Interview: Anne Collins Ludwick, writer for “Wonder Woman” (1977-79)

Anne Collins Ludwick (then Anne Collins) was not the first female to write scripts for The New Adventures of Wonder Woman. She was the last. To clarify, she wrote the last five episodes (among others). 

On this list of the 10 best eps of the show, five (including the top four) are Anne’s (one based on a story idea from someone else).

I’ve covered various aspects of Wonder Woman before (from two granddaughters of one of his creators to two people who sang on her delicious theme song).

But I was inspired to find/interview Anne because of this line in a 2019 article: “it isn’t super easy to find out information on her.”

That’s throwing down the gauntlet to me.

Luckily Anne did not throw up her bracelets to deflect me. She kindly agreed to an interview and I excitedly share it here:

How did you end up writing for Wonder Woman?

Somewhere in the process of writing three scripts for Hawaii Five-O in the mid-70s, the show’s Story Editor, Curtis Kenyon, helped me get an agent, John Schallert. Though I was working at a PR firm and living in Denver at the time, John successfully pitched me to the people at Wonder Woman, who were looking for a woman to join its writing staff. So I packed up my VW Rabbit, sublet my apartment, and drove out to LA, fully expecting to return within a month once they discovered how inexperienced and untalented I was. 

But to my surprise, I discovered I could, in fact, hold my own when it came to working with and, frequently, heavily editing the work of the (mostly male) freelance writers to whom the show was giving assignments. The Supervising Producer, Bruce Lansbury, was such a joy to work with and so creative and sooo supportive that I stayed in LA for the next seven years and never looked back.

Did you pitch storylines on your own or as part of a team, or were writers assigned certain premises by producers?

Bruce, the studio and the network had a vision for the show, which in its second season saw it move from WWII into the ‘70s, so there was already an informal list of suggested and approved storylines. At that time TV programs were required to utilize freelance writers. We would contact writers we thought would “get” the show and assign a story area to them, though they were also free to pitch their own ideas if they wanted. I, too, could and did pitch ideas, of course, but as story editor I mostly helped outside writers develop their stories and would rewrite/polish their final drafts if/when necessary.

Tell me more about the informal list.

The “list” was a compilation of thoughts and ideas that were tossed around in meetings Bruce Lansbury had with various studio, network, and production company heads as the season progressed. Bruce, in turn, discussed these storylines or, quite often, mere arenas for storylines, in subsequent meetings with me in hopes of determining what writer might be particularly well-suited to tackle which arena. So any “list” I ever had consisted of hastily scrawled, long gone notes. This was waaayyy before index cards on bulletin boards.

It looks like you first wrote for the show during season 2 (of a three-season series). Were you already a fan of the show (or the character)?

I never saw a single episode of Wonder Woman before I joined the show. However, my two brothers and I were avid consumers of DC comics growing up so I was familiar with the character, although I must admit, she was not my fave because, unlike Superman, Superboy, or Surpergirl, she couldn’t fly. (Never was a fan of that invisible plane.)

Is there one story about your Wonder Woman days that you tell more than any other?

My hands doubled for Lynda Carter’s in the episode called (I think) “The Man Who Made Volcanoes.”

Oh, and also, I was walking across the lot (Warner Bros. in Burbank) one day for some reason with the show’s producer, Charlie FitzSimons (wonderful Irish guy, Maureen O’Hara’s brother). As he talked I became aware of a guy walking toward us, someone with the most electrically blue eyes I had ever seen in my life. I couldn’t take my eyes off his, and suddenly had no idea, and could not care less about, what Charlie was saying to me. I recognized the guy’s face, but it was his eyes I’ll never forget. Paul Newman, in the flesh.

Any other funny/inspiring/weird anecdotes about your Wonder Woman experience?

There was one Saturday or Sunday early on in my Wonder Woman stint that I absolutely had to get into my office to write/rewrite something (this was eons before laptops, remember). However, to my horror, the key I was given to the WW office suite would not work. Desperate to get to my typewriter, and more than a little pissed at the key, I took the door handle with both hands and shook it in utter frustration. Causing the lock to break and the door to limp open. I went straight to my office and got to work.

