I know how most folks feel about the Star Wars Prequels -- truth be told, I struggled with huge parts of the films, myself -- but I enjoy a good villain as much as the next fan. Film legend Christopher Lee suited up in the guise of the dastardly 'Count Dooku' perhaps only the way a screen legend would, so at least fans can be thankful for small favors. A veteran of nearly three hundred different projects, genre fans have long loved this 'steward of scare' as he's been involved with such properties as many Dracula pictures, Space:1999, Starship Invasions (1977), Return From Witch Mountain (1978), Captain America II: Death Too Soon (1979), The Return Of Captain Invincible (1983), Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990), The Tomorrow People, and Peter Jackson's The Lord Of The Rings trilogy adaptation. Though he's no longer with us, Lee was born on this day in 1922. [Source: IMDB.com]
Although his resume in the realm of Special Effects is a bit slim, the late Don Trumbull certainly left an imprint with work on some of the biggest Science Fiction films of an era, including the original Star Wars (1977), Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (1977), Battlestar Galactica (1978), and Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979). Plus, I'd be remiss if I failed to mention that the man pioneer some new technology for the film industry with won him a pair of technical Oscars, one in 1985 and one in 1999. Though he's no longer with us, Trumbull was born on this day in 1909. [Source: IMDB.com]
Horror icon Vincent Price is, arguably, much well known for his vast library of work in -- well -- horror (naturally). With a distinctive voice and a towering presence, he certainly knew more than a thing or two about controlling a scene. Still, he occasionally appeared in SciFi and Fantasy projects, including work aboard Master Of The World (1961), The Last Man On Earth (1964), Dr. Goldfoot And The Bikini Machine (1965), Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea, Batman, The Bionic Woman, the short-lived Time Express, and Edward Scissorhands (1990). Though he's no longer with us, Price was born on this day in 1911. [Source: IMDB.com]
Steve Franken found himself on the receiving end of some violent automatons aboard the original Westworld (1973) brought from the mind of Michael Crichton. Largely remembered for his work in more mainstream projects, he did occasionally dabble in realms of the otherworld. Genre fans might recognize him from work aboard One Step Beyond, The Time Travelers (1964), My Favorite Martian, The Wild Wild West, Batman, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, The Reincarnation of Peter Proud (1975), Holmes And Yoyo, Man From Atlantis, Terror Out Of The Sky (1978), Supertrain, and Breakfast Of Aliens (1993). Though he's no longer with us, Franken was born on this day in 1932. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though I've never quite understood it, I've heard author Harlan Ellison called "the angriest man in Science Fiction." Like I said, I don't 'get' it, per se. Sure, he's passionate about his work, but would you expect any less? And I have read that -- ahem -- he may have had difficulty in dealing with others. In any event, he's a bona fide genius amongst fandom, contributing to such TV classics as The Outer Limits, Star Trek, The Twilight Zone, and Babylon 5. His novels and stories continue to delight, and the anthology series he spearheaded -- Dangerous Visions and Again Dangerous Visions 2 -- are revered in the industry even today. Up until the time of his passing, he had even been promising a third volume, but none ever materialized. Ouch. Greatness missed. Ellison was born on this day in 1934. [Source: Memory Alpha]
Actress Lee Meriwether was more than the cat's meow throughout her acting career -- tip: she was only one of the lovely ladies to play the Catwoman for that campy late 60's Batman series. She was also 'Losira' in the Star Trek (TOS) episode "That Which Survives," and she was also a series regular aboard Irwin Allen's The Time Tunnel series. Meriwether was born on this day in 1935. [Source: IMDB.com]
1985's Enemy Mine is an often overlooked SciFi gem. For my tastes, it all goes on a bit too long and gets a bit too schmaltzy, but watching veteran character actor Louis Gossett Jr. work his magic as the alien 'Jeriba Shigan' is still worth the price of admission. I've read that the alien language was created from scratch (some of it was simply Russian words spoken in reverse), and the actor suggested the odd vocal intonations of his speech to director Wolfgang Petersen who loved the idea. Allegedly, it's accomplished by speaking while gargling saliva. More recently, he enjoyed a fabulous supporting role in HBO's Superhero miniseries Watchmen. Gossett Jr. was born on this day in 1936. [Source: IMDB.com]
Raye Birk is a fabulous character actor who has a solid track record in the realm of genre entertainment and beyond. Fans might recognize him from appearances aboard Earthlings (1984), The Adventures Of Buckaroo Banzai Across The 8th Dimension (1984), The Twilight Zone, Star Trek: The Next Generation, ALF, Beauty And The Beast, Martians Go Home (1989), M.A.N.T.I.S., The X-Files, Babylon 5, Star Trek: Insurrection (1998), and Black Scorpion. Birk was born on this day in 1943. [Source: IMDB.com]
Take note, Man of Steel haters: one of the things the film did wrong was to introduce the character of Dr. Emil Hamilton (above, far right, as played by veteran character actor Richard Schiff) only then to see him killed off before the pictures fade to black. Big mistake as in the comic books Dr. Hamilton works at StarLabs and is frequently assisting 'Big Blue' in a host of ways. Schiff was born on this day in 1955. [Source: IMDB.com]
