For some inexplicable reason, Tremors: The Series is remembered very fondly by a cadre of fans who discovered it when it first aired on television. Premiering on this day back in 2003, the show focused on the residents of Perfection Valley, Nevada, and their ongoing quest to hold their ground against those pesky 'graboids' who'll show up at a moment's notice with their insatiable appetites. The short-living ongoing series gave franchise regular Michael Gross a prominent spot in all of the action; and -- while the show was pleasant enough -- it seemed destined for the ash heap of forgotten TV shows pretty quickly. Still, we celebrate a lot of those 'round these parts, and thus we're forever thankful someone somewhere believed that quirky little universe deserved a chance for longevity on the Boob Tube.
The lovely Natalie Norwick entered the world of Science Fiction with a solid guest-starring appearance aboard the original Star Trek. Though she's no longer with us, Norwick was born on this day in 1923. [Source: IMDB.com]
Hollywood beauty Carroll Baker certainly didn't make Science Fiction her mainstay for performances, but she has put in time aboard The Watcher in the Woods (1980), Tales from the Crypt, Cyber Eden (1992), and Roswell (TV). Baker was born on this day in 1931.
The venerable Shane Rimmer had an uncredited role as a Rebel flight technician aboard Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, but he'll always be one of the greatest voice actors for a generation with his work aboard Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds. Though he's no longer with us, Rimmer was born on this day in 1932.
Anne Reid turned up in a small role aboard "The Commuter," an episode of Amazon's pretty spiffy Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams, playing an expert who just might understand how and why a complete fantasy came to life in an otherwise quiet English countryside. Reid was born on this day in 1935. [Source: IMDB.com]
The late Sondra Locke gained a bit of notoriety (as some do) with her tumultuous relationship with lover and co-star Clint Eastwood during their time and tenure together. Eventually, they split (probably a good thing for both), and she pursued several objects independent of his reach and influence. Though she leaves behind a fairly slim resume, genre fans might remember her contributions to such projects as Planet Of The Apes (TV), Tales Of The Unexpected, Amazing Stories, and Ratboy (1986). Though she's no longer with us, Locke was born on this day in 1944. [Source: IMDB.com]
Christa Miller delivered SciFi gravitas to The Andromeda Strain, a TV miniseries modernization of the 1971 original from Michael Crichton. Miller was born on this day in 1964.
Justin Kirk played one of the regulars aboard Fox TV's A.P.B., a SciFi-lite crime procedural that brought super-high-tech to the business of solving crimes. Kirk was born on this day in 1969.
Honestly, I only took in a handful of episodes of Angel before I tuned it out. I wasn't much of a Buffy fan, either, though I have enjoyed some of that show's reruns. In any event, Glenn Quinn enjoyed a recurring spot aboard Angel, and -- though he's no longer with us -- Quinn was born on this day in 1970. [Source: IMDB.com]
Funnyman Jake Johnson largely played it straight as one of the technicians trying to save Jurassic World (2015) from itself when things got out of hand. He also appeared in the terrific and underrated SciFi/Romance Safety Not Guaranteed (2012). Johnson was born on this day in 1978.
Earlier in her professional career, the lovely Monica Keena swung for the Fantasy fences with a role aboard Snow White: A Tale Of Terror (1997). She also braved the Apocalypse aboard the SciFi/Thriller Aftermath (2014) for LightWave Entertainment. Keena was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
Science Fiction isn't always ray guns and aliens. Sometimes it's about technology, much like that used by Jesse Bradford in Clockstoppers (2002) when he used some conventional tech to augment reality. Bradford was born on this day in 1979.
Voice actress maven Laura Bailey has the kind of resume SciFi fans go bonkers over. She's been a part of -- literally -- hundreds of projects, and instead of trying to do her resume justice I'm just gonna put the IMDB.com link right here. Be prepared for shock and awe, 'cause that's what she delivers. Bailey was born on this day in 1981.
The stunning Alexa Davalos has proven herself as a force to be reckoned with aboard Amazon's largely spectacular The Man In The High Castle, an adaptation based on the Philip K. Dick novel. Davalos was born on this day in 1982.
