Ah, the venerable Ruth Gordon leaves behind a resume just shy of fifty different acting credits, but she's certainly one of the more recognizable faces for a certain generation of moviegoers. Her only significant SciFi citation remains her work from 1984's SciFi/Cult film Voyage Of The Rock Aliens, and that's definitely solid enough to give her a nod today. Though she's no longer with us, Gordon was born on this day in 1896.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The luminous Jane Randolph (quite fetching, no?) enjoyed a brief but brilliant flame in Hollywood of the bygone era. With only twenty-two professional credits to her name, it's incredible that she dabbled in genre not once but twice so that we can showcase her here. First, many fans know her from 1942's Cat People, a Fantasy flick that's well known and influential amongst a certain class of filmmakers. Second, she had a solid role aboard Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein, a Fantasy/Comedy that some have credited as having heavily rejuvenated interest in Universal Studios Monster classics and opened doors for a whole new wave of Fantasy and Science Fiction films in the 1950's. That's no small feat indeed! She retired from the business in 1949 and moved to Spain. Though she's no longer with us, Randolph was born on this day in 1914.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
William Campbell had not one but two great roles he played within the original Star Trek universe: in The Squire of Gothos he was Trelane and in The Trouble With Tribbles he played the Klingon Koloth, a character he was given the chance to revisit in an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Though he's no longer with us, Camptell was born on this day in 1923.
Screen veteran Ed Lauter is another one of those unsung character actors who skirted fame in favor of just doing great work. SciFi fans might recognize him from his roles in King Kong (1976), Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann, Automan, The Rocketeer, Star Trek: The Next Generation, The X-Files, and Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation. Though he's no longer with us, Lauter was born on this day in 1938.
Another actor with a resume long on character work is that of Leon Rippy. Generally, one finds Rippy in mainstream dramas or even some period pieces, but he has done his share of quality genre work. With a career that started in the early 80's, Rippy has been a part of Hyperspace, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Quantum Leap, Universal Soldier, Stargate, The Arrival, The Visitor, Alcatraz, and Under the Dome. Rippy was born on this day in 1949.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Those who know me well know that I'm a huge fan of Mythological Fantasy, and although 1981's Clash Of The Titans is certainly a bit campy by today's standards it was about the best we could get in the great 80's. Harry Hamlin played an effective Perseus in the lead role, and I'll always remember him for that. Hamlin was born on this day in 1951.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Charles Martin Smith is another one of those actors who doesn't do much SciFi work, but -- when he does -- it deserves our sitting up and taking notice. While he's probably best known by fandom from Starman, he's also booked appearances on The X-Files, The Twilight Zone, and Roswell. Smith was born on this day in 1953.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Gina Gallego has enjoyed maximum exposure with roles aboard such genre properties as Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Voyagers!, Automan, Airwolf, Minority Report, The Twilight Zone, and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Gallego was born on this day in 1955.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
That lovely blonde in the middle is none other than Earth: Final Conflict's Jayne Heitmeyer. So far as Science Fiction goes, she's also booked appearances on cult favorites The Outer Limits, Sci-fighters (1996), The Lost World (1998), Andromeda, Total Recall, Xchange (2001), and NightMan. Heitmeyer was born on this day in 1960.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Character veteran Jan Bos lit up screens in the conspiracy yarn, Apollo 18 (2011), as well as securing a guest spot aboard The Flash (CW). Bos was born on this day in 1962.
Michael Beach is a talented actor whose career is stretching into its fourth decade. SciFi fans probably know him best from his work aboard Syfy's Stargate: Atlantis. Beach was born on this day in 1963.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
What's in a face? Well, who among us can say? What's in a voice? Well, that very well could be Moira Quirk's voice, and that's saying something! This talented actress has put her pipes to some great us aboard such properties as Spyro: Year Of The Dragon, Johnny Bravo, Steamboy (2004), and Star Wars: The Old Republic to name but a few. Quirk was born on this day in 1968.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Peter New continues to flirt with SciFi greatness, securing work in such projects as Seven Days, Dark Angel, Stargate: SG-1, Smallville, Fringe, Delete, and various voice-acting gigs. New was born on this day in 1971.