A lovely Chelsea Field joined the cast in the big screen adaptation of the cartoon property -- He-Man and the Masters of the Universe -- back in 1987. Field was born on this day in 1957. [Source: IMDB.com]
B-movie maiden Linnea Quigley has dazzled men and women alike with her foray into some of a generation's best and worst cinema shlock including roles in such fare as Deathsport (1978), Creepozoids (1988), Dr. Alien (1989), Robot Ninja (1989), and Beach Babes From Beyond (1993). Quigley was born on this day in 1958. [Source: IMDB.com]
Without a doubt, Peri Gilpin has one of the sexiest voices in the entertainment business. Though she isn't much known for her work in genre projects, she has lent her pipes to the character of 'Volcana' for work aboard both Superman: The Animated Series and Justice League Animated. Gilpin was born on this day in 1961. [Source: IMDB.com]
The affable Eddie McClintock headlined Syfy's long-running Warehouse 13, a SciFi procedural centered upon two federal agents maintaining a veritable treasure trove of supernatural and otherworldly objects. He's also enjoyed guest spots aboard Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Supergirl. McClintock was born on this day in 1967. [Source: IMDB.com]
One of biggest disappointments in television for me was ABC TV's Flashforward. Instead of really developing an interesting sci-fi narrative (especially given the fact that it was based on a notable sci-fi book), the showrunners took the premise and then quickly did everything they could to dumb it down in a plot they hoped reminded audiences of Lost. Still, Joseph Fiennes did great work as agent Mark Benford. Fiennes was born on this day in 1970. [Source: IMDB.com]
Monika Schnarre has one of those faces that tends to pop up in quality genre roles from time to time but never quite seems to land a leading spot. (Personally, I think that's a crying shame!) Fans probably recognize her best from appearances aboard Welcome to Paradox, Earth: Final Conflict, NightMan, Total Recall 2070, First Wave, Beastmaster, Mutant X, and Andromeda. Schnarre was born on this day in 1971. [Source: IMDB.com]
Paul Bettany headlined 2011's Priest, a B-movie that rather successfully mixed action and SciFi in a tale that saw Bettany's character ignoring the laws of his church while hunting down vampires who had kidnapped his niece. I saw it on home video and enjoyed it the way I do many B-movies. A few years later he dipped into a bigger role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the guise of 'Vision.' Bettany was born on this day in 1971. [Source: IMDB.com]
Early in her professional career, Sara Wiseman dolled herself up for Fantasy fans for work aboard both Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess. Wiseman was born on this day in 1972. [Source: IMDB.com]
Early in her career, easy-on-the-eyes Cindy Sampson had a few uncredited appearances aboard the cult SciFi TV show Lexx for good measure, and she ventured into the made-for-TV B-Movie flick High Plains Invaders in 2009. And, for a time, she enjoyed a recurring role aboard The CW's long-running Supernatural. Sampson was born on this day in 1978. [Source: IMDB.com]
A young Ben Feldman found himself trapped in the worst night of his life in Cloverfield (2008), and wouldn't you know somebody showed up with a camcorder to film it all? Feldman was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Bella Heathcote brought her young beauty to 2011's SciFi-themed In Time, a Justin Timberlake actioner that centered around tomorrow's wealthy elite being able to buy immortal youth. More recently, she turned in solid work with a recurring role aboard Amazon Studios' The Man In The High Castle adaptation. Heathcote was born on this day in 1987. [Source: IMDB.com]
Model-turned-actress Alicia Sixtos found herself in the midst of an alien invasion for her work as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. aboard The Avengers (2012) for Walt Disney and Marvel. Sixtos was born on this day in 1988. [Source: IMDB.com]
Adult film temptress Ash Hollywood tried on Fantasy of a mildly different variety with a 'Killer Frost' role aboard Wonder Woman XXX: An Axel Braun Parody (2015) for Vivid Entertainment. Hollywood was born on this day in 1989. [Source: IMDB.com]
Chelsea Gilligan enjoyed a fair amount of screen time with her work aboard the short-lived Star-Crossed during its run on television. Gilligan was born on this day in 1991. [Source: IMDB.com]
Lily-Rose Depp tried Fantasy on for size with a top role aboard The Summoning (aka Planetarium) (2016) with Natalie Portman at her side. Depp was born on this day in 1999. [Source: IMDB.com]
Pretty as a picture Izabela Vidovic won hearts and minds by stepping into the role of a young 'Kara Danvers' in flashback episodes of The CW's Supergirl. Vidovic wasborn on this day in 2001. [Source: IMDB.com]
A star is born! On this day in 1953, the original It Came From Outer Space enjoyed its first theatrical engagement ever with a special cinematic premiere in Los Angeles, California! Based on a story from Ray Bradbury, the SciFi feature was directed by Jack Arnold and starred Richard Carlson and Barbara Rush. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A spaceship from another world crashes in the Arizona desert and only an amateur stargazer and a schoolteacher suspect alien influence when the local townsfolk begin to act strangely."
