Say what you will about the new-fangled Battlestar Galactica, but I preferred the wholesome, do-gooder charm of the original just a bit more. And Starbuck? A girl? No way! Dirk Benedict remains Starbuck in my mind, and the actor who played him celebrates another year growing older and wiser today! Benedict was born on this day in 1945.
I suspect very few genre fans will remember the name of Lionel Atwill for his contributions to Science Fiction and Fantasy. He first dropped onto my radar when I saw him aboard the SciFi-lite Doctor X for First National Pictures. I did a bit of research and learned that he's also appeared aboard Son Of Frankenstein (1939), The Ghost Of Frakenstein (1942), House Of Frankenstein (1944), and Republic Studios serial adaptation of Captain America (1944). That's not a shabby resume, if you ask me! Though he's no longer with us, Atwill was born on this day in 1885. [Source: IMDB.com]
A Whovian first! The late Roger Delgado was the first actor to put on the identity of 'The Master,' the dreaded nemesis to the BBC's long-running Doctor Who. And truth be told Who producer Barry Letts crafted the role of the villain specifically for the man! Though he's no longer with us, Delgado was born on this day in 1918. [Source: IMDB.com]
Occasionally I'm berated by readers who find it offensive that I choose to feature those talented visits to the world of Fantasy -- SciFi's redheaded stepbrother -- and to them I always say, "Get off my lawn!" Personally, I grew up on features and TV shows exploring both genres together, and I choose to highlight those who've left footprints in the celluloid sand as the right thing to do. That said, Andrew Faulds certainly doesn't leave behind a resume expansive in genre appearances, but taking one for the team in Jason And The Argonauts from a stop-motion skeleton has to count for something. Though he's no longer with us, Faulds was born on this day in 1923. [Source: IMDB.com]
The great Cesare Danova certainly did far more mainstream projects than he did Science Fiction. He did book time aboard Night Gallery, Gemini Man, Tentacles (1977), Automan, and Airwolf. Though he's no longer with us, Danova was born on this day in 1926.
Among other things in his career, Eddie Hice enjoyed a pair of appearances aboard the Starship Enterprise as a security officer for the original Star Trek. Though he's no longer with us, Hice was born on this day in 1930. [Source: IMDB.com]
Raymond St. Jacques aptly chewed scenery as a fire-and-brimstone street preacher aboard the subversive SciFi flick, They Live (1988), from director John Carpenter. He also appeared in The Invaders, Gemini Man, The Bionic Woman, Wonder Woman, Voyagers, The Powers of Matthew Star, Airwolf, Starman, and Timebomb (1991). Though he's no longer with us, St. Jacques was born on this day in 1930.
Joan Hackett joined George Segal aboard The Terminal Man (1974), the tale of a man using computers to control a dire medical condition. Though she's no longer with us, Hackett was born on this day in 1934.
The fabulous Vitina Marcus had an ongoing love affair with genre projects, securing screen time in such properties as The Lost World (1960), Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost in Space, and The Time Tunnel. Marcus was born on this day in 1937.
The dreamy Lana Wood has certainly left an impression on fans of genre entertainment with her work aboard The Wild Wild West, Diamonds Are Forever (1971), Night Gallery, The Next Step Beyond, and Captain America II: Death Too Soon (1979). Wood was born on this day in 1946. [Source: IMDB.com]
Funnyman Alan Thicke delivered laughs in the name of Science Fiction with his work aboard Not Quite Human (1987) and its sequel Not Quite Human II (1989). Though he's no longer with us, Thicke was born on this day in 1947. [Source: IMDB.com]
Aboard the WB's long-running Smallville, Camille Mitchell played Sheriff Nancy Adams in a recurring guest role. Mitchell was born on this day in 1954.
It takes quite the actress to make a character into a household name, but that's just what the stunning Catherine Bach did by portraying 'Daisy Duke' on The Dukes Of Hazzard: her signature shortest-shorts-imaginable took the world by storm and are known as "daisy dukes" even to this day. A few years before, she enjoyed a role aboard the SciFi/Telefilm Strange New World (1975) with genre-favorite John Saxon. Bach was born on this day in 1954. [Source: IMDB.com]
Hollywood wunderkind Ron Howard stepped in to complete directing Solo: A Star Wars Story when Walt Disney parted company with its earlier choices. Howard was born on this day in 1954. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Mimi Lieber has come a long way from her start as little more than a dancer in the late 1970's big screen adaptation of Grease, and that journey has opened doors for her into the worlds of The X-Files, SeaQuest 2032, and NBC's Medium. Lieber was born on this day in 1956. [Source: IMDB.com]
What a Super day! Tim Daly helped bring to life the animated version of Superman, and the actor ended up creating one of the more revered versions of the Last Son of Krypton to date. Daly was born on this day in 1956 ... and that's just the beginning of the various Superman references for March 1st. Read on!
