The immortal Bela Lugosi will always be known as 'The Count' for his work in Dracula (1931), a feature film that really is revered for igniting the whole vampire phenomenon. He appeared with Boris Karloff in 1936's The Invisible Ray. Though he's no longer with us, Lugosi was born on this day in 1882.
[Source: IMDB.com]
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2024, I purchased the latest Blu-ray Collection of Universal Monsters' Dracula for my very own. Interested in my thoughts on the original bloodsucker from 1931? Readers can find them right here.
[Source: IMDB.com]
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2024, I purchased the latest Blu-ray Collection of Universal Monsters' Dracula for my very own. Interested in my thoughts on the original bloodsucker from 1931? Readers can find them right here.
The great Barney Phillips visited Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone a total of four times in the seminal program's run. He also booked roles aboard I Was A Teenage Wolfman (1957), The Invaders, and Project U.F.O. Though he's no longer with us, Phillips was born on this day in 1913.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Fahrenheit 451 remains one of my all-time favorite novels, and I do have a used DVD of the 1966 film adaptation in my collection, though I haven't gotten around to viewing it yet. In any event, Anton Diffring appears in the film, and he also had a guest spot aboard the BBC's Doctor Who. Though he's no longer with us, Diffring was born on this day in 1918.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Screen veteran John Anderson enjoyed a wealth of terrific roles in a career that spanned four decades in the entertainment industry. Throughout the Golden Age of Television, he appeared in a wealth of TV Westerns, but SciFi fans might recognize him from work done in The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, My Favorite Martian, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Project U.F.O., The Greatest American Hero, Voyagers!, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Quantum Leap. Though he's no longer with us, Anderson was born on this day in 1922.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Ralph Maurer (aka Lev Mailer) made two appearances in the classic Star Trek universe, both of which were essentially background characters filling out plot points. He also holds the distinction of guest starring aboard the oft-maligned Star Wars Holiday Special and a guest spot aboard The Greatest American Hero. Maurer was born on this day in 1933.
Michael Dunn played a key role in Plato's Stepchildren, a third season episode of the classic Star Trek. Though he's no longer with us, Dunn was born on this day in 1934.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Critical favorite Jerry Orbach (above center, in the shirt and tie) took time off from dramas and comedies to appear alongside Jean Claude Van Damme in Universal Soldier (1992). Though he's no longer with us, Orbach was born on this day in 1935.
She had that singular distinction of serving as a companion to the Doctor. Anneke Wills (above, in the dress) played 'Polly Wright' during the 1966/67 airings of Doctor Who, and she even had to face those dreaded Cybermen. (Curse you, Cybermen!) Wills was born on this day back in 1941.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Robert Costanzo had a brief but crucial role in setting the events of the seminal Total Recall (1990) into motion for Arnold Schwarzenegger's character. Constanzo was born on this day in 1942.
I know, I know: curse me for not worshipping Mel Brooks' Spaceballs (1987) as much as the next SciFi enthusiast, but I did love funnyman George Wyner's performance in the film. Wyner was born on this day in 1945.
If there were a genre show popular in the 1980's, then quite possibly actor Jeff Mackay was on it somewhere. Although best known as one of the ensemble from CBS's Magnum, P.I., I recall his work on the underrated Tales of the Gold Monkey and even his smaller stuff on ABC's original Battlestar Galactica. Though he's no longer with us, Mackay was born on this day in 1948.
Starhunter is one of those SciFi series that even to this day somehow maintains a fairly impressively-sized fan base. I've only seen a handful of episodes at this point (maybe six or seven), and the show definitely had a nice vibe to it. George Harris had a recurring role board the property, and Harris was born on this day in 1949.
William Russ (above right) has been around conventional television dramas for decades, but fortunately for SciFi fans he has dabbled in our genre from time to time. He's appeared in Stargate: SG-1, The Event, SeaQuest 2032, and the original version of V. Russ was born on this day in 1950.
Actress and director Melanie Mayron's resume in the realm of Science Fiction is understandably a bit light. She had a role in Heartbeeps (1981), The Twilight Zone, and Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Mayron was born on this day in 1952.
The great Bill Nunn leaves behind a legacy of just over seventy different screen appearances including roles aboard such vehicles as Millennium, Spider-Man (2002), Spider-Man 2 (2004), and Spider-Man 3 (2007). Though he's no longer with us, Nunn was born on this day in 1953.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Peter Morwood dabbles with creating universes in Science Fiction and Fantasy as well as penning novels featuring the Star Trek cast of characters. Morwood was born on this day in 1956.