The beautiful and always impressive Jessica Hynes turned up in a recurring role aboard the BBC's Doctor Who. Hynes was born on this day in 1972.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
While most folks recognize that hunky do-gooder as Adam Copeland from his days with the WWE, SciFi fans prefer to think of him as Dwight Hendrickson from Syfy's Haven. Copeland was born on this day in 1973.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Ahh, the beautiful Maria Thayer! We fell in love with you as you made us laugh with your work aboard Comedy Central's goofy Eagleheart, and thankfully you made an appearance (tied up, too!) in genre entertainment so that we can give you the proper shout-out here. Thayer was born on this day in 1975.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Though it's been said that a little magic goes a long way, I think it's also safe to suggest that Kristina Anapau doesn't even need glowing fingertips to command a presence on screen. She's been caught mesmerizing viewers in such properties as Escape From Atlantis (1997), Power Rangers Turbo, Haunted, Cursed (2005), Knight Rider, The Speak (2011), True Blood, Grimm, 5 Souls (2013), Altergeist (2014), and Two Faced (2017). Anapau was born on this day in 1979.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Question: How do you make a hot chick even hotter? Answer: simple -- give her a gun. Question: how do you make a hot chick with a gun even hotter? Answer: simple -- you have her right aliens. That's exactly what Steven Spielberg did by casting the lovely Sarah Carter in his alien invasion TV show, Falling Skies, which aired on TNT. (They know drama, I'm told!) Ms. Carter plays 'Maggie,' the cocksure resistance gal with more than enough attitude to spare and a penchant for blasting alien scum. She was born on this day back in 1980.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Fiona Dourif plays the deliciously demented 'Bart Curlish' aboard the BBC's Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. Dourif was born on this day in 1981.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Syfy's Dark Matter used and abused a great handful of secondary characters, including the talented Shaun Sipos who boarded the program for a few episodes in the guise of 'Devon Taltherd.' Furthermore, the actor turned in an incredible performance aboard Syfy's Krypton, arguably one of the criminally-underrated genre shows of the past decade (in my humble opinion). How's about somebody crowdfund a third season of that?! Sipos was born on this day in 1981.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Clémence Poésy brought her A-game to the role of 'Fleur Delacour' in the greater Harry Potter universe of films. Poésy was born on this day in 1982.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Hawaiiian-born Janel Parrish doesn't have much genre work in her resume at present, but an appearance aboard the early episodes of NBC's Heroes has to count for something. Parrish was born on this day in 1988.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1934 (in Portugal), Doctor X turned up the heat with its SciFi criminal investigation. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A monster lurks as New York newspaperman Lee Taylor investigates one of the "Moon Killer" murders, in which the victims are strangled, cannibalized and surgically incised under the light of the full moon. The trail leads to the cliffside mansion of Dr. Xavier, where the doctor and his colleagues conduct a strange experiment."
"A monster lurks as New York newspaperman Lee Taylor investigates one of the "Moon Killer" murders, in which the victims are strangled, cannibalized and surgically incised under the light of the full moon. The trail leads to the cliffside mansion of Dr. Xavier, where the doctor and his colleagues conduct a strange experiment."
On this day in 1957 (in Portugal), X The Unknown opened in theatres. The feature starred Dean Jagger and Edward Chapman, and here's the film's plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"A radioactive, mud-like creature terrorizes a Scottish village."
"A radioactive, mud-like creature terrorizes a Scottish village."
A star is born! On this day in 1959 (in the U.S.), Beast From Haunted Cave pulled itself into the light for a big screen theatrical debut. Directed by Monte Hellman from a story by Charles B. Griffith, the Horror/Fantasy starred Michael Forest, Sheila Noonan, and Frank Wolff. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A group of gold thieves pull of a heist and flee into the snowy wilderness, only to be pursued by a horrible, spider-like monster."
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2023, I had the good fortune of receiving an all-new restoration of Beast Of Haunted Cave in exchange for a review on SciFiHistory.Net. Interested in my thoughts on the production? Readers can find my review right here.
"A group of gold thieves pull of a heist and flee into the snowy wilderness, only to be pursued by a horrible, spider-like monster."
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2023, I had the good fortune of receiving an all-new restoration of Beast Of Haunted Cave in exchange for a review on SciFiHistory.Net. Interested in my thoughts on the production? Readers can find my review right here.
On this day in 1959, The Wasp Woman buzzed into theatres. The feature starred Susan Cabot and Anthony Eisley, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A cosmetics queen develops a youth formula from jelly taken from queen wasps, failing to anticipate the typical hoary side effects."
"A cosmetics queen develops a youth formula from jelly taken from queen wasps, failing to anticipate the typical hoary side effects."
A star is born! On this day in 1961 (in Italy), Battle Of The Worlds took the fight to those invading aliens from the distant frontier. Directed by Antonio Margheriti from a script by Ennio De Concini, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Claude Rains, Bill Carter, and Maya Brent; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A runaway asteroid dubbed 'The Outsider' mysteriously begins orbiting the Earth and threatens it with lethal flying saucers."
