Woody Allen’s ‘Sleeper’ science fiction comedy film opens in U.S. theaters 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 17 1973)


Video: 'Sleeper' trailer

(Monday, December 17, 1973, 12 noon EST)Sleeper, an American science fiction comedy film about the owner of a health food store who is cryogenically frozen in 1973 and defrosted 200 years later in an ineptly-led police state, opened today at Little Carnegie Theatre at 146 W. 57th Street in Manhattan.

Directed by Woody Allen and co-written by Marshall Brickman, the film stars Allen, Diane Keaton, John Beck, Marya Small and Susan Miller.


Video: 'Sleeper (Woody Allen, 1973) - Instant Pudding - The Orb [sub. español]'

Contemporary politics and pop culture are satirized throughout the film, which includes tributes to the classic comedy of Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, and Charlie Chaplin.

Many elements of notable works of science fiction are also paid tribute to, or parodied.