On this day in the Star Trek universe:

Star Trek: Enterprise (2002)

Star Trek: Enterprise

Season 2. Episode 12.

Episode entitled: The Catwalk.

Released December 18, 2002.

Directed by Michael/Mike Vejar.

Written by Michael/Mike Sussman, Phyllis Strong, André Bormanis.

Created by Rick Berman, Brannon Braga.

Based on Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry.

Opening theme song: Faith of the Heart, performed by Russell Watson.

Closing theme: Archer's Theme, by Dennis McCarthy.

Music by Jay Chattaway.

Cast: Scott Bakula, John Billingsley, Jolene Blalock, Dominic Keating, Anthony Montgomery, Linda Park, Connor Trinneer, Scott Burkholder, Zach Grenier, Danny Goldring, Aaron Lustig, Brian Cousins, Sean Smith, Elizabeth Magness, Alexandrea Ortiz, Craig Baxley Jr., Solomon Burke Jr., Mark Correy, Daphney Damaraux, Vince Deadrick Jr., Evan English, Nikki Flux, Hilde Garcia, Peter Godoy, Bryan Heiberg, Scott Sterling Hill, Aldric A. Horton, Baron Jay, Amina Julianna, John Jurgens, Kyla Kuhner, Aouri Makhlouf, Marnie Martin, Michael McAdam, Bobby Pappas, Aric Rogokos, Lidia Sabljic, Richard Sarstedt, Mark Watson.

On this day in movie history - Barry Lyndon (1975 movie & novel):

Barry Lyndon

directed and written by Stanley Kubrick,

based on the novel The Luck of Barry Lyndon by William Makepeace Thackeray,

was released in the United States on December 18, 1975.
Music by Leonard Rosenman and Ralph Ferraro.
Main theme Sarabande by George Frideric Handel.
Women of Ireland by Peadar Ó Doirnín and Seán Ó Riada, performed by The Chieftains.

Cast:

Michael Hordern, Ryan O'Neal, Marisa Berenson, Patrick Magee, Hardy Krüger, Gay Hamilton, Godfrey Quigley, Steven Berkoff, Marie Kean, Murray Melvin, Frank Middlemass, Leon Vitali, Dominic Savage, Leonard Rossiter, André Morell, Anthony Sharp, Philip Stone, David Morley, Diana Koerner, Arthur O'Sullivan, Billy Boyle, Jonathan Cecil, Peter Cellier, Geoffrey Chater, Wolf Kahler, Liam Redmond, Roger Booth, Ferdy Mayne, John Sharp, Pat Roach, Hans Meyer.

Recommended reading:

The Luck of Barry Lyndon

By William Makepeace Thackeray.

Filmed as Barry Lyndon (1975), directed and written by Stanley Kubrick.

First published 1844.

Published by East India Publishing Company.

Paperback.

ISBN-10: 1778940242

ISBN-13: 978-1778940248

Description:

Step into the world of 18th-century Europe with "The Luck of Barry Lyndon" by acclaimed author William Makepeace Thackeray. This captivating novel offers a mesmerizing glimpse into the life of its eponymous protagonist, Barry Lyndon, as he navigates the precarious paths of ambition, love, and fortune.

Thackeray's exquisite storytelling paints a vivid portrait of a charismatic and cunning protagonist, whose relentless pursuit of wealth and status takes him from the Irish countryside to the glittering courts of Europe. Through Barry's adventures, readers are immersed in a world of decadence, intrigue, and social climbing, where each twist of fate presents new opportunities and perilous challenges.

"The Luck of Barry Lyndon" is not merely a tale of personal ambition, but also a scathing social commentary on the moral bankruptcy and vanity of the aristocracy. Thackeray's sharp wit and incisive observations cut through the veneer of high society, exposing the hypocrisy and pitfalls that lie beneath.

With its rich historical backdrop and compelling characters, this novel stands as a testament to Thackeray's masterful storytelling. "The Luck of Barry Lyndon" is a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers, inviting them to reflect on the elusive nature of fortune and the consequences of relentless ambition.

