1943.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
One of the smartest, slickest shows to emerge from the whole debacle that was the UPN Network was the time-travel adventure Seven Days, and he -- in the guise of Dr. Bradley Talmadge -- was tasked with running it. Actor Alan Scarfe (right, on the end) has made appearances in such programs as Babylon 5, Andromeda, Stargate: Atlantis, and Star Trek: The Next Generation. Scarfe was born on this day in 1946.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Screen veteran Kathy Baker played a small but critical role in the success of USA Network's Colony before her character met a grisly fate. Baker was born on this day in 1950.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
In 1995's The Android Affair, Griffin Dunne plays the artificial life form who has never undergone a memory wipe, and his love for life inspires the scientist tasked with 'updating' him. Dunne was born on this day in 1955.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
In the Marvel Universe of films, veteran character actor Frank Grillo plays Brock Rumlow, better known as 'Crossbones' to those familiar with the pantheon of comic book creations. He was a part of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and IMDB.com shows him as part of the cast for Captain America: Civil War. Grillo was born on this day in 1963.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Jefferson Mays has been stealing scenes as a character actor in an awful lot of mainstream fare. Genre fans might recognize him for his brief appearance aboard HBO's curious Westworld reboot during its run. Mays was born on this day in 1965.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The uber-talented and always-luminous Julianna Margulies joined Peter Krause in exploring The Lost Room (2006), a TV miniseries about a mysterious room that served as a portal to another dimension. Margulies was born on this day in 1966.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Meh, I do watch a lot of TV (not all of it SciFi, mind you), and (OMG!) I absolutely fell in love with Kelli Williams on Fox TV's all-too-short-lived and under-appreciated Lie To Me, a weekly procedural focused on scientists dealing with body language. Williams was a squeaky-clean regular, and imagine my surprise when I recalled she was one of the grubbiest guest stars on the cult SciFi series, Earth 2, back in the mid-1990's. The actress also had a guest role aboard the popular Quantum Leap. Williams was born on this day in 1970 ... and I still think she cleans up nicely!
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
I hate for this to sound as sexist as it probably will, but -- so far as I care -- the only reason to tune in regularly and watch Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda was for Lexa Doig. For starters, she's hotter than blazes, but her character -- a sentient hologram built into the ship's mainframe -- was the only one really all that interesting over the long haul. And with heart. (No insult intended to the show's other stellar players.) Doig's definitely found a home in SciFi, and she's also worked in The 4400, Stargate: SG-1, Eureka, V, and Continuum. Doig was born on this day in 1973.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The multi-talented Torrey DeVitto manages to keep an awful lot of irons in the fire, as they say, though her genre credentials might appear a bit light to some. Still, kudos to the actress for making time to visit such properties as I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006), Killer Movie (2008), The Rite (2011), The Vampire Diaries, and Rip In Time (2022). DeVitto was born on this day in 1984.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1951 (in Australia), Destination Moon landed in Earth theaters. The SciFi feature starred John Archer and Tom Powers, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After their latest rocket fails, Dr. Charles Cargraves and retired General Thayer have to start over again. This time, Gen. Thayer approaches Jim Barnes, the head of his own aviation construction firms to help build a rocket that will take them to the moon. Together they gather the captains of industry and all pledge to support the goals of having the United States be the first to put a man on the moon. They build their rocket and successfully leave the Earth's gravitational pull and make the landing as scheduled. Barnes has miscalculated their fuel consumption however and after stripping the ship bare, they are still 100 lbs too heavy meaning that one of them will have to stay behind."
For the record:
At the 1951 Academy Awards, Destination Moon was nominated for the Oscar in the category of 'Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Color' but missed out on taking the statue home; it did, however, take home the gold in the category of 'Best Effects, Special Effects.' For the 1951 Hugo Awards, the film took home top honors in the category of 'Best Dramatic Presentation.'
"After their latest rocket fails, Dr. Charles Cargraves and retired General Thayer have to start over again. This time, Gen. Thayer approaches Jim Barnes, the head of his own aviation construction firms to help build a rocket that will take them to the moon. Together they gather the captains of industry and all pledge to support the goals of having the United States be the first to put a man on the moon. They build their rocket and successfully leave the Earth's gravitational pull and make the landing as scheduled. Barnes has miscalculated their fuel consumption however and after stripping the ship bare, they are still 100 lbs too heavy meaning that one of them will have to stay behind."
