Ginger, ginger, ginger ... who doesn't love a ginger! Karen Gillan stormed onto the Doctor Who scene as the delightful and lovable Amy Pond, the companion to Matt Smith's adventures as the Time Lord. Now, she's become a fan favorite. Gillan was born on this day in 1987.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Carmen D'Antonio served in Ming's Palace as one of his lovelier dancing girls -- see Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe (1940) as evidence -- and then much later made a visit to Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone for good measure. Though she's no longer with us, D'Antonio was born on this day in 1911.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Gloria Grahame is a legend in the realm of Film Noir, but thankfully she made an appearance in The Outer Limits so that we can feature her here. Fans can also see her work aboard such products as It's A Wonderful Life (1946), Mansion Of The Doomed (1976), The Nesting (1981), and Tales Of The Unexpected. Though she's no longer with us, Grahame was born on this day in 1923.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The venerable James Karen leaves behind a resume rich with over two hundred different screen credits. Genre fans might recognize him best from work aboard Frankenstein Meets Space Monster (1965), Hercules In New York (1970), The Invisible Man, The Bionic Woman, Capricorn One (1977), Lucan, Poltergeist (1982), Time Walker (1982), The Powers Of Matthew Star, The Boy Who Loved Trolls (1984), The Return Of The Living Dead (1985), Invaders From Mars (1986), Amazing Stories, Return Of The Living Dead II (1988), Space Invaders (1988), The Willies (1990), The Unborn (1991), Future Shock (1994), The Companion (1994), Piranha (1995), Touched By An Angel, Dark Skies, NightMan, The Nightmare Room, Superman Returns (200), Trail Of The Screaming Forehead (2007), Jack And The Beanstalk (2009), and Cynthia (2018). Though he's no longer with us, Karen was born on this day in 1923.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
- Back in 1986, Karen received a Saturn Awards nomination in the category of 'Best Actor' for his work aboard The Return Of The Living Dead.
- Back in 1991, the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards recognized Karen's work aboard The Unborn with a nomination in the category of 'Best Supporting Actor.'
- Back in 1998, the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films awarded the actor a 'Life Career Award' for his work in genre entertainment.
William Sargent's (above right) career spans an impressive four decades, and SciFi fans are familiar with his appearances aboard The Twilight Zone, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Star Trek, The Invaders, The Immortal, and Shazam! Sargent was born on this day in 1930.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Aboard the somewhat campy genre entry Dr. Goldfoot And The Girl Bombs (1966), the fetching Laura Antonelli played a lady with a potentially explosive secret. Though she's no longer with us, Antonelli was born on this day in 1941.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Shannon Farnon voiced Wonder Woman for such Hanna-Barbera favorites as Super Friends (1973-1979), The All-New Super Friends Hour (1977), Challenge Of The Superfriends (1978), The World's Greatest SuperFriends (1979), and Super Friends (1980-1983). That is quite some tenure as an Amazonian Princess! Farnon was born on this day in 1941.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Director Joe Dante has been around genre filmmaking since the beginning. Heck, he practically DEFINED genre filmmaking! His Piranha (1978) put him on everyone's map; Gremlins (1984) proved he was no one-trick-pony; and Innerspace (1987) showed he was a force to be reckoned with. Dante was born on this day in 1946.
[Source: IMDB.com]
ExtraExtra Alert:
[Source: IMDB.com]
ExtraExtra Alert:
- In 2022, I caught a broadcast airing of The Howling (1981) which Dante directed when it made the rounds on pay cable. Interested readers can find my review right here.
- In 2023, I caught a special theatrical screening of Gremlins (1984) at a local cinema over the holidays. Interested readers can find my review right here.
