1992's The Lawnmower Man was one of the many flicks adapted from the library of Stephen King; naturally, that can be good or it can be bad. For my tastes, King's stories haven't always worked well up on the silver screen, and I vaguely recall seeing this theatrically and not thinking much of it. I believe I had even written something at the time in which I said, "The film is too ambitious to even know what it's about" or something equally snarky.
In any event, here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A simple man is turned into a genius through the application of computer science."
Genius, indeed.
In any event, here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A simple man is turned into a genius through the application of computer science."
Genius, indeed.
Veteran funnyman Lou Costello kinda/sorta made fun of SciFi flicks of a certain era with his starring role aboard Abbott and Costello Go To Mars (1953). The comic duo also met the Invisible Man in 1951. Though he's no longer with us, Costello was born on this day in 1906. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Allison Hayes made the rounds in B-pictures throughout her short career in the profession. SciFi fans might recognize her from appearances aboard The Unearthly (1957), Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (1958), World of Giants, and Men Into Space. Though she's no longer with us, Hayes was born on this day in 1930.
I'll admit that the films of stuntman-turned-director Hal Needham are an acquired taste, and (yes) that includes his entry into the realm of Science Fiction and Fantasy, Megaforce (1982). (Kids, this singular epic was nominated for an incredible three Razzies.) Though he's no longer with us, Needham was born on this day in 1931. [Source: IMDB.com]
In his youth, Robert J. Anderson gave the acting thing a try, and perhaps his most memorable on-screen role was when he was seen briefly in the holiday classic, It's A Wonderful Life (1946). When he grew a bit older, he turned his interests behind-the-scenes, garnering Production Manager positions in such properties as The Time Tunnel, Wonder Woman, Goliath Awaits (1981), Solar Crisis (1990), and Demolition Man (1993). Though he's no longer with us, Anderson was born on this day in 1933.
In nearly one hundred screen credits to his name, Jonathan Newth has only trafficked sparingly in Science Fiction with roles aboard Doctor Who and 1981's The Day of the Triffids miniseries. Newth was born on this day in 1939.
David Spielberg -- shown above from the fan-favorite episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, "Starship Mine" -- built a solid acting career out of being an authoritative 'little guy.' The talented actor also had the good fortune of having appearing aboard Mork & Mindy, Blue Thunder, Automan, Space, Airwolf, Starman, Seaquest, and The Pretender. Though he's no longer with us, Spielberg was born on this day in 1939. [Source: IMDB.com]
Aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation, the venerable Joanna Miles played Perrin (one of the wives of Sarek) from the episodes "Sarek" and "Unification, Part 1." Miles was born on this day in 1940.
Ben Murphy (above left) joined a variety of acting veterans aboard 1982's Cult flick, Time Walker. He's also enjoyed guest stints aboard The Twilight Zone and UPN's Seven Days. Murphy was born on this day in 1942.
With well over 200 different screen credits to his name, the venerable Martin Kove has to be one of the hardest working 'pros' in the entertainment business. True, he'll probably always be remembered for his role as the kinda/sorta 'baddie' karate instructor from Karate Kid (1984), but SciFi fans know him from roles in Death Race 2000 (1975), The Incredible Hulk, Beyond Westworld, The Twilight Zone, Hard Time on Planet Earth, Timelock (1996), and a host of other features. Kove was born on this day in 1946.
God bless us our gingers! The fetching Marnie Mosiman showed up aboard "Loud As A Whisper," a second season outing for Star Trek: The Next Generation. Mosiman was born on this day in 1951.
Ken Tanaka made his mark in cinema with a key role aboard Godzilla 1985 (1984). His profile on IMDB.com definitely confirms that he's still in the acting business. Tanaka was born on this day in 1951.