Fantasy projects worldwide received a major "shot in the arm" thanks to the overwhelming success of Peter Jackson's adaptation of The Lord Of The Rings, of which the impressive Viggo Mortensen brought the heroic 'Aragorn' to life. Mortensen was born on this day in 1958.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The great Christopher Bowen played 'Mordred' for the 1989 Doctor Who serial "Battlefield." Since that time, he's definitely steered more toward conventional dramas. Bowen was born on this day in 1959.
[Source: Doctor Who Guide online]
[Source: Doctor Who Guide online]
Yvette Nipar played Detective Lisa Madigan aboard the short-lived Robocop television series. She's also enjoyed screen time aboard The Flash (CBS) and Fox TV's underrated The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. Nipar was born on this day in 1964.
William Zabka entered film history with the somewhat villainous role of 'Johnny' in The Karate Kid (1984), but he's also made genre appearances, booking screen time aboard The Greatest American Hero, To The Ends Of Time (1996), Interceptor Force (1999), Mindstorm (2001), Epoch (2001), Descent Into Darkness (2002), Antibody (2002), and Hot Tub Time Machine (2010). Zabka was born on this day in 1965.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Rachel House is about to set the Marvel Universe alive in the role of 'Topaz' as part of Thor: Ragnarok (2017). House was born on this day in 1971.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The always reliable Kenneth Choi has a great track record of stealing scenes from even the smallest pictures. Fans might remember his great turn aboard Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) as well as an appearance aboard ABC TV's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Choi was born on this day in 1971.
Director Thor Freudenthal has certainly built a legacy in the realm of genre entertainment. He's directed such entries as Percy Jackson: Sea Of Monsters (2013) as well as episodes of The Flash, Supergirl, Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow, and The Expanse. Freudenthal was born on this day in 1972.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Dan Fogler immersed himself in the world of cinematic Fantasy with a key role aboard Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them (2016). Fogler was born on this day in 1976.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Sheeri Rappaport will always be remembered for her exceptional work as one of the key technicians aboard CBS's flagship crime series, C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigations, but she's also dabbled in Fantasy with a role aboard Xena: Warrior Princess. Rappaport was born on this day in 1977.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Actor Sam Witwer's been all over fandom. He's a monster (literally) in the US version of Being Human. He's voiced various characters in the wide, wide world of Star Wars video games. He's been the voice of Darth Maul in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. He was a force for young Clark Kent to reckon with as the TV version of 'Doomsday' in Smallville. And, more recently, he's turned up aboard The CW's incarnation of Supergirl. Witwer was born on this day back in 1977.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Critical favorite Alberto Ammann (above in glasses) enjoyed a SciFi star turn in the perceptive Eva, the tale of an engineer designing robot software. Ammann was born on this day in 1978.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Niall Matter knows quality genre projects when he sees them. In his time in front of the camera, he's had roles in Watchmen, Stargate: Atlantis, Warehouse 13, Eureka, and Primeval: New World. Matter was born on this day in 1980.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Katie Featherston burst onto the scene with a role in Paranormal Activity (2007), and she followed it up with a supporting stint in the TV Fantasy The River. She also starred in Mutation (2006). Featherston was born on this day in 1982.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The beautiful Alona Tal first dropped onto my radar for her work aboard The CW's long-running Supernatural. Thankfully, she did some voicework for Halo: Reach back in 2010 so that I can mention her here. Tal was born on this day in 1983.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Adam Butcher (above right) has built a solid reputation for acting in mainstream dramas, but he has ventured into the realms of SciFi with roles in Falling Skies and ReGenesis. An even better example of what he's capable of in a leading role status is his work as 'James' in 2014's underrated SciFi flick Debug. Butcher was born on this day in 1988.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Dreamy ginger with an equally dreamy name, Galadriel Stineman joined Ryan Kelley and Alyssa Diaz in the SciFi-lite telefilm, Ben 10: Alien Swarm (2009). Stineman was born on this day in 1990.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1935 (in Finland), The Invisible Man appeared theatrically. This Universal Movies Monster Classic starred the incomparable Claude Rains, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A scientist finds a way of becoming invisible, but in doing so, he becomes murderously insane."
"A scientist finds a way of becoming invisible, but in doing so, he becomes murderously insane."
On this day in 1960 (in Argentina), The Lost World found itself in theaters. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary for the Fantasy release:
"Professor Challenger leads an expedition of scientists and adventurers to a remote plateau deep in the Amazonian jungle to verify his claim that dinosaurs still live there."
"Professor Challenger leads an expedition of scientists and adventurers to a remote plateau deep in the Amazonian jungle to verify his claim that dinosaurs still live there."
A star is born! On this day in 1965, Village Of The Giants showed audiences that size truly matters. The film is loosely based on a novel by H.G. Wells. The feature starred Tommy Kirk and Beau Bridges, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Delinquent teen-agers ingest a substance and grow thirty feet tall, then proceed to take over a small town."
