1970's sci fi is dwarfed by Star Wars, but there are a lot of movies and series that deserve attention. Of course, Doctor Who (Tom Baker) was making his debut in America during the end of that decade, but there are a lot of shows that get lost in the shuffle. Here are some:
Logan's Run (1976) - Fabulous movie; although the second half struggles to maintain the intrigue of the first half.
Logan's Run TV Series (1977) - A fun series I loved as a kid, this one focuses on Logan and Jessica, following their departure from the domed cities, as they meet odd communities in their search for Sanctuary.
The Starlost (1973) - No budget sci fi with a solid premise but horrible execution. Worth a shot, but don't set your expectations very high.
Space: 1999 (1975) - HUGE budget, best effects for its day, oft times incomprehensible stories coupled with bad science, but the best space ship design (the Eagle) EVER! The strong first season was followed by a mediocre second.
UFO (1970) - Before Space: 1999, Gerry Anderson created this series. Early episodes are repetitive, but later episodes got better.
Star Maidens (1976) - I love this one. Gareth Thomas (Blake's 7) stars as a man escaping a woman-dominated planet for Earth. Never the budget of Space: 1999, some of the effects are reminiscent.
The Phoenix (1981) - Loved it as a kid, but it never really got far enough before it was cancelled.
Quark (1977) - Spoofing Star Trek and Star Wars, this Buck Henry creation (Get Smart) was a series about a garbage scow in space. One of my favorite TV series of all time.
Cliffhangers: The Secret Empire (1979) - a serial for modern television, I loved this as a kid, but sadly have not been able to watch since. May not live up to memories.
V (1983 ff) - First the miniseries, then The Final Battle, then a complete season of episodes, V was a television event that I remember to this day. The full-season TV series stumbles in the first episodes, but gains traction later.
Gremloids (aka Hyperspace, 1984) - The first feature-length spoof of Star Wars. Lord Buckethead and a group of Gremloids (think Jawas) take a wrong turn and arrive on Earth, looking for the secret transmissions. Every scene with Lord Buckethead is brilliant. If you never saw it, you should.
Starcrash (1978) - Italian director out to cash in on Star Wars, this movie is pretty fun. Early appearance of David Hasselhoff, it stands as a mid-budget mashup of Star Wars and Jason and the Argonauts (Ray Harryhausen style).
Here are some others that come to mind to discuss as well!
Jason of Star Command
The Adventures of Buckaroo Bonzai
Battle Beyond the Stars
HG Wells the Shape of Things to Come
Spaced Invaders
Battlestar Galactica
Galactica 1980
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
Tron
Automan
Star Odyssey
War of the Robots
Space Raiders
Blake's 7
