Throughout literary history, many an author has taken a stab in some way -- big or small -- at Science Fiction or Fantasy, and here's one of the most surprising: the legendary Sir Arthur Conan Doyle! Readers and fans know him more for one of the greatest characters in fictional history -- Sherlock Holmes -- but he also dabbled in other genres. His The Lost World has enjoyed countless theatrical presentations -- the most renowned (for my tastes) being the first one from 1925 -- as well as a fairly interesting TV incarnation that lasted three fun-filled seasons. Though he's no longer with us, Doyle was born on this day in 1859. [Source: IMDB.com]
David Hillary Hughes played 'Trefayne' aboard the classic Star Trek episode "Errand Of Mercy" during the program's first season. Though he's no longer with us, Hughes was born on this day in 1901.
Late in his life, acting legend Laurence Olivier took on the role of the mighty 'Zeus' aboard Desmond Davis' Clash Of The Titans (1981). Though he's no longer with us, Olivier was born on this day in 1907. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Shirley Bonne had a guest spot in "Shore Leave," one of the popular episodes from Star Trek's first season. She also appeared in the 1969 Telefilm "It's Alive." Bonne was born on this day in 1934.
Comedian Richard Benjamin was 'Adam Quark,' captain of a space-based garbage scow in the 1977-78 TV season comedy program titled simply Quark. He had also appeared in the 1973's sci-fi cult flick, Westworld. Benjamin was born on this day in 1938. [Source: IMDB.com]
The late actor Paul Winfield was fortunate enough to make two very memorable though tragic appearances in our much beloved Star Trek franchise. He's perhaps best remembered as 'Capt. Terrell' in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, but he was also in the classic Star Trek: The Next Generation episode titled "Darmok" as the signature character. He also had a terrific role in the original The Terminator movie. Winfield was born on this day in 1939. [Source: IMDB.com]
The great Michael Sarrazin had a few forays into the realm of Science Fiction. He made appearances in Frankenstein: The True Story (1973), The Ray Bradbury Theatre, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Arrival II (1998), The Outer Limits, and Earth: Final Conflict. Though he's no longer with us, Sarrazin was born on this day in 1940. [Source: IMDB.com]
An iconic actress from movie and television's 1960's, the lovely Barbara Perkins hasn't done work in quite some time; still, one of her last screen credits was voicing the Mother Box for Superman: The Animated Series. (And that's kinda a big thing in the Superman universe.) Parkins was born on this day in 1942. [Source: IMDB.com]
That dreamy little Russian cosmonaut who curled up in Roy Scheider's arms in one fateful moment during 2010 when it appeared their mission was going to Hell in a handbasket? She was played by Natasha Schneider, who essentially turned away from the film business to focus on her music career. Though she's no longer with us, Schneider was born on this day in 1956.
I've always been a bit smitten with the work of Ann Cusack. So far as genre appearances go, she's been a part of What Planet Are You From (2000), Star Trek: Enterprise, Miracles, and The Lost Room. Cusack was born on this day in 1961.
Veteran character actor Michael Kelly had a small role aboard Warner Bros' Man Of Steel (2013). He also had a key role aboard The Adjustment Bureau (2011). Kelly was born on this day in 1969.
Though her acting career has been off-and-on throughout the last two decades (according to IMDB.com, that is), A.J. Langer did give SciFi fans a peek at her skills by appearing in 1996's God-awful sequel to the classic Escape From New York titled Escape from L.A. Same plot, different location. Langer was born on this day in 1974.
Gilmore Girls alumnus Sean Gunn took a walk on the wild side in the role of Kraglin aboard Marvel's popular Guardians of the Galaxy (2014 and 2017). Gunn was born on this day in 1974.
You know, the parts of the Michael Bay film The Island that actually dealt in the realm of sci-fi were actually quite good; it's when he left behind the sci-fi and embraced his action flick roots that Bay killed what could've been an otherwise solid outing. Whatever. The Island's community announcer? On that big screen? That's the lovely Noa Tishby. She's also done work in Star Trek: Enterprise as well as The 4400. Tishby was born on this day in 1977.