Next thing I know, a wide-eyed security guard was peering at me from around the corner of my doorway, hand on his nightstick, ready to use it on whomever had broken into the suite. I apologized for breaking the door but it was an emergency. I just kept working, and he finally went away to get the door fixed. He also filed a report, so that come Monday everyone knew the story and thought it was quite amusing, and appropriate, that a woman employed by Wonder Woman had busted down a door.

What was it like to be a female writer in Hollywood in the 1970s? How did the men involved with the show treat you?

Frankly, so grateful was I to be getting paid for something I absolutely loved to do that I never gave my gender much thought. I never came close to being pressured into sleeping with someone in order to get work, and I never felt like I was being patronized, or that my work was in any way discounted because I was female. When dealing with some of the older male freelancers (and there were quite a few back then that had written for network TV since its inception), I occasionally detected some arrogance and resistance to my notes on their scripts, but I don’t recall any major incidents. I felt like the producers on the show respected me because I could, and did, get the job done promptly and well.

At the time, did you reflect on the number of women vs. number of men writing for the show?

No, because at that time, there were very few women writing action-adventure, and there was also nowhere near the pressure to hire women and minorities back then that there is now. True, I was hired by WW largely because everyone, including Lynda, felt the show could only benefit from including “a woman’s POV,” but I’m not sure my gender ever really had a big influence on the scripts we churned out.

Do you remember any instances where you felt strongly about an idea that didn’t make it on air?

No. Hey, I well understood the perimeters of what we were creating: WW aired at 8 pm on Friday and was considered “family” programming. Which meant no realistic violence, no swearing, no drinking, no depiction of deviant behavior, no adult situations. The network’s Standards and Practices Department scoured every script and finished episode to make sure nothing that could be construed in any way as offensive made it on the air.

Did you interact with Lynda Carter, and if so, what was your impression of her? Did it change over time in any way?

Lynda was a sweetheart. We didn’t hang out, but our interactions were always pleasant and she always came across as genuine. She wasn’t hired because of her acting skills, and she no doubt knew that, which had to’ve made showing up for work every day somewhat terrifying. But by golly she did her best, and I have to say, whenever I happen to catch an episode, I’m struck with how likeable she comes across on screen. Not just because of her considerable physical beauty, but she has a nice, watchable presence. Probably because she is/was basically a sincerely nice person.

What is your favorite episode that you wrote and why?

“Phantom of the Roller Coaster,” probably because it was such a colorful arena (who doesn’t love amusement parks?) and I have an affinity for Raggedy Man-type stories. It started out as a single episode, but the shoot at Magic Mountain went so well that we made a two-parter out of it, though I forget when in the process that decision was made, or exactly how much more shooting was involved.

What did you do professionally after Wonder Woman?

After WW was cancelled, Bruce Lansbury became the Supervising Producer on Buck Rogers. To repeat, Bruce was one of the kindest, merriest, most creative people I’ve ever known, so when he asked me to come aboard as Story Consultant, I immediately said yes. I was on staff on a couple of other shows after that, and eventually wound up story editing for Matlock while raising two kids in Seattle. I have two fantastic grown-up daughters. 

What are you doing these days?

Living in the PNW, enjoying my WGA pension, and writing, though I’m not sure yet exactly what.

Anne 2022

Are either of your children fans of Wonder Woman?

I don’t think either of them have seen an episode of TV’s Wonder Woman, nor to my knowledge have they read a WW comic book. They both saw and liked the first Wonder Woman movie but passed on the second one (as did I).

Have you participated in any Wonder Woman-related event (comic convention, panel, documentary, etc.)? If not, would you be open to meeting fans and signing autographs?

No thanks. That kinda stuff just isn’t my thing.

Are you still in touch with anyone from the cast or crew?

No. Although I am still in touch with novelist Alan Brennert, the most talented freelancer to ever write for Wonder Woman.