For the record:
At the 1951 Academy Awards, Destination Moon was nominated for the Oscar in the category of 'Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Color' but missed out on taking the statue home; it did, however, take home the gold in the category of 'Best Effects, Special Effects.' For the 1951 Hugo Awards, the film took home top honors in the category of 'Best Dramatic Presentation.'
On this day in 1951 (in Canada), The Thing From Another World made its presence known ... in theaters! According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Scientists and American Air Force officials fend off a bloodthirsty alien organism while at a remote arctic outpost."
For the record:
The Thing From Another World was inducted into the U.S.'s National Film Registry in 2001 so that its greatness can be preserved for the ages, and that's certainly no small feat for a Science Fiction release of the era. The story was adapted in 1982 by Horror expert John Carpenter (with Kurt Russell in the lead), and his version perhaps maintains greater popularity than the original.
"Scientists and American Air Force officials fend off a bloodthirsty alien organism while at a remote arctic outpost."
For the record:
The Thing From Another World was inducted into the U.S.'s National Film Registry in 2001 so that its greatness can be preserved for the ages, and that's certainly no small feat for a Science Fiction release of the era. The story was adapted in 1982 by Horror expert John Carpenter (with Kurt Russell in the lead), and his version perhaps maintains greater popularity than the original.
On this day in 1962 (in Finland), the original (yet mythical) man of steel went into a land of chaos with the release of Hercules In The Haunted World. Written (in part) and directed by Mario Bava, the Fantasy feature starred Reg Park, Christopher Lee, and Leonora Ruffo. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Hercules must journey into Hades itself to retrieve the magic stone that will free his love from the powers of darkness."
"Hercules must journey into Hades itself to retrieve the magic stone that will free his love from the powers of darkness."
On this day in 1973 (in West Germany), They Came From Beyond Space enjoyed its debut on broadcast television. Screenwriter Milton Subotsky adapted the novel by Joseph Millard ("The Gods Hate Kansas"), and the motion picture was directed by Freddie Francis. It starred Robert Hutton, Jennifer Jayne, and Zia Mohyeddin. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Scientists investigating an unusual meteor shower in a rural field are possessed by an alien force bent on an ulterior purpose."
"Scientists investigating an unusual meteor shower in a rural field are possessed by an alien force bent on an ulterior purpose."
On this day in 1978 (in Colombia), the doors were finally opened on ... the Mansion Of The Doomed! Directed by Michael Pataki, the Horror/Thriller starred Richard Basehart, Gloria Grahame, and Trish Stewart. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A mad scientist fills his basement dungeon with victims in an insane attempt to restore his daughter's eyesight."
"A mad scientist fills his basement dungeon with victims in an insane attempt to restore his daughter's eyesight."
On this day in 1979 (in Denmark), it looks like characters were on the march with the silver screen release of Starcrash. Written (in part) and directed by Luigi Cozzi, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Caroline Munro, Christopher Plummer, and Marjoe Gortner; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An outlaw smuggler and her alien companion are recruited by the Emperor of the Galaxy to rescue his son and destroy a secret weapon by the evil Count Zarth Arn."
For the record:
At the 1980 Saturn Awards sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films, Starcrash received a nomination in the category of 'Best Foreign Film.'
"An outlaw smuggler and her alien companion are recruited by the Emperor of the Galaxy to rescue his son and destroy a secret weapon by the evil Count Zarth Arn."
For the record:
At the 1980 Saturn Awards sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films, Starcrash received a nomination in the category of 'Best Foreign Film.'
Who ya gonna call? On this day in 1984 (in the U.S. and Canada), Ghostbusters stirred up some laughs by way of wild cinematic Fantasy. Directed by Ivan Reitman, the motion picture starred Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, and Dan Aykroyd, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Three former parapsychology professors set up shop as a unique ghost removal service."
For the record:
The original Ghostbusters remains a powerful film in the entertainment industry. The film received two Academy Award nominations, one for 'Best Special Effects' and 'Best Original Song.' It won the 1985 Saturn Award for 'Best Picture.' It was a nominee for the 1985 Hugo Award for 'Best Dramatic Presentation.' In 2015, it was added to the National Film Registry which preserves features deemed to be culturally and historically relevant. So I ask you again: who you gonna call?
