Space Patrol, 20 Million Miles to Earth, Blondie, Treasure Planet, Flight To Mars, The Martian Chronicles, Xena: Warrior Princess, Men in Black.

Frank Puglia was born today. He starred as Dr. Leonardo in 20 Million Miles to Earth. A cool bit of trivia is that the movie was partially produced in Rome. It was chosen as the location for filming because Harryhausen, the stop-motion animation talent, wanted to vacation there. The working title of the film was The Giant Ymir, and it has also been released as The Beast from Space.

Also check out the cartoonist, Paul Fung Jr., his contributions to the Blondie comic and newspaper strip are legendary.

And for all of you lovers of early sci-fi TV, Space Patrol began on this day in 1950.


Birthdays

Paul Fung Jr. 1923, cartoonist who drew the Blondie comic book for 40 years. He also was Chic Young's assistant on the Blondie newspaper strip from 1949 until 1965. Fung Jr. also contributed to the Blondie comic book with his Flash Foley, News Photographer stories.

Douglas "Doug" Engalla 1957, actor, Prisoner at Rura Penthe - Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991), Engalla received thank and special thanks credits for several animated films, including Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001), Treasure Planet (2002), and Chicken Little (2005). He also worked in the animation department for the research library for films such as The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Meet the Robinsons (2007), and the restored versions of Cinderella and Lady and the Tramp.

Frank Puglia 1892, actor, Magistrate - Tarzan's Desert Mystery (1943), Dr. Leonardo - 20 Million Miles to Earth (1957), Priest - The Outer Limits (1 episode, "A Feasibility Study", 1964).

Marguerite Chapman 1918, actress, Alita - Flight to Mars (1951), Jean Forester - Science Fiction Theatre (1 episode, 1955), Laura Matson - The Amazing Transparent Man (1960).

Joyce Van Patten 1934, actress, Eileen Ransome - The Twilight Zone (1 episode, "Passage on the Lady Anne", 1963), Rhea Cashman - The Outer Limits (1 episode, 1964), Elma Parkhill - The Martian Chronicles (3 episodes, 1980).

Charles Siebert 1938, actor, Ben - The Incredible Hulk (1977) (TV), Sisyphus / Poseidon - Xena: Warrior Princess (3 episodes, 1996-1997).

Ornella Muti 1955, actress, Princess Aura - Flash Gordon (1980).

Lonny Price 1959, actor, Ronnie - The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984).

Linda Fiorentino 1958, actress, Laurel - Men in Black (1997).

Brian Green 1973, actor, Human Torch - Fantastic Four (13 episodes, 1994-1995), Rimfire - Biker Mice from Mars (2 episodes, "Once Upon a Time on Mars, part 1 & 3", 1996), Sean Moore - The Twilight Zone (1 episode, "Found and Lost", 2002), Derek Reese - Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (23 episodes, 2008-2009), John Corben - Smallville (3 episodes, 2009-2010).

Brittany Snow 1986, actress, Hyperion Child / Young Girl - SeaQuest DSV (2 episodes, 1994-1995), Candy - Family Guy (1 episode, "Quagmire's Baby", 2009).

Events

1950, Space Patrol television show began as a 15-minute show on a local (Los Angeles) station.

1959, Clutch Cargo airs.

1967, Star Trek:TOS, "The Devil in the Dark" airs.

1985, Dr. Who, two-part serial "Timelash" airs.

1994, Babylon 5 Episode 7 - "The War Prayer" first aired

2002, Principal photography on Star Trek Nemesis ends.