When was the last time you watched Wonder Woman? How did you think it held up?

The last time I caught an episode was probably two years ago. As I said, Lynda was very watchable, but oh my gosh, the production was so amateurish compared to what’s on TV now. The special effects were dreadful, the storyline was simplistic, the dialog was utilitarian, and the characters were one-dimensional. But that was the way episodic TV was back then. The networks had a very low opinion of their audience; we writers were instructed to repeat info important to the plot as often as possible, and to spell things out for viewers instead of relying on them to figure things out. Pretty much the opposite of the way TV is now.

Do you have any mementos from the experience such as set photos, a script, or anything from the set?

I think I have copies of all the scripts I wrote for the show in a trunk somewhere, but that’s about it.

What did you think of the first Wonder Woman movie?

I loved it. It struck just the right tone and it worked. There was one scene—I think Wonder Woman making her way through a battlefield—that was incredibly moving. I didn’t bother to see the second movie after reading the reviews.

What did you think when you first heard my request?

I thought, who the hell would be interested in hearing about my experience on a short-lived TV show that ended more than 40 years ago?

How do you look back on your Wonder Woman experience?

I loved every single minute of it. Needless to say, as a kid originally from Toledo, Ohio, I’d never been on a real movie set before (though I did participate in some student productions during my two years of grad school at UT Austin). It felt good to be part of a major creative endeavor and to have my work appreciated (and well-compensated, though little did they know I would’ve gladly done all that writing for free!).

If the experience changed your life in any way, how?

Though I don’t remember the exact circumstance, I do remember Bruce Lansbury, in response to some expression of self-doubt I’d just made, sternly admonishing me, “You are a writer.” Not sure if he changed my life at that moment, but he definitely defined it.

Anything you’d like to add?

I’ve bored you enough. 

Anne, no you didn’t. If you don’t believe me, put the magic lasso around me…

The first picture book about the creation of Wonder Woman

In the DC Comics universe, Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman have become known as the Trinity. The first time DC officially used that word for the Big Three may have been the 2003 miniseries Batman/Superman/Wonder Woman: Trinity, though please don’t quote me on that.

Since then, two other Trinity series (to date) have come out.

2008

(Side note: at first it seemed odd to me that only one character graced the cover of the first issue of a book called Trinity. But turns out this was setting up a pattern: for most of the series, only one of the three headliners would appear on each cover, though sometimes with other characters. The first time all three—in their most commonly recognizable form—appeared together in full on a cover was #48. The series ended with #52.)

2016

Meanwhile, my book Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman released in 2008.

My book Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman released in 2012.

Over the years, at almost every school visit, a young person has asked if I am going to write about any other superheroes. I said the only other one I would do is Wonder Woman. Before the 2017 Wonder Woman movie, there would be a smattering of claps or cheers, but after, the room would erupt with enthusiasm.

I did start the project. I read Jill Lepore’s superhumanly researched The Secret History of Wonder Woman. And several years before that, I conducted introductory interviews with two grandchildren of William (Bill) Moulton Marston, currently the only person officially credited as the creator of Wonder Woman.

One is Christie Marston, granddaughter of Bill and his wife Elizabeth.

The other is Nancy Wykoff, granddaughter of Bill and Olive Byrne, a woman Bill and Elizabeth welcomed into their home…and their marriage. Not typical picture book fare!

Bill fathered two children with Elizabeth and two with Olive. After he died in 1947, Elizabeth and Olive continued to live and raise the kids together. Speculation persists about whether the two women also had a romantic relationship. More on this below.

As of last month, the picture book version of the Superman/Batman/Wonder Woman trinity is finally complete—but not thanks to me. A True Wonder: The Comic Book Hero Who Changed Everything comes courtesy of Kirsten W. Larson, illustrated by Katy Wu.

Kirsten kindly blogged about other books for young readers that celebrate superhero creators, and I was honored that she included mine.