For the record:
Ahem. Not a lot of "praise" for something that amounts to a load of cinematic cheese like Village Of The Giants does. I guess it's biggest claim to fame is the fact that it's been spoofed by the yucksters at MST3K.
"Delinquent teen-agers ingest a substance and grow thirty feet tall, then proceed to take over a small town."
For the record:
Ahem. Not a lot of "praise" for something that amounts to a load of cinematic cheese like Village Of The Giants does. I guess it's biggest claim to fame is the fact that it's been spoofed by the yucksters at MST3K.
On this day in 1967 (in France), Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. enjoyed a run in movie theaters. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Daleks' fiendish plot in 2150 against Earth and its people is foiled when Dr. Who and friends arrive from the 20th century and figure it out."
"The Daleks' fiendish plot in 2150 against Earth and its people is foiled when Dr. Who and friends arrive from the 20th century and figure it out."
On this day in 1967 (in West Germany), Mission Stardust was released for interested audiences. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A team of astronauts is sent to the moon to rescue an alien who is seeking help to save her dying race. They are attacked by a force of bandit robots and discover that enemy spies are out to kill the alien."
"A team of astronauts is sent to the moon to rescue an alien who is seeking help to save her dying race. They are attacked by a force of bandit robots and discover that enemy spies are out to kill the alien."
A star is born! On this day in 1969 (in Denmark), Moon Zero Two showed audiences what life could be like in the great wide beyond. The feature starred James Olson and Catherine Schell, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"A space salvage expert and his partner become involved with a group of criminals intent on hijacking a small asteroid made of sapphire and crashing it into the moon for later recovery. The only place that they can bring the asteroid down without drawing attention to themselves is a far side mining claim. But first they must dispose of the miner. Little known to them, however, is the fact that the miners sister has hired the same salvage team to help her locate her missing brother."
"A space salvage expert and his partner become involved with a group of criminals intent on hijacking a small asteroid made of sapphire and crashing it into the moon for later recovery. The only place that they can bring the asteroid down without drawing attention to themselves is a far side mining claim. But first they must dispose of the miner. Little known to them, however, is the fact that the miners sister has hired the same salvage team to help her locate her missing brother."
A star is born! Regular readers to SciFiHistory.Net may have noticed by now that I totally dig fact-based UFO films and series. (The dirty little secret is that UFOs are real; but we all may simply differ on what they are, where they come from, and the like.) By far, one of the most compelling, real-life UFO abduction cases includes the Betty and Barney Hill story, a tale brought to life by a telefilm titled The UFO Incident on this day back in 1975. According to IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In the early 1960s, a married couple undergo hypnosis, which unlocks memories of a forgotten event on a lonely road. Soon they believe they were abducted by extraterrestrials."
"In the early 1960s, a married couple undergo hypnosis, which unlocks memories of a forgotten event on a lonely road. Soon they believe they were abducted by extraterrestrials."
On this day in 1977 (in Italy), George Lucas' original Star Wars enjoyed its theatrical debut. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader."
"Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader."
On this day in 1982 (in France), Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan brought Star Trek back to its original glory. 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."
A star is born! On this day in 1983 (in Spain), evil got a makeover with the release of Macumba Sexual. Exploitation director Jesús Franco wrote and directed the film, and it starred Ajita Wilson, Lina Romay, and Antonio Mayans. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Princess Obongo, the Goddess of Unspeakable Lust, uses dark powers to ensnare a hapless couple of yuppies, so that she can imbue them with evil and conquer the world."
"Princess Obongo, the Goddess of Unspeakable Lust, uses dark powers to ensnare a hapless couple of yuppies, so that she can imbue them with evil and conquer the world."
On this day in 1990 (in Japan), it was mano-a-mano robot action with the release of Robot Jox. Written (in part) and directed by Stuart Gordon, the SciFi/Thriller starred Gary Graham, Anne-Marie Johnson, and Paul Koslo. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In the year 2041, the rebel Centros are a plague to the survivors of the great toxic gas scare of 1993. A renegade Megarobot pilot and an archaeologist must team up (despite personal differences, a reluctant romance, and official pressure to cease and desist) to thwart the Centro's attempts to resurrect a hidden Megarobot, with which they can challenge the prevailing order."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Robot Jox enjoyed a wee bit of praise from screenings on the film festival circuit.
"In the year 2041, the rebel Centros are a plague to the survivors of the great toxic gas scare of 1993. A renegade Megarobot pilot and an archaeologist must team up (despite personal differences, a reluctant romance, and official pressure to cease and desist) to thwart the Centro's attempts to resurrect a hidden Megarobot, with which they can challenge the prevailing order."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Robot Jox enjoyed a wee bit of praise from screenings on the film festival circuit.