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2022, I had the good fortune of receiving a complimentary Blu-ray of Battle Of The World from the good folks at The Film Detective. If you're interested in what I thought of the flick, you can check out my review right here.
"A runaway asteroid dubbed 'The Outsider' mysteriously begins orbiting the Earth and threatens it with lethal flying saucers."
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2022, I had the good fortune of receiving a complimentary Blu-ray of Battle Of The World from the good folks at The Film Detective. If you're interested in what I thought of the flick, you can check out my review right here.
On this day in 1974, the SciFi stinker Invasion From Inner Earth unleashed its madness on anyone willing to watch. Here's the plot summary as cited on IMDB.com:
"A group of young pilots in a remote region of the Canadian wilderness begin to hear strange reports over their radios about planes crashing, cars stalling and a deadly plague which has gripped the planet. It becomes clear that earth is in the midst of an invasion. The group of pilots decide to barracade themselves in a cabin deep in the woods and wait for their impending doom."
"A group of young pilots in a remote region of the Canadian wilderness begin to hear strange reports over their radios about planes crashing, cars stalling and a deadly plague which has gripped the planet. It becomes clear that earth is in the midst of an invasion. The group of pilots decide to barracade themselves in a cabin deep in the woods and wait for their impending doom."
On this day in 1978, the Message From Space was delivered theatrically. The SciFi feature starred Vic Morrow and Philip Casnoff, and here's the premise that's provided by IMDB.com:
"In this Star Wars take-off, the peaceful planet of Jillucia has been nearly wiped out by the Gavanas, whose leader takes orders from his mother (played by a comic actor in drag) rather than the Emperor. King Kaiba sends out eight Liabe holy seeds, each to be received by a chosen one to defend the Gavanas. Each recipient, ranging from hardened General Garuda to Gavana Prince Hans to young Terrans Meia, Kido, and Aaron all have different reactions to being chosen."
"In this Star Wars take-off, the peaceful planet of Jillucia has been nearly wiped out by the Gavanas, whose leader takes orders from his mother (played by a comic actor in drag) rather than the Emperor. King Kaiba sends out eight Liabe holy seeds, each to be received by a chosen one to defend the Gavanas. Each recipient, ranging from hardened General Garuda to Gavana Prince Hans to young Terrans Meia, Kido, and Aaron all have different reactions to being chosen."
On this day in 1980 (in West Germany), time travel and the military thriller collided in The Final Countdown. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In 1980, an assistant in the Department of Defense Warren Lasky is assigned by his mysterious chief Richard Tideman to visit the aircraft carrier USS Nimtz commanded by Capt. Matthew Yelland as an observer of the routines. Lasky finds that Wing Commander Richard T. Owens has a great knowledge of history. Out of the blue, the vessel faces a weird storm and they find that they have traveled back in time to the eve of the attack of Pearl Harbor on 06 December 1941. When the two Japanese Zeros attack the motorboat of Senator Samuel Chapman, the crew of the Nimitz rescues the senator and his assistant Laurel Scott. But sooner Lasky learns that the senator had disappeared on that day and Capt. Matthew Yelland is planning to attack the Japanese. Will these actions create a time paradox?"
"In 1980, an assistant in the Department of Defense Warren Lasky is assigned by his mysterious chief Richard Tideman to visit the aircraft carrier USS Nimtz commanded by Capt. Matthew Yelland as an observer of the routines. Lasky finds that Wing Commander Richard T. Owens has a great knowledge of history. Out of the blue, the vessel faces a weird storm and they find that they have traveled back in time to the eve of the attack of Pearl Harbor on 06 December 1941. When the two Japanese Zeros attack the motorboat of Senator Samuel Chapman, the crew of the Nimitz rescues the senator and his assistant Laurel Scott. But sooner Lasky learns that the senator had disappeared on that day and Capt. Matthew Yelland is planning to attack the Japanese. Will these actions create a time paradox?"
On this day in 1981, the SciFi/Drama hybrid Looker found its way into theatres. It starred Albert Finney, James Coburn, and Susan Dey, and here's the premise from IMDB.com:
"Plastic surgeon Larry Roberts performs a series of minor alterations on a group of models who are seeking perfection. The operations are a resounding success. But when someone starts killing his beautiful patients, Dr. Roberts becomes suspicious and starts investigating. What he uncovers are the mysterious - and perhaps murderous - activities of a high-tech computer company called Digital Matrix."
"Plastic surgeon Larry Roberts performs a series of minor alterations on a group of models who are seeking perfection. The operations are a resounding success. But when someone starts killing his beautiful patients, Dr. Roberts becomes suspicious and starts investigating. What he uncovers are the mysterious - and perhaps murderous - activities of a high-tech computer company called Digital Matrix."