The subtitle of A True Wonder certainly describes Wonder Woman—it echoes her TV theme song, “change their minds, and change the world”—but not uniquely so; it could also apply to others including Superman (first superhero), Robin (first superhero sidekick), Black Panther (first mainstream Black superhero), Storm (first mainstream Black female superhero), and Northstar (first openly gay superhero). I would have liked the subtitle (or title) to allude to Wonder Woman’s gender, which would be consistent with the book’s emphasis. 

(Side note: firsts—especially in a vast medium like visual storytelling—are often up for debate. Though this includes the ones above, they seem to be the most commonly cited groundbreakers.)

On the cover, Wonder Woman’s costume is tweaked to avoid a copyright or trademark claim. (For the same reason, the covers of my superhero creator books show Superman and Batman in silhouette. Inside, however, under the fair use doctrine, we did show the licensed characters in detail a few times, whereas A True Wonder doesn’t.) I wonder if “Wonder Woman” is not in the subtitle (or the title) out of caution.

A standout factor of A True Wonder is that it honors both Bill Marston and women who later contributed to Wonder Woman’s development—writers, editors, a director, and an actor. In other words, it’s not a biography but rather a broader contextual look at her history, through a predominantly female lens. Kids of all genders will be dazzled, validated, and inspired. 

I especially love that the book mentions the educational “Wonder Women of History” feature that ran in comics in the 1940s. 

Larson cites sources for most dialogue in the book, but a few statements (or thoughts) are invented, which calls to mind a 2021 School Library Journal article about ways informational texts incorporate fabricated elements, yet remain nonfiction. (Of course, fabricated elements are not the same as fabricated “facts.”) Infusing a true story with a fictional aspect (narrative bookends, a Greek chorus throughout, etc.) can make nonfiction more appealing to some readers. Librarians make a judgment call to classify the book as nonfiction or historical fiction, depending on the nature of the fictional ingredients. I maintain that there is no such thing as pure nonfiction anyway!

Wu’s art is aptly striking for a character as fierce as Wonder Woman. Ribbons, stars, and other colorful flourishes give the book a sense of fluidity and propulsion. My favorite image shows the hero dangling from a helicopter (a memorable scene from the TV show). 

In my assessment, Wonder Woman was created by four people; in this book, only two of them are part of the story proper: Bill and Elizabeth (though Elizabeth appears on only one page). The other two appear only in the back matter and also only once: Olive Byrne (the basis of Wonder Woman’s iconic bracelets and allegedly her overall appearance) and original artist Harry G. Peter. I consider both of them (and Elizabeth) to be the “Bill Fingers” of the Wonder Woman origin—inextricably significant but officially uncredited. 

Neither Elizabeth nor Olive wrote or illustrated the first Wonder Woman story (or any subsequent stories that I’m aware of). But being part of a “creation” can mean being there at the beginning in other capacities. Given Bill’s outspoken position on female equality, if any male comics creator of his time would have given credit in print for inspiration, it would’ve been Bill. Yet alas, he didn’t, and as of yet, DC hasn’t, either.

Larson importantly points out that the people who birthed the superhero industry were almost exclusively white men. It bears repeating that the book does a stellar job showcasing the role of women in Wonder Woman’s evolution. It also beautifully brims with people of many colors. As such, I was surprised that the book did not take the next step and show that this diversity (eventually) extended to the fictional world of Wonder Woman, which features nonwhite characters including Nubia and Yara Flor.

Speaking of the fictional side, many kids would have been fascinated by a glimpse of Wonder Woman’s backstory. The opening spread references Greek mythology but the book does not elaborate on the connection. It also does not bring up that Wonder Woman hails from a thriving all-female society, which would intriguingly reinforce the “girl power” message.

On that topic, I feel one passage in the book stumbles. In discussing Wonder Woman editorial changes of the 1960s, the text reads “They took away all that made her a wonder: her costume, her lasso and bracelets, her superpowers.” It may sound nitpicky—and I realize the author didn’t mean it this way or even notice this possible interpretation because every writer encounters this sort of thing at times—but to me “all” comes across as superficial. What makes Wonder Woman a wonder is more than her appearance and enhanced abilities. It is what she does with those abilities. 