A star is born ... and then it's a franchise! On this day in 1994 (in the U.S.), the good people of Los Angeles, California were treated to the silver screen premiere of Class Of Nuke 'Em High 3: The Good, The Bad And The Subhumanoid! Directed by Eric Louzil, the Horror/Comedy starred Brick Bronsky, Lisa Star, and John Tallman. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Taking place after the events of part two, where Roger Smith's twin sons Adlai and Dick are born; one of them is suddenly kidnapped and taught to be evil while Adlai is determined to foil the fiendish plot and save Tromaville."
"Taking place after the events of part two, where Roger Smith's twin sons Adlai and Dick are born; one of them is suddenly kidnapped and taught to be evil while Adlai is determined to foil the fiendish plot and save Tromaville."
A star is born! On this day in 2005 (in Greece and Israel), Doom exploded onto the big screen with a star-studded adaptation. Directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak, the SciFi/Thriller starred Dwayne Johnson, Karl Urban, and Rosamund Pike. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Space Marines are sent to investigate strange events at a research facility on Mars but find themselves at the mercy of genetically enhanced killing machines."
For the record:
And a hearty congratulations are extended to Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson for securing a well-deserved nomination from the 2006 Razzie Awards in the category of 'Worst Actor.'
"Space Marines are sent to investigate strange events at a research facility on Mars but find themselves at the mercy of genetically enhanced killing machines."
For the record:
And a hearty congratulations are extended to Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson for securing a well-deserved nomination from the 2006 Razzie Awards in the category of 'Worst Actor.'
A star is born! On this day in 2007 (in the U.S.), Tyrannosaurus Azteca (aka Aztec Rex) enjoyed its big screen roar when it played for audiences in attendance of the Hawaii Film Festival. Directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith from a script by Richard Manning, the Fantasy feature starred Ian Ziering, Marco Sanchez, and Kalani Queypo. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A band of 16th century conquistadors must fight for their lives when they realize they're going to be served as sacrifices to a god-like T-Rex."
"A band of 16th century conquistadors must fight for their lives when they realize they're going to be served as sacrifices to a god-like T-Rex."
On this day in 2009 (in the Netherlands), Outlander enjoyed its debut on home video. Written (in part) and directed by Howard McCain, the SciFi/Thriller starred Jim Caviezel, Sophia Myles, and Jack Huston. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"During the reign of the Vikings, Kainan, a man from a far-off world, crash lands on Earth, bringing with him an alien predator known as the Moorwen. Though both man and monster are seeking revenge for violence committed against them, Kainan leads the alliance to kill the Moorwen by fusing his advanced technology with the Viking's Iron Age weaponry."
"During the reign of the Vikings, Kainan, a man from a far-off world, crash lands on Earth, bringing with him an alien predator known as the Moorwen. Though both man and monster are seeking revenge for violence committed against them, Kainan leads the alliance to kill the Moorwen by fusing his advanced technology with the Viking's Iron Age weaponry."
A star is born! On this day in 2011 (in the U.S.), the good people of Westwood, California were treated to the silver screen premiere of In Time. Written and directed by Andrew Niccol, the SciFi/Thriller starred Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, and Cillian Murphy. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In a future where people stop aging at 25, but are engineered to live only one more year, having the means to buy your way out of the situation is a shot at immortal youth. Here, Will Salas finds himself accused of murder and on the run with a hostage - a connection that becomes an important part of the way against the system."
"In a future where people stop aging at 25, but are engineered to live only one more year, having the means to buy your way out of the situation is a shot at immortal youth. Here, Will Salas finds himself accused of murder and on the run with a hostage - a connection that becomes an important part of the way against the system."
On this day in 2020 (in the U.S.), Tremors: Shrieker Island enjoyed its release on home video. Written (in part) and directed by Don Michael Paul, the SciFi/Comedy starred Michael Gross, Jon Heder, and Richard Brake. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"When a group of hunters genetically modify Graboid eggs, they face an all-out war against the larger, terrifyingly intelligent Graboids, and the swiftly multiplying Shriekers."
"When a group of hunters genetically modify Graboid eggs, they face an all-out war against the larger, terrifyingly intelligent Graboids, and the swiftly multiplying Shriekers."
A star is born ... but this one'll draw blood! On this day in 2023 (in the U.S.), Bloodthirst tried to sink its teeth into our collective consciousness with its big screen premiere for the good people of Beverly Hills, California. Directed by Michael Su from a story by Adrian Milnes and Massimiliano (Max) Cerchi, the Horror/Fantasy starred Costas Mandylor, Sarah French, and Tara Reid. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In a post apocalyptic world run by vampires, only the strong survive. John Shepard, Vampire Hunter, is one of them. John has to track down and eliminate the master vampire before he himself gets turned."
"In a post apocalyptic world run by vampires, only the strong survive. John Shepard, Vampire Hunter, is one of them. John has to track down and eliminate the master vampire before he himself gets turned."