Prepare to be enthralled by Thackeray's intricate narrative, as he weaves a tale of passion, deceit, and unexpected turns of fate. This extraordinary novel promises an unforgettable journey into a world where luck can both make and break a man.

On this day in movie history - The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean (1972):

The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean

directed by John Huston,

written by John Milius,

was released in the United States on December 18, 1972.
Music by Maurice Jarre.

Song: Marmalade, Molasses and Honey by Marilyn Bergman and Alan Bergman, sung by Andy Williams.

Cast:

Paul Newman, Victoria Principal, Anthony Perkins, Ned Beatty, Roddy McDowall, Jacqueline Bisset, Tab Hunter, John Huston, Ava Gardner, Dick Farnsworth, Stacy Keach, Michael Sarrazin, Anthony Zerbe, Mark Headley, Frank Soto, Jim Burk, Matt Clark, Bill McKinney, Steve Kanaly, Francesca Jarvis, Karen Carr, Lee Meza, Dolores Clark, Neil Summers, June Towner, Jack Colvin, Howard Morton, Billy Pearson, Stan Barrett, Dean Casper, Don Starr, Alfred G. Bosnos, John Hudkins, Ken Freehill, Duncan Inches, Rusty Lee, Roy Jenson, Gary Combs, Fred Brookfield, Bennie E. Dobbins, Leroy Johnson, Fred Krone, Terry Leonard, Dean Smith, Margo Epper, Jeannie Epper, Stephanie Epper, Barbara J. Longo, Bruno (as Watch Bear).

On this day in movie history - For a Few Dollars More (1965):

For a Few Dollars More

directed by Sergio Leone,

written by Luciano Vincenzoni, Sergio Leone and Sergio Donati,

based on a story by Sergio Leone and Fulvio Morsella,

was released in Italy on December 18, 1965.
Music by Ennio Morricone.

Cast:

Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, Gian Maria Volonté, Mario Brega, Mara Krupp, Luigi Pistilli, Aldo Sambrell, Klaus Kinski, Benito Stefanelli, Panos Papadopoulos, Robert Camardiel, Josef Egger, Antoñito Ruiz, Tomas Blanco, Lorenzo Robledo, Dante Maggio, Werner Abrolat, Frank Braña, José Canalejas, Rosemary Dexter, Fernando Di Leo, Jesús Guzmán, Peter Lee Lawrence, Sergio Leone, Antonio Molino Rojo, Ricardo Palacios, Carlo Simi.

On this day in television history - M Squad (1959):

M Squad

Season 3. Episode 13.

Episode entitled: One of Our Armored Cars Is Missing.

Released December 18, 1959.

Directed by Herman Hoffman.

Written by Whitman Chambers.

Music by Benny Carter.

Cast:

Lee Marvin, Paul Newlan, Laurie Mitchell, Richard Carlyle, Joyce Meadows, Jerry Oddo, Logan Field, William Forrest, Joe Haworth, Norman Leavitt.

Born on this day – Angie Stone:

Angie Stone

Actress

Singer

Songwriter

Producer

Director

December 18, 1961 – March 1, 2025

Credits:

Albums:

Black Diamond (1999); Conception: An Interpretation of Stevie Wonder's Songs (2003); Covered in Soul (2016); Devox Featuring Angie B. Stone (1996); Dream (2015); Everyday (20th Anniversary Edition) (2000); Full Circle (2019); Genius & Friends (2005); Hurricane Relief: Come Together Now (2005); I Wasn't Kidding (2005); Life Goes On (2007); Love Language (2023); Mahogany Soul (2001); Rich Girl (2012); Stone Hits: The Very Best of Angie Stone (2005); Stone Love (2004); The Art of Love & War (2007); Unexpected (2009); Vocal Rendezvous (2006).

Songs:

2 Bad Habits; 20 Dollars; Baby; Brotha; Brotha, Part II; Disturbia; Easier Said Than Done; Everyday; Funk You Up; Holding Back the Years; I Just Want to Love You Baby; I Wanna Thank Ya; Life Goes On; Life Story; Lovers' Ghetto; Mad Issues; Monsters Jam; More Than a Woman; No More Rain; Pissed Off; Rain Down; Seems You're Much Too Busy; Snowflakes; Somaw; Sometimes; Soul Insurance; Stay for a While; The Ingredients Of Love; These Are the Reasons; These Eyes; Time To Come Home; Wish I Didn't Miss You.