Had I followed through on a Wonder Woman book, I was intending to focus on Bill, Elizabeth, Olive, and later Harry. I might not have gone beyond the 1940s, addressing the rest of Wonder Woman’s vital history in the author’s note. (I took this approach in Boys of Steel.) 

Before completing research, I was already so excited that I wrote a possible opening:

Superman. Batman. Sandman. Hawkman. Hourman. Starman. 

Notice anything about that list of superheroes?

A professor named William Moulton Marston did. And did something about it. 

But like those heroes, who formed the Justice Society of America so together they could accomplish what individually they couldn’t, William also needed a team. 

Unlike the Justice Society, which was originally all men and then all men and one woman, William’s team started as all women and one man.

I was further intending to gently introduce polyamory, the act of loving multiple people (not to be confused with polygamy, or marrying multiple people). 

Yes, I know some adults would vehemently disapprove of a book for young readers trying to destigmatize polyamory. There would be banning (or attempted banning). But Bill, Elizabeth, and Olive were in a consensual relationship—no deception or betrayal involved. I feel I’d owe it to their memory...and their bravery.

In recent years, picture books for young readers have made tremendous strides in covering topics that were once considered taboo for the format—from transgender and non-binary people to white privilege to tattoos. In my vision, the interpersonal adult dynamics of Wonder Woman’s creators would not have been the main thread, but because the unit of Bill, Elizabeth, and Olive influenced the “love is love” essence that Wonder Woman often embodies, I feel it would be critical to touch on it in an age-appropriate way. Others agree!

This is an excellent take on the imperative to throw the Lasso of Truth around ourselves and acknowledge both the full list of people who should be credited for Wonder Woman and the unconventional yet no less respectable relationship among three of those creators. The article speaks to not only the nobility of the hero but also the notion of tolerance—which goes full circle back to the nobility of the hero.

Wonder Woman would trust in us to rise to the occasion.

Thank you, Kirsten and Katy, for telling this story. Let’s get the DC superheroes picture book trinity together for a panel!

This is how you fan

A kind fellow named Danny has tweeted compliments a number of times about Batman & Bill and my work in general. It's not every month someone custom-produces a T-shirt with art from one of your books:

Even I don't have a Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman T-shirt. (I do, however, have some Bill Finger ones. As do others. Including Danny.)

Thank you again, Danny. Keep up that positive spirit!

By the way, happy 104th birthday, Bill!

The DC Comics Trinity…of grandchildren

In 2008, DC began publishing a limited series headlined, for the first time, by only their big three: Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.

While on the subject, here's Christie Marston, granddaughter of William Moulton Marston, co-creator of Wonder Woman, and Athena Finger, granddaughter of Bill Finger, co-creator of Batman.

photo arranged by and courtesy of 

Art Cloos, Overstreet advisor

Seeing this prompted me to contact Laura Siegel Larson, daughter of Jerry Siegel, co-creator of Superman, to ask about the possibility of arranging another photo, this time with an addition: a grandchild of Jerry's. Must complete the Trinity!

 

 2016 series (issue #3…of course)

Laura kindly forwarded my message to her two sons, Jerry's grandsons. As of this writing, one has responded to say he's game and that (how did I not know this?) he and his brother have already attended comic conventions. As do Athena and Christie.

So while we haven't planned a specific date/time for a Trinity Legacy photo to be taken, I am confident it will happen.

Superman is a writer

From Sensation Comics Featuring Wonder Woman #16, written by Jason Badower:

Wonder Woman to Superman: “You can write.” 

