Well, there you go, kids. The image may not mean much to you, so go and ask your parents because THAT's what sci-fi looked like before Star Wars came along and changed the face of it. Damnation Alley was released on this day back in 1977, and it featured George Peppard (who'd later go on to The A-Team fame on TV) and Jan Michael Vincent (who'd later go on to Airwolf fame on TV) fighting giant scorpions after the nuclear apocalypse. Lucky for us, it ain't based on a true story. The wonderfully cheesy flick is available on video if you're interested.
- Damnation Alley Screenshots: Link
Robert Allan Clothier's first foray into the realm of Science Fiction was as an illustrator in the 1950's when he created cover and interior artwork for magazines such as New Worlds and Nebula Science Fiction. However, he had also been bitten by the acting bug, and genre fans may remember him from roles late in his life on The X-Files, Poltergeist: The Legacy, and Da Vinci's Inquest. Though he's no longer with us, Clothier was born on this day in 1921.
Veteran character actor Leonard Rossiter played a role in Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968); you can see him seated above with the drink before him. Though he's no longer with us, Rossiter was born on this day in 1926.
It would seem that author Ursula K. Le Guin has been writing fantasy and science fiction for just about as long as she's been able to put words together. At present, she's been the recipient of five Locus Awards (for Best Novels), four Nebula Awards, two Hugo Awards, and one World Fantasy Award. She's also been listed as a 'Writers & Artists Living Legend' by the U.S. Library of Congress for her ongoing contributions to American culture. Le Guin was born on this day in 1929.
The late Georgia Brown brought a welcome sense of maternal mirth to the role of 'Helena Rozhenko,' the Earth-adoptive mother of Star Trek: The Next Generation's Worf. Though she's no longer with us, Brown was born on this day in 1933. [Source: IMDB.com]
Actor Everett McGill has a pretty diverse resume. I know him best -- as do most SciFi fans -- from such projects as Dune, Twin Peaks, and Quest for Fire. However, he's been very quiet as of late. With Twin Peaks coming back on Showtime, perhaps he's due for a comeback? McGill was born on this day in 1945.
If you missed NBC's Journeyman (and based upon its low ratings most of you did), then you missed one of the more compelling SciFi dramas of the 2000's forward. Tom Everett played a key role aboard the time travel yarn, but he's also had terrific roles in such properties as Max Headroom, Quantum Leap, Space: Above and Beyond, Tremors 3, FlashForward, and much, much more. Everett was born on this day in 1948.
Now, there's what a real-life Disney princess should look like! Carrie Fisher blazed her way across the silver screen in the Original Star Wars Trilogy and, in doing so, earned a special place in every fanboy's heart. Though she's no longer with us, Fisher was born on this day back in 1956.
That's the face of a man who's seen Godzilla, clearly some of the best fun I've had in the multiplexes in 2014. Ken Watanabe has become a bit of a critical darling since he appeared alongside Scientology's Tom Cruise in The Last Samurai in 2003, and I, for one, thought he brought a level of gravitas required to 2014's best monster movie. Watanabe was born on this day in 1959.
Award-winning actress Melora Walters doesn't have much genre work in her resume, but she has found work in such properties as Twice Upon A Time (1998), The Butterfly Effect (2004), and Venom (2018). Walters was born on this day in 1960. [Source: IMDB.com]
Nathan Anderson is another one of those character actors who has had the good fortune to book appearances in a handful of genre properties. His work has shown up in Star Trek: Voyager, Babylon 5, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Star Trek: Enterprise, and the telefilm Alien Siege. Anderson was born on this day in 1969.
Sasha Roiz has appeared in several quality genre projects, including Mutant X, The Day After Tomorrow, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Caprica, Extracted, and Warehouse 13. Roiz was born on this day in 1973.
David Clayton Rogers had plenty to be angry about involving some rather personal developments with Artificial Intelligence at the core of Uncanny (2015). Rogers was born on this day in 1977. [Source: IMDB.com]
Sorry, folks, but I've never seen a single episode of Kyle XY. I've been told it's some pretty interesting SciFi, though. Clone stuff, as I've been told. Whatever the case, its star -- the young Matt Dallas -- celebrates his birthday today. Dallas was born on this day in 1982.
If you like your Apocalypse films as much as I do, then you would do well to pick up The Colony (2013). No, it's no perfect -- rarely does that happen in SciFi -- but it's still a pretty compelling look at the end of times. It stars Laurence Fishburne, Bill Paxton, and this dreamy little blonde who goes by the name of Charlotte Sullivan. Sullivan was born on this day in 1983.
Aaron Tveit played a key role aboard CBS's short-lived political SciFi/Satire, BrainDead, for the 2016 TV season. Tveit was born on this day in 1983.
Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman was one of the soldiers who found himself transported to the far side of the galaxy aboard Syfy's SGU: Stargate Universe. The actor has also enjoyed screen time aboard Stargate: SG-1 and Warehouse 13. Bowyer-Chapman was born on this day in 1984. [Source: IMDB.com]
The young and vivacious Natalie Distler joined Dean Cain and Malcolm McDowell in witnessing the end of time and space as we know it in 2015's tepid The Black Hole (not to be confused with the Walt Disney flick of the same name). Distler was born on this day in 1989.
