Believe it or not, I'm one of the rare few who saw The Arrival when it aired theatrically starting on this day in 1996. (My wife was there; she can vouch for me!) The story of an astronomer (Charlie Sheen) accidentally uncovering the plot for an alien invasion was right up my alley. I've never seen its sequel -- that direct-to-DVD product just never interested me -- but this original is done perfectly in the vein of The X-Files, if I don't say so myself. It's an underrated gem.
Screen veteran Don Ameche (above, far right) made a career out of the stately gentleman, but sci-fi fans remember him best as Art Selwyn from 1985's Cocoon and 1988's Cocoon: The Return. Though he's no longer with us, Ameche was born on this day in 1908.
In the guise of 'Marcus Brody,' actor Denholm Elliott helped pave the way to success for the first three Indiana Jones movies. Though he's no longer with us, Elliott was born on this day in 1922.
Honestly, I think Menahem Golan experienced his creative heyday in the 1980's when he was paired up with Sylvester Stallone on a handful of projects. Still, he leaves behind a record of well over two hundred different projects he worked on, and some of the more significant genre entries were The Apple (1980), Hercules (1983), Sword Of The Valiant: The Legend Of Sir Gawain And The Green Knight (1984), Lifeforce (1985), America 3000 (1986), Invaders From Mars (1986), Masters Of The Universe (1987), Cyborg (1989), Captain America (1990), and Prison Planet (1992). Though he's no longer with us, Golan was born on this day in 1929. [Source: IMDB.com]
For the record, I absolutely hate movie musicals. Now -- that said -- there are a few I do enjoy; but if you're looking for many of them to get a nod in this space you're bound to be disappointed. Still, Brigadoon definitely toys with elements of Fantasy, and the lovely Elaine Stewart enjoyed a role in the picture. Though she's no longer with us, Stewart was born on this day in 1930. [Source: IMDB.com]
It isn't every day that Dirty Harry himself goes to space (now there's an idea I'd tune in for!), but thankfully Clint Eastwood did give sci-fi a try with 2000's somewhat predictable Space Cowboys. Eastwood was born on this day in 1930.
One of actor Jim Hutton's earliest screen roles was aboard an episode of Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone. Though he's no longer with us, Hutton was born on this day in 1934.
Sharon Gless is one of those actresses I haven't seen much (she doesn't appear in much genre work), but I've enjoyed her work every time I've watched. She's always a commanding presence, one who doesn't tolerate any shenanigans, and SciFi could use a bit more of her, if I don't say so myself. Recently, she entered the realm of The Gifted for a handful of episodes, and Gless was born on this day in 1943. [Source: IMDB.com]
Danny Goldring has a resume terrific with quality appearances in genre entertainment. He's been a part of VR.5, Virtuosity (1995), Space: Above and Beyond, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, The Invisible Man, Star Trek: Enterprise, and The Dark Knight (2008). Goldring was born on this day in 1946.
Though the bulk of her resume involves mainstream dramatic work, the lovely Lynda Bellingham enjoyed a recurring role during the 1986 season of the BBC's long-running Doctor Who. Though she's no longer with us, Bellingham was born on this day in 1948. [Source: IMDB.com]
The always reliable Tom Berenger had a small role aboard Christopher Nolan's Inception (2010). (Trivia: one of the actor's earliest roles was as a young man in an episode of Kolchak: The Night Stalker.) Berenger was born on this day in 1949.
When the big budget and theatrical Logan's Run made the switch from the silver screen to the small screen, showrunners enlisted TV star Gregory Harrison to play the lead. Harrison was born on this day in 1950.
Julio Oscar Mechoso has had great parts in several quality genre projects including Quantum Leap, Virus (1999), Jurassic Park III (2001), Invasion, Planet Terror (2007), and Flashforward. Though he's no longer with us, Mechoso was born on this day in 1955. [Source: IMDB.com]
The makers of The Purge: Election Year (2016) would have you believe that their ongoing bloody series is incisive human commentary with a SciFi-lite angle; what it really is is typical political hate speech directed at mainstream Americans. Shame on everyone who participates in it, and that includes actor Kyle Secor. (But, hey, everyone's gotta eat, so 'Happy Birthday' anyway to Secor who was born on this day in 1957.)