Carolyn Porco is a planetary scientist who has contributed to several television science programs as well as consulting aboard JJ Abrams' 2009 reboot of Star Trek. Porco was born on this day in 1953. [Source: IMDB.com]
I think I first noticed Alberta Watson as the troubled leader of CTU 'Erin Driscoll' during the program's fourth season, but she leaves behind a resume filled with impressive work. As far as genre work goes, roles aboard Murder In Space (1985) and The Outer Limits definitely deserve a mention. Though she's no longer with us, Watson was born on this day in 1955. [Source: IMDB.com]
With nearly 200 screen credits to his name, Larry Cedar has been all over the entertainment map. SciFi fans know him best from roles in Battlestar Galactica, Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983), Dreamscape (1984), Otherworld, C.H.U.D. II: Bud the Chud (1989), Philadelphia Experiment II (1993), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, Watchers IV (1998), Star Trek: Enterprise, Stargate: SG-1, and many other projects. Cedar was born on this day in 1955.
When Star Trek: Voyager premiered its second season in 1995, "The 37's" introduced a handful of earthbound characters who'd been stranded in the Delta Quadrant, among them a man named 'Nogami' played by James Saito. Saito was born on this day in 1955.
Eddie Deezen built a career out of playing a bit of a social misfit in Science Fiction flicks and beyond. Fans recognize him from appearances board Laserblast (1978), WarGames (1983), Critters 2 (1988), and Monsters. He's also built a fairly prolific following in voice acting. Deezen was born on this day in 1957.
Veteran character actor Alex McArthur had dabbled in the realm of SciFi and Fantasy. He's had roles aboard The Outer Limits, Charmed, and Hydra (2009). McArthur was born on this day in 1957.
Even without his ol' spouse Roseanne, Tom Arnold remains a force to be reckoned with, and a guest appearance in The Outer Limits will always earn a mention here. Arnold was born on this day in 1959.
Though I'll always remember being smitten by Moira Kelly with her appearance aboard Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me and then falling head-over-heels for her in The Cutting Edge, I'm thrilled she appeared in a guest spot aboard both The Twilight Zone and Heroes so that I can feature her here. Kelly was born on this day in 1968.
Aboard Syfy's Apocalyptic-themed Van Helsing, Vincent Gale plays a scientific curiosity: he's a vampire who has found his way back among the land of the mortals. Gale was born on this day in 1968.
Her last acting credit listed on IMDB.com shows that Andrea Elson went out with a bang, but she joined the SciFi/Sitcom ALF throughout all of the program's four season. Elson was born on this day in 1969. [Source: IMDB.com]
One of my rules is that if you've ever put on the Starfleet uniform then you deserve a mention, and that's what the lovely Amy Pietz did in an episode ("Bloodlines") for Star Trek: The Next Generation. Pietz was born on this day in 1969.
The hunky Shane Brolly served as one of the semi-regulars at the heart of the ongoing Underworld saga. Brolly was born on this day in 1970.
Move over, Robert Downey, Jr.: no less than Shaquille O'Neal tried on a metal suit way before it was popular in Hollywood, bringing the Superman-inspired Steel to life on the silver screen. O'Neal was born on this day in 1972.
Director Julian Simpson has certainly made a mark in the realm of genre entertainment, helming the SciFi miniseries Superstorm and several episodes of Doctor Who. Simpson was born on this day in 1972.
Early in the turn of the 21st century, the lovely Lara Cox went all prehistoric on us, joining Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World in television syndication for a handful of episodes. Cox was born on this day in 1978.
Aboard Doctor Who's "The Woman Who Lived," Rufus Hound played the character named 'Sam Swift.' Hound was born on this day in 1979.
In his youth, Joel Palmer had a great guest spot aboard Fox TV's long-running The X-Files. As an actor, he also visited The Outer Limits, Poltergeist: The Legacy, and First Wave. Palmer was born on this day in 1986.
The fetching Amy Okuda (above right) played a role aboard Amazon's stellar The Man In The High Castle adaptation. Okuda was born on this day in 1989.
Newcomer Clara Lago's star is just beginning to rise and shine, and her work aboard The End (2012), Extinction (2015), Orbita 9 (2016), and The Librarians definitely bodes well. Lago was born on this day in 1990.
