Oh, boo hiss! Malcolm McDowell almost gleefully came aboard the beloved Star Trek franchise because his character was given the singularly distinction killing Capt. James T. Kirk. Star Trek: Generations wasn't exactly the grand passing-of-the-torch I would've wanted to see, but it was still plenty fine nonetheless. Mr. McDowell also had the chance to add to his sci-fi legacy by playing H.G. Wells in the wonderful sci-fi rom/com Time After Time (1979), and he had a recurring role throughout the first season of Heroes.
McDowell was born on this day back in 1943.
McDowell was born on this day back in 1943.
BIRTHDAYS
Though her resume for the last two decades appears a bit slim, actress Belinda Bauer made a pretty big splash in Sci-Fi in the 80's. She was a part of Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann (1982). She also had a terrific role in the Airwolf tele-film that launched the franchise. And, in 1990, she joined the Robocop franchise, appearing in the first sequel as Dr. Juliette Faxx. Bauer was born on this day in 1950.
I've said it before -- and here I am saying it again -- that 1980's Battle Beyond the Stars is one of my very favorite B-movie / Star Wars knock-offs ever. Sure, it gets a bit goofy in the final reel, but this John Sayles-penned riff on The Magnificent Seven (but set in space, mind you) still looks and sounds dynamite with age. The lead was the always fresh-faced Richard Thomas; his 'Shad' was the young man who set out to find a group of warriors who would defend his planet against the coming invaders. Thomas was born on this day in 1951.
Funnyman Tim Allen brought the perfect measure of macho charm and Hollywood cluelessness to his portrayal of an aging actor inadvertently caught up in a real outer space adventure in 1999's Galaxy Quest. Allen was born on this day in 1953.
Brat Packer Ally Sheedy has been and out of sci-fi-friendly roles since she took on the part of Stephanie Speck in 1986's kid-friendly Short Circuit. Since then, she's booked parts on the 1990's redux of The Outer Limits and a recurring stint on Kyle XY. Sheedy was born on this day in 1962.
As First Lady Christina Martinez, actress Lisa Vidal stayed up-close-and-personal to the sci-fi quandary presented at the heart of NBC's single-season show, The Event. Vidal also booked a fleetingly small cameo as part of JJ Abrams' 2009 Star Trek reboot. Vidal was born on this day in 1965.
The grizzled fellow under the stocking cap is none other than Chris Evans. While he's better known for his roles in The Fantastic Four and Captain America, Evans also headlined an apocalyptic thriller known as Snowpiercer that just can't quite seem to find the light of day in the States. Evans was born on this day in 1981.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson made a big splash as the teen-turned-vigilante in Kickass and its sequel, but -- in the summer of 2014 -- he was practically the last man standing against and then on the side of Godzilla. Taylor-Johnson was born on this day in 1990.
SCIENCE FICTION TELEVISION
On this day in 1964, Doctor Who aired "The Day of Darkness" as part of its first season. Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com: "Tlotoxl's machinations result in both Susan and Ian being arrested.With the TARDIS once again trapped inside the tomb, the travelers' only hope for escape lies with Autloc and Cameca."
Star Trek: The Next Generation's fifth season finale -- "Time's Arrow, Part 1" -- aired on this date in 1992, and the time travel (kinda/sorta) yarn featured a Data-centric episode that postulated an alien race had interacted with humanity in the late 1800's. Of course, the crew had to go back and check it out. Wouldn't you?
SCIENCE FICTION MOVIES
On this day in 1953, The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms was released theatrically. Here's the summary from IMDB.com: "As a result of an arctic nuclear test, a carnivorous dinosaur thaws out and starts making its way down the east coast of North America. Professor Tom Nesbitt, only witness to the beast's existence, is not believed, even when he identifies it as a "rhedosaurus" to paleontologist Thurgood Elson. All doubts disappear, however, when Elson is swallowed whole during an oceanic bathysphere excursion to search for the creature. Soon thereafter the rhedosaurus emerges from the sea and lays waste to Manhattan Island until Nesbitt comes up with a plan to try to stop the seemingly indestructible beast."
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