On top of providing voicework for the Alien: Isolation video game (2014), the great Sean Gilder enjoyed a guest spot on the BBC's long-running Doctor Who in 2005. Gilder was born on this day in 1964.
One of Chris Eigeman's earliest roles was a guest spot aboard Red Dwarf. Since then, he's squeezed in work on The Outer Limits and Fox TV's Fringe. Eigeman was born on this day in 1965.
In his youth, Todd Lookinland appeared alongside the lovely Lynda Carter in an episode of Wonder Woman. In his adulthood, he's embarked on a career in special effects, contributing his wares to such features as Robocop 2, Men In Black, and Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Lookinland was born on this day in 1965.
Though viewers may not have recognized him under makeup, J.D. Cullum has played in a few SciFi universes with work in such properties as Star Trek: The Next Generation, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman, Sliders, and The Orville. Cullum was born on this day in 1966. [Source: IMDB.com]
Also celebrating a birthday today is director Zack Snyder, whose Man Of Steel thrilled audiences of new and old fans alike! Snyder was born on this day in 1966.
Back in 1986, a young Steve Marshall found himself caught between Science Fiction and Horror with a top role aboard the Cult film Night Of The Creeps. Marshall was born on this day in 1968. [Source: IMDB.com]
Critical darling Javier Bardem made waves as the villain aboard Skyfall (2012), and he even voiced a robot for good measure in 2014's Automata. Bardem was born on this day in 1969.
After surviving a look at futuristic technology in CBS's popular Persons Of Interest, Cara Buono found things even more fantastical aboard Netflix's Stranger Things. Buono was born on this day in 1971.
During the 2009 TV season, one of the more promising dramas to emerge was ABC TV's FlashForward; unfortunately, the program never quite 'gelled' early enough to maintain a solid viewing audience. On the show, Jack Davenport played Lloyd Simcoe, a man who may or may not have had ties to a global conspiracy. Davenport was born on this day in 1973.
Mark-Paul Gosselaar dipped briefly into the realm of Science Fiction with a role aboard Atomic Twister (2002) for Once Upon A Time Films. Gosselaar was born on this day in 1974. [Source: IMDB.com]
Truth be told, the great Emily Holmes has never really strayed all that far from some great genre projects. Since embarking on her professional careers, she's secured roles in Strange Frequency, Dark Angel, The Dead Zone, Taken (miniseries), Paycheck (2003), Stargate: SG-1, Tru Calling, Andromeda, Battlestar Galactica: The Resistance, Bionic Woman, The Andromeda Strain, Fringe, Meteor Storm (2010), Alcatraz, Supernatural, Independence Daysaster (2013), Delete, Zodiac: Signs of the Apocalypse (2014), and Amazon's The Man In The High Castle. That's quite the resume! Holmes was born on this day in 1977.
Long before he went off on a quest to rid the world of paranormal evil (on the CW's Supernatural), Jensen Ackles was making things rough for a certain 'Last Son of Krypton' aboard the WB's Smallville. Ackles was born on this day in 1978.
Sadly, ABC TV's ambitious SciFi/Drama FlashForward just never quite caught on with audiences. Actor Dominic Rains had a recurring role in its only season, and he's also been seen on Powers. Rains was born on this day in 1982.
Lupita Nyong'o braved the daunting task of bringing to life the Force-user Maz Kanata in JJ Abrams' Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens. Nyong'o was born on this day in 1983.
By even the most liberal standards, Laserblast was a pretty awful excuse for SciFi. I know, I know: it was the 70's, and that's the best we could do with the budget. Heck, I think it's even had the MST3K treatment from what I recall. This was one of those smaller films that hit the cinemas not long after the original Star Wars film made such a big splash, and no doubt someone thought they stood a good chance to make a pretty penny on it. I'm betting they didn't. It premiered on this day in 1978, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A teenager stumbles upon an alien weapon, which transform him into a grotesque killer."
"A teenager stumbles upon an alien weapon, which transform him into a grotesque killer."
On this day in 1983 (in Spain), Panic broke out in theaters! Directed by Tonino Ricci, the SciFi/Horror starred David Warbeck and Janet Agren, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A scientist's experiment with a deadly bacteria goes awry and leaves him horribly deformed. The monstrous man then runs amok in his town."
"A scientist's experiment with a deadly bacteria goes awry and leaves him horribly deformed. The monstrous man then runs amok in his town."