Hubba-Hubba Alert! Actress Megalyn Echikunwoke was a commanding presence on USA Networks' The 4400. Her character, Isabelle Tyler, had a curiously and quiet alien background, and she always worked from her own shifting agenda. She's since paid a visit to the world of The CW's Arrow. Echikunwoke was born on this day in 1983.
Finland-born Krista Kosonen has an incredible career in European cinema, but it looks like the only foray into waters beyond -- as well as into Science Fiction -- might be her small role in Blade Runner 2049 (2017) ... and that's not a bad way to start. Kosonen was born on this day in 1983. [Source: IMDB.com]
Critical darling Carey Mulligan visited the darker corners of the Doctor Who universe when she played Sally Sparrow in the popular episode "Blink" featuring those dastardly Weeping Angels. Mulligan was born on this day in 1985.
Sorry, folks: I don't Netflix, so I can't speak to the quality of their programming. Still, what I can tell you is that the lovely Emily O'Brien has voiced a few characters for one of their animated properties, Love, Death & Robots. She's also provided voices for a growing number of video games. Impressive, indeed. O'Brien was born on this day in 1985. [Source: IMDB.com]
Cameron Boyce only started to bloom. He left his imprint on Disney's Descendants franchise as well as Ultimate Spider-Man (animated) and Spider-Man (animated). Though he's no longer with us, Boyce was born on this day in 1999. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Fay Gauthier stepped deep into the world of Science Fiction with a prominent role aboard 2016's Independents' Day, where she took charge in the role of President Raney. Gauthier was born on this day in ... well, a gentleman never tells!
On this day in 1958 (in Canada), She Demons roared onto the silver screen. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary for the SciFi/Horror feature:
"Heroic, but dull, Fred Maklin and beautiful, but spoiled, Jerrie Turner wash up on an uncharted tropical island. They are soon captured by ex-Nazi Colonel Osler, who also has imprisoned a bevy of beauty contest winners whom he allows to be whipped by his slavering Nazi storm troopers. He has, you see, been extracting some glandular substance from the girls to inject into his wife Mona, who suffered terrible facial disfigurement, in efforts to restore her beauty. Things get worse as the island is used for test bombing by the US Air Force."
"Heroic, but dull, Fred Maklin and beautiful, but spoiled, Jerrie Turner wash up on an uncharted tropical island. They are soon captured by ex-Nazi Colonel Osler, who also has imprisoned a bevy of beauty contest winners whom he allows to be whipped by his slavering Nazi storm troopers. He has, you see, been extracting some glandular substance from the girls to inject into his wife Mona, who suffered terrible facial disfigurement, in efforts to restore her beauty. Things get worse as the island is used for test bombing by the US Air Force."
On this day in 1959, the U.S. enjoyed its theatrical run of The H-Man. The Japanese feature starred Yumi Shirakawa and Kenji Sahara, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When a narcotics deal goes sour and a suspect disappears, leaving only his clothes, Tokyo police question his wife and stake out the nightclub where she works. His disappearance stumps the police - until a young scientist appears who claims that H-Bomb tests in the Pacific, evidenced by a "ghost ship" that has turned up in the harbor, have created radioactive creatures - "H-Men" - who ooze like slime and dissolve anyone they touch."
"When a narcotics deal goes sour and a suspect disappears, leaving only his clothes, Tokyo police question his wife and stake out the nightclub where she works. His disappearance stumps the police - until a young scientist appears who claims that H-Bomb tests in the Pacific, evidenced by a "ghost ship" that has turned up in the harbor, have created radioactive creatures - "H-Men" - who ooze like slime and dissolve anyone they touch."
On this day in 1964 (in Hungary), Walt Disney's Son Of Flubber took off theatrically with the help of Science Fiction and Comedy. Directed by Robert Stevenson, the flick starred Fred MacMurray and Nancy Olson, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When Professor Brainard experiments further on Flubber derivatives, he gets in trouble and only his students can help."
"When Professor Brainard experiments further on Flubber derivatives, he gets in trouble and only his students can help."
On this day in 1979 (in the former Soviet Union), Alien tore its way through the beating chests of audiences. Directed by Ridley Scott, the SciFi/Classic starred Sigourney Weaver and Tom Skerritt, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"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 1992, the SciFi/Horror film known better as Seedpeople enjoyed its premiere in the U.S. home video market. The feature starred Sam Hennings and the luminous Andrea Roth, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The citizens of Comet Valley are being taken over by seeds from an alien plant that has taken root there. A sheriff investigates the strange goings-on."