"Welcome Stranger" has the Robinson family meeting a fellow Earth traveler on Lost In Space's episode that aired on this day in 1965. They're hoping the man can aid in repairing the Jupiter 2 and, if not, then take Will and Penny back home.
On this day in 1966, Star Trek aired the seventh episode of its first season, an hour curiously titled "What Are Little Girls Made Of?" According to our friends at Trekcore.com, here's the plot summary:
"Visiting planet Exo III, Nurse Chapel is reunited with her long lost fiancé, Dr. Roger Korby. However when Kirk is kidnapped and duplicated by one of Korby's home-made androids, the crew is placed in an impossible predicament of picking out the real captain."
"Visiting planet Exo III, Nurse Chapel is reunited with her long lost fiancé, Dr. Roger Korby. However when Kirk is kidnapped and duplicated by one of Korby's home-made androids, the crew is placed in an impossible predicament of picking out the real captain."
Now that there? That's some quality Star Trek! The second season outing called "The Doomsday Machine" has always been one of my personal favorites in all of Trekdom. I think that's because it's one of those rare exceptions wherein an hour of television really always felt like a great big blockbuster movie idea, only this one was set on the small screen. When Paramount Pictures authorized all of these enhanced special effects not that long back and re-issue the episodes in Blu-ray, they even somehow managed to make an exceptional episode even more exceptional. But "The Doomsday Machine" first took flight on this day back in 1967. Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The USS Enterprise encounters the wrecked USS Constellation and its distraught commodore who's determined to stop the giant planet-destroying robot ship that killed his crew."
"The USS Enterprise encounters the wrecked USS Constellation and its distraught commodore who's determined to stop the giant planet-destroying robot ship that killed his crew."
On this day in 1973, the crew of the Starship Enterprise were back -- in animated form -- as Star Trek: The Animated Series aired the seventh episode of its first season. The adventure was titled "The Infinite Vulcan," and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at Trekcore.com:
"On the planet Phylos, Mr. Spock is captured by the Phylosians, a plant-like race. A giant clone of Terran scientist Dr. Starros Keniclius, Keniclius 5, clones Mr. Spock to help preserve galactic peace, but the cloning operation leaves the real Spock near death."
"On the planet Phylos, Mr. Spock is captured by the Phylosians, a plant-like race. A giant clone of Terran scientist Dr. Starros Keniclius, Keniclius 5, clones Mr. Spock to help preserve galactic peace, but the cloning operation leaves the real Spock near death."
On this day in 1974 (in Japan), the third episode of the still popular Star Blazers -- an adventure called "Blackout" -- aired on television. Here's the plot summary as prepared by our friends at TV.com:
"The Comet Empire causes a blackout on Earth. Wildstar believes there might be a threat to Earth's peace. A distress signal from deep in space adds to Wildstar's concerns. But the EDC (and maybe someone else in the Star Force) isn't convinced of the threat or the message..."
"The Comet Empire causes a blackout on Earth. Wildstar believes there might be a threat to Earth's peace. A distress signal from deep in space adds to Wildstar's concerns. But the EDC (and maybe someone else in the Star Force) isn't convinced of the threat or the message..."
On this day in 1976 (in the United Kingdom), "The Perfect Couple" aired as the eighth episode of Star Maidens' only season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Adam and Shem hatch a plot that should convince Fulvia to release the human hostages while still allowing the refugee Medusans to remain on earth. It involves Fulvia and Adam setting up home as a couple. What could possibly go wrong?"
"Adam and Shem hatch a plot that should convince Fulvia to release the human hostages while still allowing the refugee Medusans to remain on earth. It involves Fulvia and Adam setting up home as a couple. What could possibly go wrong?"
On this day in 1979 (in the United Kingdom), Doctor Who aired "City of Death, Part 4." This served as the eighth episode of the program's seventeenth season, and here's the plot summary provided by IMDB.com:
"Scaroth, the last of the Jagaroth, forces Romana to build a field interface stabilizer for his time machine. Romana reluctantly does so, not knowing that the full extent her action will lead to the total non-existence of all life on Earth. Humans will never have existed."
"Scaroth, the last of the Jagaroth, forces Romana to build a field interface stabilizer for his time machine. Romana reluctantly does so, not knowing that the full extent her action will lead to the total non-existence of all life on Earth. Humans will never have existed."
On this day in 1984 (in the United Kingdom), The Tripods aired "Chateau Ricordeau, France: July, 2089 AD." This served as the sixth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Henry and Beanpole go on their own, after Will decides to marry the daughter of the people who took him in."
"Henry and Beanpole go on their own, after Will decides to marry the daughter of the people who took him in."