Oh, man. I love this movie. The Hidden premiered on this day theatrically back in 1987. Kyle McLachlan stars as this cop with a secret (he's an alien!), and he's pursuing a body-switching sociopath from across the cosmos. Plus, Babylon 5's Claudia Christian has a wonderfully inspired and sexy little cameo that only she could play. If you haven't seen it, then check it out on home video. If you have seen it, then watch it again. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A cop and an FBI agent race for answers after law abiding people suddenly become violent criminals."
"A cop and an FBI agent race for answers after law abiding people suddenly become violent criminals."
On this day in 1995, Final Equinox enjoyed its release on U.S. home video. Written and directed by Serge Rodnunsky, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Joe Lara and Martin Kove, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The mob and the government race to be the first to recover a stolen alien artifact with unparalleled powers."
If you'd like to know more, I've located a brief review of the flick at a site right here.
"The mob and the government race to be the first to recover a stolen alien artifact with unparalleled powers."
If you'd like to know more, I've located a brief review of the flick at a site right here.
On this day in 2004, Gargoyle enjoyed its premiere on U.S. television. (For the record, it had its first broadcast premiere a few days earlier in Russia.) According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Two CIA agents are sent to Bucharest, Romania to solve a high profile kidnapping. But what they discover is something inexplicable. An evil gargoyle, once thought dead and banished forever, has returned with a vengeance."
"Two CIA agents are sent to Bucharest, Romania to solve a high profile kidnapping. But what they discover is something inexplicable. An evil gargoyle, once thought dead and banished forever, has returned with a vengeance."
On this day in 2005 (in Finland), the 1979-produced Supersonic Man soared onto the screen for audiences in attendance of the Night Visions Film Festival. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The superhero Kronos, from a distant galaxy, tangles with the mad scientist Dr. Gulik over the fate of mankind."
"The superhero Kronos, from a distant galaxy, tangles with the mad scientist Dr. Gulik over the fate of mankind."
On this day in 2011 (in Finland), the 1982-produced Fantasy 'epic' Ator, The Fighting Eagle played for audiences in attendance of the Night Visions Film Festival. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The son of Torren learns of his heritage, goes to avenge the deaths of his fellow villagers, and rescue his sister from the evil Dakkar and his spider cult."
"The son of Torren learns of his heritage, goes to avenge the deaths of his fellow villagers, and rescue his sister from the evil Dakkar and his spider cult."
On this day in 2015, the Horror/SciFi hybrid Freaks of Nature scared up what audience it could. The feature starred Nicholas Braun and Mackenzie Davis, and here's the plot summary listed on IMDB.com:
"In the town of Dillford, humans, vampires and zombies were all living in peace - until the alien apocalypse arrived. Now three teenagers - one human, one vampire, and one zombie - have to team up to figure out how to get rid of the visitors."
"In the town of Dillford, humans, vampires and zombies were all living in peace - until the alien apocalypse arrived. Now three teenagers - one human, one vampire, and one zombie - have to team up to figure out how to get rid of the visitors."
On this day in 2019 (in France), a restored print of the 1932-produced SciFi/Fantasy L'Atlantide enjoyed a rare theatrical re-release. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Antinea. the Queen of Atlantis, rules her secret kingdom hidden beneath the Sahara Desert. One day two lost explorers stumble into her kingdom, and soon realize that they haven't really been saved--Antinea has a habit of taking men as lovers, then when she's done with them, she kills them and keeps them mummified."
"Antinea. the Queen of Atlantis, rules her secret kingdom hidden beneath the Sahara Desert. One day two lost explorers stumble into her kingdom, and soon realize that they haven't really been saved--Antinea has a habit of taking men as lovers, then when she's done with them, she kills them and keeps them mummified."
On this day in 1954, TV's Captain Midnight aired "The Walking Ghost." This served as the ninth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV.com:
"A frantic squadron member asks for Captain Midnight's help. He needs help in exorcising a dangerous ghost. Midnight, Ikky, and Tut set up an electronic perimeter around the Southern mansion that is "haunted" by a ghost and discover a foreign agent plotting to use it as a rendezvous site."
"A frantic squadron member asks for Captain Midnight's help. He needs help in exorcising a dangerous ghost. Midnight, Ikky, and Tut set up an electronic perimeter around the Southern mansion that is "haunted" by a ghost and discover a foreign agent plotting to use it as a rendezvous site."
