On this day back in 1967, the Star Trek episode "Errand of Mercy" premiered on NBC. The story saw Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise racing against odds to protect the people of the peaceful planet of Organia from those pesky Klingons, but -- for reasons that only infuriate Kirk -- they don't want his help. It would seem that the Organians have something to hide, and that secret will affect the way Starfleet conducts itself in the years ahead.
Aboard Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars (1938), the venerable C. Montague Shaw played the Clay King. Though he's no longer with us, Shaw was born on this day in 1882.
How big is Science Fiction? Why, it's so big it even ensnared cinema legend Joan Crawford in its merry web! The Hollywood legend shared the screen with a hairy troglodyte in Trog (1970). Though she's no longer with us, Crawford was born on this day in 1906. [Source: IMDB.com]
Later in his career, Kenneth Tobey (above left) trafficked pretty heavily in the realm of Science Fiction. He made appearances in such projects as Galatica 1980, The Howling (1981), Strange Invaders (1983), Gremlins (1984), The Twilight Zone, Starman (TV), Innerspace (1987), Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and The Naked Monster (2005). Though he's no longer with us, Tobey was born on this day in 1917.
Aboard Doctor Who, the estimable Anthony Jacobs helped bring the legendary 'Doc Holliday' to life for the small screen. Though he's no longer with us, Jacobs was born on this day in 1918.
James Maxwell made an appearance in "Underworld," one of the late 1970 serials of the Doctor Who franchise. Though he's no longer with us, Maxwell was born on this day in 1929.
Corinne Clery certainly looks like she was born in the most romantic city on Earth. (FYI: Paris, France.) The actress has enjoyed a long career in international cinema, but SciFi fans may know her best for her work in Moonraker, The Humanoid, and Yor the Hunter from the Future. Clery was born on this day in 1950.
I understand that the Kazon race kinda/sorta fell flat with most SciFi fans, but I thought that they were a pretty solid addition to the world of Star Trek: Voyager. Anthony De Longis played First Maje Culluh like an alien boss, and for that he gets a solid shout-out today. De Longis was born on this day in 1950.
Amanda Plummer is far more well known for her work in contemporary dramas, but she did give The Hunger Games' fans something to pay attention to with a winning appearance in the Catching Fire sequel. She's also booked roles on The Outer Limits, Dark Skies, Shadow Realm, and Battlestar Galactica. Plummer was born on this day in 1957.
Critical darling Catherine Keener took some time off from highbrow projects for an appearance in the Fantasy-themed Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010). Keener was born on this day in 1959.
Actress Jenny Wright had a rather curious love affair with the silver screen. Though her resume at IMDB.com looks very light for the last decade and a half, while she was working she turned in some terrific performers in largely cult or genre films. You may recognize her from appearances in Pink Floyd's The Wall; Near Dark; I, Madman; Young Guns II; or The Lawnmower Man. Wright was born on this day in 1962.
The lovely Hope Davis dipped her feet into the Marvel Universe in the role of 'Maria Stark' in Captain America: Civil War (2016). Davis was born on this day in 1964.
Richard Grieco suited up and prepared for Doomsday itself as part of the SciFi/Telefilm, AE: Apocalypse Earth (2013). Grieco was born on this day in 1965.
The dreamy Marin Hinkle has definitely dabbled in the realm of Science Fiction, appearing in small roles aboard such properties as Frequency (2000) and Quarantine (2008). Hinkle was born on this day in 1966.
Early in her career, the lovely Sandra Dee Robinson enjoyed guestspots aboard VR.5 and the Fantasy-themed Baywatch Nights. Robinson was born on this day in 1967. [Source: IMDB.com]
One of the smartest time travel yarns of the current generation of films was 2011's underrated Source Code. Alas -- as tends to happen in Hollywood -- it also suffered from a plot twist regarding the villain's secret identity that kinda/sorta defied logic. Still, the film proved that the lovely Michelle Monaghan (above left) is a force to be reckoned with. Monaghan was born on this day in 1976.
Audiences fell in love with Keri Russell when she showed how easy it was to make 'wholesome' look 'sexy' in 2007's Waitress. I'm totally digging her work as the 80's era Soviet spy on FX's The Americans right now. Thankfully, she gave genre fans a chance to fall head over heels for her by appearing as Ellie in 2014's blockbuster smash, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. Russell was born on this day in 1976.
French-born Anastasia Griffith played a television princess aboard the popular Fantasy-themed Once Upon A Time. Griffith was born on this day in 1978.