For those who love this sort of trivia, it's interesting to note that Ms. Rush would go on to win the Golden Globe in 1974 for 'Most Promising Newcomer - Female.'
"A spaceship from another world crashes in the Arizona desert and only an amateur stargazer and a schoolteacher suspect alien influence when the local townsfolk begin to act strangely."
For those who love this sort of trivia, it's interesting to note that Ms. Rush would go on to win the Golden Globe in 1974 for 'Most Promising Newcomer - Female.'
A star is born! On this day in 1980 (in the U.S.), The Henderson Monster brought Science Fiction ethics to the forefront in a home television movie. Directed by Waris Hussein, the feature starred Stephen Collins, Larry Gates, and Christine Lahti; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A famous scientist, while performing experiments involving DNA, accidentally creates a monster."
"A famous scientist, while performing experiments involving DNA, accidentally creates a monster."
On this day in 1983 (in Mexico), Contamination showed audiences another type of alien incursion. Written and directed by Luigi Cozzi, the SciFi feature starred Louise Marleau and Ian McCulloch, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A former astronaut helps a government agent and a police detective track the source of mysterious alien pod spores, filled with lethal flesh-dissolving acid, to a South American coffee plantation controlled by alien pod clones."
"A former astronaut helps a government agent and a police detective track the source of mysterious alien pod spores, filled with lethal flesh-dissolving acid, to a South American coffee plantation controlled by alien pod clones."
On this day in 1983 (in Norway), Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan brought Kirk and company back to the silver screen in what many argue was their best singular voyage. Directed by Nicholas Meyer, the SciFi/Fantasy starred William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and DeForest Kelley, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"With the assistance of the Enterprise crew, Admiral Kirk must stop an old nemesis, Khan Noonien Singh, from using the life-generating Genesis Device as the ultimate weapon."
"With the assistance of the Enterprise crew, Admiral Kirk must stop an old nemesis, Khan Noonien Singh, from using the life-generating Genesis Device as the ultimate weapon."
Sorry, folks, I haven't watched much Japanese anime, so I can't tell you much about this one: on this day in 1988 (in Japan), Dominion Tank Police served and protected as best it could. According to IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In a dystopic pollution ridden future, the tank police fight for law and order and cause massive collatorol destruction along the way."
"In a dystopic pollution ridden future, the tank police fight for law and order and cause massive collatorol destruction along the way."
On this day in 1996, the SciFi/Telefilm Doctor Who enjoyed its premiere on the BBC. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary for the flick:
"The newly-regenerated Doctor takes on the Master on the turn of the millennium, 31 December 1999."
"The newly-regenerated Doctor takes on the Master on the turn of the millennium, 31 December 1999."
On this day in 2000 (in Japan), Mission To Mars blasted off in theaters. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary for the SciFi/Drama:
"When the first manned mission to Mars meets with a catastrophic and mysterious disaster after reporting an unidentified structure, a rescue mission is launched to investigate the tragedy and bring back any survivors."
"When the first manned mission to Mars meets with a catastrophic and mysterious disaster after reporting an unidentified structure, a rescue mission is launched to investigate the tragedy and bring back any survivors."
Ah! The cinema! Is there anything more exciting, more visceral than a couple of would-be scientists sitting around looking at a self-storage facility? Meh. Primer is one of those films that has rabid fans, downright rabid supporters; and -- for the life of me -- I can't figure out why. Sure, it's an innovative flick (in the same way any would be if you or I or our fellow average Joes figured out how to build a time machine), but ... is that all there is? I was honestly bored stiff with the thing. It's like watching paint dry. And make that bad paint, a color you didn't even like. Go figure. To each his own.