Though she's doubtless recognized more often for her work in much more conventional fare, the talented Roma Maffia has appeared aboard Welcome To Paradox and The Event. Maffia was born on this day in 1958.
The usually looney Chris Elliott (above center) found himself playing the straight man to Bill Murray's lunacy in Groundhog Day (1993). Elliott was born on this day in 1960.
Aboard Star Trek: Generations (1994), actor Tommy Hinkley (above center) played a journalist just trying to get the scoop on the launch of the Enterprise-B. Hinkley was born on this day in 1960.
Science fiction doesn't get all that many truly great and inspired comedies, but -- when we do -- audiences usually sit up and take notice. That's exactly what fandom did when Lea Thompson lent her perfect looks and winning smile to the Back to the Future films. In fact, she's so lovely even today we'll forgive her for participating in Howard the Duck and Space Camp. Thompson was born on this day in 1961.
Hugh Dillon brought another layer of mystery to Syfy's Continuum. The talented actor has also enjoyed guest roles aboard the cult favorite Starhunter, ReGenesis, and Syfy's The Expanse. Dillon was born on this day in 1963.
The ever-luminous Brooke Shields joined Scott Bakula in a special shipwreck-themed episode of the popular time travel series, Quantum Leap. Shields was born on this day in 1965.
Author Peter Clines has mixed SciFi with superheroes in his popular Ex-Heroes series of novels, and he maintains an online presence here. Clines was born on this day in 1969.
I don't think anyone can fault Colin Farrell for taking a shot at the Total Recall (2012) reboot/remake. I saw it on home video, and it wasn't awful. It was just rather forgettable, unlike the original. Still, kudos for giving it an honest attempt. Farrell was born on this day in 1971.
The lovely Archie Panjabi enjoyed a guest role aboard the BBC's Life On Mars, one of the more brilliant television fantasies of its generation. Panjabi was born on this day in 1972.
Actor Karl Geary braved the SciFi-themed threat (mutant bugs!) at the heart of the direct-to-DVD release for Mimic: Sentinel in 2003. Geary was born on this day in 1972.
The exotic Merle Dandridge played the equally exotic 'Vega' aboard the CW's short-lived Star-Crossed back in 2014. Dandridge was born on this day in 1975.
The talented Eric Christian Olsen found himself in a cold, dark place where only The Thing (2011) gets out alive. Olsen was born on this day in 1977.
Robin Wasserman is an author whose work dabbles generously with some meaty SciFi elements. She maintains an online website here, and Wasserman was born on this day in 1978.
Author Sophia McDougall maintains a website discussing her works, including her novels as well as her shorter fiction in some detail. You can check her out right here. McDougall was born on this day in 1979.
The talented Lee Majdoub is a terrific character actor who has been gaining exposure with smaller roles aboard such projects as Bionic Woman, Fringe, Arrow, Once Upon A Time, Supernatural, The Magicians, and Zoo. Majdoub was born on this day in 1982.
Back in 2006, Jonathan Tucker joined Kristen Bell and Christina Milian in Pulse, a SciFi/Horror hybrid about a mysterious signal bent on taking over the world. More recently, he turned in a solid performance aboard HBO's lukewarm (if not confusing) re-imagining of Michael Crichton's Westworld. Tucker was born on this day in 1982.
For what it's worth, I enjoyed much of the run of The CW's Supergirl ... that is until its writers morphed the show into some weird political morality tale for no good reason. (I don't watch genre shows to be preached to constantly, peeps.) In any event, Yael Grobglas plays the villainous psychically-powered 'Psi' on a few occasions, and I'll always be thankful for that. Grobglas was born on this day in 1984. [Source: IMDB.com]
(Relative) Newcomer Jeremy Szal maintains a solid SciFi blog as well as a Hugo Award winning podcast exploring the realms of Science Fiction. Szal was born on this day in 1995.
