Blast Off to the Past: 1970s Science Fiction Movie Trivia – Podcast Episode
Strap in and prepare for a cosmic journey through one of cinema’s most groundbreaking decades! This week on the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast, we’re exploring the imaginative and visionary world of 1970s science fiction movies—a golden era that gave us unforgettable classics like Star Wars, Alien, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Featuring 30 stellar trivia questions across three levels—Dorky (easy), Geeky (medium), and Nerdy (hard)—this episode challenges your knowledge of groundbreaking special effects, iconic characters, visionary directors, and the cultural impact that these films had on the sci-fi genre and beyond. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a curious newcomer, this quiz will transport you to a time when space travel and alien encounters captured the collective imagination.
So ignite your imagination, fire up your trivia sensors, and join us for a fun, smart, and engaging dive into the science fiction movies that defined the 1970s!
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Episode Transcript/Quiz
Episode Introduction
Who’s ready to dive into the era of Nixon, Carter, and some truly unique science fiction films?
Hey there gang, I’m Brian Rollins and this is the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast. Every week, we bring you thirty trivia questions on a different topic. This week, it’s the Sci-Fi films of the 1970’s. I grew up in the 80’s watching a lot of these on marathons during the weekend. It was a dark time before cable and streaming services. But, we made due with what we had.
Like always, there are three rounds of ten questions each. I’ll give you a five second timer after reading the question for you to answer. Then I’ll give you the answer. If you want some scoring rules, you can visit our website at DorkyGeekyNerdy.com. You can also find past episodes and quizzes as well.
I think that covers everything, so let’s get started.
The Dorky Round
1. Much to Detective Thorn's horror, what was made of people?
2. What 1977 movie had its Tunisian set turned into a hotel?
3. While the 2004 remake starring Matthew Broderick and Nicole Kidman was a comedy, the original 1975 version of what movie was much more serious?
4. What movie marked the first starring film role for Davie Bowie
5. What movie featured the note sequence d e c C G (with the second C an octave below the first)?
6. Even though he plays the title character, Christopher Reeve received third billing in what 1978 movie?
7. What movie warned you: 'In space, no one can hear you scream.'
8. What 1979 film featured Maximilian Schell, Anthony Perkins, Ernest Borgnine and some very dubious astrophysics?
9. What actor didn't actually audition for his role in Mad Max, but was, instead, going along to support his sister?
10. After seeing the premiere of what 1979 film, William Shatner said 'Well, that's it. We gave it our best shot, it wasn't good, and it will never happen again.'
The Geeky Round
1. In Logan's Run, what ritual promises to renew you if you make it to the top?
2. Yul Brynner's character in what movie would serve as inspiration for both Michael Myers and The Terminator?
3. What movie was billed as 'Woody Allen takes a nostalgic look at the future'?
4. Elliott Gould and James Brolin starred in what movie about a faked mission to Mars?
5. Roger Zelazny hated the 1976 adaptation of which of his novels?
6. What was the 1976 sequel to Westworld?
6. What 1978 movie had SS officers trying to clone Adolf Hitler?
7. What sci-fi short and parody of Star Wars is considered the highest grossing short of all time?
8. What Sci-Fi horror film featured The Tall Man and his killer spheres?
10. What movie starred Malcolm McDowell as HG Wells and David Warner as Jack the Ripper?
The Nerdy Round
1. Silent Running was directed by what visual effect pioneer?
2. Conquest of the Planet of the Apes takes place in what year?
3. What John Carpenter movie was billed as Bombed out in space with a spaced-out bomb!
4. What movie was released for the 20th anniversary of Godzilla?
5. Who was originally supposed to play Zed in the movie Zardoz?
6. What 1975 movie featured a flying Winnebago?
7. James Caan was cast in Rollerball after the director saw him in what movie?
8. What breed of cat was used for The Cat From Outer Space?
9. Who was initially offered the role of Hugo Drax in Moonraker?
10. What 1977 Japanese movie is made up of edited parts of a 1974-75 anime of the same name?
Episode Conclusion
And that’s it for this week. If there were questions you didn’t know or movies you haven’t seen, be sure to surf around your streaming services to find them. They might not all be great, but they’re definitely interesting.
We’ll be back again next Wednesday for trivia fun. Speaking of which, here’s your clue:
“What 2007 novel had its title revealed through an online game of hangman?”
While I’ve got you, I do have a quick request. I’ve put up a quick listener survey on our site. Please take a few minutes to zip over and fill it out. I’d really appreciate your feedback in shaping future episodes of the show. You can find the survey at dorkygeekynerdy.com/survey. Thanks!
I’m your host, Brian Rollins and this has been the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast. See you next week and thanks for listening.
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Hosted & Written by Brian Rollins
Music by Jason Shaw
Copyright 2019-2025 by Brian Rollins
This podcast is copyright 2025 Brian Rollins. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to redistribute but not to be altered or used for AI training.
I spent way too much time watching these “bad” movies.