Remembering Stella Stevens (1938-2023)

Just days after losing Raquel Welch, another 70s icon has passed away.  Stella Stevens, who starred in The Poseidon Adventure and several other of my favorite movies died today at age 84 from Alzheimer's disease.  Born October 1, 1938 in Yazoo City, Mississippi, she made her acting debut in Say One for Me in 1959 for which she won a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer - Female.  In 1972, she appeared in The Poseidon Adventure, a classic disaster movie, and then in 1973, she starred in the horror-comedy Arnold. Just two years later, she played the bad guy Marcia in the pilot for the new Wonder Woman series starring Lynda Carter.

She appeared with Angela Lansbury in Funeral at Fifty-Mile, an episode of Murder, She Wrote.

I don't know why I love this fight scene between Marcia (Stella) and Wonder Woman (Lynda).

Isis episode "No Drums No Trumpets" airs 1975

One of my favorite episodes of Isis, No Drums, No Trumpets, first aired November 15, 1975. I like it because the climax isn't Isis saving a dopey teenager from doing something stupid.  That's actually how the episode begins, which is a strange but welcome turn.  The episode ends with Isis actually using her powers to fight crime.  Watch the episode below!

JoAnna Cameron appears as the goddess Isis, with Brian Cutler, and Joanna Pang. Mark Lambert plays the sore loser of the high school's science fair.  Actress Christopher Norris, who had a supporting role in the episode, would appear in another superhero show.  She appeared in the final episode of the first season of Wonder Woman.

"Wonder Woman" debuts 1975

DC's mightiest heroine Wonder Woman, based on the character developed by William Moulton Marston, debuted on television November 7, 1975, with the incomparable, beautiful Lynda Carter in the title role.  The pilot episode featured Lyle Waggoner (Steve Trevor), the amazing Cloris Leachman (Queen Hippolyta), Red Buttons, Stella Stevens, Fannie Flagg, Henry Gibson, Anne Ramsey, and Kenneth Mars.

The pilot episode was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Graphic Design and Title Sequences.  

The series ran for three seasons from 1975 until 1979.

"The Incredible Hulk" debuts 1977

The Incredible Hulk, starring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno as the titular character, debuted on November 4, 1977.  Susan Sullivan appeared in the two-hour premiere.  At one time three superhero series existed simultaneously.  The Amazing Spider-Man premiered just two months prior and Wonder Woman debuted in 1975.   

The Incredible Hulk ran for 5 seasons from 1977 to 1982.  It was a ratings success, but was cancelled suddenly at the end of the fifth season. Throughout its run, it garnered three Primetime Emmy awards, winning one for Mariette Harley for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Series.

Wonder Woman episode "Light Fingered Lady" airs 1978

Light-Fingered Lady, the thirteenth episode of the second season of Wonder Woman, aired January 6, 1978.  It's one of my favorite episodes, because it has a Mission: Impossible feel to it.  Diana Prince/Wonder Woman goes undercover to capture an elusive thief before he disappears forever.  The thief was played by Greg Morris, who starred in the television series Mission: Impossible. 

"The Secrets of Isis" debuts 1975

A brand-new superhero debuted in her first episode, Secrets of Isis, September 6, 1975.  Gorgeous Joanna Cameron appeared as a science teacher (Andrea Thomas), who inherits the power of the Egyptian goddess Isis.  She uses those powers to fight evil.

The Lights of Mystery Mountain, the first episode also starring Brian Cutler and Joanna Pang, had Miss Thomas and Isis investigating UFOs in the mountains above Los Angeles.

The Secrets of Isis lasted for just 1 1/2 seasons before being inexplicably cancelled, despite its popularity. 

It was the first television series to feature a female superhero as the main character, airing just a few weeks before Wonder Woman starring Lynda Carter in November 1975.

Also, Isis was not a superhero that had appeared in DC Comics, Marvel Comics or any other publication prior to the show. 

Remembering John Saxon (1935-2020)

My favorite bad guy, John Saxon, passed away yesterday from pneumonia.  He would have turned 85 next week.  I always thought he was handsome and he was always popping up as the bad guy: The Six Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Woman, Wonder Woman, Murder, She Wrote.

He also appeared with Angela Lansbury in The Reluctant Debutante and with Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon.

Saxon won a Golden Globe in 1958 as Most Promising Newcomer - Male for his role in This Happy Feeling.

May he rest in peace.

Remembering Lyle Waggoner (1935-2020)

Lyle Waggoner, the heartthrob who starred on the Carol Burnett Show and Wonder Woman, passed away today.  I always enjoyed seeing him on the Carol Burnett Show, with his tall, dark, handsome looks.  I think he was a great Steve Trevor on Wonder Woman.  He won the TV Land Legend Award in 2005 sharing the award with Carol Burnett, Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, and Bob Mackie.

Wonder Woman episode "The Deadly Toys" airs 1977

I don't know why this is one of my favorite episodes of Wonder Woman, but The Deadly Toys is a lot of fun.  Perhaps its Frank Gorshin as a dirty old man (the Toymaker, but not the Superman villain Toymaker), who makes a life-sized Wonder Woman robot.  One wonders why he really made her.  Hmmm....

Frank Gorshin played the Riddler in Batman, with Adam West and Burt Ward.  He also appeared in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (also with Adam West).  So he's been up against  DC's Big 3!

In The Deadly Toys, Frank Gorshin and John Rubinstein are replacing scientists with look-alike robots so they can create a powerful weapon.  But Diana Prince and Wonder Woman are on to them.

I really liked the scene with the remote-controlled attack plane but couldn't find the clip.