A star is born! On this day in 1955 (in the U.S.), it wasn't good enough to have the original Sinbad entertaining audiences any longer, so they brought along his son? Son Of Sinbad required a trio of screenwriters (Jeff Bailey, Jack Pollexfen, and and Audrey Wisberg) and the Oscar-nominated director Ted Tetzlaff to bring it to cinematic life, along with stars like Dale Robertson, Sally Forrest, and the legendary Vincent Price. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Legendary pirate and adventurer Sinbad is in single-minded pursuit of two things: beautiful women and a substance called Greek Fire--an early version of gunpowder."
"Legendary pirate and adventurer Sinbad is in single-minded pursuit of two things: beautiful women and a substance called Greek Fire--an early version of gunpowder."
A star is born! On this day in 1965 (in the U.S.), Invaders From Space brought these space-aged invaders to television. Written by Ichirô Miyagawa, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Ken Utsui, Minako Yamada, and Junko Ikeuchi; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A bunch of pernicious salamander men from the planet Kulimon in the Moffit Galaxy plan on taking over Earth by unleashing a lethal plague on mankind. It's up to valiant superhero Starman from the Emerald Planet to save the human race before it's too late."
"A bunch of pernicious salamander men from the planet Kulimon in the Moffit Galaxy plan on taking over Earth by unleashing a lethal plague on mankind. It's up to valiant superhero Starman from the Emerald Planet to save the human race before it's too late."
Premiering theatrically on this day in 1980 in the United States (per AllMovie.com), The Day Time Ended probably came and went pretty quickly. Here's the film's plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Aliens visit the solar-powered house of a middle-class family, and the house is suddenly sucked into a time warp that transports it back to prehistoric times."
"Aliens visit the solar-powered house of a middle-class family, and the house is suddenly sucked into a time warp that transports it back to prehistoric times."
On this day in 1985 (in Spain), audiences were treated to a curious ending of all mankind in the SciFi/Comedy Night Of The Comet. Written and directed by Thom Eberhardt, the feature film starred Catherine Mary Stewart, Kelli Maroney, and Robert Beltran; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A comet wipes out most of life on Earth, leaving two Valley Girls fighting against cannibal zombies and a sinister group of scientists."
For the record:
At the 1985 Saturn Awards (sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films), Mary Woronov enjoyed a nomination in the category of 'Best Supporting Actress.'
"A comet wipes out most of life on Earth, leaving two Valley Girls fighting against cannibal zombies and a sinister group of scientists."
For the record:
At the 1985 Saturn Awards (sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films), Mary Woronov enjoyed a nomination in the category of 'Best Supporting Actress.'
On this day in 1985 (in Sweden), The Last Starfighter soared onto the silver screen. Directed by Nick Castle, the SciFi feature starred Lance Guest and Catherine Mary Stewart, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Video game expert Alex Rogan finds himself transported to another planet after conquering The Last Starfighter video game only to find out it was just a test. He was recruited to join the team of best starfighters to defend their world from the attack."
"Video game expert Alex Rogan finds himself transported to another planet after conquering The Last Starfighter video game only to find out it was just a test. He was recruited to join the team of best starfighters to defend their world from the attack."
A star is born! On this day in 1990, Paul Verhoeven's Total Recall enjoyed its first theatrical engagement ever for audiences in attendance of the film's premiere in Los Angeles, California. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sharon Stone, the SciFi flick was based on a tale by Philip K. Dick, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"When a man goes for virtual vacation memories of the planet Mars, an unexpected and harrowing series of events forces him to go to the planet for real."
For the record:
Truth be told, Paul Verhoeven's Total Recall languished in development for some time; I've read that it was written in the late 1970's and jumped around awhile before landing with the director and Schwarzenegger to complete. And complete it they did to an awful lot of praise from industry executives and film organizations. In 1991, it won an Academy Award for 'Special Achievement' in the field of visual effects. That same year, it took home the 'Best Science Fiction Film' Saturn Award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films. Alas, it lost the 1991 Hugo Award for 'Best Dramatic Presentation' to -- ahem -- Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands. Sigh.