The scrumptious Ginnifer Goodwin wooed fans in the role of Snow White aboard ABC TV's Fantasy-themed Once Upon A Time. Goodwin was born on this day in 1978.
Maggie Q is just too damn good looking for her own good! She's had an awful lot of small roles in largely forgettable films, but I, for one, would love to see her break-through with her own SciFi and Fantasy franchise. She can be seen as the 'Priestess' in 2011's interesting Priest. Maggie was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
One of Nazanin Boniadi's earliest roles was as 'Amira Ahmed' aboard Marvel's flagship feature, Iron Man (2008). More recently, she turned in some spectacular work aboard Star Networks' Counterpart, one of the best SciFi shows folks have never seen. Boniadi was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely model and actress Tao Okamoto joined Hugh Jackman aboard 2013's The Wolverine. Then in 2016 she jumped ship and board DC Comics for the part of 'Mercy Graves' in Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice. Want to know more? She's turned in some pretty solid work in genre projects like The Man In The High Castle from Amazon Studios as well as Westworld from HBO. That's not too shabby! Okamoto was born on this day in 1985. [Source: IMDB.com]
Young Charlie DePew filled out the shoes of 'Philip Stacy' in both 2012's The Amazing Spider-Man and 2014's The Amazing Spider-Man 2. DePew was born on this day in 1996.
Fresh-faced Camren Bicondova is slinking her way into television history by bringing to life 'Selina Kyle' (aka The Catwoman) for Fox TV's Gotham. Bicondova was born on this day in 1999.
While it's an exceedingly rare phenomenon, there are still some actors whose mere presence elevates some relatively mundane and/or predictable script material. Case in point: Outland is basically a retelling of the western High Noon but done in outer space, and the mere presence of the legendary Sean Connery made it a better-than-average flick. It's a bit slow by today's standards, but it's still pretty well done, especially as a sci-fi flick for the '80's. The film premiered on this day in 1981.
Wow, do you know that I just realized I've never seen any of the Trancers movie fully? (FYI: the first one premiered on this day back in 1985.) I should really get around to that soon. Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Jack Deth is a kind of cop/bounty hunter in the bleak Los Angeles of the future. He's become obssessed with chasing Whistler - an evil criminal who uses powerful hypnotic powers to convert people into zombie like creatures known as trancers. Whistler has managed to escape through time travel and is loose in 1980s L.A. but Deth is on his trail."
"Jack Deth is a kind of cop/bounty hunter in the bleak Los Angeles of the future. He's become obssessed with chasing Whistler - an evil criminal who uses powerful hypnotic powers to convert people into zombie like creatures known as trancers. Whistler has managed to escape through time travel and is loose in 1980s L.A. but Deth is on his trail."
On this day in 1992 (in the US and Canada), Ripley went further than she'd ever gone before in her struggle against the perilous Xenomorphs menacing her personally and our galaxy professionally when Alien 3 premiered in theatres. Sadly, audiences weren't exactly won over by this latest, more existential struggle against the menace, but I liked it well enough. (FYI: And it's still miles above Alien: Resurrection, not that that means much ...) Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"After her last encounter, Ellen Ripley crash-lands on Fiorina 161, a maximum security prison. When a series of strange and deadly events occur shortly after her arrival, Ripley realizes that she has brought along an unwelcome visitor."
"After her last encounter, Ellen Ripley crash-lands on Fiorina 161, a maximum security prison. When a series of strange and deadly events occur shortly after her arrival, Ripley realizes that she has brought along an unwelcome visitor."
A star is born! On this day in 2001, Battle Queen 2020 took a sexy swing at depicting post-Apocalyptic Earth (on home video). It starred the lovely Julie Strain, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"After a civilization is all but wiped out by a comet, evil forces take advantage of the weak. A powerful woman fights back for the sake of the vulnerable."