Heavily praised around the web and beyond as well as the fact that it even won a few festival awards here and there, Primer first premiered theatrically (in Spain) on this day in 2004.
Heavily praised around the web and beyond as well as the fact that it even won a few festival awards here and there, Primer first premiered theatrically (in Spain) on this day in 2004.
On this day in 2005, the Adult-themed Fantasy SpiderBabe enjoyed its premiere on U.S. home video. The feature starred Erin Brown and Darian Caine, and here's the premise compliments of IMDB.com:
"A socially awkward young woman gets bitten by a radioactive spider and becomes a crime-fighting superhero and tries to defeat a nefarious super villain while going after any man (or woman) she wants to bed down with."
"A socially awkward young woman gets bitten by a radioactive spider and becomes a crime-fighting superhero and tries to defeat a nefarious super villain while going after any man (or woman) she wants to bed down with."
After all, Science Fiction can't be all stories of pretty girls studying in the park, but on this day in 2015 it was as Trakked enjoyed its U.S. release. The feature starred Eric Annunziato and Jade Elysan, and here's the plot from IMDB.com:
"A woman inserts a camera in the head of her cheating boyfriend and watches his every move on her computer."
"A woman inserts a camera in the head of her cheating boyfriend and watches his every move on her computer."
On this day in 2016 (in the United Kingdom), the 1977-produced Close Encounters Of The Third Kind enjoyed a rare theatrical re-release. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Roy Neary, an Indiana electric lineman, finds his quiet and ordinary daily life turned upside down after a close encounter with a UFO, spurring him to an obsessed cross-country quest for answers as a momentous event approaches."
"Roy Neary, an Indiana electric lineman, finds his quiet and ordinary daily life turned upside down after a close encounter with a UFO, spurring him to an obsessed cross-country quest for answers as a momentous event approaches."
On this day in 2016 (in Australia), the 1982-produced Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan enjoyed a rare theatrical re-release. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"With the assistance of the Enterprise crew, Admiral Kirk must stop an old nemesis, Khan Noonien Singh, from using the life-generating Genesis Device as the ultimate weapon."
"With the assistance of the Enterprise crew, Admiral Kirk must stop an old nemesis, Khan Noonien Singh, from using the life-generating Genesis Device as the ultimate weapon."
On this day in 2019 (in Ukraine), Ridley Scott's Alien played for audiences in attendance of the Molodist International Film Festival. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After a space merchant vessel receives an unknown transmission as a distress call, one of the crew is attacked by a mysterious life form and they soon realize that its life cycle has merely begun."
"After a space merchant vessel receives an unknown transmission as a distress call, one of the crew is attacked by a mysterious life form and they soon realize that its life cycle has merely begun."
On this day in 1967, Doctor Who aired "The Evil of the Daleks: Part 2." This served as the thirty-eighth episode of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Doctor and Jamie investigate Waterfield's antiques shop, where they are knocked unconscious and transported back to the 19th century."
"The Doctor and Jamie investigate Waterfield's antiques shop, where they are knocked unconscious and transported back to the 19th century."
On this day in 1972, Doctor Who aired "The Time Monster: Part 2." This served as the twenty-second episode of the program's ninth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Doctor realises the Master is trying to harness the power of Kronos, last of the Chronovores, but is unaware Percival is harbouring him at the institute."
"The Doctor realises the Master is trying to harness the power of Kronos, last of the Chronovores, but is unaware Percival is harbouring him at the institute."
On this day in 1972 (in West Germany), Star Trek aired "Tomorrow Is Yesterday." Officially, this served as the nineteenth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When the Enterprise is flung back in time while trying to escape the gravitational pull of a black star, they find themselves in orbit around a 1960's Earth. When they are seen by a U.S. Air Force pilot, they beam him aboard but then face the dilemma of what to do with him as he learns more and more about the future. They have to review their initial decision to just keep him when historical records show that his yet-to-be-born son will lead Earth's first successful mission to probe Saturn. Spock devises a plan to do so while also erasing any memory of recent events."
"When the Enterprise is flung back in time while trying to escape the gravitational pull of a black star, they find themselves in orbit around a 1960's Earth. When they are seen by a U.S. Air Force pilot, they beam him aboard but then face the dilemma of what to do with him as he learns more and more about the future. They have to review their initial decision to just keep him when historical records show that his yet-to-be-born son will lead Earth's first successful mission to probe Saturn. Spock devises a plan to do so while also erasing any memory of recent events."