On this day in 1954, Space Patrol aired "The Atom Bomb." Officially, this served as the thirty-sixth episode in the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by Solarguard.com:
"Stanger and Gregory masquerade as military policemen in order to steal a powerful new space cruiser, the S-RC. But their plans run awry when they are exposed to deadly radiation from an Atom Bomb test on 20th Century Earth."
"Stanger and Gregory masquerade as military policemen in order to steal a powerful new space cruiser, the S-RC. But their plans run awry when they are exposed to deadly radiation from an Atom Bomb test on 20th Century Earth."
On this day in 1966, Thunderbirds aired "Ricochet." This served as the fifth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A pirate radio station in orbit suffers a malfunction and begins to crash back to Earth - International rescue must save the disc jockey on board and try to stop the craft from landing in a populated area."
"A pirate radio station in orbit suffers a malfunction and begins to crash back to Earth - International rescue must save the disc jockey on board and try to stop the craft from landing in a populated area."
On this day in 1968 (in the United Kingdom), The Champions aired "Operation Deep-Freeze." Officially, this served as the sixth episode in the program's only season on original broadcast television, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A party of scientists from the Scott Base in Antarctica, sent to investigate an explosion, goes missing, as do two subsequent search groups and Richard and Craig are sent to investigate.They find the body of one of men from the search parties shot dead in the snow and send a telepathic message back to the main base. They are however captured by a crazed Latin American dictator,Gomez, who is behind the nuclear explosions and who aims to hold the major governments to ransom with threats of nuclear detonation. He locks the lads in a deep freeze room but they are able to tele-communicate with Sharron back at Nemesis headquarters by transferring their feelings of extreme cold to her.She tells Tremayne to send a message to the main Scott Base but he is reluctant and it looks as if it is down to her to save her colleagues from an icy death."
"A party of scientists from the Scott Base in Antarctica, sent to investigate an explosion, goes missing, as do two subsequent search groups and Richard and Craig are sent to investigate.They find the body of one of men from the search parties shot dead in the snow and send a telepathic message back to the main base. They are however captured by a crazed Latin American dictator,Gomez, who is behind the nuclear explosions and who aims to hold the major governments to ransom with threats of nuclear detonation. He locks the lads in a deep freeze room but they are able to tele-communicate with Sharron back at Nemesis headquarters by transferring their feelings of extreme cold to her.She tells Tremayne to send a message to the main Scott Base but he is reluctant and it looks as if it is down to her to save her colleagues from an icy death."
On this day in 1975, "Mission of the Darians" aired as the ninth episode of Space: 1999's first season. Here's the hour's summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Alphans encounter a miles-long ark from the planet Daria, where the inhabitants have a very distinctive class separation."
"The Alphans encounter a miles-long ark from the planet Daria, where the inhabitants have a very distinctive class separation."
On this day in 1976, Ark II aired "The Rule." This served as the eighth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as listed on IMDB.com:
"The Ark comes upon a community in bondage to The Rule, a merciless civil code that commands the elderly, disabled and sick be exiled from the village."
"The Ark comes upon a community in bondage to The Rule, a merciless civil code that commands the elderly, disabled and sick be exiled from the village."
On this day in 1976, Dr. Shrinker aired "Don't Hold Your Breath." Officially, this served as the eighth episode in the program's only season on original broadcast television, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Dr. Shrinker gets more than he bargained for when he invents berries that give the Shrinkies the power of invisibility."
"Dr. Shrinker gets more than he bargained for when he invents berries that give the Shrinkies the power of invisibility."
On this day in 1976, Holmes & Yoyo aired "The Thornhill Affair." Officially, this served as the sixth episode in the program's only season on original broadcast television, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Holmes and Yoyo are assigned to prevent the theft of valuable jewels from the wealthy Thornhills."
"Holmes and Yoyo are assigned to prevent the theft of valuable jewels from the wealthy Thornhills."
On this day in 1978, Battle Of The Planets aired "Ace From Outer Space." This served as the seventh episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Mark is chosen to test pilot a new aircraft at an airshow. As he starts his takeoff roll, a sinister biplane appears and attacks his plane, crippling it and forcing Mark to bail out over the water. The pilot is the mysterious Captain Doom, a space pirate from the distant planet Urgos. Anderson immediately orders the team to go after Doom after rescuing Mark, but the fight ends badly for them as Capt. Doom's plane damages the Phoenix. After escaping back to Center Neptune, the team is ordered back to the mysterious space pirate's home world to face him.... on HIS terms."