Karen Montgomery had the distinction of being one of Star Trek: The Next Generation's earlier (ahem) conquests: in the role as Beata, she ruled over "Angel One" with an iron glare. Though she's no longer with us, Montgomery was born on this day in 1949.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
I've no doubt that the late Alexander Godunov will always be remembered as one of the machine gun heavies aboard Die Hard, but genre fans might recall his work as 'Scarabis' from the Cult flick Waxwork II: Lost In Time (1992). Though he's no longer with us, Godunov was born on this day in 1949.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
James Cameron's The Abyss is one of those movies where I've completely given up trying to debate with people (I know peeps who swear it's one of the best pictures ever made while I've repeatedly said it's well-made but entirely predictable as 'aliens' stories go). I just let it be. Now, I have been told that its Special Edition DVD release offers a much better cut, so maybe I'll have to check that out some day. In the meantime, I always appreciate the work of Ed Harris, even when it's in a script I find entirely second-hand. Harris was born on this day in 1950.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The talented S. Epatha Merkerson had a small but important role in James Cameron's seminal Terminator 2: Judgment Day, filling in the shoes of Tarissa Dyson. Merkerson was born on this day in 1952.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
1983's Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn is an oft-overlooked piece of SciFi cheesery. I think that's mostly owed to the fact that the picture didn't quite play in as wide a release as possible and really seemed to only hope to capitalize on the 3D craze of its era. Still, kudos to Jeffrey Byron for giving us yet one more hero to root for in the battle against evil, and Byron was born on this day in 1955.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The venerable Judd Nelson braved The Day The Earth Stopped (2008) for Earth Stopped and Faith Films while living to tell about it (in an underwhelming telefilm, anyway). Nelson was born on this day in 1959.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
How cool is this? The venerable Martin Clunes got his TV start all the way back in a 1983 episode of the BBC's long-running SciFi juggernaut, Doctor Who. Clunes was born on this day in 1961.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Today's fandom is blessed to have an intellect and visual storyteller the likes of Alfonso Cuaron working in Science Fiction. Personally, I rank his Children of Men adaptation among the very best films in our genre. I've yet to sit through Gravity, but that's only because I really don't much care for the work of George Clooney. I'll get around to it. Cuaron was born on this day in 1961.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
I know, I know ... you didn't like Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines (2003). Well, boo-frakking-hoo. I've often said that director Jonathan Mostow had a thankless job taking over the franchise from departing director James Cameron, and he was given a script that was arguably a bit darker than what had come before so far as the fate of mankind was concerned ... so think what you may but I enjoyed it for what it was. The man has also brought Surrogates (2009) to the silver screen as well as heading up an episode of TNT's popular The Last Ship. Mostow was born on this day in 1961.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
An awestruck Jane Sibbett brought her acting magic to Arrival II (aka The Second Arrival) for Rootbeer Films back in 1998, though it would appear fans of the original were largely unaware. The lovely lady also served acting time aboard such properties as Fear (1990), Star Trek: The Next Generation, Quantum Leap, The Resurrected (1991), The Adventures Of Brisco County Jr., and Touched By An Angel. Sibbett was born on this day in 1962.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The multi-talented Rif Hutton remains one of those key character actors who fills out secondary roles in practically any genre worth his consideration. With 140 credits to his name, he's secured work aboard Wavelength (1983), Alien Nation (TV), Star Trek: Generations (1994), and Babylon 5 to name but a few. Hutton was born on this day in 1962.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Cornelia Guest enjoyed a pair of appearances aboard Showtime's recent return to the land of David Lynch and Mark Frost's Twin Peaks. She also paid visits to such properties as Second Sight (1989), Zoom (2006), and American Horror Stories. Guest was born on this day in 1963.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Though much of his resume leans toward mainstream properties, Sterling Macer Jr. has given genre entertainment a reasonable try. He's boarded Night Terror (1990), Star Trek: The Next Generation, and The Beast (TV miniseries). Macer was born on this day in 1963.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Sadly, the late Anna Nicole Smith didn't live to see her final film -- a SciFi/Comedy known as Illegal Aliens (2007) -- released to the masses at large. Though she's no longer with us, Smith was born on this day in 1967.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Genre entertainment has never frightened Martin Cummins away. Fans know him from appearances aboard Highlander, M.A.N.T.I.S., Poltergeist: The Legacy, The Outer Limits, Dark Angel, Stargate: SG-1, Jake 2.0, Smallville, The 4400, Kyle XY, Defying Gravity, Fringe, V, Sanctuary, and Syfy's Eureka. Cummins was born on this day in 1969.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Colman Domingo is braving the Zombie Apocalypse by way of his work on AMC's Fear The Walking Dead. Domingo was born on this day in 1969.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