The lovely Joanna Page joined Matt Smith and David Tennant aboard "The Day Of The Doctor," the fiftieth anniversary celebration episode of the long-running Doctor Who. Page was born on this day in 1978.
In case you've missed it, I'm a huge (and I do mean huge) fan of all things Superman, and that includes the stellar animated series that have come out exploring the various players in the DC Universe. In that regard, lovely Nicholle Tom (insert) lent her incredible vocal talents to the role of Kara -- aka Supergirl -- in Superman: The Animated Series, The New Batman Adventures, and Justice League. Such a claim to fame will always get you a favorable mention 'round these parts. Tom was born on this day in 1978.
Steven Strait headlines the Syfy signature series, The Expanse, for Alcon Entertainment. (FYI: the actor first caught my eye as part of Starz Network's stellar Magic City crime series.) Strait was born on this day in 1986.
On this day in 1991 (in Japan), Stray Dog: Kerberos Panzer Cops (aka Jigoku no banken: kerubersu) enjoyed its original theatrical release. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Metropolitan Police's ultimate crime-fighting unit was an elite squad of men and women known as the Kerberos. Refusing an order from the government officials to disarm led to a riot known as the Kerberos Uprising. At the centre of this riot was Koichi Todome, leader of the Kerberos squad. However, unlike his troops, when the riot was over, Koichi escaped. Now, three years later, Inui is released from prison. A member of the Kerberos squad who served jail time for his participation in the riot, he wants nothing more than to find his former master. However, the trail to Koichi is a twisted one involving a strange woman and a new and unimagined lifestyle. But when he finally finds him, he realizes that, instead of following his own path, he was following the orders of another."
"The Metropolitan Police's ultimate crime-fighting unit was an elite squad of men and women known as the Kerberos. Refusing an order from the government officials to disarm led to a riot known as the Kerberos Uprising. At the centre of this riot was Koichi Todome, leader of the Kerberos squad. However, unlike his troops, when the riot was over, Koichi escaped. Now, three years later, Inui is released from prison. A member of the Kerberos squad who served jail time for his participation in the riot, he wants nothing more than to find his former master. However, the trail to Koichi is a twisted one involving a strange woman and a new and unimagined lifestyle. But when he finally finds him, he realizes that, instead of following his own path, he was following the orders of another."
On this day in 2007, the silver screen Fantasy The Last Mimzy enjoyed its theatrical release. The feature starred Joely Richardson and Rainn Wilson, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Two siblings begin to develop special talents after they find a mysterious box of toys. Soon the kids, their parents, and even their teacher are drawn into a strange new world and find a task ahead of them that is far more important than any of them could imagine!"
"Two siblings begin to develop special talents after they find a mysterious box of toys. Soon the kids, their parents, and even their teacher are drawn into a strange new world and find a task ahead of them that is far more important than any of them could imagine!"
On this day in 2012 (in Spain), Extraterrestrial touched down in theatres. The picture starred Julian Villagran and Michelle Jenner, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Everyone knows what to do if one morning the sky would be absolutely full of UFOs: run as fast as you can. However, what would happen if the invasion started while you are in the flat of the girl of your dreams, the one you have just met?"
"Everyone knows what to do if one morning the sky would be absolutely full of UFOs: run as fast as you can. However, what would happen if the invasion started while you are in the flat of the girl of your dreams, the one you have just met?"
On this day in 2012, an all-new SciFi movie franchise was born when the first installment of The Hunger Games made its theatrical premiere. According to IMDB.com, here's the flick's plot summary:
"Katniss Everdeen voluntarily takes her younger sister's place in the Hunger Games, a televised fight to the death in which two teenagers from each of the twelve Districts of Panem are chosen at random to compete."
The feature is largely credited with launching the career of star Jennifer Lawrence into the stratosphere (and deservedly so). The starlet imbues Katniss with the perfect balance of understated girl-next-door beauty and self-sacrifice. Certainly, Lawrence became the go-to girl for the next generation of moviegoers, and SciFiHistory.Net wishes her nothing but good luck at the box office.
"Katniss Everdeen voluntarily takes her younger sister's place in the Hunger Games, a televised fight to the death in which two teenagers from each of the twelve Districts of Panem are chosen at random to compete."
The feature is largely credited with launching the career of star Jennifer Lawrence into the stratosphere (and deservedly so). The starlet imbues Katniss with the perfect balance of understated girl-next-door beauty and self-sacrifice. Certainly, Lawrence became the go-to girl for the next generation of moviegoers, and SciFiHistory.Net wishes her nothing but good luck at the box office.