On this day in 1986, Amazing Stories aired "You Gotta Believe Me." Officially, this served as the fifth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Convinced that his vivid nightmare of a Boeing 747 crashing into his house is a horrific premonition, Earl Sweet desperately tries to alter fate."
"Convinced that his vivid nightmare of a Boeing 747 crashing into his house is a horrific premonition, Earl Sweet desperately tries to alter fate."
On this day in 1986, the United Kingdom was treated to the fourth episode of Chocky's Challenge. According to our friends at TV.com, here's the plot summary:
"It is the demonstration of the new equipment, but some of it has mysteriously disappeared and the research grant has ran out. But Meyer receives a visit from Mrs Gibson who claims to represent the Ministry of Science and she makes an offer to fund further research. Albertine and her father discover a sleepwalking Paul in the middle of the night and he is found to be tampering with the rebuilt equipment. It is revealed that Mrs Gibson's real name is Major Gibson. Major Gibson is working on behalf of an army general who has his own designs for the project."
"It is the demonstration of the new equipment, but some of it has mysteriously disappeared and the research grant has ran out. But Meyer receives a visit from Mrs Gibson who claims to represent the Ministry of Science and she makes an offer to fund further research. Albertine and her father discover a sleepwalking Paul in the middle of the night and he is found to be tampering with the rebuilt equipment. It is revealed that Mrs Gibson's real name is Major Gibson. Major Gibson is working on behalf of an army general who has his own designs for the project."
On this day in 1986, The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers aired "Tune-Up." This (technically) served as the program's twelfth episode (they were aired wildly out of order), and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A salvage ship picks up some discarded alien technology. As Buzzwing starts to catalog the devices, one device activates creates problems for Buzzwing and Little Zach."
"A salvage ship picks up some discarded alien technology. As Buzzwing starts to catalog the devices, one device activates creates problems for Buzzwing and Little Zach."
On this day in 1990, Star Trek: The Next Generation aired "Remember Me." This served as the fifth episode of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Dr. Crusher's fear of losing loved ones becomes real when her worries create an alternate reality."
"Dr. Crusher's fear of losing loved ones becomes real when her worries create an alternate reality."
On this day in 1990, Super Force aired "Battle Cry." This served as the fifth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV.com:
"A war veteran returns home to find his wife has been murdered. Determined to get revenge on all those who witnessed it, he turns into a killer himself."
"A war veteran returns home to find his wife has been murdered. Determined to get revenge on all those who witnessed it, he turns into a killer himself."
On this day in 1991, Super Force aired "Love Slaves Of Outer Space." This served as the third episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV.com:
"Aliens who Super Force has twarted in the past return to capture him for their employers."
"Aliens who Super Force has twarted in the past return to capture him for their employers."
On this day in 1991, Superboy aired "The Kryptonite Kid." Officially, this served as the third episode in the program's fourth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Kryptonite infects a young scientist during a lab explosion, causing him to use his newfound powers against Superboy."
"Kryptonite infects a young scientist during a lab explosion, causing him to use his newfound powers against Superboy."
On this day in 1992, Quantum Leap aired "Killin' Time." Officially, this served as the fifth episode in the program's fifth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Sam leaps into the body of Leon Styles, an illiterate and violent escaped convict who is holding Carol Pruitt and her daughter Becky at gunpoint in her home. Sam has no idea why he's there and is puzzled at Al's absence. What he doesn't know is that the real Leon Styles has escaped from the holding facility in the Quantum holding chamber. Al is desperate to find him for without Leon Styles, Sam will not be able to leap. Al knows that history has the prison escapee being killed by the Sheriff whose daughter he killed. Sam thinks he's there to keep Leon from being killed. Having done what he was really sent there to do however, he remains stuck, unable to leap until Al completes his."
"Sam leaps into the body of Leon Styles, an illiterate and violent escaped convict who is holding Carol Pruitt and her daughter Becky at gunpoint in her home. Sam has no idea why he's there and is puzzled at Al's absence. What he doesn't know is that the real Leon Styles has escaped from the holding facility in the Quantum holding chamber. Al is desperate to find him for without Leon Styles, Sam will not be able to leap. Al knows that history has the prison escapee being killed by the Sheriff whose daughter he killed. Sam thinks he's there to keep Leon from being killed. Having done what he was really sent there to do however, he remains stuck, unable to leap until Al completes his."
On this day in 1994 (in France), RoboCop: The Series premiered with the episode titled "The Future of Law Enforcement: Part 1." According to our friends at TV.com, here's the plot summary:
"This time the future RoboCop is defending Delta City from a scarred maniac. A killer calling himself the Dogtown Ripper is killing thousands of people and stealing their brains. A trouble making pre-teen becomes the foster daughter of Stanely Parks. A secretary is killed but her spirit lives inside the computer mainframe."