According to IMDB.com, the lovely Nicole Arianna Fox scored her acting debut in the Fantasy-themed TV movie, Almighty Thor, for Asylum. Fox was born on this day in 1991.
What bewitching secret might the lovely Elise Eberle have to hide? Fans will have to watch the Fantasy-themed historical drama Salem to find out! Eberle was born on this day in 1993.
The lovely Rosie Day dipped herself heartily into the waters of Fantasy with a plumb role aboard Starz's adaptation of Outlander. Day was born on this day in 1995.
The young Dylan Schmid has a resume rich in contributions to genre projects. He's served time aboard Fringe, Falling Skies, Stonados (2013), Once Upon A Time, Olympus, and Beyond. Schmid was born on this day in 1999.
Young Aryana Engineer (above, in white) played a role aboard 2012's Resident Evil: Retribution for good measure. Engineer was born on this day in 2001.
On this day in 1959 (in Denmark), the Russian-language SciFi film Doroga K Zvezdam played theatrically. Directed by Pavel Klushantsez, the feature starred Georgi Solovyov and Leonid Khmara, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A groundbreaking popular science fiction film about the past and future of astronautics, from the first experiments by Konstantin Tsiolkovsky to the manned spaceflight and colonization of the Moon."
"A groundbreaking popular science fiction film about the past and future of astronautics, from the first experiments by Konstantin Tsiolkovsky to the manned spaceflight and colonization of the Moon."
A star is born! On this day in 1992, The Lawnmower Man enjoyed its first theatrical engagement ever! Directed by Brett Leonard (based on his adaptation of the Stephen King short story), the SciFi feature starred Jeff Fahey, Pierce Brosnan, and Jenny Wright, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A scientist performs experiments involving intelligence enhancing drugs and virtual reality on a simple-minded gardener. He puts the gardener on an extensive schedule of learning, and quickly he becomes brilliant. But at this point the gardener has a few ideas of his own on how the research should continue, and the scientist begins losing control of his experiments."
For the record: The film enjoyed 1993 Saturn Award nominations in the categories of Best Special Effects and Best Science Fiction Film but ultimately lost out to other films. The film enjoyed modest enough box office success to guarantee a sequel -- Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace -- which would see an all-new cast exploring the concept of virtual reality a bit further. Alas, the sequel underperformed, as can happen when straying too far from the original.
"A scientist performs experiments involving intelligence enhancing drugs and virtual reality on a simple-minded gardener. He puts the gardener on an extensive schedule of learning, and quickly he becomes brilliant. But at this point the gardener has a few ideas of his own on how the research should continue, and the scientist begins losing control of his experiments."
For the record: The film enjoyed 1993 Saturn Award nominations in the categories of Best Special Effects and Best Science Fiction Film but ultimately lost out to other films. The film enjoyed modest enough box office success to guarantee a sequel -- Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace -- which would see an all-new cast exploring the concept of virtual reality a bit further. Alas, the sequel underperformed, as can happen when straying too far from the original.
On this day in 2014 (in Hungary), AE: Apocalypse Earth enjoyed its run in theaters. Written and directed by Thunder Levin, the SciFi feature starred Adrian Paul and Richard Grieco, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When the Earth is attacked by alien forces, a mass evacuation leads to a small group of survivors crash landing on a planet inhabited by cloaked figures. To get off the doomed planet a green-skinned humanoid girls reckons a downed spaceship will do the trick."
"When the Earth is attacked by alien forces, a mass evacuation leads to a small group of survivors crash landing on a planet inhabited by cloaked figures. To get off the doomed planet a green-skinned humanoid girls reckons a downed spaceship will do the trick."
On this day in 2018, Joaquin Rodriguez's Curse Of The Mayans enjoyed its U.S. release on home video. The feature starred Carla Ortiz and Olga Fonda, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Dr. Alan Green an American Archelogist leads Danielle Noble an her team of cave divers on an expedition searching the Mayan ancient records. Instead of finding glory they will find hell hidden in the underwater caves of Xibalba."
