Wonderbug facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wonderbug |
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C.C., Susan, Barry, and Wonderbug
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| Created by | Joe Ruby Ken Spears |
| Starring | David Levy John-Anthony Bailey Carol Anne Seflinger |
| Voices of | Frank Welker |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of episodes | 22 |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Sid and Marty Krofft |
| Running time | 0:15 (per episode) |
| Production company(s) | Sid and Marty Krofft Television Productions |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABC |
| Original release | September 11, 1976 – September 2, 1978 |
Wonderbug was a fun part of an American TV show called The Krofft Supershow. It aired from 1976 to 1978. The show was filmed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Later, it was shown again on ABC on Sunday mornings.
Contents
Meet Wonderbug and Schlepcar
Wonderbug has a secret identity, much like a superhero! Its regular form is called "Schlepcar." Schlepcar is an old, rusty dune buggy made from different junked cars. Its California license plate even says "SCHLEP."
Just like the famous car Herbie from Disney movies, Schlepcar is alive. It can drive itself and even talk, though it mostly mumbles. Three teenagers, Barry Buntrock (David Levy), C.C. McNamara (John Anthony Bailey), and Susan Talbot (Carol Anne Seflinger), found Schlepcar in a junkyard.
How Schlepcar Becomes Wonderbug
When a special magic horn is blown, Schlepcar changes into the shiny, orange Wonderbug! The horn plays a "cavalry charge" tune. In its Wonderbug form, the car can fly! It helps the three teens catch bad guys and stop trouble.
Wonderbug looks like a Volkswagen-based Meyers Manx dune buggy. It was actually a "Dune Runner" model. This car had cool moving eyeball headlights and a custom bumper that looked like a mouth. Sometimes, different bumpers were used to give Wonderbug different facial expressions. When the car mumbled, a rubber puppet was sometimes used to make its mouth move.
Wonderbug's Special Features
Inside the car, where a back seat would normally be, there was a box. The characters called it the "costume/wardrobe trunk." This box actually hid a secret driver for scenes where the car drove itself! Wonderbug also had a long radio antenna on its fender with a robot-like claw. When it transformed, its license plate changed to "1DERBUG."
Barry often thought he was the smartest of the group. But it was usually Susan who came up with the best ideas to save the day. A funny thing that happened often (a running gag) was that Barry would suggest a crazy plan. C.C. and Susan would know it was silly. Then Susan would suggest a much better plan, often involving disguises. Barry would then pretend it was his idea, and C.C. would praise him! Susan didn't mind and even told someone, "You get used to it."
Other Shows and Toys
Wonderbug was part of a bigger show called The Krofft Supershow. It shared its hour-long time slot with other fun shows like Magic Mongo, Bigfoot and Wildboy, Dr. Shrinker, The Lost Saucer, and Electra Woman and Dyna Girl.
In 1977, the Ideal Toy Company made a board game based on Wonderbug. Also, in 1976, Aladdin Industries created a metal lunchbox featuring the show.
Episodes
Wonderbug had a total of 22 episodes across two seasons. The first season aired in 1976, and the second season aired in 1977.
