After the 1974 tele-movie starring Cathy Lee Crosby, Warner Brothers and DC comics went back to the basics and released The New Original Wonder Woman tele-movie in 1975.
Starring newcomer Lynda Cater representing the classic comic book heroine is brought to life in one of the finest casting ever! This movie is adapted from the original All-Star Comics #8, 1941; Sensation Comics #1, 1942 and Wonder Woman #1, Summer 1942.
No-one would ever imagine that the 'wonder-spin', the way in which Diana Prince would change into Wonder Woman would be so memorable that it would later become her signature 'visual motif' in comic books and television appearances in the final two seasons of The Super Friends TV show and Justice League Unlimited. Lynda's idea would further develop from the dissolve (in the first 3 episodes) to a burst of red/white/blue light that remained in the entire series run.
This story set in world war two would showcase fine performances from already established actors of the time: Stella Stevens, Red Buttons, Cloris Leachman, Henry Gibson and John Randolph to name a few.
What is also unusual about this film is that there are two release versions of the same story. What is notably different is the opening credits, some camera angles and the performances.
Each film has the same story, but the title opening of the 1975 film begins after a tank explodes a wall in the 'old' news reel and reveals The new Original Wonder Woman title. This is followed by an animated sequence which shows Wonder Woman leaping from a tall building, landing and deflecting bullets. This sequence was replaced in the TV series with her tossing her magic lasso instead. I assume that the bullet deflecting in the animated sequence may of been regarded too violent in animation at the time which may explain the replacement, however just before the zoom into her face, the bottom panel does indeed reveal a man with a gun which was not changed in the TV series.
One line was added in the revised version: "Even if I have to earn some money first". In the original film, the scene cuts to a wider shot of Diana nursing Steve instead of the close up in which she says this line. There are other notable differences in the edited style of the films as well as the performances. The acting was played far more serious and straight in the 1975 movie than the campy revision. For example, Ashley (Red Buttons) Norman rolls his eyes toward the final scene firing at Wonder Woman, but in the 1975 film he does not. Instead he had a stern, grim, determined look.
When the time came for a TV series to be considered the film was retitled, Wonder Woman, and presented as the pilot in 1976. It featured the campy performances, the additional dialog, different camera angles and of course, the new revised animated credits. Two TV specials followed adapted direct from the original comics: Wonder Woman meets the Baroness Von Gunther (from Wonder Woman 1942) and Fausta The Nazi Wonder Woman (from Comic Cavalcade 1943). Gone was the title, the New, Original Wonder Woman. The DVD release features the pilot edition and Warner Brothers has not yet released the original film as shown in 1975. It has been televised on television, but the campy version edited version is confused as the same film, but in fact there are two versions. Perhaps the original is the director's cut by Leonard Horn.
In any case one of the other most memorable moments is the song itself. Simple, effective and very colorful. The original film and series had a sense of charm and the campy moments suited the era and style of the comic book made flesh. Lynda Carter made her a real woman, powerful, yet very compassionate. The very essence of Wonder Woman, unlike many heroes is that she actually cared about everyone, fought for what is truth and justice, but, would also take that extra step to reform villains. She truly believed people can change for the better and had no problem saying it and showing the way.
Starring newcomer Lynda Cater representing the classic comic book heroine is brought to life in one of the finest casting ever! This movie is adapted from the original All-Star Comics #8, 1941; Sensation Comics #1, 1942 and Wonder Woman #1, Summer 1942.
No-one would ever imagine that the 'wonder-spin', the way in which Diana Prince would change into Wonder Woman would be so memorable that it would later become her signature 'visual motif' in comic books and television appearances in the final two seasons of The Super Friends TV show and Justice League Unlimited. Lynda's idea would further develop from the dissolve (in the first 3 episodes) to a burst of red/white/blue light that remained in the entire series run.
This story set in world war two would showcase fine performances from already established actors of the time: Stella Stevens, Red Buttons, Cloris Leachman, Henry Gibson and John Randolph to name a few.
What is also unusual about this film is that there are two release versions of the same story. What is notably different is the opening credits, some camera angles and the performances.
Each film has the same story, but the title opening of the 1975 film begins after a tank explodes a wall in the 'old' news reel and reveals The new Original Wonder Woman title. This is followed by an animated sequence which shows Wonder Woman leaping from a tall building, landing and deflecting bullets. This sequence was replaced in the TV series with her tossing her magic lasso instead. I assume that the bullet deflecting in the animated sequence may of been regarded too violent in animation at the time which may explain the replacement, however just before the zoom into her face, the bottom panel does indeed reveal a man with a gun which was not changed in the TV series.
One line was added in the revised version: "Even if I have to earn some money first". In the original film, the scene cuts to a wider shot of Diana nursing Steve instead of the close up in which she says this line. There are other notable differences in the edited style of the films as well as the performances. The acting was played far more serious and straight in the 1975 movie than the campy revision. For example, Ashley (Red Buttons) Norman rolls his eyes toward the final scene firing at Wonder Woman, but in the 1975 film he does not. Instead he had a stern, grim, determined look.
When the time came for a TV series to be considered the film was retitled, Wonder Woman, and presented as the pilot in 1976. It featured the campy performances, the additional dialog, different camera angles and of course, the new revised animated credits. Two TV specials followed adapted direct from the original comics: Wonder Woman meets the Baroness Von Gunther (from Wonder Woman 1942) and Fausta The Nazi Wonder Woman (from Comic Cavalcade 1943). Gone was the title, the New, Original Wonder Woman. The DVD release features the pilot edition and Warner Brothers has not yet released the original film as shown in 1975. It has been televised on television, but the campy version edited version is confused as the same film, but in fact there are two versions. Perhaps the original is the director's cut by Leonard Horn.
In any case one of the other most memorable moments is the song itself. Simple, effective and very colorful. The original film and series had a sense of charm and the campy moments suited the era and style of the comic book made flesh. Lynda Carter made her a real woman, powerful, yet very compassionate. The very essence of Wonder Woman, unlike many heroes is that she actually cared about everyone, fought for what is truth and justice, but, would also take that extra step to reform villains. She truly believed people can change for the better and had no problem saying it and showing the way.