Comic-Con 2014: Bill Finger rises

On 7/24-25/14, I had the privilege of attending Comic-Con International (commonly called San Diego Comic-Con) to appear on three panels, two of which were Bill Finger-focused:

• “Spotlight on Bill Finger, the Co-Creator of Batman”; 7/24/14, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., room 4; panelists: Tom Andrae, Mark Evanier, Lee Meriwether, Jens Robinson, Michael Uslan, me; moderator: Travis Langley
• “Kids’ Heroes, Capes, and Journeys: Does One Size Fit All?”; 7/24/14, 4-5 p.m., room 29A; panelists: Frank Cammuso, Alexis E. Fajardo, Jenni Holm, Matthew Holm, Dave Roman, me; moderator: Meryl Jaffe
• “Who Created Batman?”; 7/25/14, 2:30-3:30 p.m., (room) CAC 8; panelists: Tom Andrae, Athena Finger, Denny O’Neil, Brad Ricca, Jens Robinson, Arlen Schumer, Nicky Wheeler-Nicholson, me; moderator: Travis Langley

I came via train from Los Angeles and sat next to a DC Comics lawyer who ended up attending both Batman panels I was on. After the first panel, an attendee kindly asked if he could have my badge. While flattering, I had to say no because I could not get back in without it. 

A writer for Huffington Post Italy interviewed me with some insightful questions; he also asked if I planned to attend the screening of Gotham to publicly ask if Bill’s name will be in the credits. (I see his point but feel that would not be a proper approach.)

Before the “Who Created Batman” panel, a friend said he assumed I would simply stand up at the start of it, say “Bill Finger,” drop the mike, and swagger out. I did not do that but I did share the suggestion with the audience.

One of the most important people in Billfingerography (the study of Bill Finger) is Jim Steranko, who in 1970 became one of only three known people to interview Bill (the other two being Jerry Bails in 1965 and Bob Porfirio in 1972). I had the honor of meeting Jim in person at Comic-Con and gave him the only copy of Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman I brought. It was also the first copy of the Scholastic Book Club paperback edition I signed for anyone. Yes, he humored me by asking me to autograph it.

Photo recap:

 Appropriate that mere minutes after arriving in San Diego,

I passed the Hall of Justice.

 First San Diego appearance for Athena!

 Hard to imagine Bill’s name appearing in a DC ad 

even a couple of years ago.

 Truly one of the biggest honors of my career: being asked to write about Bill 

for the souvenir book that went to all 130,000 attendees.

Selfie with (restored) Detective #27.

 Selfie with (restored) Action Comics #1.

 Standing room only Finger panel panorama. (Panelrama.)

 Athena and Ben accepting a posthumous Inkpot Award for Bill.

 The Finger panelists. (source: Jamie Coville)

 Another great turnout: the “Who Created Batman?” panel.

 Mark Evanier and Athena presenting the Bill Finger Awards 

during the Eisners.

 One of the great joys and honors of my Comic-Con was not only

meeting Susan Eisenberg, who portrayed Wonder Woman in  

Justice League and (my favorite) Justice League Unlimited, 

but also getting to hang out with her.

She is fun, gracious...a class act.

 Susan and Phil LaMarr (Green Lantern John Stewart in JL and JLU).

We also tried to see their teammate Kevin Conroy, 

whom I paneled with in May, but alas, the timing did not work.

 Susan and the official Wonder Woman of Six Flags (which one, I forget).

 Golden Age granddaughters!

The grandchildren of Shelly Moldoff, Sheldon Mayer, and Bill Finger.

The “Hero Complex” column of the Los Angeles Times covered the Finger panel; excerpts:

A gift for Derek Wolfford for doing me a huge (non-Con) favor and 

for running the Bill Finger Appreciation Group on Facebook... 

the Detective Comics #27 tribute issue signed by six Bat-luminaries: 

Athena Finger (top)

Denny O’Neil (below Athena)

Jim Steranko (below Denny)

Neal Adams (below Steranko)

Lee Meriwether (the second live-action Catwoman, and an articulate delight)

Michael Uslan

Name drop section:

It was fun to catch up in person with…

• everyone on my panels
• Chris Duffy
• Dan Santat
• Jeff Trexler
• Gerard Jones
• Josh Elder
• Glen Weldon
• Karen Green
• Scott McCloud
• Charlie Kochman
• Melissa Wiley
• Jamie Coville
• David Siegel
• Kendall Whitehouse
• Ray Feighery
• Chelle Mayer