"After a civilization is all but wiped out by a comet, evil forces take advantage of the weak. A powerful woman fights back for the sake of the vulnerable."
A star is born! On this day in 2004, Boa Vs. Python slithered its way on home video. This feature starred David Hewlett and Jaime Bergman, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"After an overly ambitious businessman transports an 80-foot python to the United States, the beast escapes and starts to leave behind a trail of human victims. An FBI agent and a snake specialist come up with a plot to combat the creature by pitting it against a bioengineered, 70-foot boa constrictor. It's two great snakes that snake great together!"
"After an overly ambitious businessman transports an 80-foot python to the United States, the beast escapes and starts to leave behind a trail of human victims. An FBI agent and a snake specialist come up with a plot to combat the creature by pitting it against a bioengineered, 70-foot boa constrictor. It's two great snakes that snake great together!"
It's always been my contention to anyone who would listen that the Indiana Jones franchise is probably one of the most mismanaged in all of filmdom. Each film has grown progressively dumber than the first film (which remains a work of genius), and I blame both Mr. Lucas and Mr. Spielberg for taking the easy way out each time. Still, 2008's Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls (which premiered on this day) was an admirable attempt to recapture the main character's fortune and glory, but it was all too little too late so far as this film fan is concerned. Blech.
On this day in 2012 (in the Netherlands), Doomsday Prophecy enjoyed its premiere on home video. The SciFi feature starred A.J. Buckley and Jewel Staite, and here's the premise listed on IMDB.com:
"Based on the 2012 end-of-world prophesy where two unlikely characters team up to solve a mystery that just might save the world."
"Based on the 2012 end-of-world prophesy where two unlikely characters team up to solve a mystery that just might save the world."
A star is born! On this day in 2016, the SciFi/Animated feature Cranium Intel crept to life. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary for the flick:
"The President wants a military/scientist named Micheal W. Logan dead, after he discovers the Gateway Arch in St. Louis is actually a portal to the Planet X."
"The President wants a military/scientist named Micheal W. Logan dead, after he discovers the Gateway Arch in St. Louis is actually a portal to the Planet X."
On this day in 1954, Tom Corbett, Space Cadet aired "The Runaway Rocket." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's that adventure's plot summary:
"While conducting a space trial for a new type of speedy scout ship, Commander Arkwright, Captain Strong and Cadet Rattison's vessel veers into the path of the Sun after an electrical short-circuit. Only the tiny Polaris, with its crew of cadets, can save their friends of a fiery death."
"While conducting a space trial for a new type of speedy scout ship, Commander Arkwright, Captain Strong and Cadet Rattison's vessel veers into the path of the Sun after an electrical short-circuit. Only the tiny Polaris, with its crew of cadets, can save their friends of a fiery death."
On this day in 1964, The Twilight Zone aired "Come Wander With Me." This served as the thirty-fourth episode to the long-running program's fifth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Singer Floyd Burney searches the backwoods for new songs and finds Mary Rachel and much more deep in the Twilight Zone."
"Singer Floyd Burney searches the backwoods for new songs and finds Mary Rachel and much more deep in the Twilight Zone."
On this day in 1971 (in the United Kingdom), Doctor Who aired "The Daemons: Part 1." Officially, this served as the twenty-first episode in the program's eighth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Master raises the Devil. The Doctor becomes a wizard."
"The Master raises the Devil. The Doctor becomes a wizard."
Why have one alpha male when you can have two? On this day in 1993, Star Trek: The Next Generation aired "Second Chances." This served as the twenty-fourth episode of the program's sixth season, and here's the summary from IMDB.com:
"A distortion field surrounds a planet, giving one chance every eight years to visit the surface. Riker once had a mission there and their equipment was deserted in an effort to flee from the planet before the distortion returned. Having returned to the planet, he runs into another version of himself...marooned there eight years previous."