"Three former parapsychology professors set up shop as a unique ghost removal service."
For the record:
The original Ghostbusters remains a powerful film in the entertainment industry. The film received two Academy Award nominations, one for 'Best Special Effects' and 'Best Original Song.' It won the 1985 Saturn Award for 'Best Picture.' It was a nominee for the 1985 Hugo Award for 'Best Dramatic Presentation.' In 2015, it was added to the National Film Registry which preserves features deemed to be culturally and historically relevant. So I ask you again: who you gonna call?
Bright light! Bright light! On this day in 1984, Gremlins enjoyed its first theatrical engagement ever in the United States. Directed by Joe Dante, the Fantasy/Comedy starred Zach Galligan and Phoebe Cates, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A boy inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town."
For the record:
Gremlins went over fabulously with the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films. It scored a total of nine nominations across various technical and acting categories, bringing home the trophies in the categories of 'Best Special Effects,' 'Best Supporting Actress,' 'Best Music,' 'Best Director,' and 'Best Horror Film.'
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2023, I had the good fortune of watching Gremlins again on the silver screen at a limited engagement holiday screening. Interested in my thoughts on the flick? Readers can find my review right here.
"A boy inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town."
For the record:
Gremlins went over fabulously with the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films. It scored a total of nine nominations across various technical and acting categories, bringing home the trophies in the categories of 'Best Special Effects,' 'Best Supporting Actress,' 'Best Music,' 'Best Director,' and 'Best Horror Film.'
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2023, I had the good fortune of watching Gremlins again on the silver screen at a limited engagement holiday screening. Interested in my thoughts on the flick? Readers can find my review right here.
On this day in 1987 (in Italy), From Beyond enjoyed a screening for audiences in attendance of the Fantafestival. Stuart Gordon directed this adaptation of an H.P. Lovecraft short story, and the SciFi/Horror starred Jeffrey Combs, Barbara Crampton, and Ted Sorel. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A group of scientists have developed the Resonator, a machine which allows whoever is within range to see beyond normal perceptible reality. But when the experiment succeeds, they are immediately attacked by terrible life forms."
For the record:
In 1987, From Beyond received Saturn Award nominations from the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films in the categories of 'Best Make-Up,' 'Best Actress,' and 'Best Horror Film.'
"A group of scientists have developed the Resonator, a machine which allows whoever is within range to see beyond normal perceptible reality. But when the experiment succeeds, they are immediately attacked by terrible life forms."
For the record:
In 1987, From Beyond received Saturn Award nominations from the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films in the categories of 'Best Make-Up,' 'Best Actress,' and 'Best Horror Film.'
Whuuuut? Star Trek's Walter Koenig and fan favorite Bruce Campbell actually made a movie together? They sure did, kids. Back in 1989 -- when studios would churn out flicks they were afraid would get trashed in U.S. theatres -- it wasn't uncommon for distributors to dump these cheaply made films into the foreign market, and Moontrap appeared on this day back then in West Germany. I know I've seen this one, but I honestly don't remember it. Here's the plot summary from our friends over at IMDB.com:
"During a routine flight, two veteran space shuttle pilots discover an alien artifact and bring it back to earth. It soon turns out to be an extraterristial war robot, which is able to recycle any biological or technical material for its own deadly use. The two astronauts are sent to the moon where Nasa expects to uncover the mystery of the alien robot's origin. They discover an ancient humanoid culture and battle the ultimate threat of the war machines heading earth."
"During a routine flight, two veteran space shuttle pilots discover an alien artifact and bring it back to earth. It soon turns out to be an extraterristial war robot, which is able to recycle any biological or technical material for its own deadly use. The two astronauts are sent to the moon where Nasa expects to uncover the mystery of the alien robot's origin. They discover an ancient humanoid culture and battle the ultimate threat of the war machines heading earth."
On this day in 1990 (in Brazil), Tremors dug itself from deep within Earth's surface to make its debut on the big screen. Directed by Ron Underwood, the SciFi/Comedy starred Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, and Finn Carter; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Natives of a small isolated town defend themselves against strange underground creatures which are killing them one by one."
For the record:
While it didn't win any of the coveted statues, Tremors enjoyed an incredible four nominations ('Best Special Effects,' 2 'Best Supporting Actress' noms, and 'Best Science Fiction Film') from the 1991 Saturn Awards. Also, I had to good fortune of reviewing Arrow Video's 30th anniversary 4K restoration of Tremors in 2020. Those interested in my thoughts can check them out right here.