"Dr. Alan Green an American Archelogist leads Danielle Noble an her team of cave divers on an expedition searching the Mayan ancient records. Instead of finding glory they will find hell hidden in the underwater caves of Xibalba."
On this day in 1954, Adventures Of Superman aired "The Whistling Bird." Officially, this served as the twenty-fifth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Sterling Holloway returns as eccentric scientist Uncle Oscar, who while trying to cook up a formula for flavored stamp glue ends up with a powerful explosive. Rather than write down the entire formula, Uncle Oscar teaches vital segments of the formula to his talking parakeet Schuyler. A pair of foreign spies steal Schuyler and substitute a lookalike, then kidnap Oscar and his niece Nancy (Allene Roberts) in order to steal the explosive. This looks like a job for Superman (George Reeves)--but it may also prove to be his undoing, inasmuch as the loquacious Schuyler is savvy to Superman's "Clark Kent" guise."
"Sterling Holloway returns as eccentric scientist Uncle Oscar, who while trying to cook up a formula for flavored stamp glue ends up with a powerful explosive. Rather than write down the entire formula, Uncle Oscar teaches vital segments of the formula to his talking parakeet Schuyler. A pair of foreign spies steal Schuyler and substitute a lookalike, then kidnap Oscar and his niece Nancy (Allene Roberts) in order to steal the explosive. This looks like a job for Superman (George Reeves)--but it may also prove to be his undoing, inasmuch as the loquacious Schuyler is savvy to Superman's "Clark Kent" guise."
On this day in 1964, The Twilight Zone aired "Queen of the Nile." This served as the twenty-third episode of the program's fifth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A reporter interviews a Hollywood movie queen who has a secret to her eternal beauty."
"A reporter interviews a Hollywood movie queen who has a secret to her eternal beauty."
On this day in 1965, Doctor Who aired "The Web Planet: Crater of Needles." This served as the nineteenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Ian and Vrestin are captured by the subterranean Optera while Barbara and her Menoptera allies attempt to escape from the slave camp."
"Ian and Vrestin are captured by the subterranean Optera while Barbara and her Menoptera allies attempt to escape from the slave camp."
On this day in 1966, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea aired "The Menfish." This served as the twenty-fourth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"While Adm. Nelson is away, Capt. Crane tries to prevent Dr. Borgman from implanting human DNA into marine animals to create a new type of undersea creature."
"While Adm. Nelson is away, Capt. Crane tries to prevent Dr. Borgman from implanting human DNA into marine animals to create a new type of undersea creature."
On this day in 1971, Doctor Who aired "The Mind of Evil, Part 6." This served as the tenth episode of the program's eighth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Brigadier has recaptured Stangmoor but the Master still has control of the Thunderbolt and the Doctor must find a way to stop him and destroy the Keller Machine."
"The Brigadier has recaptured Stangmoor but the Master still has control of the Thunderbolt and the Doctor must find a way to stop him and destroy the Keller Machine."
On this day in 1976, Doctor Who aired "The Seeds of Doom, Part 6." This served as the twenty-sixth episode of the program's thirteenth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Chase is obviously under Krynoid control. The Doctor suspects possession but, with the mountainous Krynoid nearing maturity and whacking the mansion to pieces, he concerns himself with the bigger picture and orders the mansion - with Sarah and him still inside - to be bombed."
"Chase is obviously under Krynoid control. The Doctor suspects possession but, with the mountainous Krynoid nearing maturity and whacking the mansion to pieces, he concerns himself with the bigger picture and orders the mansion - with Sarah and him still inside - to be bombed."
On this day in 1981, The Incredible Hulk aired "The First, Part 1." This served as the twelfth episode of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"David 'Barr' travels to Vissaria where another Hulk was sighted years before. He finds the lab where the creature originated, a man claims to have been the 'first' Hulk and most importantly, a cure."