On this day in 1962, The Twilight Zone aired "Person or Persons Unknown." This served as the twenty-seventh episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"David Gurney wakes up to another ordinary day. Except today, nobody knows who he is."
"David Gurney wakes up to another ordinary day. Except today, nobody knows who he is."
On this day in 1964, The Outer Limits aired "The Guests" as the twenty-sixth episode of the popular program's first season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A drifter enters a lonely house, unaware that it is actually an alien creature in disguise. Soon he realizes that he is a prisoner, along with several other half-mad inhabitants, but he is determined to escape."
"A drifter enters a lonely house, unaware that it is actually an alien creature in disguise. Soon he realizes that he is a prisoner, along with several other half-mad inhabitants, but he is determined to escape."
On this day in 1968, Doctor Who aired "Fury From The Deep, Part 2." This served as the thirtieth episode of the program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Harris asks for the Doctor's help with Maggie with Van Lutyens and the Chief Engineer attempt to find out what is blocking the impeller."
"Harris asks for the Doctor's help with Maggie with Van Lutyens and the Chief Engineer attempt to find out what is blocking the impeller."
On this day in 1974, Doctor Who aired "The Monster of Peladon, Part 1." This served as the fifteenth episode of the program's eleventh season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Returning to the medieval planet Peladon (50 years after "The Curse of Peladon") The Doctor and Sarah find King Peladon's daughter Queen Thalira has inherited the throne and the galactic Federation is at war with Galaxy Five and The Federation requires the mineral Trisilicate that will end the war. Only to discover the miners led by the mad rebel Ettis are rebelling and refusing to work, as the ghost of the loyal best Aggedor is frightening and killing off Miners, only to discover the ghost of Aggedor is a holographic projection and the culprits are a task-force of renegade Ice Warriors led by Commander Azaxyr and traitorous federation mining engineer Eckersley who have betrayed the Federation to Galaxy Five."
"Returning to the medieval planet Peladon (50 years after "The Curse of Peladon") The Doctor and Sarah find King Peladon's daughter Queen Thalira has inherited the throne and the galactic Federation is at war with Galaxy Five and The Federation requires the mineral Trisilicate that will end the war. Only to discover the miners led by the mad rebel Ettis are rebelling and refusing to work, as the ghost of the loyal best Aggedor is frightening and killing off Miners, only to discover the ghost of Aggedor is a holographic projection and the culprits are a task-force of renegade Ice Warriors led by Commander Azaxyr and traitorous federation mining engineer Eckersley who have betrayed the Federation to Galaxy Five."
On this day in 1975, hearts would be broken as The Six Million Dollar Man aired Part 2 of "The Bionic Woman," the twentieth episode of the program's second season. According to IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Steve Austin has proposed to Jaime Sommers and a wedding date is set. When Oscar Goldman plans on sending Jaime on her first assignment, Steve is very reluctant and insists on joining her. Furthermore Jaime keeps having bionic malfunctions and increasing headaches."
"Steve Austin has proposed to Jaime Sommers and a wedding date is set. When Oscar Goldman plans on sending Jaime on her first assignment, Steve is very reluctant and insists on joining her. Furthermore Jaime keeps having bionic malfunctions and increasing headaches."
On this day in 1980, Galactica 1980 aired "The Super Scouts, Part 2." This served as the fifth episode to the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When three of the children Troy and Dillon brought to Earth get sick after drinking some water from a lake. The doctor who treats them says that the water was polluted with a toxic waste which was dumped by a corporation. The doctor says there's nothing he can do for them but Troy asks him to keep alive because he plans to call the Galactica for help."
"When three of the children Troy and Dillon brought to Earth get sick after drinking some water from a lake. The doctor who treats them says that the water was polluted with a toxic waste which was dumped by a corporation. The doctor says there's nothing he can do for them but Troy asks him to keep alive because he plans to call the Galactica for help."
On this day in 1982, Doctor Who aired "Time-Flight, Part 2." This served as the twenty-fourth episode of the program's nineteenth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Doctor's TARDIS is stolen, and tracking it down reveals the existence of an alien named Kalid controlling events in the past. While the Doctor challenges Kalid's motives for being there, Tegan and Nyssa discover the source of Kalid's power - an even greater threat for the Doctor."
"The Doctor's TARDIS is stolen, and tracking it down reveals the existence of an alien named Kalid controlling events in the past. While the Doctor challenges Kalid's motives for being there, Tegan and Nyssa discover the source of Kalid's power - an even greater threat for the Doctor."