"Natives of a small isolated town defend themselves against strange underground creatures which are killing them one by one."
For the record:
While it didn't win any of the coveted statues, Tremors enjoyed an incredible four nominations ('Best Special Effects,' 2 'Best Supporting Actress' noms, and 'Best Science Fiction Film') from the 1991 Saturn Awards. Also, I had to good fortune of reviewing Arrow Video's 30th anniversary 4K restoration of Tremors in 2020. Those interested in my thoughts can check them out right here.
A star is born! On this day in 1991 (in Japan), audiences were treated to the return of a Fantasy hero with the release of Beastmaster 2: Through The Portal Of Time. Directed by Sylvio Tabet, the Fantasy/Adventure starred Marc Singer, Kari Wuhrer, and Sarah Douglas. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Dar is a warrior who can talk to the beasts. He is forced to travel to Earth to stop his evil brother from stealing an atomic bomb and turning their native land from a desert into, well - a desert."
"Dar is a warrior who can talk to the beasts. He is forced to travel to Earth to stop his evil brother from stealing an atomic bomb and turning their native land from a desert into, well - a desert."
A star is born! On this day in 1996 (in the U.S.), Within The Rock enjoyed its broadcast premiere on television. Written and directed by Gary J. Tunnicliffe, the SciFi/Horror starred Xander Berkeley, Caroline Barclay, and Bradford Tatum. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A team of space miners sent to stop a moon's collision course with the earth discover a hibernating creature that soon revives and starts slaughtering them."
For the record:
Along with some positive praise earned on the film festival circuit, Within The Rock enjoyed a 1997 Saturn Award nomination in the category of 'Best Home Video Release.'
"A team of space miners sent to stop a moon's collision course with the earth discover a hibernating creature that soon revives and starts slaughtering them."
For the record:
Along with some positive praise earned on the film festival circuit, Within The Rock enjoyed a 1997 Saturn Award nomination in the category of 'Best Home Video Release.'
Think what you will, but I've always believed that good sci-fi comedies are a tough sell. I don't say this because of the subject matter; rather, I think you have to have the perfect cast with just the right chemistry to pull it off. One of the biggest disappointments for a talented cast to fail to live up to its potential was Orlando Jones, David Duchovny, Seann William Scott, and Julianne Moore in Evolution, which premiered theatrically on this day back in 2001. It just didn't quite work for me. You? Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A fire-fighting cadet, two college professors, and a geeky but sexy government scientist work against an alien organism that has been rapidly evolving since its arrival on Earth inside a meteor."
For the record:
In 2001, the Golden Schmoes nominated Evolution in the category of 'Best SciFi Movie Of The Year.' Alas, it didn't win.
"A fire-fighting cadet, two college professors, and a geeky but sexy government scientist work against an alien organism that has been rapidly evolving since its arrival on Earth inside a meteor."
For the record:
In 2001, the Golden Schmoes nominated Evolution in the category of 'Best SciFi Movie Of The Year.' Alas, it didn't win.
A star is born! On this day in 2004 (in the U.S.), Countess Dracula's Orgy Of Blood tried to draw life out of the home video market. Written and directed by Donald F. Glut, the Fantasy/Horror starred Paul Naschy, Glori-Anne Gilbert, and Arthur Roberts. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Horror legend Paul Naschy (Dracula's Great Love) stars in his first American film, a chilling and seductive saga of rampant bloodlust. Over a century ago, vampiric Lord Ruthven and his sister Diana stalked the same prey, lovely Roxanne Dumas. Now they're back to pursue the reincarnation of their lost love, with only one priest able to stop them from fulfilling their unholy desires! Featuring genre favorites Arthur Roberts (Not of This Earth) and TV horror host Count Gore De Vol Special effects by John Carl Buechler (Carnosaur, Friday the 13th Part IV: The New Blood). Goth music from Willow Wisp and Lucan Wolf."