Just to clarify: the citation for Demonwarp premiering on this day in 1988 is unofficial, as I've been unable to confirm its actual release date in the month of March. Still, this Horror/SciFi feature starred George Kennedy and Pamela Gilbert, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A man and his daughter are attacked in the woods by what they believe is a Bigfoot-type creature. However, they soon begin to suspect that they may have stumbled onto a nest of aliens in a hidden spacecraft."
"A man and his daughter are attacked in the woods by what they believe is a Bigfoot-type creature. However, they soon begin to suspect that they may have stumbled onto a nest of aliens in a hidden spacecraft."
Believe it or not, there actually was a time when Jesse Ventura tried to make a go at a legitimate movie career; and on this day in 1991 Abraxas, Guardian Of The Universe quite probably ground much of that momentum to a halt. Here's the premise as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"An alien policeman arrives on Earth to apprehend a renegade of his own race who impregnates a woman with a potentially destructive mutant embryo."
"An alien policeman arrives on Earth to apprehend a renegade of his own race who impregnates a woman with a potentially destructive mutant embryo."
On this day in 2008, InAlienable sprang from the mind of screenwriter Walter Koenig and director Robert Dyke. The feature starred Richard Hatch, Jett Patrick, and Priscilla Garita, and here's the premise as listed on IMDB.com:
"Still guilt-ridden over the accident that took his family's lives, Eric Norris discovers that his body is host to a parasite from another world. Except, it is more than a parasite: it carries his DNA."
"Still guilt-ridden over the accident that took his family's lives, Eric Norris discovers that his body is host to a parasite from another world. Except, it is more than a parasite: it carries his DNA."
On this day in 2015, Parallels found its way to audiences. The SciFi-lite property starred Mark Hapka, Jessica Rothe, and Eric Jungmann, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A mysterious building is the gateway to infinite parallel Earths."
"A mysterious building is the gateway to infinite parallel Earths."
As I've often said, the beauty of Science Fiction is that its films come in all shapes and sizes ... and on this day in 2016 it took the sexy shape of Hot Bot. Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com for the SciFi/Comedy:
"Hot Bot is the hilarious journey of two sexually repressed and unpopular teenage geeks who accidentally discover a life-like super-model sex bot (Bardot)."
"Hot Bot is the hilarious journey of two sexually repressed and unpopular teenage geeks who accidentally discover a life-like super-model sex bot (Bardot)."
On this day in 2016, Vanquisher did what it could to slay its cinematic competition. The feature starred Ben Seton and Dominika Juillet, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Sector 70 is a noir-ish dystopian future where prosperity belongs to the few - and those determined to take it. Jarron Brenner did well by the system until his body was invaded by the technology he helped to sell. After a series of traumatic events, a mysterious agent Miranda May takes it upon herself to help save Jarron's life. Soon, however, they find themselves hunted by the shadowy forces of an alien conspiracy."
"Sector 70 is a noir-ish dystopian future where prosperity belongs to the few - and those determined to take it. Jarron Brenner did well by the system until his body was invaded by the technology he helped to sell. After a series of traumatic events, a mysterious agent Miranda May takes it upon herself to help save Jarron's life. Soon, however, they find themselves hunted by the shadowy forces of an alien conspiracy."
On this day in 2016, Science itself wrecked havoc on the animal kingdom with the release of Zoombies. The Horror/SciFi feature starred Ione Butler and LaLa Nestor, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"When a strange virus quickly spreads through a safari park and turns all the zoo animals undead, those left in the park must stop the creatures before they escape and zombify the whole city."
"When a strange virus quickly spreads through a safari park and turns all the zoo animals undead, those left in the park must stop the creatures before they escape and zombify the whole city."
On this day in 1968, Star Trek aired the episode "The Omega Glory." This served as the twenty-third episode of the program's second season, and here's the summary from IMDB.com:
"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 Kohns 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 Kohns to find the secret of their longevity."
On this day in 1971, Timeslip aired "The Day Of The Clone: Part 3." This served as the twenty-third episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Returning to the present day, Liz is kidnapped."
"Returning to the present day, Liz is kidnapped."
On this day in 1992, TV's Superboy aired "Who Is Superboy?" This served as the seventeenth episode of the program's fourth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Superboy's secret identity is challenged."
"Superboy's secret identity is challenged."
On this day in 1993, "Death Takes A Holiday" as the sixth episode of Time Trax's first season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Darien attempts to capture Clinton Sajak, a fugitive from the future who is now running a gambling casino."
"Darien attempts to capture Clinton Sajak, a fugitive from the future who is now running a gambling casino."
On this day in 1995, Babylon 5 aired "Hunter, Prey." This served as the thirteenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A fugitive with secret Earthforce data relating to President Santiago's death takes refuge on Babylon 5."
"A fugitive with secret Earthforce data relating to President Santiago's death takes refuge on Babylon 5."