"David 'Barr' travels to Vissaria where another Hulk was sighted years before. He finds the lab where the creature originated, a man claims to have been the 'first' Hulk and most importantly, a cure."
On this day in 1988, Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future aired "New Order: Part 1 - The Sky Shall Swallow Them." This served as the nineteenth episode of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"New data from a springer indicates that phase 3 of Project New Order is about to commence. A suborbital platform codenamed Icaras will start mass digitization at 15.00 hours. Power comes up with a desperate two part plan to attack Icarus control followed by Volcania itself."
"New data from a springer indicates that phase 3 of Project New Order is about to commence. A suborbital platform codenamed Icaras will start mass digitization at 15.00 hours. Power comes up with a desperate two part plan to attack Icarus control followed by Volcania itself."
On this day in 1989, War of the Worlds aired "The Last Supper." This served as the eighteenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by TV.com:
"Extraterrestrial experts from around the world are gathered to discuss and exchange information in an effort to help combat the threat the world faces against the alien menace. The aliens have an upper hand when they gain knowledge of this meeting and plot to murder them all to remove the thorn from their sides."
"Extraterrestrial experts from around the world are gathered to discuss and exchange information in an effort to help combat the threat the world faces against the alien menace. The aliens have an upper hand when they gain knowledge of this meeting and plot to murder them all to remove the thorn from their sides."
On this day in 1992 (in Germany), Star Trek: The Next Generation aired "Contagion." Officially, this served as the eleventh episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Encountering the superior technology of a very ancient race creates system malfunctions for a doomed Federation starship, for the Enterprise, and for an eavesdropping Romulan warbird."
"Encountering the superior technology of a very ancient race creates system malfunctions for a doomed Federation starship, for the Enterprise, and for an eavesdropping Romulan warbird."
On this day in 1994 (in the Netherlands), Star Trek: The Next Generation aired "Contagion." Officially, this served as the eleventh episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Encountering the superior technology of a very ancient race creates system malfunctions for a doomed Federation starship, for the Enterprise, and for an eavesdropping Romulan warbird."
"Encountering the superior technology of a very ancient race creates system malfunctions for a doomed Federation starship, for the Enterprise, and for an eavesdropping Romulan warbird."
Stargate: SG-1 was one of those series that just never did anything for me. I have seen most of its first season, and most of the plots, characters, and situations seemed a bit too saccharin for me. Still, I can respect any franchise that makes a foothold in the entertainment industry and has real staying power, which is certainly true for Stargate. Its first season closed out on this day back in 1998 with the episode titled "Within the Serpent's Grasp."
On this day in 2000, Roughnecks: The Starship Troopers Chronicles aired the episode titled "Checkmate." According to our friends at TV.com, here's the plot summary:
"Lt. Razak is called to a mission briefing to find it being given by Sky Marshall Sanchez himself. The Roughnecks and Echo squads are given the mission to infiltrate the mound of the Queen Bug and eliminate her and the Roughnecks are reunited with an old friend. Can they accomplish this seemingly suicidal mission?"
"Lt. Razak is called to a mission briefing to find it being given by Sky Marshall Sanchez himself. The Roughnecks and Echo squads are given the mission to infiltrate the mound of the Queen Bug and eliminate her and the Roughnecks are reunited with an old friend. Can they accomplish this seemingly suicidal mission?"
On this day in 2004, Starhunter 2300 aired the eighteenth episode of its second season, an hour titled "Just Politics." According to our friends at Wikipedia.org, here's the plot summary:
"The hunters take the Mars Minister of Trade, Andreas Kolsig, and his entourage: bodyguard Dircott and aides Gayna and Jophie, to the Mannheim asteroid belt for a secret negotiation. With Percy absent, Gayna uses her identity to override Caravaggio, and removes the air from Dircott's quarters, killing him. Although Car claims Dircott died of a heart attack, Travis begins an investigation while Rudolpho suspects that Kolsig is not who he claims to be. Later, Jophie is killed when she and Marcus discover Car has been overridden and he activates his self-defenses. Kolsig keeps his meeting with a man named Rezner who deals in a rare mineral called Durenium - a powerful source of negative energy needed for hyperspace travel. Gayna, secretly records evidence that Kolsig plans to keep the mineral and overthrow Mars President Morland. When she tries to escape the Tulip, she activates the self destruct, and the crew hurry to override the countdown."