"Horror legend Paul Naschy (Dracula's Great Love) stars in his first American film, a chilling and seductive saga of rampant bloodlust. Over a century ago, vampiric Lord Ruthven and his sister Diana stalked the same prey, lovely Roxanne Dumas. Now they're back to pursue the reincarnation of their lost love, with only one priest able to stop them from fulfilling their unholy desires! Featuring genre favorites Arthur Roberts (Not of This Earth) and TV horror host Count Gore De Vol Special effects by John Carl Buechler (Carnosaur, Friday the 13th Part IV: The New Blood). Goth music from Willow Wisp and Lucan Wolf."
A star is born ... and this one's got teeth! On this day in 2004 (in the U.S.), Tomb Of The Werewolf was opened up on home video. Written and directed by Fred Olen Ray, the Fantasy/Horror starred Paul Naschy, John Henry Richardson, and Michelle Bauer. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Pre-credit opening sequence consists of Countess Erzabeth Bathory, making a pact with the devil in exchange for eternal youth & beauty from sacrificing young, nubile virgin women. After credits flashes to modern times, as a reality show TV crew visits Castle Daninsky, in search of hidden treasure hidden with the castle dungeons. Instead, they discover THE TOMB OF THE WEREWOLF, unleashing the cursed servant of the Countess, centuries later for all those in cable television land to see!"
"Pre-credit opening sequence consists of Countess Erzabeth Bathory, making a pact with the devil in exchange for eternal youth & beauty from sacrificing young, nubile virgin women. After credits flashes to modern times, as a reality show TV crew visits Castle Daninsky, in search of hidden treasure hidden with the castle dungeons. Instead, they discover THE TOMB OF THE WEREWOLF, unleashing the cursed servant of the Countess, centuries later for all those in cable television land to see!"
On this day in 2004 (in Italy), the home video market celebrated the release of Tremors 4: The Legend Begins. Written (in part) and directed by S.S. Wilson, the SciFi/Comedy starred Michael Gross, Sara Botsford, and Billy Drago; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A prequel to Tremors (1990), this movie tells us about how the town of Perfection, Nevada became founded and how they defended it against the Graboids with the help of Burt Gummer's ancestor, Hiram."
For the record:
In 2005, the DVD Exclusive Awards recognized Tremors 4: The Legend Begins with an incredible seven nominations -- alas, no trophies -- in the categories of 'Best Visual Effects (in a DVD Premiere Movie),' 'Best Editing (of a DVD Premiere Movie),' 'Best Cinematography (in a DVD Premiere Movie),' 'Best Supporting Actor (in a DVD Premiere Movie),' 'Best Actor (in a DVD Premiere Movie),' 'Best Live-Action DVD Premiere Movie,' and 'Best Actress (in a DVD Premiere Movie).'
"A prequel to Tremors (1990), this movie tells us about how the town of Perfection, Nevada became founded and how they defended it against the Graboids with the help of Burt Gummer's ancestor, Hiram."
For the record:
In 2005, the DVD Exclusive Awards recognized Tremors 4: The Legend Begins with an incredible seven nominations -- alas, no trophies -- in the categories of 'Best Visual Effects (in a DVD Premiere Movie),' 'Best Editing (of a DVD Premiere Movie),' 'Best Cinematography (in a DVD Premiere Movie),' 'Best Supporting Actor (in a DVD Premiere Movie),' 'Best Actor (in a DVD Premiere Movie),' 'Best Live-Action DVD Premiere Movie,' and 'Best Actress (in a DVD Premiere Movie).'
On this day in 2006 (in Australia), the 1998-produced SciFi/Telefilm Target Earth found an all-new audience in the land down under. Directed by Peter Markle, the feature starred Marcia Cross and Christopher Meloni, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A young girl returns home after being abducted - and that's pretty much the story! This flick is filled with all sorts of sci-fi surprises - big implants, an FBI investigation and a possible alien part. The aliens want to take over Earth by activating hidden technology inside breast implants at a particular time in a coordinated attack, using guided sonar sound to give the population mass constipation so nobody can resist the invasion. But there's a catch. Some people are deaf."
"A young girl returns home after being abducted - and that's pretty much the story! This flick is filled with all sorts of sci-fi surprises - big implants, an FBI investigation and a possible alien part. The aliens want to take over Earth by activating hidden technology inside breast implants at a particular time in a coordinated attack, using guided sonar sound to give the population mass constipation so nobody can resist the invasion. But there's a catch. Some people are deaf."