It was a pleasure to meet in person for the first time…

• Jim Steranko
• Denny O’Neil
• Neal Adams
• Alethia Mariotta
• A.J. and Erica Schultz
• Pat Evans
• Phil Nel
• Dean Trippe
• Joey Cavalieri
• Chad Beckerman (also from Cheshire, CT)
• Shannon Hale
• Mike Maihack
• Matt Keller (at DC)

Thank you again to…

• Travis Langley and Mark Evanier for getting me there
• Gary Sassaman for asking me to write about Bill for the souvenir book
• Jenni Holm for inviting me to be on a panel with an impressive crew
• Meryl Jaffe for moderating said panel with wit and depth
• Sheila Marie Everett and Raina Telgemeier for getting me into the Scholastic party
• Athena and Ben for making your big debut

“Wonder Woman” theme singer interview (2 of 2): Julia Waters

How old were you when you sang on the theme song for season 1 of Wonder Woman?

A lady never tells her age!

What else were you doing professionally at the time?

Along with my family, I was busy doing other session work: records, movies, commercials, and other television sitcoms.

Julia (top left), 1970s

Where were you living at the time?

Los Angeles.

How were you hired?

John Bähler was the contractor for the session and he hired me along with Marti [McCall] and Carolyn [Willis].

Were you a Wonder Woman fan?

I loved Wonder Woman. Before the TV show, I enjoyed reading the comic books of superheroes: Wonder Woman, Batman, Superman.

Any funny stories from the recording?

I don’t recall any funny stories. I just remember having a good time working with the other singers.

What did you think of the song?

I liked the song and still do.

What did you think of the show?

I enjoyed the show. I liked the idea of a woman superhero.

Did you ever meet Lynda Carter, and if so, how was that?

Never met her.

What were you paid?

I was paid union scale; don’t recall how much that was back then. Still receive a few small residuals from the show.

What are your most cherished/funniest Wonder Woman stories since (a reaction when someone you meet discovers you were the theme song singer, etc.)?

I don’t have any stories to tell. As I said before, Wonder Woman was just one of the many projects that I was blessed to have sang on.

What are you doing these days?

I still stay very busy doing what I do. My family The Waters were featured in the Oscar-winning 20 Feet from Stardom. We also received the Ella Voice Award 2014 [from the] SOS (Society of Singers). Some of the most recent artists that I have work with are Adele, Pet Shop Boys, Noah and the Whale, Muse, Neil Diamond, Rod Stewart, Alfie Boe, just to name a few. I am also a member of Neil Diamond’s touring band. I feel very blessed to still find myself in the mix.

What do you consider your career highlight to date?

Still being able to work in an industry doing what I love to do—using my God-given talent to make music.

Where do you live?

I live in the Los Angeles area.

If you have kids, how many/how old and what do they think of your Wonder Woman role?

I have one daughter. Don’t know if she has given it any thought. She is used to me doing a lot of great things.

What did you think when you first heard from me?

Don’t quite understand what you mean by the question.

Has anyone else ever interviewed about this? If so, when and for what publication?

No!

Have you appeared at any fan conventions to sign autographs? If not, would you?

No! [MTN: I suspect that refers to the first, not second, question.]

How do you look back on the experience?

To be honest with you, I looked at it as a blessing for another pay day, although I enjoyed the Wonder Woman series. I always enjoy working on new projects.

Interview with lead singer on Wonder Woman, John Bähler.

“Wonder Woman” theme singer interview (1 of 2): John Bähler

In your satin tights

Fighting for your rights
And the old Red, White, and Blue

For a while now, I’ve been interested in finding and interviewing the singer(s) of the iconic theme to the 1970s Wonder Woman TV show (1975-1979).

Thanks to Pat Evans, I learned the name of the male lead—John Bähler—and thanks to John, I learned of the background singers. One, Marti McCall, has passed away. Another, Carolyn Willis (70 this year and retired), did not respond to repeated requests. But the third, Julia Waters, gave an interview.

