In 1975 Lynda Carter rocked the world of pop culture when she started fighting for our rights (in her satin tights), as the first popular live-action Wonder Woman.
The show ran for four years and in that time she helped propel the character into a feminist hero. Of course, as well as the catchy theme tune, invisible jet, and trusty lasso of truth, a massive component of the iconography was her outfit, a costume only someone with Carter’s beauty and charisma could pull off. Here are some fun facts about the legendary attire.
10 It was very dangerous
Carter performed a lot of her own stunts on the show, and as you can imagine with so much exposed skin a lot of them were extremely dangerous. When shooting a scene where her stunt double Jeannie Epper had to hang from a helicopter, the show makers were in despair as you could clearly see it wasn’t the lead. So Lynda decided to do the stunt herself because, well, she’s Wonder Woman! producers were furious as not only did they jeopardize their star, the didn’t even use protective attachments on her bracelets should she lose her grip.
9 A New Spin On Things
One of the most imitated aspects of Wonder Woman is the spin around costume change. Originally this was done in slow motion, as Diana Prince spun into a slow fade into her super-powered alter ego.
However, this effect was only used in the first few episodes as it proved to be too expensive and time-consuming. It was replaced by a normal speed spin, into a light ball effect to obscure the cross over.
8 Costume Change
Despite the show being a hit, it was not renewed by ABC as it’s World War II setting was too costly to produce. So when CBS picked up the series the following year it made a number of changes including the era. The show now took place in the modern-day 1970s. Another modification was the look of Wonder Woman herself, as she received a brand new costume.
7 70’s Chic
The biggest difference between wartime Wonder Woman and her 70’s self was the chest plate. Back in her WWII guise, she had a winged eagle design whereas her later golden emblem featured palm tree style gold stripes. Although the newer costume was more flattering, it instantly dates this interpretation into the decade of disco. In the comics it would finally evolve into the “W” logo we know and love today.
6 Belts and Bracelets
While on the subject of the comics, there were quite a few differences between comic and TV Diana’s powers, especially where her costume is concerned. As well as deflecting bullets, in the funny books, Wonder Woman’s bracelets kept her Amazonian rage under control, no doubt a product of creator William Moulton Marston’s dubious kinks.
In the show, it was changed, quite rightfully, that her belt was needed to channel her Paradise Island powers. The bracelets had no control over her abilities.
5 Special Bracelets
That doesn’t mean the bracelets didn’t serve an important role! They were made from feminism, changed from the comic’s Amazonian, and helped Diana deflect bullets. As this was way back in the days before CGI, the effect was achieved by small pyros attached to the wrist armor which Carter would set off via a remote control hidden in her clenched fist. As mentioned before, it was extremely dangerous.
4 Original Costume (Cathy Lee Crosby)
Although Lynda Carter is often credited as the first live-action version of the character, tennis star Cathy Lee Crosby did play the role first in a TV pilot/movie a year or so before but had very little resemblance to what we know and love. This Wonder Woman wore a jumpsuit consisting of stars and stripes, resembling ABC’s hit show The Bionic Woman, or stunt driver extraordinaire Evil Knievel.
3 Wild Wild West
In the episode “The Buchwackers” a western adventure featuring Nazi cattle rustlers (the worst kind of cattle rustlers), aside from her lasso Wonder Woman’s set up wasn’t very practical for riding a horse, at least according to co-guest star Roy Rogers. As such, the decision was made to give her more dignified, conservative clothing for cowgirl business, whilst retaining the Wonder Woman class. It consisted of a red top and white bottoms but kept the red boots.
2 Wonder Wetsuit
Costume designer Donfeld, one word, like Cher, had created a red white and blue bikini for Wonder Woman to adorn when going on underwater adventures. The problem was it had difficulty staying on Carter and all though this would have pleased many a young lad who watched the show, the decision was made to opt for a blue star-spangled wet suit instead. On anyone else, it wouldn't look very flattering, but Lynda Carter could probably rock up to a red carpet in a potato sack and still look fabulous.
1 Safety first
Although Wonder Woman is pretty much invulnerable, she still had to set an example to the girls and boys watching at home, which means safety first! When riding a motorcycle she would be sure to wear her stunt suit, which was pretty much just her wetsuit, but with the addition of a helmet and goggles. Additionally, when popping ollies and clocking in gnarly grinds on her skateboard, she would wear a wonderful red and gold helmet and arm-pad combo.
Too many people, Lynda Carter is to Wonder Woman what Christopher Reeve was to Superman. The definitive, and the to this day, the best.
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April 26, 2020 at 07:30AM