On this day in 1978, Project U.F.O. aired "Sighting 4012: The Rock and Hard Place Incident." This served as the twelfth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Major Gatlin and S/Sgt. Fritz investigate a UFO that was seen in the night sky by numerous people (including themselves) and at different locations, all in the same night. As their investigation progresses they begin to suspect a hoax."
"Major Gatlin and S/Sgt. Fritz investigate a UFO that was seen in the night sky by numerous people (including themselves) and at different locations, all in the same night. As their investigation progresses they begin to suspect a hoax."
On this day in 1989, Superboy aired "Luthor Unleashed." Officially, this served as the twenty-sixth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Luthor steals a powerful weapon developed by the army and prepares to sell it to weapon dealers. Later, while Luthor is working in the Shuster laboratory, he causes an explosion, and Superboy saves him by blowing the chemical fumes out of the building."
"Luthor steals a powerful weapon developed by the army and prepares to sell it to weapon dealers. Later, while Luthor is working in the Shuster laboratory, he causes an explosion, and Superboy saves him by blowing the chemical fumes out of the building."
On this day in 1994, RoboCop: The Series aired "The Human Factor." This served as the twelfth episode in the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"RoboCop teams-up with his unsuspecting father, a retired police captain, to stop an insane bomber from unleashing a campaign of terror against OCP that could end in nuclear Armageddon."
"RoboCop teams-up with his unsuspecting father, a retired police captain, to stop an insane bomber from unleashing a campaign of terror against OCP that could end in nuclear Armageddon."
On this day in 1998, Babylon 5 aired "Meditations on the Abyss." This served as the fourteenth episode of the program's fifth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Vir learns he is the new Centauri ambassador to Babylon 5."
"Vir learns he is the new Centauri ambassador to Babylon 5."
On this day in 2000, Batman Beyond aired "Where's Terry?" 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:
"When Terry goes missing, Wayne and Max go searching for him."
"When Terry goes missing, Wayne and Max go searching for him."
Original BBC premiere!!! On this day in 2006, Doctor Who aired "The Idiot's Lantern." This served as the seventh episode in the rebooted program's second season, and here's the plot summary from 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, Doctor Who aired "The Pyramid At The End Of The World." This served as the seventh episode in the relaunched program's tenth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A 5,000-year-old pyramid appears overnight, baffling everyone including the Doctor."
"A 5,000-year-old pyramid appears overnight, baffling everyone including the Doctor."
Well, live long and prosper, indeed! On this day in 2009 (per Memory Alpha), IDW Publishing collected a series of classic Star Trek stories and republished them under a single cover titled Star Trek Omnibus. Here's the tome's plot summary as provided by Amazon.com:
"IDW’s Star Trek Omnibus collects fifteen consecutive issues from the early Marvel Comics run. Soar with your favorite characters like Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Scotty, Sulu, Uhura, Chekov, and more as they battle for the future of The United Federation of Planets — and the entire universe!"
"IDW’s Star Trek Omnibus collects fifteen consecutive issues from the early Marvel Comics run. Soar with your favorite characters like Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Scotty, Sulu, Uhura, Chekov, and more as they battle for the future of The United Federation of Planets — and the entire universe!"
On this day in 1940, The Adventures Of Superman radio serial aired "Alonzo Craig: Arctic Explorer." This particular story ran on this day through June 7th, and here's the (edited) plot summary from the Superman Homepage (link):
"Three years ago, Alonzo Craig was exploring the islands north of Elsmereland to prove that a race of giant white natives and their supposedly immortal witch doctor leader exist. Daily Planet reporter Ray Martin and and Professor Peters of the Metropolis Museum went on a search for Craig recently. Perry White has not heard from either Martin nor Peters in over a month. He's ordered Clark Kent to do what he can to find Martin, Peters and Alonzo Craig. Peters and Martin were to contact Perry via shortwave radio at Ormand. A telegraphed message from Fort Ormand says that gossip among the natives says that Professor Peters and Ray Martin are missing."
"Three years ago, Alonzo Craig was exploring the islands north of Elsmereland to prove that a race of giant white natives and their supposedly immortal witch doctor leader exist. Daily Planet reporter Ray Martin and and Professor Peters of the Metropolis Museum went on a search for Craig recently. Perry White has not heard from either Martin nor Peters in over a month. He's ordered Clark Kent to do what he can to find Martin, Peters and Alonzo Craig. Peters and Martin were to contact Perry via shortwave radio at Ormand. A telegraphed message from Fort Ormand says that gossip among the natives says that Professor Peters and Ray Martin are missing."