"Mark is chosen to test pilot a new aircraft at an airshow. As he starts his takeoff roll, a sinister biplane appears and attacks his plane, crippling it and forcing Mark to bail out over the water. The pilot is the mysterious Captain Doom, a space pirate from the distant planet Urgos. Anderson immediately orders the team to go after Doom after rescuing Mark, but the fight ends badly for them as Capt. Doom's plane damages the Phoenix. After escaping back to Center Neptune, the team is ordered back to the mysterious space pirate's home world to face him.... on HIS terms."
On this day in 1986, The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers aired "Shootout." This (technically) served as the program's thirty-ninth episode (they were aired wildly out of sequence), and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Queen of the Crown holds a contest to find the greatest gunfighter in the galaxy offering Stargems, and Elisa Foxx's psycho crystal to the winner."
"The Queen of the Crown holds a contest to find the greatest gunfighter in the galaxy offering Stargems, and Elisa Foxx's psycho crystal to the winner."
On this day in 1989, Alien Nation aired the sixth episode of its first season, and it was titled "The Night of the Screams." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's what all the hubbub was about:
"As Halloween approaches, a series of Newcomer murders seems to follow the pattern of a Tenctonese myth."
"As Halloween approaches, a series of Newcomer murders seems to follow the pattern of a Tenctonese myth."
On this day in 1989, War of the Worlds aired "Breeding Ground." This served as the fifth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Mana forces a dying surgeon to conduct experiments on patients in his hospital, attempting to implant alien embryos into human hosts."
"Mana forces a dying surgeon to conduct experiments on patients in his hospital, attempting to implant alien embryos into human hosts."
On this day in 1990, They Came From Outer Space aired "Something Personal." This served as the fourth episode of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Bo and Abe try dating through personal ads in a paper."
"Bo and Abe try dating through personal ads in a paper."
On this day in 1991, Quantum Leap aired "Raped." Officially, this served as the sixth episode in the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Sam leaps into a rape victim and must testify against the attacker who is an outstanding member of the community."
"Sam leaps into a rape victim and must testify against the attacker who is an outstanding member of the community."
On this day in 1991 (in the United Kingdom), Star Trek: The Next Generation aired "Who Watches The Watchers." Officially, this served as the fourth episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A proto-Vulcan culture worships Captain Picard and prepares to offer Counselor Troi as a sacrifice."
"A proto-Vulcan culture worships Captain Picard and prepares to offer Counselor Troi as a sacrifice."
On this day in 1991, the CITV broadcast SciFi program Time Riders aired the third episode in its only season. According to our friends at Wikipedia.org, here's the plot summary:
"BB and Ben gain sanctuary with some Royalists, only to find that they are no less dangerous."
"BB and Ben gain sanctuary with some Royalists, only to find that they are no less dangerous."
It all came down to this: on this day in 1992, The Ray Bradbury Theater bowed out of televised existence with the airing of "The Tombstone." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A bickering couple checks into the last available room in a small hotel only to discover that the previous occupant left a tombstone in the room. No one gets any sleep as the wife is now convinced the room is haunted."
"A bickering couple checks into the last available room in a small hotel only to discover that the previous occupant left a tombstone in the room. No one gets any sleep as the wife is now convinced the room is haunted."
On this day in 1993, Star Trek: The Next Generation aired "Dark Page." This served as the seventh episode in the program's seventh (and final) season, and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"While establishing diplomatic relations with an alien race called the Cairn, Deanna's mother experiences a mental breakdown and falls into a coma, and it seems like Deanna is the only one who is able to help her, even if her mother doesn't want it."
"While establishing diplomatic relations with an alien race called the Cairn, Deanna's mother experiences a mental breakdown and falls into a coma, and it seems like Deanna is the only one who is able to help her, even if her mother doesn't want it."
On this day in 1994, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman aired "Operation Blackout." Officially, this served as the sixth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A general is killed at a demonstration of the army's latest weapon, by that weapon. As Lois and Clark investigate they discover a terrorist plot to high-jack a satellite and that the person behind the plot just might be Lois' best friend from college and her supposedly dead boyfriend."
"A general is killed at a demonstration of the army's latest weapon, by that weapon. As Lois and Clark investigate they discover a terrorist plot to high-jack a satellite and that the person behind the plot just might be Lois' best friend from college and her supposedly dead boyfriend."
On this day in 1994, Mega Man aired "Incredible Shrinking Mega Man." Officially, this served as the eighth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Dr. Wily creates a machine that he uses to shrink big cities and sell them to millionaires. He also shrinks Mega Man and Rush in the process."
"Dr. Wily creates a machine that he uses to shrink big cities and sell them to millionaires. He also shrinks Mega Man and Rush in the process."