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2022, the good folks at Liberation Hall provided me with a complimentary Blu-ray set of RoboCop: The Series. Folks interested in knowing what I had to say about it can find my review right here.
Also -- based on having a complete series set -- I penned an individual review for "The Future Of Law Enforcement." Folks interesed in knowing what I had to say about these episodes can find my review right here.
"This time the future RoboCop is defending Delta City from a scarred maniac. A killer calling himself the Dogtown Ripper is killing thousands of people and stealing their brains. A trouble making pre-teen becomes the foster daughter of Stanely Parks. A secretary is killed but her spirit lives inside the computer mainframe."
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2022, the good folks at Liberation Hall provided me with a complimentary Blu-ray set of RoboCop: The Series. Folks interested in knowing what I had to say about it can find my review right here.
Also -- based on having a complete series set -- I penned an individual review for "The Future Of Law Enforcement." Folks interesed in knowing what I had to say about these episodes can find my review right here.
On this day in 1995, The X-Files aired "The List." Officially, this served as the fifth episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After death row prisoner Napoleon "Neech" Manley is executed in Florida's electric chair, a number of prison guards are the victims of gruesome murders. Scully and Mulder are called into the case and there are rumors in the prison that there is a death list with five names on it. They learn from Manley's widow Danielle that he had promised to return from the grave and exact revenge but they look for a less supernatural explanation for the events. They think they've found it when they learn that Danielle has been living with one of the guards, Vincent Parmelly. For Mulder however, the final explanation just doesn't sit well."
"After death row prisoner Napoleon "Neech" Manley is executed in Florida's electric chair, a number of prison guards are the victims of gruesome murders. Scully and Mulder are called into the case and there are rumors in the prison that there is a death list with five names on it. They learn from Manley's widow Danielle that he had promised to return from the grave and exact revenge but they look for a less supernatural explanation for the events. They think they've found it when they learn that Danielle has been living with one of the guards, Vincent Parmelly. For Mulder however, the final explanation just doesn't sit well."
On this day in 1997, Babylon 5 aired "Rising Star." Officially, this served as the twenty-first episode in the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Earth is now free from Clark. Sheridan must now face the new President for his actions. He's forced to resign. Delenn, G'Kar, and Londo offer the Earth President a chance to join the newly formed Inter Stellar Alliance. Garibaldi searches for Lise. Ivanova revives and tries to deal with what her recovery cost someone else."
"Earth is now free from Clark. Sheridan must now face the new President for his actions. He's forced to resign. Delenn, G'Kar, and Londo offer the Earth President a chance to join the newly formed Inter Stellar Alliance. Garibaldi searches for Lise. Ivanova revives and tries to deal with what her recovery cost someone else."
On this day in 1997, Earth: Final Conflict aired "Miracle." This served as the third episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed on IMDB.com:
"Boone helps prevents a suicide of a handless girl. Da'an wants to use revolutionary Taelon technology to help the girl for propaganda reasons."
"Boone helps prevents a suicide of a handless girl. Da'an wants to use revolutionary Taelon technology to help the girl for propaganda reasons."
On this day in 1997, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired the fourth episode of its sixth season, an hour titled "Behind the Lines." According to our friends at Trekcore.com, here's what all the action was about:
"Odo's loyalties are tested by the arrival of the devious Female Shapeshifter. Odo soon finds himself engaged in a romantic link with her, leading to a divided loyalty... will Odo turn his back on Major Kira and his Federation friends... the outcome of his decision could affect the balance of power in the Alpha Quadrant for decades to come."
"Odo's loyalties are tested by the arrival of the devious Female Shapeshifter. Odo soon finds himself engaged in a romantic link with her, leading to a divided loyalty... will Odo turn his back on Major Kira and his Federation friends... the outcome of his decision could affect the balance of power in the Alpha Quadrant for decades to come."
Oh, Tom, poor Tom. On this day in 1999, Star Trek: Voyager saw everyone's favorite helmsman Tom Paris (pictured above) suffering the love jones for a spaceship (of all things!). The episode was titled "Alice." Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Voyager takes on a "haunted" hot rod alien spacecraft with a possessiveness artificial intelligence that jealously bonds with Tom Paris."
"Voyager takes on a "haunted" hot rod alien spacecraft with a possessiveness artificial intelligence that jealously bonds with Tom Paris."
On this day in 2001, The Lost World aired "Out Of The Blue." Officially, this served as the first episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"There's no escape for the Challenger Expedition when Captain Askwith's mysterious airship explodes in a fiery crash. But moments later, when Challenger, Roxton, and Marguerite appear on a British air station in 1915 -- on the same day the airship was launched on its final mission -- they realize they truly have taken the place of the captain's original crew. After two years of struggling to escape the Plateau, Challenger and his friends must now fight to return to it by once again taking flight on the doomed dirigible. At the same time, Veronica appears on the Plateau, and in a shocking confrontation with Captain Askwith, realizes she has her own mission to complete: pursue Askwith and somehow return him to his ship."