If you put on the uniform of Starfleet ... well, then you deserve a shout. And Mina Badie suited up as an unnamed Starfleet security officer for an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine during its run. Badie was born on this day in 1970.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Species III came on one of the movie channels the other night, and I did make an honest attempt to watch this direct-to-DVD release. Sadly, I didn't make it very far ... but that wasn't due to the golden blonde goodness of its main star, Sunny Mabrey! She's also visited the various worlds of Angel, Once Upon A Time, and Teleios (2017). Mabrey was born on this day in 1975.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Hunky Ryan Kwanten certainly dropped onto mankind's collective radar with his work aboard HBO's Fantasy-themed True Blood -- and, speaking of radar, he eventually boarded Flight 7500 (2014), a SciFi/Horror release for CBS Films. Kwanten was born on this day in 1976.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The beautiful Kosha Engler splits her time between voice work and movie and television properties. Genre fans might have been able to catch a glimpse of her goodness aboard Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) or The Batman (2022) while on the silver screen. Engler was born on this day in 1977.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Actress and voiceover artist extraordinaire Abigail Marlowe has dished out some wares visually and verbally in the realm of genre entertainment. Marlowe was born on this day in 1977.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Native Chicagoan Aimee Garcia has roots to Mexican and Puerto Rican descent. In 2014, she joined the cast of Robocop, working alongside Gary Oldman as the brilliant minds who brought the cybernetic police detective to crime-fighting life. Garcia was born on this day in 1978.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
It could be argued that Daniel Henney has a face tailor-made for the Marvel movie universe. He appeared as Agent Zero in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) and has since focused more on television work. Henney was born on this day in 1979.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Any die-hard Star Trek enthusiasts will tell you that we take our Orion Slave Girls very, very seriously. After all, they're the original cosplay aliens (so far as so many of us are concerned), and even the lukewarm Star Trek: Enterprise realized the value in having the lovely Menina Fortunato come aboard for a single episode to give fandom its long-awaited second coming. Fortunato was born on this day in 1980.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
So many of Luc Besson's films openly flirt with Science Fiction and Fantasy that I'd be a fool if I failed to mention his The Extraordinary Adventures of d'Adèle Blanc-Sec (2010). I've seen it, and -- while I didn't particularly care much for it -- I did cherish Louise Bourgoin in the lead role of a kinda/sorta female version of Indiana Jones. Bourgoin was born on this day in 1981.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
If you've journeyed to that galaxy far, far away, then you do deserve a mention: Emun Elliott played a small role as Major Brance in JJ Abrams' Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens. Elliott was born on this day in 1983.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Lovely Mary Elizabeth Winstead did what she could to rid the Earth of The Thing (2011) ... but as this film served as the prequel to John Carpenter's original The Thing, methinks she has some explaining to do. She also headlined the CBS SciFi summer series BrainDead as well as took the lead in 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016). Winstead was born on this day in 1984.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
If you played in The Hunger Games, then this young generation of adult-novel influenced SciFi fans would crucify me for not mentioning you, and that brings us to model-turned-actor Alan Ritchson. He played Gloss in the popular franchise, and he also played Aquaman in the Smallville television universe. Ritchson was born on this day in 1984.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
British TV actor Lawry Lewin turned green with envy -- pun intended -- for his appearance aboard the popular two-part installment of the BBC's Doctor Who "The End Of Time." Lewin was born on this day in 1985.
[Source: Doctor Who Online Guide]
[Source: Doctor Who Online Guide]
The lovely Krystal Vee properly suited up and dipped her toes into the realm of Fantasy with a prominent, butt-kicking role aboard The Scorpion King 3: Battle For Redemption (2012). Vee was born on this day in 1987.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Well, now! Li'l Naomi Wildman is all grow up! Hello, sailor! Ms. Scarlett Pomers was a nice diversion as one of the youngest passengers aboard Star Trek: Voyager. Perhaps that was a terrific start, though, toward wearing all of that make-up! (I kid, I kid.) Pomers was born on this day back in 1988.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
A star is born ... but this one looks invisible! On this day in 1958 (in Mexico), El hombre que logró ser invisible (aka The Man Who Managed To Be Invisible) enjoyed its time in the theatrical limelight. Written (in part) and directed by Alfredo B. Crevenna, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Arturo de Córdova, Ana Luisa Peluffo, and Raúl Meraz. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A scientist discovers a formula that makes him invisible."
"A scientist discovers a formula that makes him invisible."