On this day in 1984, Doctor Who aired "The Twin Dilemma, Part 2." This served as the twenty-second episode of the program's twenty-first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Doctor takes Peri to Titan 3, a desolate hunk of rock in space where he hopes to find some solitude for awhile. Instead he finds the lone but unconscious survivor of a recent spaceship crash in sight of a mound-shaped complex where no formalized structure should exist."
"The Doctor takes Peri to Titan 3, a desolate hunk of rock in space where he hopes to find some solitude for awhile. Instead he finds the lone but unconscious survivor of a recent spaceship crash in sight of a mound-shaped complex where no formalized structure should exist."
On this day in 1985, Doctor Who aired "Revelation of the Daleks, Part 1." This served as the twelfth episode of the program's twenty-second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Doctor and Peri arrive on the planet Necros to attend the funeral of scientist Professor Athur Stengos, only to discover Davros, the creator of the Daleks, has become "The Great Healer" who runs Tranquil Repose, a facility where the terminally ill are kept in suspended animation until a cure is found. They learn Davros has been turning all those in suspended animation into Daleks that are loyal to himself while making food from their dead bodies."
"The Doctor and Peri arrive on the planet Necros to attend the funeral of scientist Professor Athur Stengos, only to discover Davros, the creator of the Daleks, has become "The Great Healer" who runs Tranquil Repose, a facility where the terminally ill are kept in suspended animation until a cure is found. They learn Davros has been turning all those in suspended animation into Daleks that are loyal to himself while making food from their dead bodies."
On this day in 1991 (in TV syndication), Star Trek: The Next Generation aired the eighteenth episode of its fourth season. The hour was titled "Identity Crisis," and here's the plot summary compliments of our friends at TrekCore.com:
"Starfleet officers including Geordi La Forge who investigated a mysterious migration of explorers to the planet Tarchannen III are beginning to mutate into alien life forms and migrate to the planet themselves."
"Starfleet officers including Geordi La Forge who investigated a mysterious migration of explorers to the planet Tarchannen III are beginning to mutate into alien life forms and migrate to the planet themselves."
On this day in 1991, Super Force aired "Breakfast of Champions." This served as the twenty-fourth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from TV.com:
"Zach infiltrates a sadistic television gladiator show which focuses on beating and maiming in order to gain rates."
"Zach infiltrates a sadistic television gladiator show which focuses on beating and maiming in order to gain rates."
On this day in 1997, The X-Files aired "Max" as the eighteenth episode of the long-running program's fourth season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The investigation continues for agents Mulder and Scully of the apparent downing of Flight 549 by a UFO. They encounter deadly opposition from the military which continues to cover up the truth of incident."
"The investigation continues for agents Mulder and Scully of the apparent downing of Flight 549 by a UFO. They encounter deadly opposition from the military which continues to cover up the truth of incident."
On this day in 2001, The Outer Limits aired "Patient Zero," the second episode of the rebooted program's seventh season that starred such guest stars as Michael Rooker, Tanya Allen, and even Bruce Campbell (in a bit role). According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A Colonel goes back in time to poison a physician who unintentionally spread a global pandemic. When the traveler returns to the future, nothing has changed. Though haunted by the plague death of his own family, the Colonel is ordered to an earlier time, to assassinate a young woman carrier, plus the physician."
"A Colonel goes back in time to poison a physician who unintentionally spread a global pandemic. When the traveler returns to the future, nothing has changed. Though haunted by the plague death of his own family, the Colonel is ordered to an earlier time, to assassinate a young woman carrier, plus the physician."
On this day in 2001, things were heating up on Farscape! Syfy aired the second episode of its third season, an hour entitled "Suns and Lovers," and here's the plot summary compliments of our friends at IMDB.com:
"The crew relaxes on a space station. D'Argo wants to propose to Chiana, but something will affect his relationship with those closest/dearest to him. A fanatic has a device to attract solar storms, and wants to destroy the station. The crew must find a way to save the station."
"The crew relaxes on a space station. D'Argo wants to propose to Chiana, but something will affect his relationship with those closest/dearest to him. A fanatic has a device to attract solar storms, and wants to destroy the station. The crew must find a way to save the station."
On this day in 2015, The Department Of Time aired "Cualquier tiempo pasado." This served as the fifth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The team is tasked to recover one of three receipts for Picasso's 1939 painting, "Guernica". If they don't succeed, the painting will not return to Spain in 1981. But while in the past, Julián discovers an ugly truth about his father."
"The team is tasked to recover one of three receipts for Picasso's 1939 painting, "Guernica". If they don't succeed, the painting will not return to Spain in 1981. But while in the past, Julián discovers an ugly truth about his father."