On this day in 1970, Bigfoot left his imprint on the U.S. office record. (FYI: it wasn't a hit.) The feature starred John Carradine and Joi Lansing, and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"Bigfoot kidnaps some women and some bikers decide to go on a rescue mission to save them."
"Bigfoot kidnaps some women and some bikers decide to go on a rescue mission to save them."
- Interestingly enough, the feature also opened on this day six years later (1976) in Germany.
On this day in 1992 (in Mexico), Seedpeople sought to blossom cinematically. The SciFi/Horror starred Sam Hennings and Andrea Roth, and here's the plot summary as listed on IMDB.com:
"The citizens of Comet Valley are being taken over by seeds from an alien plant that has taken root there. A sheriff investigates the strange goings-on."
"The citizens of Comet Valley are being taken over by seeds from an alien plant that has taken root there. A sheriff investigates the strange goings-on."
Curiously enough, it was on this day in 1995 that the 1955-produced Bride Of The Monster -- from the mind of Ed Wood, Jr. -- enjoyed a theatrical run in the nation of Japan. According to our friends on IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A mad doctor attempts to create atomic supermen."
"A mad doctor attempts to create atomic supermen."
On this day in 1997, Breeders sought to impregnate the box office with a blockbuster child. The SciFi feature starred Todd Jensen and Samantha Womack, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An alien travels to Earth on a meteorite and mates with humans to preserve its species and destroy humanity."
"An alien travels to Earth on a meteorite and mates with humans to preserve its species and destroy humanity."
On this day in 2000 (in South Korea), Deep Core went drilling for what box office it could find. The SciFi feature starred Craig Sheffer and Terry Farrell, and here's the plot summary that's been provided by IMDB.com:
"The future of Earth is in question when a strange reaction deep beneath its surface causes a massive rupture in the planet's inner structure."
"The future of Earth is in question when a strange reaction deep beneath its surface causes a massive rupture in the planet's inner structure."
On this day in 2015, Selene Hollow enjoyed its release to the general marketplace. The SciFi/Fantasy starred Laurence Fitzgerald and Alexander Platt, and here's the premise that's listed on IMDB.com:
"Selene Hollow follows recently unemployed journalist Byron, as he struggles to reinvent himself while penning his first novel. Lost in the middle of nowhere, Byron's new home of Selene Hollow, soon reveals itself to be much more than a quite place for him to escape. This small quaint town holds a dark and deadly secret."
"Selene Hollow follows recently unemployed journalist Byron, as he struggles to reinvent himself while penning his first novel. Lost in the middle of nowhere, Byron's new home of Selene Hollow, soon reveals itself to be much more than a quite place for him to escape. This small quaint town holds a dark and deadly secret."
On this day in 1959, Men Into Space aired "Building A Space Station." This served as the third episode in the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"McCauley supervises a team assembling a space station in orbit when tragedy strikes."
"McCauley supervises a team assembling a space station in orbit when tragedy strikes."
On this day in 1965, Thunderbirds aired "Terror In New York City." This served as the fourth episode to the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"After Thunderbird 2 is heavily damaged in a mistaken attack, it leaves the team seemingly without a swift means to transport TB4 to New York City when a news crew is trapped underneath the collapsed Empire State Building."
"After Thunderbird 2 is heavily damaged in a mistaken attack, it leaves the team seemingly without a swift means to transport TB4 to New York City when a news crew is trapped underneath the collapsed Empire State Building."
On this day in 1970, Ace Of Wands aired "The Smile: Part 4." This served as the thirteenth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Tarot, Sam and Lulli out-smart Tun-Ju, but with time running out can they stop him from stealing the Mona Lisa?"
"Tarot, Sam and Lulli out-smart Tun-Ju, but with time running out can they stop him from stealing the Mona Lisa?"
On this day in 1978, Jason of Star Command aired "Marooned In Time." This served as the seventh episode of the program's first season, and here's the (edited) plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Jason, Nicole and Dr. Parsafoot are captured by Captain Kidd, who explains that they have landed on a planet trapped in time by Dragos. Jason tricks the Captain into taking his pocket robot, Wiki, then manages to pick the lock securing the stocks imprisoning his friends with a splinter. Jason needs the gold and silver in the Captain's chest to repair the engines on his spacecraft and follows Wiki's homing beacon to the cave where treasure is hidden."
"Jason, Nicole and Dr. Parsafoot are captured by Captain Kidd, who explains that they have landed on a planet trapped in time by Dragos. Jason tricks the Captain into taking his pocket robot, Wiki, then manages to pick the lock securing the stocks imprisoning his friends with a splinter. Jason needs the gold and silver in the Captain's chest to repair the engines on his spacecraft and follows Wiki's homing beacon to the cave where treasure is hidden."