On this day in 1958 (in West Germany), Invaders From Mars enjoyed a dubious stop ... on Planet Earth! Directed by William Cameron Menzies with a script by Richard Blake, the feature starred Helena Carter, Jimmy Hunt, and Arthur Franz. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"One night, young David McLean sees a spaceship crash into a nearby sandpit. His father goes to investigate, but comes back changed. Where once he was cheerful and affectionate, he's now sullen and snarlingly rude. Others fall into the sandpit and begin acting like him: cold, ill-tempered and conspiratorial. David knows that aliens are taking over the bodies of humans, but he'll soon discover there have been far more of these terrible thefts than he could have imagined. The young doom-monger finds some serious help in a lady doctor and a brilliant astronomer. Soon they meet the aliens: green creatures with insect-like eyes. These beings prove to be slaves to their leader: a large, silent head with ceaselessly shifting eyes and two tentacles on either side, each of which branches off into three smaller tentacles. It's up to the redoubtable earth trio to stop its evil plans."
For the record:
The 1953 original of Invaders From Mars was nominated for the Best Dramatic Presentation Hugo for the 1954 awards season, but it lost out to George Pal's The War Of The Worlds. A remake from director Tobe Hooper was produced in 1986, but that version's greatest recognition would appear to be two Razzie Award nominations. Ouch.
"One night, young David McLean sees a spaceship crash into a nearby sandpit. His father goes to investigate, but comes back changed. Where once he was cheerful and affectionate, he's now sullen and snarlingly rude. Others fall into the sandpit and begin acting like him: cold, ill-tempered and conspiratorial. David knows that aliens are taking over the bodies of humans, but he'll soon discover there have been far more of these terrible thefts than he could have imagined. The young doom-monger finds some serious help in a lady doctor and a brilliant astronomer. Soon they meet the aliens: green creatures with insect-like eyes. These beings prove to be slaves to their leader: a large, silent head with ceaselessly shifting eyes and two tentacles on either side, each of which branches off into three smaller tentacles. It's up to the redoubtable earth trio to stop its evil plans."
For the record:
The 1953 original of Invaders From Mars was nominated for the Best Dramatic Presentation Hugo for the 1954 awards season, but it lost out to George Pal's The War Of The Worlds. A remake from director Tobe Hooper was produced in 1986, but that version's greatest recognition would appear to be two Razzie Award nominations. Ouch.
A star is born! And this one has fangs! On this day in 1960 (in Italy), The Playgirls And The Vampire pitted some lovely ladies against a devious Count. Written (in part) and directed by Piero Regnoli, the Horror feature starred Walter Brandi, Lyla Rocco, and Maria Giovannini. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Five beautiful showgirls are trapped by a storm and find refuge in a creepy old castle. The owner of the castle, a strange nobleman, has a secret laboratory in the basement and has his own plans for the girls."
"Five beautiful showgirls are trapped by a storm and find refuge in a creepy old castle. The owner of the castle, a strange nobleman, has a secret laboratory in the basement and has his own plans for the girls."
On this day in 1996 (in Germany), writer/director Enki Bilal's Tykho Moon crashed down to the Earth's theatres. The SciFi feature starred critical favorite Juliy Delpy and Johan Leysen, and here's the plot summary listed on IMDB.com:
"The McBee family has erected a government over a future 'colony', that looks like a run-down Paris divided into sectors by the Berlin Wall. All male family members suffer from a mysterious disease and are in urgent need of organ transplants. The perfect donor, Tykho Moon, probably has been killed in a fire, but according to rumours he's still alive. Although assassins stalk the family members, the McBees start a hunt for Tykho. Trying to escape the dragnet, Alex, a sculptor, meets Lena, a killer posing as a whore."
"The McBee family has erected a government over a future 'colony', that looks like a run-down Paris divided into sectors by the Berlin Wall. All male family members suffer from a mysterious disease and are in urgent need of organ transplants. The perfect donor, Tykho Moon, probably has been killed in a fire, but according to rumours he's still alive. Although assassins stalk the family members, the McBees start a hunt for Tykho. Trying to escape the dragnet, Alex, a sculptor, meets Lena, a killer posing as a whore."
A star is born! On this day in 1999 (in the U.S.), Escape Velocity found its escape, indeed ... with a release on home video! Directed by Lloyd A. Simandl from a story by Paul A. Birkett and Mike Rohl, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Wendy Crewson, Patrick Bergin, and Peter Outerbridge. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A psychotic spaceman takes over a deep-space observatory manned by a scientist, his wife, and teenage daughter."
"A psychotic spaceman takes over a deep-space observatory manned by a scientist, his wife, and teenage daughter."