"There's no escape for the Challenger Expedition when Captain Askwith's mysterious airship explodes in a fiery crash. But moments later, when Challenger, Roxton, and Marguerite appear on a British air station in 1915 -- on the same day the airship was launched on its final mission -- they realize they truly have taken the place of the captain's original crew. After two years of struggling to escape the Plateau, Challenger and his friends must now fight to return to it by once again taking flight on the doomed dirigible. At the same time, Veronica appears on the Plateau, and in a shocking confrontation with Captain Askwith, realizes she has her own mission to complete: pursue Askwith and somehow return him to his ship."
On this day in 2003, Mutant X aired "Where Evil Dwells." This served as the fourth episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Mutant X team must stop a serial killer who leaves clues to his next victims in the form of puzzles."
"The Mutant X team must stop a serial killer who leaves clues to his next victims in the form of puzzles."
On this day in 2006 (in the United States), the rebooted Doctor Who aired "The Girl In The Fireplace." This served as the fourth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"The Doctor, Mickey and Rose land on a spaceship in the 51st century only to find 18th century Versailles on board, the time of Madame De Pompadour! To find out what's going on the Doctor must enter Versailles and save Madame De Popmpadour but it turns into an emotional roller coaster for the Doctor."
"The Doctor, Mickey and Rose land on a spaceship in the 51st century only to find 18th century Versailles on board, the time of Madame De Pompadour! To find out what's going on the Doctor must enter Versailles and save Madame De Popmpadour but it turns into an emotional roller coaster for the Doctor."
On this day in 2008, The Sarah Jane Adventures aired "Secrets of the Stars, Part 1." This served as the fifth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Astrologer Martin Trueman, previously a charlatan, is hit by the light from a shooting star and, at his next show, attended by Sarah Jane, Rani and the boys, gives out cards on which everyone has to write down their birth date and sign. Rani is surprised when Martin gives accurate details about her recent life. Sarah Jane is initially cynical but then Martin tells her of her travels with the Doctor and predicts bad things for her."
"Astrologer Martin Trueman, previously a charlatan, is hit by the light from a shooting star and, at his next show, attended by Sarah Jane, Rani and the boys, gives out cards on which everyone has to write down their birth date and sign. Rani is surprised when Martin gives accurate details about her recent life. Sarah Jane is initially cynical but then Martin tells her of her travels with the Doctor and predicts bad things for her."
On this day in 2014, Star Wars: Rebels aired "Rise of the Old Masters." This served as the fourth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The rebel crew undergoes a rescue mission only to face a powerful foe."
"The rebel crew undergoes a rescue mission only to face a powerful foe."
On this day in 2016, Legends of Tomorrow aired "The Justice Society of America." This served as the second episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Legends discover a time aberration that threatens the Justice Society of America, who are on a mission to intercept and seize a mysterious package in Nazi-occupied Paris."
"The Legends discover a time aberration that threatens the Justice Society of America, who are on a mission to intercept and seize a mysterious package in Nazi-occupied Paris."
On this day in 2016, Zapped aired "Mr. Charisma." This served as the second episode of its first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary as detailed upon IMDB.com:
"Howell has concocted a charisma potion that can charm people into giving you whatever you want. Brian could use it to retrieve the amulet, but Steg wants to woo a lonely Demi-Fin with it and Barbara needs it to enter the elite Seers Guild."
"Howell has concocted a charisma potion that can charm people into giving you whatever you want. Brian could use it to retrieve the amulet, but Steg wants to woo a lonely Demi-Fin with it and Barbara needs it to enter the elite Seers Guild."
On this day in 2009, Pocket Books released Star Trek: Enterprise: The Romulan War: Beneath The Raptor's Wing to the general marketplace. The novel was written by Michael A. Martin, and here's the plot summary compliments of Amazon.com:
"With nothing left to lose, the Romulan Star Empire engages in all-out war against humanity, determined once and for all to stop the human menace from spreading across the galaxy."
"With nothing left to lose, the Romulan Star Empire engages in all-out war against humanity, determined once and for all to stop the human menace from spreading across the galaxy."
On this day in 2009, Borderlands was released to the marketplace from Gearbox Software. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the premise behind the property:
"Four courageous adventurers land on the planet of Pandora, a barren wasteland filled with dangerous creatures, in search of The Vault, a mysterious relic that contains untold technology, and only opens every 200 years."
"Four courageous adventurers land on the planet of Pandora, a barren wasteland filled with dangerous creatures, in search of The Vault, a mysterious relic that contains untold technology, and only opens every 200 years."