"The citizens of Comet Valley are being taken over by seeds from an alien plant that has taken root there. A sheriff investigates the strange goings-on."
On this day in 1993 (in South Korea), RoboCop 3 reported back to the streets for duty. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"RoboCop saves the day once more. This time the half man/half robot takes on ruthless developers who want to evict some people on "their" land."
"RoboCop saves the day once more. This time the half man/half robot takes on ruthless developers who want to evict some people on "their" land."
On this day in 1999 (in Germany), Alien Nation: The Enemy Within returned audiences to the televised world of Alien Nation. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"When Detectives Sikes and Francisco are presented with the mysterious death of an Eeno, Matt is stupefied to discover that George had rudely snubbed the case. He, like most Newcomers, reviles the outcast Eenos. As the case unfolds, George has to reassess his prejudices, and George's family help save the city from an alien threat originating in an Eeno waste disposal facility."
"When Detectives Sikes and Francisco are presented with the mysterious death of an Eeno, Matt is stupefied to discover that George had rudely snubbed the case. He, like most Newcomers, reviles the outcast Eenos. As the case unfolds, George has to reassess his prejudices, and George's family help save the city from an alien threat originating in an Eeno waste disposal facility."
A star is born! On this day in 2006 (in the U.S.), The Moment After 2: The Awakening followed up on events from the first feature. Directed by Wes Llewellyn, the Fantasy feature starred John Gilbert, David A.R. White, and Kevin Downes; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After a dramatic escape from death row, former FBI agent Adam Riley (David White) reunites with his friend and mentor Jacob Krause (Brad Heller) leader of The Way, and his small remnant of Christians. Little do they know the forces out for their destruction. Global Alliance leader Commander Fredericks (Monte Perlin) has forced Adam's former partner Charles Baker (Kevin Downes) to hunt them down while a ragtag militia, led by "Captain" Jackson (Lonnie Colon), spy on them for their own gain. As events lead to an explosive confrontation, all will be forced to an awakening of the real struggle... for their very souls."
"After a dramatic escape from death row, former FBI agent Adam Riley (David White) reunites with his friend and mentor Jacob Krause (Brad Heller) leader of The Way, and his small remnant of Christians. Little do they know the forces out for their destruction. Global Alliance leader Commander Fredericks (Monte Perlin) has forced Adam's former partner Charles Baker (Kevin Downes) to hunt them down while a ragtag militia, led by "Captain" Jackson (Lonnie Colon), spy on them for their own gain. As events lead to an explosive confrontation, all will be forced to an awakening of the real struggle... for their very souls."
Honestly, I'd read the graphic novel upon which Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time was based, and I'd found it mostly 'ho-hum.' I guess that's why I found the feature film much of the same. It was released theatrically on this day back in 2010, and here's the premise as provided by the folks at IMDB.com:
"A young fugitive prince and princess must stop a villain who unknowingly threatens to destroy the world with a special dagger that enables the magic sand inside to reverse time."
"A young fugitive prince and princess must stop a villain who unknowingly threatens to destroy the world with a special dagger that enables the magic sand inside to reverse time."
On this day in 2013 (on home video), the SciFi/Actioner AE: Apocalypse Earth enjoyed its premiere. The feature starred Adrian Paul and Richard Grieco, and here's the premise as listed on IMDB.com:
"A group of refugees from Earth work to survive on a hostile alien planet."
"A group of refugees from Earth work to survive on a hostile alien planet."
A star is born! On this day in 2014 (in a whole host of countries around the world as well as New York City proper), Edge Of Tomorrow enjoyed its first theatrical engagements ever! Directed by Doug Liman, the SciFi/Thriller starred Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, and Bill Paxton; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A soldier fighting aliens gets to relive the same day over and over again, the day restarting every time he dies."
"A soldier fighting aliens gets to relive the same day over and over again, the day restarting every time he dies."
On this day in 1954, Space Patrol aired "The Hidden Treasure Of Mars." Officially, this served as the twenty-second episode in the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Commander Corey accepts an invitation to visit a newly discovered an abandoned under ground Martian city. Soon he discovers the city many not be as empty as he thought."