"The hunters take the Mars Minister of Trade, Andreas Kolsig, and his entourage: bodyguard Dircott and aides Gayna and Jophie, to the Mannheim asteroid belt for a secret negotiation. With Percy absent, Gayna uses her identity to override Caravaggio, and removes the air from Dircott's quarters, killing him. Although Car claims Dircott died of a heart attack, Travis begins an investigation while Rudolpho suspects that Kolsig is not who he claims to be. Later, Jophie is killed when she and Marcus discover Car has been overridden and he activates his self-defenses. Kolsig keeps his meeting with a man named Rezner who deals in a rare mineral called Durenium - a powerful source of negative energy needed for hyperspace travel. Gayna, secretly records evidence that Kolsig plans to keep the mineral and overthrow Mars President Morland. When she tries to escape the Tulip, she activates the self destruct, and the crew hurry to override the countdown."
On this day in 2007 (in Japan), Doctor Who aired "Army of Ghosts." This served as the twelfth episode in the relaunched program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"As the ghosts of loved ones appear, the whole world celebrates. But as the Doctor investigates he believes that there is a more sinister motive behind their appearence. And deep within the Torchwood tower, a mysterious sphere containing the greatest enemies of the Doctor is opened..."
"As the ghosts of loved ones appear, the whole world celebrates. But as the Doctor investigates he believes that there is a more sinister motive behind their appearence. And deep within the Torchwood tower, a mysterious sphere containing the greatest enemies of the Doctor is opened..."
On this day in 2009, "Islanded In A Stream Of Stars" aired as the eighteenth episode as part of Battlestar Galactica's fourth season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"With Hera now likely in the hands of John Cavil, Admiral Adama sends out search teams to locate The Colony, the Cylon home world if you will, that Ellen Tigh says is the only place she imagines she could be. Adama reluctantly comes to the conclusion that the Galactica has reached the end of its days. He orders all repair activities halted and decides to strip the ship and share everything that is salvageable with the rest of the fleet. Starbuck meanwhile shares with Gaius Baltar what she found on the uninhabitable Earth. He subsequently - and quite publicly - proclaims her to be an angel."
"With Hera now likely in the hands of John Cavil, Admiral Adama sends out search teams to locate The Colony, the Cylon home world if you will, that Ellen Tigh says is the only place she imagines she could be. Adama reluctantly comes to the conclusion that the Galactica has reached the end of its days. He orders all repair activities halted and decides to strip the ship and share everything that is salvageable with the rest of the fleet. Starbuck meanwhile shares with Gaius Baltar what she found on the uninhabitable Earth. He subsequently - and quite publicly - proclaims her to be an angel."
On this day in 2015, 12 Monkeys aired "Yesterday." This served as the eighth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"The Core that powers the time machine is fading. To get Cole back from the past, Jones must convince her former colleagues at the military operation "Spearhead" that her mission is worth saving."
"The Core that powers the time machine is fading. To get Cole back from the past, Jones must convince her former colleagues at the military operation "Spearhead" that her mission is worth saving."
On this day in 2012, Mass Effect 3 was released to the gaming community at large. It featured the voices of Jennifer Hale and Mark Meer, and here's the premise as listed on IMDB.com:
"Earth is under attack by a monstrous race of gigantic living ships known as the Reapers. Even if Commander Shepard could unite all surviving species in the universe, only a miracle can help. Then again, Shepard did come back from the dead."
"Earth is under attack by a monstrous race of gigantic living ships known as the Reapers. Even if Commander Shepard could unite all surviving species in the universe, only a miracle can help. Then again, Shepard did come back from the dead."