Poor li'l Robert Picardo! On this day back in 1995, Star Trek: Voyager continued its journey across the Delta Quadrant with an episode titled "Persistence of Vision." The crew begins suffering a series of bizarre hallucinations, and Capt. Janeway sees the holographic inhabitants of her favorite holo-novel come to life.
On this day in 1997, Team Knight Rider aired "K.R.O." Officially, this served as the fourth episode in the program's only season on original broadcast television, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"TKR is called in to stop a deranged Knight Foundation Ferrari sports car that escaped while being transported to Maryland Industries for reprogramming."
"TKR is called in to stop a deranged Knight Foundation Ferrari sports car that escaped while being transported to Maryland Industries for reprogramming."
On this day in 1998, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Touchstone." This served as the fourteenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A climate control device is stolen from a planet and SG1 is accused of the theft. They have to find it and restore it before the planet freezes. Then weather on Earth starts to unexpectedly change and the team believe that the device has been stolen by rogue NID agents. Will they find it in time and how did the NID travel off world?"
"A climate control device is stolen from a planet and SG1 is accused of the theft. They have to find it and restore it before the planet freezes. Then weather on Earth starts to unexpectedly change and the team believe that the device has been stolen by rogue NID agents. Will they find it in time and how did the NID travel off world?"
On this day in 1999, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World aired "Blood Lust" in television syndication. This served as the seventh episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"When Lord Roxton is bitten by a diseased human, he transforms into a vampire and Marguerite and Challenger have to save him. Meanwhile Malone has to fight to the death with a man over Veronica and who will be her wife."
"When Lord Roxton is bitten by a diseased human, he transforms into a vampire and Marguerite and Challenger have to save him. Meanwhile Malone has to fight to the death with a man over Veronica and who will be her wife."
On this day in 2000, Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda aired "Double Helix." This served as the fifth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Andromeda tries to help in a conflict between the Than and a Nietchean pride. Tyr, the last of his pride is offered a chance to join with the pride and a bride. Will he side with his people or with the Andromeda."
"The Andromeda tries to help in a conflict between the Than and a Nietchean pride. Tyr, the last of his pride is offered a chance to join with the pride and a bride. Will he side with his people or with the Andromeda."
On this day in 2000, Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict aired "Motherlode." This served as the fifth episode in the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary that's provided via IMDB.com:
"Augur is caught and placed in a special prison where he is placed in a sensory deprivation chamber. An am moralist gets him out and wants Augur to help him steal the gold Zo'or has on the mothership. When Liam learns of what happened he tries to find Augur."
"Augur is caught and placed in a special prison where he is placed in a sensory deprivation chamber. An am moralist gets him out and wants Augur to help him steal the gold Zo'or has on the mothership. When Liam learns of what happened he tries to find Augur."
On this day in 2001 (in the U.S.), Smallville aired the aptly named "Hothead." Officially, this served as the third episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"When Coach Walt's football legacy is threatened by a cheating scandal, the coach entices Clark onto the team. Kryptonite in the coach's sauna infects him with the ability to generate fire, and his enemies start getting burned."
"When Coach Walt's football legacy is threatened by a cheating scandal, the coach entices Clark onto the team. Kryptonite in the coach's sauna infects him with the ability to generate fire, and his enemies start getting burned."
On this day in 2002, The Twilight Zone aired "Harsh Mistress." This served as the thirteenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A struggling musician achieves international fame and wealth after acquiring a guitar with a bloody past."
"A struggling musician achieves international fame and wealth after acquiring a guitar with a bloody past."
On this day in 2002, The Twilight Zone aired a second episode, one titled "Upgrade." This served as the fourteenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A woman with an obnoxious family wishes for a better family and gets one. Later, she discovers she might be replaced as well."
"A woman with an obnoxious family wishes for a better family and gets one. Later, she discovers she might be replaced as well."
On this day in 2008 (in the U.S.), TV's long-running Smallville aired "Identity." Officially, this served as the seventh episode of the program's eighth season, and here's the plot summary as provided via IMDB.com:
"Jimmy takes a photo of Clark using his super-speed while saving Lois from danger, but it comes out blurred. Tess decides the story should make the front page for the Daily Planet exposing the mysterious new 'superhero' that. Chloe refuses to continue helping Clark protect his secret, so Clark turns to Oliver for help when Jimmy gets too close to discovering his secret. Meanwhile, Lois meets Sebastian Kane, a new reporter at the Daily Planet, who has the power to see peoples' memories by merely touching. He has been hired by Tess to find the missing alien crystal."