"Commander Corey accepts an invitation to visit a newly discovered an abandoned under ground Martian city. Soon he discovers the city many not be as empty as he thought."
On this day in 1955, Adventures of Superman aired "Test of a Warrior." This served as the sixth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Aging Indian Chief Great Horse (Francis McDonald) is in danger of being exiled by his tribe because of his inability to bring rain to his drought-stricken people. Superman (George Reeves) lends a helping hand by guiding Great Horse through a grueling gauntlet--a test of strength and courage--that will enable him to maintain his power. And as for the rain? Well, fear not: Superman may have something up his sleeve to solve that problem as well."
"Aging Indian Chief Great Horse (Francis McDonald) is in danger of being exiled by his tribe because of his inability to bring rain to his drought-stricken people. Superman (George Reeves) lends a helping hand by guiding Great Horse through a grueling gauntlet--a test of strength and courage--that will enable him to maintain his power. And as for the rain? Well, fear not: Superman may have something up his sleeve to solve that problem as well."
On this day in 1955, Science Fiction Theatre aired "Spider, Inc." Officially, this served as the eighth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A scientist thinks he can use a 50 million year old piece of amber with a spider encased within to produce synthetic oil."
"A scientist thinks he can use a 50 million year old piece of amber with a spider encased within to produce synthetic oil."
On this day in 1955, Tom Corbett, Space Cadet launched "The Stowaway." According to our good friends at IMDB.com, here's that episode's plot summary:
"The Polaris' mission to field test a new ship engine is endangered when a young stowaway is discovered on board."
"The Polaris' mission to field test a new ship engine is endangered when a young stowaway is discovered on board."
On this day in 1979, Battle Of The Planets aired "Prisoners In Space." This served as the thirty-fifth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV.com:
"Tiny's van breaks down and he is picked up by a Prison van on its way to Barracuda Island, a maximum securty prison. Spectra's gains control of the prison and Zoltar has promises freedom to the prisoners if they will join Spectra. The G-Force team must rescue Tiny and keep the prisoners from escaping."
"Tiny's van breaks down and he is picked up by a Prison van on its way to Barracuda Island, a maximum securty prison. Spectra's gains control of the prison and Zoltar has promises freedom to the prisoners if they will join Spectra. The G-Force team must rescue Tiny and keep the prisoners from escaping."
On this day in 1979, Wonder Woman aired "The Boy Who Knew Her Secret: Part 1." Officially, this served as the twentieth episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Diana Prince investigating a strange alien force in a small suburban community, is seen whirling into Wonder Woman by a young boy."
"Diana Prince investigating a strange alien force in a small suburban community, is seen whirling into Wonder Woman by a young boy."
On this day in 1988 (in France), The Ray Bradbury Theater aired "And So Died Riabouchinska." Officially, this served as the twelfth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A ventriloquist is implicated in the murder of a man at a theater."
"A ventriloquist is implicated in the murder of a man at a theater."
On this day in 1999 (in Japan), Red Dwarf aired "Psirens." Officially, this served as the first episode of its sixth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"200 years after investigating the Esperato, the Red Dwarf crew awakes from suspended animation, as they set out to find Red Dwarf, which has vanished without a trace, on-board Starbug. Where they stumble upon a asteroid field containing lost spaceships. Where they find the asteroid field is inhabited by "Psirens" genetic engineered alien creatures that telepathically lure the ship's crew on the asteroids and suck out their brains."
"200 years after investigating the Esperato, the Red Dwarf crew awakes from suspended animation, as they set out to find Red Dwarf, which has vanished without a trace, on-board Starbug. Where they stumble upon a asteroid field containing lost spaceships. Where they find the asteroid field is inhabited by "Psirens" genetic engineered alien creatures that telepathically lure the ship's crew on the asteroids and suck out their brains."
On this day in 1999, Total Recall 2070 aired "Burning Desire." Officially, this served as the thirteenth episode in the program's only season in original broadcast history, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The CPB investigates the death of a man who was fried in his sublimator, and Hume becomes worried that the same might happen to Olivia."
"The CPB investigates the death of a man who was fried in his sublimator, and Hume becomes worried that the same might happen to Olivia."