"When a man goes for virtual vacation memories of the planet Mars, an unexpected and harrowing series of events forces him to go to the planet for real."
For the record:
Truth be told, Paul Verhoeven's Total Recall languished in development for some time; I've read that it was written in the late 1970's and jumped around awhile before landing with the director and Schwarzenegger to complete. And complete it they did to an awful lot of praise from industry executives and film organizations. In 1991, it won an Academy Award for 'Special Achievement' in the field of visual effects. That same year, it took home the 'Best Science Fiction Film' Saturn Award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films. Alas, it lost the 1991 Hugo Award for 'Best Dramatic Presentation' to -- ahem -- Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands. Sigh.
On this day in 1992, Still Not Quite Human enjoyed its broadcast television premiere in the United States. Directed by Eric Luke, the SciFi/Comedy starred Alan Thicke and Christopher Neame, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Chip and his "father" attend a robotics convention. Here, Dr. Carson is kidnapped and replaced with an android. Can Chip and his newfound friends save Dr. Carson from a dangerous competitor?"
"Chip and his "father" attend a robotics convention. Here, Dr. Carson is kidnapped and replaced with an android. Can Chip and his newfound friends save Dr. Carson from a dangerous competitor?"
The luster that is so very much of Will Smith's box office career lost a few layers of its sheen when on this day in 2013 After Earth premiered in theatres ... mostly to the sound of noisy crickets. (Get the metaphor, SciFi movie fans?) For reasons never quite satisfactorily explained, audiences stayed away from the actioner headlined by Smith and starring his young son. Despite the financial performance, I suspect someone somewhere somehow will still greenlight Men In Black IV.
On this day in 2013 (in the United Kingdom and Ireland), Byzantium enjoyed its theatrical release. Directed by Neil Jordan, the Fantasy/Horror feature starred Saoirse Ronan and Gemma Arterton, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Residents of a coastal town learn, with deathly consequences, the secret shared by the two mysterious women who have sought shelter at a local resort."
"Residents of a coastal town learn, with deathly consequences, the secret shared by the two mysterious women who have sought shelter at a local resort."
On this day in 2013, The History Of Future Folk enjoyed its general U.S. theatrical release. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Two aliens from the planet Hondo have come take over our planet. But when they discover an amazing human invention called "music", they immediately abandon their mission, head to a tiny Brooklyn bar, and start the universe's first Hondonian bluegrass duo: Future Folk!"
"Two aliens from the planet Hondo have come take over our planet. But when they discover an amazing human invention called "music", they immediately abandon their mission, head to a tiny Brooklyn bar, and start the universe's first Hondonian bluegrass duo: Future Folk!"
On this day in 1969, Doctor Who aired "The War Games, Part 7." This served as the forty-first episode of the program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Doctor, Jamie and Carstairs manage to return to the 1917 zone only to be captured by Smythe, who orders the Doctor executed."
"The Doctor, Jamie and Carstairs manage to return to the 1917 zone only to be captured by Smythe, who orders the Doctor executed."
On this day in 1978, The Incredible Hulk aired "The Waterfront Story." This served as the twelfth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"David 'Barton' works in the kitchen of a tavern on the waterfront and helps the young widow who owns it to fight pushy union men."
"David 'Barton' works in the kitchen of a tavern on the waterfront and helps the young widow who owns it to fight pushy union men."
On this day in 1992 (in the Netherlands), Star Trek: The Next Generation aired "Encounter At Farpoint: Part 2." Officially, this served as the first episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"On the maiden mission of the U.S.S. Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), an omnipotent being known as Q challenges the crew to discover the secret of a mysterious base in an advanced and civilized fashion."
"On the maiden mission of the U.S.S. Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), an omnipotent being known as Q challenges the crew to discover the secret of a mysterious base in an advanced and civilized fashion."
It all came down to this: on this day in 1997, the cult program that was Dark Skies came to the end of its only season of existence with the airing of the hour titled "Bloodlines." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Loengard offers to infiltrate the Hive's mothership to gain critical intelligence data and find his son."