On this day in 1983, Manimal aired "Night of the Scorpion." This served as the third episode in the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A man is found dead on a ship with a venomous spider next to him. Jonathan is brought in and he doesn't think the spider is the cause of death. An autopsy is done and it's discovered that he had some kind of drug in his system. A drug that is kind of truth serum and he had a bad reaction to it. They meet his daughter who says he does work in the Bahamas. So Jonathan decides to go there and she joins him. They go to the bank and they find a note with a $100 bill that says a million more. So she wonders if there is a million how did he get it. They run into his boss."
"A man is found dead on a ship with a venomous spider next to him. Jonathan is brought in and he doesn't think the spider is the cause of death. An autopsy is done and it's discovered that he had some kind of drug in his system. A drug that is kind of truth serum and he had a bad reaction to it. They meet his daughter who says he does work in the Bahamas. So Jonathan decides to go there and she joins him. They go to the bank and they find a note with a $100 bill that says a million more. So she wonders if there is a million how did he get it. They run into his boss."
On this day in 1986, The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers aired "The Magnificent Kiwi." This (technically) served as the program's twenty-sixth episode (they were aired wildly out of sequence), and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Alliance finds a planet where the Gerkins can settle down. The Kiwi's develop a force field for their new Home world. But the Queen of the Crown finds them, and sends Killbane and her agents to recapture her former slaves. The Rangers arrive to fight off the invasion."
"The Alliance finds a planet where the Gerkins can settle down. The Kiwi's develop a force field for their new Home world. But the Queen of the Crown finds them, and sends Killbane and her agents to recapture her former slaves. The Rangers arrive to fight off the invasion."
On this day in 1989, Star Trek: The Next Generation aired "The Bonding." This served as the fifth episode to the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by our friends at TrekCore.com:
"Worf's conscience struggles with a fatality under his command. Meanwhile, the deceased crew member's son must confront an alien life form that attempts to take on the physical form of his mother."
"Worf's conscience struggles with a fatality under his command. Meanwhile, the deceased crew member's son must confront an alien life form that attempts to take on the physical form of his mother."
On this day in 1993, Red Dwarf aired "Gunmen Of The Apocalypse." This served as the third episode to the program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Starbug stumbles upon a battleship carrying on-board murderous cyborgs called "Simulants". When the "Simulants" infect Starbug with a virus and Starbug heads on a collision course with a volcanic planet. Lister, Cat and Rimmer connect Kryten to a Artifical Reality game set and Lister, Cat and Rimmer enter Kryten's dream of the wild-west, as they set out to help Kryten to fight the virus."
"Starbug stumbles upon a battleship carrying on-board murderous cyborgs called "Simulants". When the "Simulants" infect Starbug with a virus and Starbug heads on a collision course with a volcanic planet. Lister, Cat and Rimmer connect Kryten to a Artifical Reality game set and Lister, Cat and Rimmer enter Kryten's dream of the wild-west, as they set out to help Kryten to fight the virus."
On this day in 1994, The X-Files aired "Ascension." This served as the sixth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Mulder attempts to rescue Scully after she is abducted by a strange man who believes in UFOs."
"Mulder attempts to rescue Scully after she is abducted by a strange man who believes in UFOs."
On this day in 1994, Time Trax aired "Cool Hand Darien." This served as the sixteenth episode of the second season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"Darien gets a call from the widow of a fugitive who said if anything ever happened to him, to call Lambert. Investigating Luther's supposed death, Darien is kidnapped and held captive in a prison camp without his PPT or Selma."
"Darien gets a call from the widow of a fugitive who said if anything ever happened to him, to call Lambert. Investigating Luther's supposed death, Darien is kidnapped and held captive in a prison camp without his PPT or Selma."
On this day in 1996, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired the fourth episode of its fifth season. The hour was titled "Nor the Battle to the Strong," and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Jake, reporting from the front lines, sees what war truly is."
"Jake, reporting from the front lines, sees what war truly is."
On this day in 1996, Babylon 5 aired "Shadow Dancing." This served as the twenty-first episode to the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"Delenn asks the League for ships for a mission, she won't tell them where or when the mission will take place. The League hesitates, but they agree to support her. The fleet manages to prevent an attack by a Shadow Fleet. Franklin finally finds himself, and confronts his inner demons. An unexpected visitor from Sheridan's past arrives."
"Delenn asks the League for ships for a mission, she won't tell them where or when the mission will take place. The League hesitates, but they agree to support her. The fleet manages to prevent an attack by a Shadow Fleet. Franklin finally finds himself, and confronts his inner demons. An unexpected visitor from Sheridan's past arrives."
On this day in 1998, showrunners for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine opted to lighten the mood considerably aboard the station by having the station's crew challenge the Romulans to a game of old Earth baseball in the episode "Take Me Out to the Holosuite."
Also on this day in 1998, Star Trek: Voyager aired the second episode of their fifth season. The hour was titled "Drone," and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at Trekcore.com:
"Seven of Nine's Borg nanoprobes and the Doctor's portable emitter interface in a transporter accident to create a highly advanced Borg drone who summons the attentions of the Collective."
"Seven of Nine's Borg nanoprobes and the Doctor's portable emitter interface in a transporter accident to create a highly advanced Borg drone who summons the attentions of the Collective."