A star is born! On this day in 2007, Trail Of The Screaming Forehead played for audiences in attendance of the Seattle International Film Festival. Written and directed by Larry Blamire, the SciFi/Comedy starred Daniel Roebuck and Fay Masterson, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A small town infestation of crawling alien foreheads that begin attaching to people and taking them over collides with a scientist's experiments to extract foreheadazine and things go horribly horribly wrong."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Trail Of The Screaming Forehead took home the 'Best Horror Film Of The Year' honors from the 2007 Action On Film International Film Festival.
"A small town infestation of crawling alien foreheads that begin attaching to people and taking them over collides with a scientist's experiments to extract foreheadazine and things go horribly horribly wrong."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Trail Of The Screaming Forehead took home the 'Best Horror Film Of The Year' honors from the 2007 Action On Film International Film Festival.
On this day in 2012 (in Germany), Abelar: Tales Of An Ancient Empire enjoyed its release on home video. Directed by Albert Pyun, the Fantasy feature starred Inbar Lavi and Kevin Sorbo, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A princess is on a quest to unite the five greatest warriors to save her kingdom from a demon sorceress."
"A princess is on a quest to unite the five greatest warriors to save her kingdom from a demon sorceress."
On this day in 2012 (in Canada, Estonia, Egypt, and several more countries around the world), famed director Ridley Scott took audiences back to the universe he created with Alien by way of a vastly different creation called Prometheus. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Following clues to the origin of mankind a team journey across the universe and find a structure on a distant planet containing a monolithic statue of a humanoid head and stone cylinders of alien blood but they soon find they are not alone."
For the record:
While set in the Alien universe of films, Prometheus really deals with a different set of obstacles, much of which is tied a bit more to the backdrop of the human race. Besides a wealth of praise from the film festival circuit, the feature enjoyed a pair of Saturn Award nominations (no wins), 'Best Supporting Actor' and 'Best Science Fiction Film.' At the 2013 Academy Awards, it was nomination (no win) in the category of 'Best Achievement In Visual Effects.'
"Following clues to the origin of mankind a team journey across the universe and find a structure on a distant planet containing a monolithic statue of a humanoid head and stone cylinders of alien blood but they soon find they are not alone."
For the record:
While set in the Alien universe of films, Prometheus really deals with a different set of obstacles, much of which is tied a bit more to the backdrop of the human race. Besides a wealth of praise from the film festival circuit, the feature enjoyed a pair of Saturn Award nominations (no wins), 'Best Supporting Actor' and 'Best Science Fiction Film.' At the 2013 Academy Awards, it was nomination (no win) in the category of 'Best Achievement In Visual Effects.'
On this day in 2017 (in the U.S.), the 1920-produced Paramount Pictures version of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde played for audiences in attendance of the Seattle International Film Festival. Directed by John S. Robertson, the SciFi/Horror starred John Barrymore and Martha Mansfield, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Doctor Henry Jekyll's enthusiasm for science and his selfless acts of service have made him a much-admired man. But as he visits Sir George Carew one evening, his host criticizes him for his reluctance to experience the more sensual side of life. Sir George goads Jekyll into visiting a music hall, where he watches the alluring dancer Gina. Jekyll becomes fascinated with the two contrasting sides of human nature, and he becomes obsessed with the idea of separating them. After extensive work in his laboratory, he devises a formula that does indeed allow him to alternate between two completely different personalities, his own and that of a brutish, lascivious person whom he names Hyde. It is not long before the personality of Hyde begins to dominate Jekyll's affairs."
"Doctor Henry Jekyll's enthusiasm for science and his selfless acts of service have made him a much-admired man. But as he visits Sir George Carew one evening, his host criticizes him for his reluctance to experience the more sensual side of life. Sir George goads Jekyll into visiting a music hall, where he watches the alluring dancer Gina. Jekyll becomes fascinated with the two contrasting sides of human nature, and he becomes obsessed with the idea of separating them. After extensive work in his laboratory, he devises a formula that does indeed allow him to alternate between two completely different personalities, his own and that of a brutish, lascivious person whom he names Hyde. It is not long before the personality of Hyde begins to dominate Jekyll's affairs."
A star is born! On this day in 2018 (in the U.S.), 2036 Origin Unknown enjoyed its domestic release. Written and directed by Hasraf Dulull, the SciFi/Drama starred Katee Sackhoff, Julie Cox, and Ray Fearon. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After a failed mission to Mars, A.I./ARTI is now used for the 2036 mission with a few human supervisors. A monolith of unknown origin is found there. It will have a big effect on Earth."