Movies and television:

14th Annual Soul Train Music Awards (2000); 16th Annual Trumpet Awards (2008); 16th Annual Trumpet Awards (2008); 19th Annual Trumpet Awards (2011); 2008 St. Lucia Jazz Festival (2009); 2009 Soul Train Awards (2009); 2012 Soul Train Awards (2012); 26th Annual Trumpet Awards (2018); 2nd Annual BET Awards (2002); 34th NAACP Image Awards (2003); 68 Square Miles (2014); 6th Annual Black Music Honors (2021); 6th Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards (2000); 6th Urban One Honors 2024 (2024); A Colors Show (2020); A Cross to Bear (2012); Abused (2025); An Evening of Stars: A Celebration of Educational Excellence (2001); An Evening of Stars: Tribute to Chaka Khan (2011); Angie Stone Feat. Alicia Keys & Eve: Brotha Part II (2002); Angie Stone: Brotha (2001); Angie Stone's: Love the Feeling (2023); Apollo at 70: A Hot Night in Harlem (2004); Apollo Live (2012); Arista Records' 25th Anniversary Celebration (2000); As Written (2012); Baby Mama's Club (2010); Baisden After Dark (2007–2008); Bamboozled (2000); Barend en Van Dorp (2000); Behind the Movement (2018); Being (2015); BET Awards 2007 (2007); BET Her Presents: The Waiting Room (2019); BET Tonight Special: Aaliyah (2001); Blue Crush (2002); Blue Feat. Stevie Wonder & Angie Stone: Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours (2003); Body Electric (2004); Boulevard West (2012); Brothers (2021); Brown Sugar (2002); Candy Dulfer: Live in Amsterdam (2001); Caught on Tape (2013); Celebrity Fit Club (2006); Celebrity Ghost Stories (2013); Celebrity Wife Swap (2014); Come Together Collaborative: Come Together Now (2005); Dishing Tea with Big Meach (2014); Don Cornelius: Visionary, Trailblazer & Cultural Icon (2012); Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001); Dreams (2013); Eden (2014); Entanglement (2021); Girlfriends (2000–2008); Great Performances (2002–2007); Head Over Heels (2018); Heaux Phase (2023); House of Flav (2021); Huff Post's BV 365 (2012); In the Cut (2016); Jamie Foxx: Unpredictable (2006); Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2007); Labour (2015); Last Call with Carson Daly (2002–2004); Last Laugh '04 (2004); Late Show with David Letterman (2002); Later... With Jools Holland (2000–2007); Lincoln Heights (2008); Live with Kelly and Mark (2008); Love & Basketball (2000); Love N Success (2015); Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat (2002); Moesha (2000); My Other Mother (2014); My Real Life (2024); Nubbin & Friends (2016); Omar Feat. Angie Stone: Be Thankful (2000); One Christmas (2013); One on One (2004); Pandemically Single (2020); Pastor Brown (2009); Pau!l (2011); R&B Divas Atlanta (2012–2015); R&B Divas Pre Party (2013); R&B Divas: Atlanta (2013–2014); R&B Divas: Atlanta Reunion (2013); Ride Along (2014); Roswell (1999); Ryan Cameron: Uncensored (2008); Saints & Sinners (2018); Scary Movie V (2013); School Gyrls (2009); Shady Sisters: The Color of Love (2025); She Speaks Live (2019); Showtime at the Apollo (2002); Sister Circle Live (2019); Soldier Girls (1981); Soul Train (1999); Soundtrack for a Revolution (2009); Stax Records 50th Anniversary Concert (2008); Steve Harvey (2016); Tavis Smiley (2009); The 17th Annual Soul Train Music Awards (2003); The 365Black Awards (2013); The 5th Annual Women Rock (2004); The Big Breakfast (2000); The Brian McKnight Show (2009); The Deliverance (2024); The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2004–2007); The Fighting Temptations (2003); The Hot Chick (2002); The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (2005); The Legend of Hip Hop (2016); The Making and Meaning of 'We Are Family' (2002); The Mo'Nique Show (2009–2011); The Pact (2025); The Real Housewives of Atlanta (2014); The Rickey Smiley Show (2014); The Sequence: Simon Says (1982); The Sopranos (2001); The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (2000–2008); The Tony Danza Show (2004); The Waiting Room (2019); The Wendy Williams Show (2009); To Love the Soul of a Woman (2016); Top of the Pops (2000); Unsung (2015–2020); Where's the Love? (2014); Wonder Girls (2012).