"Loengard offers to infiltrate the Hive's mothership to gain critical intelligence data and find his son."
On this day in 1997, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman aired "I've Got You Under My Skin." Officially, this served as the twentieth episode in the program's fourth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Woody Samms, who is trying to get a contract taken off of him by the mob, uses a crystal to transfer himself into the body of an unsuspecting Clark, not knowing until it's too late that he is now Superman. Meanwhile, a now powerless Clark is trapped in the body of a mob-hunted man and must convince Lois that it is him to get his own body back."
"Woody Samms, who is trying to get a contract taken off of him by the mob, uses a crystal to transfer himself into the body of an unsuspecting Clark, not knowing until it's too late that he is now Superman. Meanwhile, a now powerless Clark is trapped in the body of a mob-hunted man and must convince Lois that it is him to get his own body back."
On this day in 1998, Sleepwalkers aired "A Matter Of Fax." Officially, this served as the seventh episode in the program's only season on original broadcast television, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Still grieving over her colleague's death, Kate tries to help a slightly autistic, desperate man who suffers from recurring nightmares in which he strangles a stripper whom he likes in real life and who's now missing."
"Still grieving over her colleague's death, Kate tries to help a slightly autistic, desperate man who suffers from recurring nightmares in which he strangles a stripper whom he likes in real life and who's now missing."
On this day in 2000 (in the Czech Republic), Babylon 5 aired "Midnight On The Firing Line." Officially, this served as the first episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Narn attack a Centauri colony, while Raiders attack transport ships. Talia Winters arrives at the station."
"The Narn attack a Centauri colony, while Raiders attack transport ships. Talia Winters arrives at the station."
On this day in 2000 (in Canada), First Wave aired "Underworld." Officially, this served as the twentieth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A mob boss narrowly escapes death by a GUA assassin, meanwhile Foster follows a quatrain and poses as a mob gunman for hire, to get inside the crime syndicates and find out why and what are the GUA's goals."
"A mob boss narrowly escapes death by a GUA assassin, meanwhile Foster follows a quatrain and poses as a mob gunman for hire, to get inside the crime syndicates and find out why and what are the GUA's goals."
On this day in 2003, Mobile Suit Gundam Seed aired "Seen and Unseen." This served as the thirty-fourth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A war is under way between genetically enhanced Coordinators and unmodified Naturals."
"A war is under way between genetically enhanced Coordinators and unmodified Naturals."
On this day in 2011 (in the United Kingdom), Primeval aired "The Submarine." Officially, this served as the second episode in the program's fifth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A Liopleudon enters submarine HMS Gartside through an underwater anomaly, though the sub's captain bans the team from bringing their weapons on board and it is left to Connor to try and shoot the creature back through the hole on a torpedo. However the craft is sucked through the anomaly,causing a loss of power and is surrounded by a school of the creatures. Whilst Sir James dissuades a gung-ho admiral from nuking the area the team discharge the animal and return to their own time where Abby tries in vain to dissuade Connor from working for Burton before showing a Matt a newspaper cutting telling the fate of Emily."
"A Liopleudon enters submarine HMS Gartside through an underwater anomaly, though the sub's captain bans the team from bringing their weapons on board and it is left to Connor to try and shoot the creature back through the hole on a torpedo. However the craft is sucked through the anomaly,causing a loss of power and is surrounded by a school of the creatures. Whilst Sir James dissuades a gung-ho admiral from nuking the area the team discharge the animal and return to their own time where Abby tries in vain to dissuade Connor from working for Burton before showing a Matt a newspaper cutting telling the fate of Emily."
On this day in 2012, Lightning Point aired "Wires Crossed." Officially, this served as the third episode in the program's only season on original broadcast television, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When Kiki and Zoey use the primitive school satellite dish to send an alien signal, Amber with the help of pet Police Dog Piper, will have to think quickly to stop the school being overrun by canines."
"When Kiki and Zoey use the primitive school satellite dish to send an alien signal, Amber with the help of pet Police Dog Piper, will have to think quickly to stop the school being overrun by canines."