On this day in 2003 (in Spain), the 1980-produced film The Alien Dead enjoyed a special theatrical presentation for audiences in attendance of the Sitges Film Festival. Written (in part) and directed by Fred Olen Ray, the film starred Buster Crabbe, Ray Roberts, and Linda Lewis. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A meteor strikes a houseboat in the swamps near a southern town populated by Yankees with fake accents. The people on the houseboat become zombies who feed on the alligators in the swamp. Once they run out of alligators, they start going for the citizens. A local scientist tries to figure out what's happening to people once they start disappearing."
"A meteor strikes a houseboat in the swamps near a southern town populated by Yankees with fake accents. The people on the houseboat become zombies who feed on the alligators in the swamp. Once they run out of alligators, they start going for the citizens. A local scientist tries to figure out what's happening to people once they start disappearing."
Ouch. That's gonna leave a mark. On this day in 2009 (in Japan), audiences were treated to a big Infestation. Written and directed by Kyle Rankin, the Fantasy/Comedy starred Christopher Rodriguez Marquette, Brooke Nevin, and Linda Park. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A slacker awakes to find himself weak and wrapped in a webbing; after realizing that the world has been taken over by giant alien insects, he wakes a ragtag group of strangers and together they fight for survival."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Infestation enjoyed a wee bit of love from a screening on the film festival circuit.
"A slacker awakes to find himself weak and wrapped in a webbing; after realizing that the world has been taken over by giant alien insects, he wakes a ragtag group of strangers and together they fight for survival."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Infestation enjoyed a wee bit of love from a screening on the film festival circuit.
A star is born! On this day in 2012 (in New Zealand), the good people of Wellington were treated to an exclusive theatrical premiere engagement of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Written (in part) and directed by Peter Jackson, the Fantasy feature starred Martin Freeman, Ian McKellan, and Richard Armitage. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A reluctant Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, sets out to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of dwarves to reclaim their mountain home, and the gold within it from the dragon Smaug."
"A reluctant Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, sets out to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of dwarves to reclaim their mountain home, and the gold within it from the dragon Smaug."
On this day in 2014 (in Ireland and the United Kingdom), the 1968-produced 2001: A Space Odyssey enjoyed a rare theatrical re-release. Written (in part) and directed by Stanley Kubrick, the SciFi/Drama starred Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, and William Sylvester. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After discovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, mankind sets off on a quest to find its origins with help from intelligent supercomputer H.A.L. 9000."
For the record:
Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey remains one of Science Fiction's benchmark motion pictures. At the 1969 Oscars, the film was nominated in the categories of 'Best Art Direction - Set Direction,' 'Best Writing, Story and Screenplay - Written Directly for the Screen,' 'Best Director,' and 'Best Effects, Special Visual Effects' ... but it only took home the trophy for Best Effects. Also in 1969, the film did take home the 'Best Dramatic Presentation' from the Hugo Awards.
"After discovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, mankind sets off on a quest to find its origins with help from intelligent supercomputer H.A.L. 9000."
For the record:
Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey remains one of Science Fiction's benchmark motion pictures. At the 1969 Oscars, the film was nominated in the categories of 'Best Art Direction - Set Direction,' 'Best Writing, Story and Screenplay - Written Directly for the Screen,' 'Best Director,' and 'Best Effects, Special Visual Effects' ... but it only took home the trophy for Best Effects. Also in 1969, the film did take home the 'Best Dramatic Presentation' from the Hugo Awards.
On this day in 2017, Rememory enjoyed its release in the U.S. home video market. The SciFi/Drama starred Peter Dinklage and Matt Ellis, and here's the plot summary provided by IMDB.com:
"The widow of a wise professor stumbles upon one of his inventions that's able to record and play a person's memory."
"The widow of a wise professor stumbles upon one of his inventions that's able to record and play a person's memory."
On this day in 2019 (in Germany), Abduction enjoyed a release on home video. Directed by Ernie Barbarash from a script by Mike MacLean, the film starred Scott Adkins, Andy On, and Truong Ngoc Anh. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Quinn steps out of a park fountain in Vietnam with no recollection of who he is or where he came from. As he wanders through the city, piecing together clues to his past, he is relentlessly pursued by mysteriously dangerous figures."
"Quinn steps out of a park fountain in Vietnam with no recollection of who he is or where he came from. As he wanders through the city, piecing together clues to his past, he is relentlessly pursued by mysteriously dangerous figures."
