Wonder Woman

When this first aired, I didn't like it. It wasn't the Wonder Woman I had seen in the comics. Not even close. A few more viewings over the years didn't change that opinion. But now, after a long break and forty years after its premiere, I can be a bit more objective and less hard-nosed. It really wasn't as bad as I used to think.

A lot of people preferred the Lynda Carter version, but seriously, aside from being somewhat more faithful to the comic, it wasn't that much better. That was just as campy, if not more. Nor was it completely faithful. The familiar twirling costume change was unique to that show, just a shortcut to avoid showing the character having to find a place to change or stash her clothes and costume. Early episodes didn't even have the "explosion," just a fade between wardrobe. And seriously, how many times can one watch Six Million Dollar Man-style leaps, which were also not from the comic? This Wonder Woman seemed to use her wits to get out of jams more than the better-known one did.

I did get a little bored with the constant parade of perils in this movie. Seems she was under attack every ten minutes. Just in time for a commercial break, of course. These Amazons were also annoying. Every time they spoke to each other, they were spouting stilted fortune cookie platitudes rather than sounding like actual dialog.

Ricardo Montalban as Abner Smith was probably the best part of the movie. Suave, classy, charismatic, charming and quite possibly the most honorable, least violent villain in TV history. Definitely not the clichéd murderous adversary trying to kill the hero by whatever means necessary. He never even lost his temper and yelled at his henchmen no matter how many times they disobeyed orders or failed. This was a proto-Roarke, a wise, imaginative, level-headed boss who was intelligent and anticipated almost every contingency. (The white suit didn't hurt, either, although even Mr. Roarke sometimes displayed a darker side not seen here.) And he never lost his composure even in the face of defeat and incarceration. He would have been splendid as her arch-enemy had this series been ordered, that rarest of animals, the likable villain that one could almost root for. Not to be confused with anti-heroes who were flawed but had good intentions. This was a selfish person who maintained his dignity, civility, principles and manners even toward his foes.

As the previous reviewer has commented, fans of the "Wonder Woman" comic and the later effort by Lynda Carter will overall be very disappointed. Indeed, this is not the Wonder Woman we are used to (different 70's style "no cleavage" costume, blond hair) but Cathy Lee Crosby is indeed a wonder to behold. Having moved on from semi-pro tennis player with little acting experience, she holds her own well against foe Ricardo Montalban (although this "foe" has to be one of the most charming, non-threatening villains ever portrayed in a Super Hero film). Notable appearance by original "Price Is Right" gal Anitra Ford as a fellow Paradise Island "lady gone bad." Quirky highlights include a "James Bond" type arsenal of bracelets, a "hidden" not-so-magic lasso, and, low and behold, Wonder Woman actually checking in to a hotel (perhaps someone would notice she's really Diana Price?). And who could ever forget Artie Butler's catchy theme that sounds like it uses a Dentist's drill as the main instrument. Believe it or not, I do enjoy this TV Movie as an "alternative" Wonder Woman, but I'm just glad that ABC gave the Super Heroine another chance after this failed Pilot. The world may have never met Lynda Carter.

When I first saw this film, I was like many others and wanted to see Wonder Woman in her traditional garb and as a brunette. What we got was Cathy Lee Crosby, in her pre-That's Incredible! days. She wasn't the super heroine I had heard about, what she was was a "Girl From Uncle" rip-off.

Also of note, this was made during the period when D.C. Comics, the publisher of the "Wonder Woman" comic book had taken away her powers and made her into a non-super powered woman with the explanation that all the amazons had left Paradise Island for another dimension to replenish their immortality, leaving Diana behind. Within a year, the Amazons returned to Earth and Diana had regained her powers.

I saw this movie when I was a kid and was very disappointed that Cathy Lee Crosby looked nothing like Diana Prince, not even the costume! But I did like her portrayal of the Amazon Princess. She was strong, warm and really endearing. And I really liked the rivalry storyline between Diana and her "corrupted" sister who was lured by the things she could get for herself now that she was away from Paradise Island. That was very interesting because it wasn't resolved, her sister denounced how she was raised and Diana kept firm to her own beliefs. They agreed to disagree and there was still a mutual sisterly respect in the end. A little bit of depth in an otherwise shallow attempt at a pilot with a charming lead actress.

An early attempt to "modernize" Wonder Woman for the 1970s. Everybody seems to think this was boring or campy. I saw it on TV when I was 12. While I admit it's not a great film it's not THAT bad!

Cathy Lee Crosby was totally miscast but she does the best she can. I loved how before each commercial there was a cliffhanger. Personally I was never bored and I loved the new uniform (the other one I always thought showed WAY too much skin). The movie was also (for its time) pretty violent. I remember being surprised when two characters were shot to death. It was off screen but still... Obviously this movie wasn't the big hit they expected so they went back to the original costume and hired Lynda Carter (who WAS Wonder Woman). So this didn't work but I have a soft spot for it.