On this day in 2000, Code Name: Eternity aired "The Hunter." This served as the third episode of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV.com:
"Ethaniel and Laura meet a new ally while investigating one of Banning's company buildings, a conspiracy theorist who seems to know more about the truth Banning and the Eternity group than he actually realizes. Banning sends a fellow alien, Breed, to hunt down Ethaniel and Laura, hoping for better success than he has had so far."
"Ethaniel and Laura meet a new ally while investigating one of Banning's company buildings, a conspiracy theorist who seems to know more about the truth Banning and the Eternity group than he actually realizes. Banning sends a fellow alien, Breed, to hunt down Ethaniel and Laura, hoping for better success than he has had so far."
On this day in 2005, Doctor Who aired "The Doctor Dances." This served as the tenth episode to the (restarted) program's first season, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"The Doctor, Rose and Captain Jack Harkness are still in the hospital with the gas mask-wearing mutants and are having some trouble finding a way out. The Doctor determines that the ambulance Captain Jack was using in his scam contained nano genes, similar to the one's he used to repair Rose's rope-burned hands. Only in this case, there are enough nano genes on the loose to "repair" an entire species and they have no idea what a human looks like in the first place."
"The Doctor, Rose and Captain Jack Harkness are still in the hospital with the gas mask-wearing mutants and are having some trouble finding a way out. The Doctor determines that the ambulance Captain Jack was using in his scam contained nano genes, similar to the one's he used to repair Rose's rope-burned hands. Only in this case, there are enough nano genes on the loose to "repair" an entire species and they have no idea what a human looks like in the first place."
On this day in 2010, A Good Knight's Quest aired the fourteenth episode of its only season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Chosen One wants to make a Metaphorical pit stop."
"The Chosen One wants to make a Metaphorical pit stop."
On this day in 2011, Doctor Who came face-to-face with another version of himself in an hour titled "The Almost People." This served as the sixth episode of the program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"As the dopplegangers - 'gangers' for short - fight their makers, both Doctors, the real one and his ganger, try to find a way to restore the power and get everyone off the island. Both Doctors claim to be the 100% real thing, something Emily can't quite grasp. Rory meanwhile is trying to find Jennie but when he locates her and her ganger, he can't tell them apart. Having selected one of them, they discover of a company secret forces their hand. He soon realizes he's made an error. There is another ganger in the group however."
"As the dopplegangers - 'gangers' for short - fight their makers, both Doctors, the real one and his ganger, try to find a way to restore the power and get everyone off the island. Both Doctors claim to be the 100% real thing, something Emily can't quite grasp. Rory meanwhile is trying to find Jennie but when he locates her and her ganger, he can't tell them apart. Having selected one of them, they discover of a company secret forces their hand. He soon realizes he's made an error. There is another ganger in the group however."
On this day in 2011 (in Australia), Outcasts aired the first episode of its only season on television. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Carpathia awaits the arrival of a transporter from Earth. A leader amongst the Expeditionaries wants to break away from the settlement. And a secret lies beyond the gates of Forthaven."
"Carpathia awaits the arrival of a transporter from Earth. A leader amongst the Expeditionaries wants to break away from the settlement. And a secret lies beyond the gates of Forthaven."
On this day in 2012 (in Japan), Zetman aired "Whereabouts Of The Pendant." Officially, this served as the ninth episode in the program's only season on television, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The key to completing ZET is the pendant that Konoha has in her possession. Haitani and his men easily infiltrate the Amagi residence. Konoha wakes up and finds Jin standing in front of her. She hands him the pendant, not knowing he's actually a clone."
"The key to completing ZET is the pendant that Konoha has in her possession. Haitani and his men easily infiltrate the Amagi residence. Konoha wakes up and finds Jin standing in front of her. She hands him the pendant, not knowing he's actually a clone."
On this day in 2014, The 100 aired "The Calm" as the eleventh episode of the program's inaugural season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Clarke and Finn are captured by Anya, who forces them to save the life of a victim of the explosion. Meanwhile, Raven deals with her split from Finn, and Kane fights to save the Ark and it's survivors."
"Clarke and Finn are captured by Anya, who forces them to save the life of a victim of the explosion. Meanwhile, Raven deals with her split from Finn, and Kane fights to save the Ark and it's survivors."
