Back when I was a lad 2 women on television could make me swoon, one was Ginger on Gilligan's Island and Wonder Woman.
I never missed an episode of WW because I wanted to see Lynda Carter in WW's red white and blue outfit. I didn't care what the story was but my eyes were glued when she would doff her glasses as Diana Prince and twirl into WW because I knew she would be kicking some butt and taking names.
I was a huge fan of the Batman show but I was glad WW played it mostly straight. The scripts, especially in the 1st season, walked a fine line between straight and camp. One particular scene though cracks me up every time. In the pilot, guest star Red Buttons has his final confrontation with WW and he pulls a gun on her. He knows that bullets have no effect based on her special bracelets. So he starts shooting and as the bullets get deflected he rolls his eyes and acts just like someone would act when they know their actions are a waste of time.
Lynda Carter turned out to be the perfect WW both in looks and acting. She played the part as a woman who happen to have extra abilities and she played it straight.
Lyle Waggoner, playing Maj. Steve Trevor and later in the 2nd and 3rd seasons as Steve Trevor Jr., was the dashing male lead. I just never liked Lyle in the role because I was so use to him being on the Carol Burnett show that every time he appeared I wanted to giggle. Trevor also had the thankless job of having to be rescued by WW in every episode.
I just got the 1st season DVD and it made me remember that I liked the series because of the WWII stories. I liked the change to the 70's in season 2 and 3 but if I could choose I would want more episodes set in the 40's.
The special effects are very dated by today's standards. From the cheesy invisible plane, to being able to tell when a body WW is carrying is a dummy, the visible gadgets used for the bullets and bracelets bits, the sfx was classic 70's. But that doesn't really take away from the show - not that much anyway.
There were 2 versions of Diana transforming into WW. The pilot and first 2 episodes used a stop motion technique that showed the secret id clothes coming off, Carter's hair coming out its bun, and the WW outfit appearing. Due to budget reasons the 2nd version was used for the rest of the series where she would start to twirl and bright flash of light would then appear then when it went away there was WW. I much prefer the 1st version to the 2nd.
The other thing I love about the show is the kicking theme song by Charles Fox. The funky rock jazz music is based in the mid 70's but adds energy to the show. They also used the music when Diana would transform into WW and when WW would fight the bad guys.
This was really the first show with a strong woman lead and many of WW speeches and comments talked about the power of women. WW was stronger, faster, and smarter than any of the men on the show and she didn't need a man to survive. She didn't hate men, like her mother Queen Hippolyta, but then she didn't "hate" anyone even those wanting to kill her.
I also liked how WW would use violence only as a last resort and then she didn't kill anyone (well at least directly). She thought reasoning with people was better but she wasn't afraid to fight.
The other interesting thing about seeing the shows again on DVD is spotting actors today who had their early jobs as bit players on WW. A couple of examples is Gregory Harrison in the pilot and Barry Van Dyke in one episode.
I'm glad this show made it to DVD. Wonder Woman is one example that 1970's television wasn't all dreck.
I never missed an episode of WW because I wanted to see Lynda Carter in WW's red white and blue outfit. I didn't care what the story was but my eyes were glued when she would doff her glasses as Diana Prince and twirl into WW because I knew she would be kicking some butt and taking names.
I was a huge fan of the Batman show but I was glad WW played it mostly straight. The scripts, especially in the 1st season, walked a fine line between straight and camp. One particular scene though cracks me up every time. In the pilot, guest star Red Buttons has his final confrontation with WW and he pulls a gun on her. He knows that bullets have no effect based on her special bracelets. So he starts shooting and as the bullets get deflected he rolls his eyes and acts just like someone would act when they know their actions are a waste of time.
Lynda Carter turned out to be the perfect WW both in looks and acting. She played the part as a woman who happen to have extra abilities and she played it straight.
Lyle Waggoner, playing Maj. Steve Trevor and later in the 2nd and 3rd seasons as Steve Trevor Jr., was the dashing male lead. I just never liked Lyle in the role because I was so use to him being on the Carol Burnett show that every time he appeared I wanted to giggle. Trevor also had the thankless job of having to be rescued by WW in every episode.
I just got the 1st season DVD and it made me remember that I liked the series because of the WWII stories. I liked the change to the 70's in season 2 and 3 but if I could choose I would want more episodes set in the 40's.
The special effects are very dated by today's standards. From the cheesy invisible plane, to being able to tell when a body WW is carrying is a dummy, the visible gadgets used for the bullets and bracelets bits, the sfx was classic 70's. But that doesn't really take away from the show - not that much anyway.
There were 2 versions of Diana transforming into WW. The pilot and first 2 episodes used a stop motion technique that showed the secret id clothes coming off, Carter's hair coming out its bun, and the WW outfit appearing. Due to budget reasons the 2nd version was used for the rest of the series where she would start to twirl and bright flash of light would then appear then when it went away there was WW. I much prefer the 1st version to the 2nd.
The other thing I love about the show is the kicking theme song by Charles Fox. The funky rock jazz music is based in the mid 70's but adds energy to the show. They also used the music when Diana would transform into WW and when WW would fight the bad guys.
This was really the first show with a strong woman lead and many of WW speeches and comments talked about the power of women. WW was stronger, faster, and smarter than any of the men on the show and she didn't need a man to survive. She didn't hate men, like her mother Queen Hippolyta, but then she didn't "hate" anyone even those wanting to kill her.
I also liked how WW would use violence only as a last resort and then she didn't kill anyone (well at least directly). She thought reasoning with people was better but she wasn't afraid to fight.
The other interesting thing about seeing the shows again on DVD is spotting actors today who had their early jobs as bit players on WW. A couple of examples is Gregory Harrison in the pilot and Barry Van Dyke in one episode.
I'm glad this show made it to DVD. Wonder Woman is one example that 1970's television wasn't all dreck.