On this day in 1952 (in the U.S.), Adventures of Superman aired "No Holds Barred." This served as the eleventh episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Bad Luck Brannigan, a wrestler working for a crooked promoter, uses "the paralyzer" to cripple opponents. Clark Kent discovers the promoter has imprisoned an immigrant dubbed "the swami," who has extensive knowledge of the body's pressure points. In his Superman identity, Clark sees the immigrant. "The swami" instructs Superman in his techniques. As Clark, he then teaches a college wrestler -- who has publicly challenged Brannigan -- how to counter 'the paralyzer.'"
"Bad Luck Brannigan, a wrestler working for a crooked promoter, uses "the paralyzer" to cripple opponents. Clark Kent discovers the promoter has imprisoned an immigrant dubbed "the swami," who has extensive knowledge of the body's pressure points. In his Superman identity, Clark sees the immigrant. "The swami" instructs Superman in his techniques. As Clark, he then teaches a college wrestler -- who has publicly challenged Brannigan -- how to counter 'the paralyzer.'"
On this day in 1953 (in the U.S.), Adventures Of Superman aired "The Man In The Lead Mask." This served as the eleventh episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary that's been provided via IMDB.com:
"Marty Mitchell, a wanted criminal, offers other crooks something they can't pass up: for $50,000 each, they'll get a new face, courtesy of plastic surgery, and changed fingerprints. Experts say changing fingerprints is impossible but Mitchell appears to have done it. Clark Kent, in both in his civilian and Superman identities, is determined to solve the mystery."
"Marty Mitchell, a wanted criminal, offers other crooks something they can't pass up: for $50,000 each, they'll get a new face, courtesy of plastic surgery, and changed fingerprints. Experts say changing fingerprints is impossible but Mitchell appears to have done it. Clark Kent, in both in his civilian and Superman identities, is determined to solve the mystery."
On this day in 1964 (in the United Kingdom), Doctor Who aired "The Daleks." This served as the fifth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Doctor and Ian are taken to the Dalek saucer while Susan and Barbara join the rebels in planning an attack."
"The Doctor and Ian are taken to the Dalek saucer while Susan and Barbara join the rebels in planning an attack."
On this day in 1985 (in the U.S.), Shadow Chasers aired "Amazing Grace." This served as the fourth episode in the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as listed on IMDB.com:
"During a near death experience, Benny has a vision of Grace, who recently died in the hospital he is being treated in, and follows her lead to a string of mysterious deaths. Johnathan plays chicken to save him from a similar demise."
"During a near death experience, Benny has a vision of Grace, who recently died in the hospital he is being treated in, and follows her lead to a string of mysterious deaths. Johnathan plays chicken to save him from a similar demise."
On this day in 1986 (in the U.S.), Starman aired "Society's Pet." This served as the ninth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Paul takes Scott to see his foster father's sister, a wealthy widow who has a $10,000 inheritance for the boy, but she wants to gain custody of Scott for herself, even if this requires betraying Paul to his pursuers."
"Paul takes Scott to see his foster father's sister, a wealthy widow who has a $10,000 inheritance for the boy, but she wants to gain custody of Scott for herself, even if this requires betraying Paul to his pursuers."
On this day in 1986 (in the U.S.), The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers aired "Don Quixote Cody." This (technically) served as the program's fifty-ninth episode (they were aired wildly out of sequence), and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Rangers find Cody Wildfire Carson's ship adrift in space. He's got a virus that makes him suffer hallucinations, the Ranger try to keep him out of trouble until he's cured."
"The Rangers find Cody Wildfire Carson's ship adrift in space. He's got a virus that makes him suffer hallucinations, the Ranger try to keep him out of trouble until he's cured."
On this day in 1987, Star Trek: The Next Generation first aired "Haven," which had the singular distinction of introducing Deanna Troi's mother -- Lwaxana Troi (played by Majel Barrett) -- into its pantheon of characters.
On this day in 1989 (in the United Kingdom), Red Dwarf aired "Polymorph." This served as the third episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Red Dwarf crew encounter the Polymorph, a genetically engineered space mutant that drains the emotions from humans, that has arrived on-board Red Dwarf."
"The Red Dwarf crew encounter the Polymorph, a genetically engineered space mutant that drains the emotions from humans, that has arrived on-board Red Dwarf."
On this day in 1993 (in the U.S.), the Wild West met the untamed oceans when Seaquest aired "SeaWest." This served as the tenth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"SeaQuest investigates an undersea mining facility after receiving a distress signal. Once they arrive, everything seems fine until they hear from one miner that it's not. The miner turns out to be the mine owner. The mine is not under UEO's jurisdiction, but they find they must help out even though doing so puts the crew in a dangerous situation."