"After a failed mission to Mars, A.I./ARTI is now used for the 2036 mission with a few human supervisors. A monolith of unknown origin is found there. It will have a big effect on Earth."
A star is born! On this day in 2018 (in the U.S.), Astro enjoyed its only theatrical release of record (as per IMDB.com). Written (in part) and directed by Asif Akbar, the SciFi/Mystery starred Gary Daniels, Marshal Hilton, and Courtney Lynn. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A billionaire and his team with a private space exploration program, returns to Earth with an abducted extraterrestrial from a newly discovered alien planet, with hidden secrets of his own from this world."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Astro earned a bit of love from screenings on the film festival circuit.
"A billionaire and his team with a private space exploration program, returns to Earth with an abducted extraterrestrial from a newly discovered alien planet, with hidden secrets of his own from this world."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Astro earned a bit of love from screenings on the film festival circuit.
A star is born! On this day in 2018 (in the United Kingdom), Triassic World raced onto the small screen. Directed by Dylan Vox from a script by Marc Gottlieb, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Shellie Sterling, Hayley J. Williams, and Joseph Michael Harris. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Dinosaurs are being used to grow human organs for transplants. But the scientists that created them have to fight back when the creatures escape."
"Dinosaurs are being used to grow human organs for transplants. But the scientists that created them have to fight back when the creatures escape."
On this day in 1956 (in the U.S.), Science Fiction Theatre aired "Mind Machine." Officially, this served as the tenth episode in the program's second (and final) season; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Elderly Dr. Milton has been developing a computerized device that translates one's brain waves into written text. Following the senior scientist's death, Dr. Cathcart continues his work with the "mind writer," using it to decipher the final thoughts from the late doctor's brain."
"Elderly Dr. Milton has been developing a computerized device that translates one's brain waves into written text. Following the senior scientist's death, Dr. Cathcart continues his work with the "mind writer," using it to decipher the final thoughts from the late doctor's brain."
On this day in 1968 (in the Netherlands), Thunderbirds aired "Security Hazard." Officially, this served as the twenty-sixth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A young boy manages to stow away on Thunderbird 2 and manages to get to International Rescue's island base undetected. On the island the Tracy boys are worried when they realize how much about the day to day operations have been revealed to the boy. Jeff comes up with a novel way to get around the issue and preserve all of International Rescue's secrets."
"A young boy manages to stow away on Thunderbird 2 and manages to get to International Rescue's island base undetected. On the island the Tracy boys are worried when they realize how much about the day to day operations have been revealed to the boy. Jeff comes up with a novel way to get around the issue and preserve all of International Rescue's secrets."
On this day in 1996 (in the United Kingdom), Bugs aired "The Bureau Of Weapons." Officially, this served as the ninth episode in the program's second season; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Gizmos team race to stop Jean-Daniel after he unleashes an artificial intelligence across the Internet - leading Ros to make a terrible sacrifice."
"The Gizmos team race to stop Jean-Daniel after he unleashes an artificial intelligence across the Internet - leading Ros to make a terrible sacrifice."
On this day in 2001 (in Canada), So Weird aired "Widow's Walk." Officially, this served as the twentieth episode in the program's third (and final) season; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Annie is tired of being treated like a little kid, but does her wish to be more grown-up go too far when it collides with the whims of a brooding old lady?"
"Annie is tired of being treated like a little kid, but does her wish to be more grown-up go too far when it collides with the whims of a brooding old lady?"
On this day in 2007 (in the U.S.), Painkiller Jane aired "Friendly Fire." Officially, this served as the eighth episode in the program's only season in original broadcast existence; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Jane wakes up on a hospital with no memory of recent events. She tries to escape but realizes that her old teammates seem to be treating her with contempt and learns that she may murdered Riley Jensen. Maureen begins her own investigation on a doctor doing research on Neuros."
"Jane wakes up on a hospital with no memory of recent events. She tries to escape but realizes that her old teammates seem to be treating her with contempt and learns that she may murdered Riley Jensen. Maureen begins her own investigation on a doctor doing research on Neuros."
On this day in 2007 (in the U.S.), Stargate: Atlantis aired "Submersion." Officially, this served as the eighteenth episode in the program's third season; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Atlantis team finds an Ancient underwater research facility and puts a team together to check it out."