It all began right here: on this day in 1997, the SciFi/Drama Crime Traveller enjoyed its television premiere in the United Kingdom. The series starred Michael French and Chloë Annett, and here's the premise for "Jeff Slade and the Loop of Infinity" from IMDB.com:
"Jeff Slade's world is turned upside down when he discovers his friend Holly has a secret. She can travel in time."
"Jeff Slade's world is turned upside down when he discovers his friend Holly has a secret. She can travel in time."
On this day in 1997, Dark Skies aired "Burn, Baby, Burn." This served as the fifteenth episode on the cult program's only season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"During the outbreak of a race riot, Kim is brought to Los Angeles to have her baby."
"During the outbreak of a race riot, Kim is brought to Los Angeles to have her baby."
On this day in 1999, Earth: Final Conflict aired "Bliss." This served as the seventeenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Lili is given a psychotropic drug called "bliss" via a Taelon device. They discover it is widespread. With an instantly strong addictive property, the addicts are dying within 48 hours. The investigation leads Liam and Sandoval to Ireland."
"Lili is given a psychotropic drug called "bliss" via a Taelon device. They discover it is widespread. With an instantly strong addictive property, the addicts are dying within 48 hours. The investigation leads Liam and Sandoval to Ireland."
On this day in 2000, Star Trek: Voyager aired "Ashes To Ashes." This served as the eighteenth episode of the program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Three years ago, when Ensign Lyndsey Ballard died on an away mission, Voyager gave her a traditional burial in space. Her remains were recovered by the Kobali, a race that procreates by reanimating the corpses of other races and altering their DNA. When Lyndsey flees the Kobali and returns to Voyager, Janeway is skeptical but medical scans prove she is the real deal. While The Doctor can't make her human again, he alters her appearance to look like her old self and she tries to reintegrate herself with the crew. Also in this episode, Seven of Nine is frustrated to find the Borg children act more like children and less like Borg, despite her allotting 'fun' in their daily schedule."
"Three years ago, when Ensign Lyndsey Ballard died on an away mission, Voyager gave her a traditional burial in space. Her remains were recovered by the Kobali, a race that procreates by reanimating the corpses of other races and altering their DNA. When Lyndsey flees the Kobali and returns to Voyager, Janeway is skeptical but medical scans prove she is the real deal. While The Doctor can't make her human again, he alters her appearance to look like her old self and she tries to reintegrate herself with the crew. Also in this episode, Seven of Nine is frustrated to find the Borg children act more like children and less like Borg, despite her allotting 'fun' in their daily schedule."
On this day in 2003, Mobile Suit Gundam Seed aired "The Sea Dyed Red." This served as the twenty-second episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After a final pitched battle in the desert, the Archangel must begin to make her way to the Federation base at Alaska. Cagalli and Kisaka decide to accompany them. En route, they are attacked numerous times by ZAFT maritime mobile suits. The Strike is at a distinct disadvantage. During the battle, Cagalli is shot down and lands on a deserted island. But Athrun has also crash-landed there. Cagalli takes an instant dislike to Athrun, who doesn't seem to care. The war just became personal. Finally, with an exhausted crew and a badly-damaged ship, the Archangel reaches the neutral nation of Orb. They think they're safe, but how long will it last?"
"After a final pitched battle in the desert, the Archangel must begin to make her way to the Federation base at Alaska. Cagalli and Kisaka decide to accompany them. En route, they are attacked numerous times by ZAFT maritime mobile suits. The Strike is at a distinct disadvantage. During the battle, Cagalli is shot down and lands on a deserted island. But Athrun has also crash-landed there. Cagalli takes an instant dislike to Athrun, who doesn't seem to care. The war just became personal. Finally, with an exhausted crew and a badly-damaged ship, the Archangel reaches the neutral nation of Orb. They think they're safe, but how long will it last?"
On this day in 2008 (in Hungary), Doctor Who aired "The Idiot's Lantern." Officially, this served as the seventh episode in the re-launched 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, The 100 aired "The Tinder Box." This served as the fifth episode in the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Clarke pleads with a former allied force to avoid a war and ensure her people's survival."
"Clarke pleads with a former allied force to avoid a war and ensure her people's survival."
On this day in 2017, The Expanse aired "Paradigm Shift." This served as the sixth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Earth is planning an expedition to the point of Eros impact. Chrisjen conflicts with Sadavir about Jules-Pierre Mao. Col. Frederick Lucius Johnson improves his position in unexpected way. New battleground is opening."
"Earth is planning an expedition to the point of Eros impact. Chrisjen conflicts with Sadavir about Jules-Pierre Mao. Col. Frederick Lucius Johnson improves his position in unexpected way. New battleground is opening."