Born on this day – Ray Liotta:

Ray Liotta

Actor

Producer

December 18, 1954 – May 26, 2022

Credits:

Dangerous Waters (2023); Fool's Paradise (2023); Cocaine Bear (2023); Black Bird (2022); Broken Soldier (2022); Hanna (2021); The Many Saints of Newark (2021); No Sudden Move (2021); Syndrome K (2021); Hubie Halloween (2020); Fast Times at Ridgemont High Table Read (2020); Marriage Story (2019); Shades of Blue (2016–2018); The Simpsons (2018); Great News (2018); Young Sheldon (2017); Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2017); The Backup Dancer (2016); Flock of Dudes (2016); Modern Family (2016); Campus Code (2015); Blackway (2015); The Making of the Mob (2015); Texas Rising (2015); Ed Sheeran Feat. Rudimental: Bloodstream (2015); The Money (2014); Be Water (2014); Kill the Messenger (2014); Revenge of the Green Dragons (2014); Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (2014); David Guetta Feat. Sam Martin: Lovers on the Sun (2014); The Identical (2014); Better Living Through Chemistry (2014); Muppets Most Wanted (2014); Suddenly (2013); Pawn (2013); Mob of the Dead (2013); The Devil's in the Details (2013); Abominable Christmas (2012); NTSF:SD:SUV (2012); Dear Dracula (2012); Bad Karma (2012); Yellow (2012); The Place Beyond the Pines (2012); The Iceman (2012); Breathless (2012); Killing Them Softly (2012); Wanderlust (2012); Ticket Out (2012); The League (2011); The Entitled (2011); Field of Dreams 2: Lockout (2011); The River Murders (2011); Street Kings 2: Motor City (2011); All Things Fall Apart (2011); The Details (2011); The Son of No One (2011); Charlie St. Cloud (2010); Hannah Montana (2010); Chasing 3000 (2010); Snowmen (2010); Date Night (2010); Crazy on the Outside (2010); Youth in Revolt (2009); The Line (2009); Powder Blue (2009); Observe and Report (2009); Crossing Over (2009); SpongeBob SquarePants (2008); Hero Wanted (2008); Bee Movie (2007); Battle in Seattle (2007); Smith (2006–2007); In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale (2007); Wild Hogs (2007); Smokin' Aces (2006); Comeback Season (2006); Local Color (2006); Even Money (2006); Slow Burn (2005); Revolver (2005); Control (2004); ER (2004); The Last Shot (2004); Identity (2003); Ticker (2002); Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002); Point of Origin (2002); John Q (2002); Just Shoot Me! (2001–2002); Narc (2002); Family Guy (2001); Blow (2001); Heartbreakers (2001); Hannibal (2001); A Rumor of Angels (2000); Pilgrim (2000); Forever Mine (1999); Muppets from Space (1999); The Rat Pack (1998); Phoenix (1998); Cop Land (1997); Turbulence (1997); Unforgettable (1996); Frasier (1995); Operation Dumbo Drop (1995); Corrina, Corrina (1994); No Escape (1994); Unlawful Entry (1992); Article 99 (1992); Women & Men 2: In Love There Are No Rules (1991); Goodfellas (1990); Field of Dreams (1989); Dominick and Eugene (1988); Arena Brains (1987); Something Wild (1986); Our Family Honor (1985); The New Mike Hammer (1984); The Lonely Lady (1983); Casablanca (1983); St. Elsewhere (1983); Another World (1978–1981); Crazy Times (1981); Hardhat and Legs (1980).