"A distortion field surrounds a planet, giving one chance every eight years to visit the surface. Riker once had a mission there and their equipment was deserted in an effort to flee from the planet before the distortion returned. Having returned to the planet, he runs into another version of himself...marooned there eight years previous."
On this day in 1994, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired "The Collaborator." This served as the twenty-fourth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Vedek Bareil's targeted by fellow Kai candidate, Vedek Winn as having been a collaborator with the Cardassians during the Occupation."
"Vedek Bareil's targeted by fellow Kai candidate, Vedek Winn as having been a collaborator with the Cardassians during the Occupation."
On this day in 1995, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired "Shakaar." This served as the twenty-fourth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"News arrives that Kai Winn has also become Bajor's political leader. She asks Kira to negotiate with an old resistance friend about returning soil reclamators."
"News arrives that Kai Winn has also become Bajor's political leader. She asks Kira to negotiate with an old resistance friend about returning soil reclamators."
I know an awful lot of Star Trek: Voyager fans may hate me for saying this, but I thought the program had more than its fair share of 'fluff' episodes -- they were hours meant to just "fill the space" between one of the stronger moments to the next. Still, some of that 'fluff' was quite good. One such episode was first season's "Learning Curve," a clever little look at folks steppin' up to the plate now that their ship was in deep doodoo. It aired on this day in 1995, and here's the plot summary, compliments of IMDB.com:
"While Voyager's mixed Starfleet/Maquis crew seem to be working out, a few rogue Maquis are fighting the integration. Chakotay selects the most resistant of the group and Tuvok decides to put the rebels through boot-camp, Tuvok style. Meanwhile, Voyager's bio-neural circuitry is afflicted by a viral infection stemming from Neelix's cooking."
"While Voyager's mixed Starfleet/Maquis crew seem to be working out, a few rogue Maquis are fighting the integration. Chakotay selects the most resistant of the group and Tuvok decides to put the rebels through boot-camp, Tuvok style. Meanwhile, Voyager's bio-neural circuitry is afflicted by a viral infection stemming from Neelix's cooking."
On this day in 2000 (in Canada), Lexx aired "Tunnels." Officially, this served as the seventh episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Xev and Stan lose Kai and are on the run in underground tunnels that lead from one city to another but contain dangerous killers. Prince offers to help, but Xev turns him down and the situation goes from bad to worse."
"Xev and Stan lose Kai and are on the run in underground tunnels that lead from one city to another but contain dangerous killers. Prince offers to help, but Xev turns him down and the situation goes from bad to worse."
On this day in 2001, Angel aired "There's No Place Like Plrtz Glrb." Officially, this served as the twenty-second episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Wesley and Gunn storm the Pylean castle while Angel fights the Groosalugg."
"Wesley and Gunn storm the Pylean castle while Angel fights the Groosalugg."
On this day in 2001, Buffy The Vampire Slayer aired "The Gift." Officially, this served as the twenty-second episode in the program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"As Glory prepares Dawn for a bloodletting ritual that will open a portal to another dimension, Buffy and her friends prepare for battle."
"As Glory prepares Dawn for a bloodletting ritual that will open a portal to another dimension, Buffy and her friends prepare for battle."
On this day in 2001, Seven Days aired "Born In The U.S.S.R." Officially, this served as the twenty-first episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A deadly gas leak kills thousands of Russians and leads to a coup and power vacuum. When Olga is paid a visit by a former lover seeking her help with the Russian time travel program, she puts the world in peril."
"A deadly gas leak kills thousands of Russians and leads to a coup and power vacuum. When Olga is paid a visit by a former lover seeking her help with the Russian time travel program, she puts the world in peril."
