Day: March 31, 1958

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Television

‘Way Out: William And Mary

  • March 31, 1961

'Way OutCBS premieres the first episode of the anthology series ‘Way Out, hosted by author Roald Dahl. Fritz Weaver and Barnard Hughes (Tron, Mr. Merlin) star in an episode adapted by Dahl from his own short story. Marc Daniels (Star Trek) directs. The series is a mid-season replacement rushed into production by CBS to take over the time slot of a Jackie Gleason game show/talk show that had met with unexpectedly low ratings; the network also considers it a worthy companion piece to The Twilight Zone. This is also Roald Dahl’s first experience (but not his last) translating his work to the screen.

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Categories
Movies

The proverbial good science fiction movie

  • March 31, 1964

...and beyond the infiniteDirector Stanley Kubrick writes to author Arthur C. Clarke, initiating a lengthy discussion about “the proverbial really good science fiction movie”, a discussion which eventually leads to the movie (and novel) 2001: a space odyssey. Kubrick’s letter mentions that he is particularly interested in exploring the theme of the effects that first contact with an alien race would have on humanity.

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Television

Thunderbirds: Security Hazard

  • March 31, 1966

ThunderbirdsUK broadcaster ATV Midlands airs the 26th episode of Gerry Anderson’s Supermarionation science fiction series Thunderbirds, featuring the voices of Shane Rimmer, David Graham, Sylvia Anderson, Ray Barrett, and Peter Dyneley. This is the first season finale.

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Categories
Luna Uncrewed Spaceflight

Luna 10: first to orbit the moon

  • March 31, 1966

Luna 10The Soviet Union launches unmanned space probe Luna 10 toward the moon, where it becomes the moon’s first artificial satellite. Luna 10 remains functional for two months, during which a pre-recorded signal from it becomes one of the highlights of the 23rd Congress of the Soviet Communist Party. Luna 10 does not take photos of the moon from orbit, but does find varying concentrations of mass within the lunar surface. This is the last of the original “large” Luna probes, with later orbiters taking on a more compact form, and later large Luna probes containing landers and sample return rockets.

Categories
Doctor Who Television

Doctor Who: Frontier In Space, Part 6

  • March 31, 1973

Doctor WhoThe 343rd episode of Doctor Who airs on BBC1. This is the last story featuring Roger Delgado as the Master before the actor’s untimely death in June 1973. Madhav Sharma (Moonbase 3) guest stars. This marks one of the earliest collaborations between the Doctor’s various enemies (in this case, a one-time-only alliance between the Master and the Daleks).

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Television

The Evil Touch: Never Fool With A Gypsy Icon

  • March 31, 1974

The Evil TouchThe 24th episode of the horror anthology series The Evil Touch airs on Australia’s Nine Network, hosted by Anthony Quayle (Strange Report). (The series will later appear in the U.S. and elsewhere in first-run syndication.) Ralph Meeker (The Dirty Dozen) guest stars.

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Television

Blake’s 7: Terminal

  • March 31, 1980

Blake's 7BBC1 premieres the 39th episode of Terry Nation’s science fiction series Blake’s 7, ending the third season and seeing out series regular Jan Chappell (Cally) and the Liberator. This is the last script written for the series by Terry Nation, as he has decided to try his fortunes as a writer and producer in Hollywood, and is intended to be the series finale. When broadcast on the BBC, a voice-over on the end credits informs viewers that Blake’s 7 will return in 1981 – something that even the cast and crew aren’t aware of until then. Gareth Thomas guest stars as Blake.

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Categories
Crewed Spaceflight Mir

Kvant-1: Mir expands

  • March 31, 1987

Mir-KvantThe Soviet Union launches the first Kvant module to join with the Mir core module. An expansion originally devised for the Salyut 7 space station, Kvant provides additional working space and life support systems aboard Mir as, well as a gyroscopic stablization system to keep the station properly oriented without the constant use of engines and fuel. Years later, the basic Kvant design will be developed further in Russia’s contributions to the International Space Station.

Categories
Television

The Outer Limits: Valerie 23

  • March 31, 1995

The Outer LimitsPremium cable channel Showtime airs the second episode of The Outer Limits, a revival of Leslie Stevens’ 1960s science fiction anthology series. William Sadler, Nancy Allen, and Bruce Harwood guest star.

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Television

VR.5: 5D

  • March 31, 1995

VR.5The fourth episode of the science fiction series VR.5 airs on Fox, starring Lori Singer (Fame) and Michael Easton (Total Recall 2070). Anthony Stewart Head (Buffy The Vampire Slayer) joins the cast; David McCallum (The Man From UNCLE, The Invisible Man, NCIS) and Louise Fletcher (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) guest star.

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Categories
Franchises Television X-Files

The X-Files: Humbug

  • March 31, 1995

The X-FilesThe 44th episode of Chris Carter’s modern-day science fiction series The X-Files airs on Fox, starring Gillian Anderson, David Duchovny, and Mitch Pileggi. Michael J. Anderson (Twin Peaks) and Vincent Schiavelli (Ghost) guest star.

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