MovieChat Forums > Wonder Woman (1974) Discussion > This is a concept movie you guys!

This is a concept movie you guys!

posted 18 years ago by juniusoliver
25 replies | jump to latest

No, this isn't your grandmother's Wonder Woman, she does not have super powers, and invisible plane or tiara, but she does skill, inner-strength and intelligence. Many comic book fanatics (myself included) hated this incarnation of Wonder Woman at the time. I thought it was almost sacreligous, however Wonder Woman can and should be interpreted as a woman who is capable of very wonderous things. AND despite the lack of superpower demonstrations, Cathy Lee's Wonder Woman does show remarkable courage and strenghth through out the film. I would urge everyone to look at the sutble message of this new updated Wonder Woman. She still espouses the views of feminine empowerment but in a more realistic way. Now that I am older I really like this Wonder Woman and I've learned to accept her as a part of the Wonder Woman storyline. Please, I beg all comic book fans to look at this with a pure heart and you shall see the truth is always there.

[–] tejas55 18 years ago

I totally agree. And if not that, at least the cheese factor.

[–] BigRich 18 years ago

As much as I liked the TV version of Wonder Woman, I really liked this "pilot" version of Wonder Woman, too. Her costume wasn't revealing but it was sexy on Cathy Lee.
I don't remember much as it's been over 20 years since I last seen it (over 30 since I first saw it) but I do remember the music and end credits with graphics. I thought it was neat.

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2005 - 2006 R.I.P. BishopLord

[–] praxagora 16 years ago

@Rich,
I liked it too.
I probably saw it 1st in 75' or so, but I really liked it's version of the myth.

[–] rogerscorpion 8 years ago

& Montalban, as 'Abner Smith'!! typecasting. He was brilliant.

Carpe Noctem!

[–] rogerscorpion 8 years ago

& Montalban, as 'Abner Smith'!! typecasting. He was brilliant.

Carpe Noctem!

[–] dbc1951 18 years ago

....it sucked major league.

Terrible acting, lousy script, idiotic costume, and umm....Wonder Woman is NOT a blonde.

-345 on a scale of 1-10

[–] HevyChevy 18 years ago

I remember watching this movie on tv.

...and that's what it was...a "movie-of-the-week" (remember those?).
They were all pretty bland, unless it was something that was originally made for theatre release.

I still think Cathy was a knock out in this movie and actually, I guess the costume is correct.

I read, somewhere, that during the late 1960's, Wonder Woman was on the verge of being axed as a comic book.
The writers and cartoonists decided they needed to update both her look and the story lines...

...sooooo, what you see in this movie is what happened.
Somehow she lost her super powers and gained "groovey new threads, man".

I like the movie. I remember it, heck, I'd probably watch it now, if it was shown in my area.
And for no other reason than that Cathy Lee Crosby was pretty hot back then.

[–] zpzjones 18 years ago

"I read, somewhere, that during the late 1960's, Wonder Woman was on the verge of being axed as a comic book. The writers and cartoonists decided they needed to update both her look and the story lines..."

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Try reading the Wikipedia article on 'Wonder Woman'. That's probably where you read it. They talk about the I Ching era extensively.

[–] grendelkhan 17 years ago

Basically, the 1950's and 60's comics were so watered down and so bland, the character was on the skids. Long-time writer Robert Kaniger seemed to throw out every bizarre story in hopes that something would stick. The bondage and domination themes had been dropped after the Wertham crusade and government hearings, which led to the creation of the Comics Code Authority. In a last desperate ploy, Wonder Woman was stripped of her Amazonian heritage and sent out to live in Man's World as an exile. She had no special powers. Steve Trevor was killed off and she was given a mentor, I Ching, who taught her martial arts and philosophy. The writing was by Dennis O'Neil, who was responsible for returning Batman to his roots.

This time, he turned Wonder Woman into Emma Peel. The art was by Mike sekowsky, who had handled the Silver Age Justice League. Although his Diana looked good, and his art was more dynamic here, it still didn't sizzle and O'Neil soon left for better material. The stories became increasingly bizarre, although noted sci-fi author Samuel R. Delaney contributed a few stories. Finally, the whole idea was scrpped and Diana returned to her Amazon roots, but sales would remain at the bottom of the barrel, despite a costume revamp by Roy Thomas and Gene Colan. The book was cancelled at the end of Crisis on Infinite Earths and then reborn under the hands of The New Teen Titans artist George Perez. The book finally became a hit again under Perez.