On this day in 2002, Star Trek: Enterprise aired "Shockwave." This served as the twenty-sixth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Enterprise discovers a mining colony of the Paraagans. The crew gets an invitation for a meeting on the surface and a shuttle pod tries to break through the atmosphere. All of the sudden just under the shuttle a giant explosion begins and scorches the earth beneath. All 3600 colonists are reported dead. After examination Enterprise finds out plasma leaking from the pod's vents ignited tetrazine in the atmosphere. Lieutenant Reed however ensures he closed the plasma vents before the shuttle went of. After conversations with admiral Forrest of Starfleet Command, captain Archer learns Enterprise' mission is canceled and they must return home, not to return to space for another ten or twenty years. When the ship has altered course, crewman Daniels, a time traveler, pays a visit to captain Archer."
"Enterprise discovers a mining colony of the Paraagans. The crew gets an invitation for a meeting on the surface and a shuttle pod tries to break through the atmosphere. All of the sudden just under the shuttle a giant explosion begins and scorches the earth beneath. All 3600 colonists are reported dead. After examination Enterprise finds out plasma leaking from the pod's vents ignited tetrazine in the atmosphere. Lieutenant Reed however ensures he closed the plasma vents before the shuttle went of. After conversations with admiral Forrest of Starfleet Command, captain Archer learns Enterprise' mission is canceled and they must return home, not to return to space for another ten or twenty years. When the ship has altered course, crewman Daniels, a time traveler, pays a visit to captain Archer."
On this day in 2010 (in the United Kingdom), Doctor Who aired "The Hungry Earth." Officially, this served as the eighth episode in the program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When a drill drills to deep into the earth, something that had been hibernating beneath the earth's crust is woken, and it's hungry for revenge."
"When a drill drills to deep into the earth, something that had been hibernating beneath the earth's crust is woken, and it's hungry for revenge."
On this day in 2017, Supergirl aired "Nevertheless, She Persisted." Officially, this served as the twenty-second episode in the program's second season -- its season finale -- and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Supergirl challenges Rhea to battle to save National City. Meanwhile, Superman returns and Cat Grant offers Supergirl some sage advice."
"Supergirl challenges Rhea to battle to save National City. Meanwhile, Superman returns and Cat Grant offers Supergirl some sage advice."
On this day in 2018, The 100 aired "Shifting Sands." Officially, this served as the fifth episode in the program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Octavia leads her people towards Shadow Valley against the advice of Clarke and Bellamy; Kane and Abby adjust to a new set of challenges."
"Octavia leads her people towards Shadow Valley against the advice of Clarke and Bellamy; Kane and Abby adjust to a new set of challenges."
On this day in 2018, The Flash aired "We Are The Flash." Officially, this served as the twenty-third episode in the program's fourth season -- its season finale -- and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The team gets help from a surprising ally in their battle against DeVoe."
"The team gets help from a surprising ally in their battle against DeVoe."
On this day in 2001, Star Trek: The Next Generation - Rogue enjoyed its initial release to the consumer marketplace. The novel was written by Andy Mangels and Michael A. Martin, and here's the premise as listed on Amazon.com:
"Amoral, shrouded in secrecy, answerable to no-one, Section 31 operates outside the constraints of either conscience or the law. They are the covert operations arm of Starfleet. Their mission: to protect the Federation at whatever cost."
"Amoral, shrouded in secrecy, answerable to no-one, Section 31 operates outside the constraints of either conscience or the law. They are the covert operations arm of Starfleet. Their mission: to protect the Federation at whatever cost."
On this day in 2001, the mass market paperback release for Star Trek: Voyager - Shadow enjoyed its premiere on book shelves everywhere. The novel was written by Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch, and here's the summary from Amazon.com:
"As the crew of Voyager races against time to safe millions of refugees from an approaching stellar catastrophe, Seven of Nine becomes the unwitting target of a series of potenially lethal "accidents," and Captain Janeway and her people find themselves in an unexpected battle to preserve their own lives from a ruthless enemy."
"As the crew of Voyager races against time to safe millions of refugees from an approaching stellar catastrophe, Seven of Nine becomes the unwitting target of a series of potenially lethal "accidents," and Captain Janeway and her people find themselves in an unexpected battle to preserve their own lives from a ruthless enemy."