First, here is John’s:

How old were you when you sang lead on the theme song for season 1 of Wonder Woman?

I was in my late 20s, maybe 28?

What else were you doing professionally at the time?

I was a “first call” studio singer and arranger. I was fortunate to have a pretty full schedule even though I was freelance.

Where were you living?

I think I was living in Studio City, California.

John and wife Janet Lennon, mid-1970s

How were you hired?

I knew Charles Fox from other TV themes I had sung for him and I think he called me directly.

Who were the other singers on the song?

Julia Waters-Tillman, Maxine Waters, and I believe Carolyn Willis was the third girl. [NOTE: According to Julia Waters-Tillman, the third was not her sister Maxine but rather Marti McCall, who, as mentioned, has passed away.]

Any funny stories from the recording?

Not really. Yes we had fun because we loved what we did for a living, but I recall being on a huge sound stage at one of the major companies (could have been Warner Bros.) and we were under a time restriction (as all sessions were) so we just got down to business and got the job done.

1970s (John second from right)

What did you think of the song?

I love all Charlie Fox’s compositions. He is the best. The song actually “sang itself,” meaning that it was easy to sing in our part and invited us to use all of the energy we could muster. I think the performance shows that.

What did you think of the show?

Lynda Carter was a terrific Wonder Woman, however I was so busy doing recording sessions (movies, TV shows, and record dates) that I had little time to watch television.

Did you ever meet Lynda Carter, and if so, how was that?

Unfortunately I never me Lynda. Wish I had!

What were you paid? 

Union scale with residuals. We always worked for “scale.” It was simply what we did.

with Elvis Presley, circa 1968

Any photos from the recording?

I don’t have any pics from the recording (wish I did).

What are your most cherished/funniest Wonder Woman stories since (a reaction when someone you meet discovers you were the theme song singer, etc.)?

The reaction I get more than any other is a greater respect for me when people find out. It’s sad but true. However, I’ll take all of the respect I can get no matter how it comes!

What are you doing these days?

I’m semi-retired. I’ve been doing portrait photography for the last ten years and am considering retiring from that. I still do backup singing when I can and I still do quite a bit or arranging, both vocal and instrumental.

What do you consider your career highlight to date?

There are too many to pick one; however, one session stands out. I got a call to be at Paramount Studio M for a movie with Elmer Bernstein. When I got to the studio, I was chatting with several of the musicians I knew and when it was time for the session to start, I realized that I didn’t see any other singers there!

I walked into this gigantic sound stage with an orchestra of 50 or 60 and I noticed a small vocal booth set up between the French horn and trombone section. There I was, on my own, inside a small vocal booth with a microphone and a music stand smack dab in the middle of this huge orchestra. Elmer had written a part for me to enhance the trombones and French horn.

When at the end of the session I was reminded that there never had to be a re-take because of me, I really thought I had “made it” as a musician! How thrilling is that! And the really sad thing is…I don’t remember the name of the movie!

late 1960s

Where do you live?

We moved to Branson, Missouri over 20 years ago and we love it.

If you have kids, how many/how old and what do they think of your Wonder Woman role?

We have five children (our oldest is 50 and our youngest is 43), 12 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. I think my kids are proud of me and the various recordings in which I’ve been a part. I sure hope so.

What did you think when you first heard from me?

I was flattered! I’ve found that if you live long enough people will find things about your career and be inquisitive. I’m super proud of that.

Has anyone else ever interviewed about this? If so, when and for what publication?

Not specifically for Wonder Woman.

Have you appeared at any fan conventions to sign autographs? If not, would you?

No, I haven’t but I would be happy to if invited.

How do you look back on the experience?

It was one of many like experiences. I look back with pride knowing I did my very best.

Anyone else connected with Wonder Woman you suggest I interview?

Not that I’m aware of.

Anything you’d like to add?

I would like to thank you for caring enough to ask me to do this interview. It’s kinda nice going back in time and remembering how special it was.

Interview with backup singer on Wonder Woman, Julie Waters.