This movie was a combination of the "Emma Peel" Diana Prince and the return to her roots that followed in the early 70's. The costume was probably an attempt at a more practical outfit, although it looked pretty bad.

[–] persen1 18 years ago

Would like to see it, but since no one ever has gotten the idea to release it on DVD, i guess that is never going to happen.
I would love to see how Cathy's Wonder Woman looks like, since i only know Lynda's version of her.

[–] HevyChevy 16 years ago

There ya go, Persen1...

http://i3.iofferphoto.com/img/1160204400/_i/14534978/1.jpg

Sorry for the crappy picture, but it was the only one of decent size I could find.

Cathy Lee Crosby is the blond in the red outfit.

The other chick is Elle Wood Walker, from a 60's pilot that never took off.

___________________
Good Shootin', Tex!

[–] Aubries 17 years ago

She does actually have the invisible plane in this movie. It's almost a throw-away line, but she tells Abner about it.

[–] juniusoliver 17 years ago

Oh I remember that yeah, it sounded kinda cool. She said that in her plane she is invisible which makes more sense if you think about. In other adaptations of Wonder Woman the plane is invisible yet she is not lol

[–] tennavision 17 years ago

This movie is a camp fest delight & everything is Sooo over the top about it.

I loves me some Anitra Ford as villianess "Ahn-jel-lah" ,"The Price Is Right" uber model fresh from her stint in "The Big Bird Cage" with Pam Grier she really brings on the RRRRIOT Gurrl!

OMG to see 2 Stunt MEN in drag with bad wigs & major cottage cheese busting outta their polyester slacks doing the fight scenes for Cathy Lee Crosby & Anitra Ford is worth the price of admission alone!

I know this film is considered lame-o because its a radical departure from the traditional story line , but it takes on a whole new glory as a camped up 70's TV "movie of the week". Cathy Lee Crosby's WW costume is more Bowie's Ziggy Stardust Glam Rock than the 40's Patriotic Goddess we all know & love INSANE!

Artie Butler's wicked mini MOOG synthesizer keyboard soundtrack is probably playing in Quentin Tarrantino's CD player right about now , HOTNESS

Is this train wreck on DVD yet? I have a VHS version I taped from the CBS ch. 2 late movie 10 yrs ago ... uhhh, its such a party fave with my friends.

Catch it if you can . Truly a Wonder, Woman!

[–] dianaAthemiscyra 17 years ago

The only place I have seen a DVD of this was at PlanetComicon. If you can get to a comic convention you may be able to pick one up. I did. Could not help it. I saw it when I was little on T.V. It confused me then, but it is a fun little movie.

[–] CesarChrissyNYC 17 years ago

Dear God the movie sucked major balls

[–] CesarChrissyNYC 17 years ago

The movie sucked Major Balls!!

[–] praxagora 17 years ago

CesarChrissyNYC, I have to disagree!
I think that this movie rocks!

It wasn't "traditional", but as others have mentioned, it was following what DC was doing to the character at the time.

It's campy & cheesy, but always stays true to the ideals & character of WW.
And it's just good fun. I love it!

[–] SoForgetIt 16 years ago

Here you go:

http://en.dcdatabaseproject.com/Wonder_Woman_%281974_Movie%29

Pretty good shot of the costume.

If you want to see the entire film, go here:

http://video.aol.com/video/wonder-woman/1726526

A DVD copy can be found on eBay without a lot of effort.

persen1 wrote:

>>Would like to see it, but since no one ever has gotten the idea to release it on DVD, i guess that is never going to happen.
I would love to see how Cathy's Wonder Woman looks like, since i only know Lynda's version of her. <<

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] eugene1001us 16 years ago

The info on IMBD DOES state the film was made during the period when DC Comics in fact de-powered her. So Cathy Lee in fact does make a great seguay between the original "The New Original Wonder Woman" circa 1976, when she was battling Nazis to the later series "The New Adventures of Wonder Woman" (also with Carter). With Cathy Lee somewhat sandwiched in between.

Works for me!!!

[–] skiop 15 years ago

I was never really into comic books, but I thought this one was pretty good. I used to have it on tape, but I saw it so many times, I decided to tape over it. And then I taped over that. I'd take it over the Adam West Batman series any day.