"SeaQuest investigates an undersea mining facility after receiving a distress signal. Once they arrive, everything seems fine until they hear from one miner that it's not. The miner turns out to be the mine owner. The mine is not under UEO's jurisdiction, but they find they must help out even though doing so puts the crew in a dangerous situation."
On this day in 1993 (in the U.S.), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired "Sanctuary." This served as the tenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A race that has been conquered twice over, one of the conquerors being the mysterious Dominion, comes to the station seeking aid and a new home."
"A race that has been conquered twice over, one of the conquerors being the mysterious Dominion, comes to the station seeking aid and a new home."
On this day in 1994 (in the U.S.), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired "Fascination." This served as the tenth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"As Lwaxanna Troi visits the station for a Bajoran festival, the crew is stricken with intense romantic attractions to one another."
"As Lwaxanna Troi visits the station for a Bajoran festival, the crew is stricken with intense romantic attractions to one another."
Now, I ask you: who doesn't love a good crossover? And could there been two properties better suited for a crossover than Chris Carter's The X-Files and Millennium? Well, on this day in 1999, Fox Mulder met Frank Black when X aired "Millennium." This served as the fourth episode in the program's seventh season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"At the turn of the 21st century, a religious fanatic enlisted by the Millennium Group resurrects four members of the group as zombies to bring about the end of the world. Mulder and Scully enlist the help of Frank Black to help stop the apocalyptic designs of the Millennium Group."
"At the turn of the 21st century, a religious fanatic enlisted by the Millennium Group resurrects four members of the group as zombies to bring about the end of the world. Mulder and Scully enlist the help of Frank Black to help stop the apocalyptic designs of the Millennium Group."
On this day in 2000, Fox TV's Dark Angel aired "Cold Comfort." This served as the sixth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Brin contacts Zack before she is captured. Max and Zach has no choice but to force Lydecker to tell her whereabouts. They teamed up and follow Brin to a military facility where Brin is to be sold to the highest bidder. Once there, Lydecker double crosses the two X-5s and decides to be in on the sale. Max and Zack manage to escape from captivity with Brin who is suffering from a condition that speeds up aging. She has no choice but to receive help from Lydecker. Max and Zack accept Brin's decision and leave her to be picked up by the man who made them."
"Brin contacts Zack before she is captured. Max and Zach has no choice but to force Lydecker to tell her whereabouts. They teamed up and follow Brin to a military facility where Brin is to be sold to the highest bidder. Once there, Lydecker double crosses the two X-5s and decides to be in on the sale. Max and Zack manage to escape from captivity with Brin who is suffering from a condition that speeds up aging. She has no choice but to receive help from Lydecker. Max and Zack accept Brin's decision and leave her to be picked up by the man who made them."
On this day in 2001, Star Trek: Enterprise aired "Cold Front." This served as the eleventh episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Enterprise has a group of aliens watching a stellar phenomenon on board. When the ship is miraculously saved from blowing up, crewman Daniels has an important message for Archer."
"Enterprise has a group of aliens watching a stellar phenomenon on board. When the ship is miraculously saved from blowing up, crewman Daniels has an important message for Archer."
It all came down to this ...
On this day in 2007, NBC's Bionic Woman aired "Do Not Disturb," perhaps a fitting name for the short-lived program's last episode. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Jonas instructs Jamie to deliver a package and then take a vacation to help deal with Antonio's death. However, the vacation is short-lived when the man she delivers the package to dies shortly after the delivery."
On this day in 2007, NBC's Bionic Woman aired "Do Not Disturb," perhaps a fitting name for the short-lived program's last episode. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Jonas instructs Jamie to deliver a package and then take a vacation to help deal with Antonio's death. However, the vacation is short-lived when the man she delivers the package to dies shortly after the delivery."
On this day in 2015, Doctor Who aired "Heaven Sent." This served as the eleventh episode in the (relaunched) program's ninth season, and here's the plot summary provided by IMDB.com:
"Trapped in a world unlike any other he has seen, the Doctor faces the greatest challenge of his many lives. One final test. And he must face it alone..."
"Trapped in a world unlike any other he has seen, the Doctor faces the greatest challenge of his many lives. One final test. And he must face it alone..."