"Jimmy takes a photo of Clark using his super-speed while saving Lois from danger, but it comes out blurred. Tess decides the story should make the front page for the Daily Planet exposing the mysterious new 'superhero' that. Chloe refuses to continue helping Clark protect his secret, so Clark turns to Oliver for help when Jimmy gets too close to discovering his secret. Meanwhile, Lois meets Sebastian Kane, a new reporter at the Daily Planet, who has the power to see peoples' memories by merely touching. He has been hired by Tess to find the missing alien crystal."
On this day in 2009 (in the U.S.), Syfy's Sanctuary aired "Hero." Officially, this served as the fourth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary that's been provided by IMDB.com:
"The Sanctuary team hunts down a man who seems to have superpowers, calling himself "The Adjuster." But they discover that his suit is the source of his power, and it is slowly killing him. But he can't get it off."
"The Sanctuary team hunts down a man who seems to have superpowers, calling himself "The Adjuster." But they discover that his suit is the source of his power, and it is slowly killing him. But he can't get it off."
On this day in 2009 (in the U.S.), Smallville aired "Crossfire." Officially, this served as the sixth episode in the program's ninth season, and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"Oliver tries to help a young street girl, Mia AKA Speedy, get out of her dangerous life by offering to train her, but Mia double crosses him. Lois asks Clark to help her land a job as an on-air television host, but the two are shocked when the station wants to hire them as a team."
"Oliver tries to help a young street girl, Mia AKA Speedy, get out of her dangerous life by offering to train her, but Mia double crosses him. Lois asks Clark to help her land a job as an on-air television host, but the two are shocked when the station wants to hire them as a team."
On this day in 2009 (in the United Kingdom), The Sarah Jane Adventures aired "The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith: Part 2." Officially, this served as the sixth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Sarah Jane and Peter end up in a white room, a void where Peter tells her that he nearly died but the Trickster saved him and struck up a deal if he married Sarah Jane. He had no idea that any harm would be done to her or her friends. The Trickster explains his plan - to give Sarah Jane a new life so that she would forget her old one as a guardian of the Earth and make it vulnerable to the likes of him."
"Sarah Jane and Peter end up in a white room, a void where Peter tells her that he nearly died but the Trickster saved him and struck up a deal if he married Sarah Jane. He had no idea that any harm would be done to her or her friends. The Trickster explains his plan - to give Sarah Jane a new life so that she would forget her old one as a guardian of the Earth and make it vulnerable to the likes of him."
On this day in 2013 (in the U.S.), The Tomorrow People aired "Kill Or Be Killed." This served as the fourth episode of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"When Ultra's most wanted, Killian McCrane, resurfaces after years of being in hiding, Stephen enlists John's help in tracking him down."
"When Ultra's most wanted, Killian McCrane, resurfaces after years of being in hiding, Stephen enlists John's help in tracking him down."
Sorry, folks, but I don't "game" ... but I do follow the market from time-to-time, and on this day in the video game property called Timeshift enjoyed its general release. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"TimeShift is an unoriginal first-person shooter offering unprecedented time-control elements that allow the player to slow, stop and reverse the flow of time while he remains completely unaffected. You are Michael Swift, a test pilot who has been tapped by the US Government to test two new time-control devices. Briefly sent back in time to gather data, you return to Washington D.C. in an alternate timeline as an enemy of the fascist government. Now on the run in a strange yet familiar world, it is your mission to set time straight once again."
"TimeShift is an unoriginal first-person shooter offering unprecedented time-control elements that allow the player to slow, stop and reverse the flow of time while he remains completely unaffected. You are Michael Swift, a test pilot who has been tapped by the US Government to test two new time-control devices. Briefly sent back in time to gather data, you return to Washington D.C. in an alternate timeline as an enemy of the fascist government. Now on the run in a strange yet familiar world, it is your mission to set time straight once again."
Well, kids, before the Internet, you had television; and before television, you had radio. Back in the days of radio -- circa 1938 -- there was a creative genius who kinda/sorta took the airwaves by storm; and his name was Orson Welles.
It was on this day back then that Welles and his friends in the Mercury Theatre put together a radio adaptation of H.G. Wells "War of the Worlds" that appeared so lifelike to listeners that it sparked a national panic. Word is that folks thought Earth was really being invaded! Now, if you've done any measure of reading, you'd find out that just how big a panic is the subject of some speculation, but that doesn't change what really happened on this day in SciFi Radio History!
It was on this day back then that Welles and his friends in the Mercury Theatre put together a radio adaptation of H.G. Wells "War of the Worlds" that appeared so lifelike to listeners that it sparked a national panic. Word is that folks thought Earth was really being invaded! Now, if you've done any measure of reading, you'd find out that just how big a panic is the subject of some speculation, but that doesn't change what really happened on this day in SciFi Radio History!