"The Atlantis team finds an Ancient underwater research facility and puts a team together to check it out."
On this day in 2007, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Family Ties" as the eighteenth episode of the long-running program's tenth (and final) season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The SGC is contacted by Jacek who says he has valuable information for them: he will give them the location of Arkad's store of naquadah in return for asylum on Earth. Vala doesn't believe they should deal with the man whom she knows very well: he's her ne'er-do-well father who was absent for much of her life. His information proves to be correct and Landry approves the deal. Jacek however is soon up to his old tricks running a telephone charity scam and bilking the old ladies in his building at bingo. Everyone on the team tries to keep him on the straight and narrow, for Vala's sake if no other reason. Despite his promises Jacek continues in his ways but he soon has an opportunity to prove himself. Meanwhile, Vala's situation causes General Landry to review his own family situation."
"The SGC is contacted by Jacek who says he has valuable information for them: he will give them the location of Arkad's store of naquadah in return for asylum on Earth. Vala doesn't believe they should deal with the man whom she knows very well: he's her ne'er-do-well father who was absent for much of her life. His information proves to be correct and Landry approves the deal. Jacek however is soon up to his old tricks running a telephone charity scam and bilking the old ladies in his building at bingo. Everyone on the team tries to keep him on the straight and narrow, for Vala's sake if no other reason. Despite his promises Jacek continues in his ways but he soon has an opportunity to prove himself. Meanwhile, Vala's situation causes General Landry to review his own family situation."
On this day in 2009 (in Germany), Primeval aired the tenth episode of its third season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Sarah and Becker battle giant insects who have come through the rift at Johnson's H.Q. whilst Abby, Connor and Danny pursue Helen Cutter through the anomaly she has created. Her plan is to travel back to Africa in the year four million B.C. in order to stop the evolution of human life. With Connor injured Danny faces her alone but has an unexpected ally to help him save the world. Can he make it back to his own time before the anomaly closes?"
"Sarah and Becker battle giant insects who have come through the rift at Johnson's H.Q. whilst Abby, Connor and Danny pursue Helen Cutter through the anomaly she has created. Her plan is to travel back to Africa in the year four million B.C. in order to stop the evolution of human life. With Connor injured Danny faces her alone but has an unexpected ally to help him save the world. Can he make it back to his own time before the anomaly closes?"
On this day in 2012 (in Finland), Doctor Who aired "The Idiot's Lantern." Officially, this served as the seventh episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"As the coronation of Elizabeth II nears, the streets of London live in fear. Faceless people are stolen from their homes in the night and something evil is lurking in the television."
"As the coronation of Elizabeth II nears, the streets of London live in fear. Faceless people are stolen from their homes in the night and something evil is lurking in the television."
On this day in 2017 (in Spain), The Ministry Of Time (aka The Department Of Time) aired "Tiempo de espías." Officially, this served as the second episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"1943: Operation Mincemeat, key to the allied victory in WW2, is at stake. It all lies in a captured Spanish spy in Nazi-occupied France, who turns out to be an important figure in the Ministry's past, and its future."
"1943: Operation Mincemeat, key to the allied victory in WW2, is at stake. It all lies in a captured Spanish spy in Nazi-occupied France, who turns out to be an important figure in the Ministry's past, and its future."
On this day in 2016, Dark Horse Comics continued the "Prometheus: Fire and Stone" saga they had begun previously with the next installment: "Prometheus: Life and Death (1 of 4)" featured the angry God/Alien waking up and wrecking havoc of the squad of space marines attempting to transport his ship back to Earth. If you're interested in knowing more, then I encourage you to check out my mostly spoiler-free review right here.
On this day in 1947, The Shadow radio serial aired "Air Freight Fracas." According to our friends at The Shadow Wiki, here's the episode's plot summary:
"A former gangster who has gone straight and now runs an air freight business is being pressured by a thug who wants to use the freight business as a front for a smuggling operation."
"A former gangster who has gone straight and now runs an air freight business is being pressured by a thug who wants to use the freight business as a front for a smuggling operation."
On this day in 1952, The Shadow radio serial aired "The Silent Killer." According to our friends at The Shadow Wiki, it looks like all of the details involving this particular tale have been lost to history. Not even The Shadow knows!
