1973

Watergate & Westworld -- 1973 was a busy year for news and sci-fi. President Nixon's troubles began when the Watergate Scandal broke. American troops were being withdrawn from Vietnam. The Apes franchise wraps up and there were a couple of memorable landmark films produced. Soylent Green and Westworld made lasting impressions. Amid a fairly normal volume of independent and formulaic B films showing the influence of television style.

The Asphyx -- An 1800s photographer accidentally discovers the spirit of death and his own immortality.

The Crazies -- George Romero's variation on The Andromeda Strain. A secret government germ makes a small town go crazy.

Genesis II -- Gene Rodenberry's update on Buck Rogers. 20th century scientist is awakened in post-apocalyptic 24th century new Earth.

The Big Game -- Shadowy spies brainwash an inventor's son to try and steal his mind-control-radar device.

Soylent Green -- Charlton Heston stars in future dystopia tale of food shortages, population controls and a grim solution.

Invasion of the Bee Girls -- Young women given "bee" powers, can kill men by "overstimulation." Will the Queen make a whole deadly hive?

Idaho Transfer -- Obscure scientist makes time travel machine to study post-apocalyptic earth, but his students must trap themselves in that future.

Battle for the Planet of the Apes -- Roddy McDowall returns for 5th and final installment, which tries to wrap up the saga.

The Neptune Factor -- Disaster film about a seabed station lost in a earthquake, and subsequent search for survivors.

Westworld -- Future amusement park runs amok from computer virus. Robot gunslinger (Yul Bryner) goes rogue, chasing/killing guests.

Fantastic Planet -- French animated film about humans as feral vermin on planet of giant blue beings.

Sleeper -- Woody Allen's variation on Rip Van Winkle, chock full of satire for 20th century urbane culture.

Day of the Dolphin -- George C. Scott as scientist who teaches dolphins to speak english. Assassination conspirators steal them.