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THE SET
The 1975-1981 "Wheel of Fortune" set featured some slight differences from the
set of the Pat and Vanna days. In retrospect, the set does have that disco-ey 70s
feel to it, but it still made for a decent set for "Wheel." Here are some of those
differences...
 
THE CONTESTANTS' BACKDROP
The contestants' backdrop consisted of these three rectangular walls
that kind-of arched over the contestants heads. They had these panels that
were made up of this green-discoball-square-tiles reflecting the wheel
spining and the puzzle board. Sometimes you had the illusion that you were
seeing another room behind the contestants! Above the disco-tiles there
was an egg-carton light display that lit up in green digits the champion's
total winnings and also any money that the contestant had "on account."
Whenever a contestant put money "on account," there would also be a sign
lit up over the numbers that said "ON ACCOUNT." Above this digit display
were another set of disco-tiles but in a silver color. The sunburst backdrops
made their first apperance near end of the Chuck and Susan era in December 1981.
  
THE RAILING AND PODIUMS
The railing and podiums were slightly the same as today's with a couple
of minor differences. The railing curved around a bit more on Chuck's side
and of course there was the container to hold the FREE SPINS in. The contestants'
arrows were the same but the score display was slightly smaller holding
up to 5 digts, six if you drop the dollar sign.
THE PUZZLE BOARD
The puzzle board wasn't as ornate as the one we all know from present-day
"Wheel." It also wasn't as big as the present puzzle board. The board only
held up to three rows of letters and the circular arch borders didn't exist.
Instead, there was a long row of lights in this rectangle-with-ovaled-sides
shape surrounding the board. Also, in the early seasons of the series,
the outer border of lights would be off. Then, when a letter in the
puzzle was revealed the border would light up along with the letters.
THE PRIZE STAGE
The prizes during the Chuck and Susan years were not on a turntable.
Instead they were spread out over the stage into little sections representing
the different kinds of shops (e.g. The Travel Botique). After the opening
spiel, a golden curtain would drop behind Chuck Woolery as he entered the
stage. Also, the lighting would shift a little towards a purplish-blue
hue.
THE WHEEL
Here are the "top dollar values" for the wheel when it began:
$500-first round $750-second round $1000-third round
They were then raised to the following:>
$750-first round $1000-second round $2000-third round
FREE SPIN TERRITORY: When the show began, the "Free Spin" remained
on the wheel throughout the whole game. Around 1979, the "Free Spin" only
appeared during the first round.
The wheel could actually be seen spinning in the shot when they cut
to a camera shot of the puzzle board. This was really neat because it made
put the contestants in a somewhat more intimate setting.
 
The center of the Wheel was green for a reason. It was used in this
neat Chroma-key effect where they would zoom out from Chuck and Susan after
the goodbyes putting them in the center of the spinning wheel!
THE MUSIC AND SOUNDS
THE THEME SONG!
The original theme song to "Wheel of Fortune" ("Big Wheels") was written
by none other than Alan Thicke (the "Growing Pains" guy who also blessed us
with the "Diff'rent Storkes" theme and "The Facts of Life" theme). The neat
melodic-brass joined together with a strong rhythm on bongos and a neat piano
riff make this THE best "Wheel" theme and one of the all-time greatest game
show themes. Click here to take a listen to this
awesome theme during the opening or here.
SOUND EFFECTS
BUZZER - The original buzzer that sounded when a player incorrectly
guessed a letter had much hollower sound and was a tad bit louder. This
buzzer was also used for some time on the Barry-Enright classic, "Bullseye."
BELL - The bell for a correct guess was exactly
the same as the one used today.
"ONLY VOWELS LEFT" BEEP - This sound effect was
slightly different in the NBC version have longer beeps as opposed to the whoops that
are heard today.
BANKRUPT - The BANKRUPT sound effect was higher
pitched and more whistle-y than the present version.
INCIDENTAL MUSIC
PUZZLE SOLVED MUSIC - This was based on the
melody of the Thicke theme featuring brass (trumpets and trombone, I believe). It
provided a happy and bouncy ending to the round.
COMMERCIAL OUTRO MUSIC - There are two that
I have heard. One is this bouncy pop-rockish sound featuring electric guitars. The other
is this rocking riff featruing synths, Shaft-like electric guitar, and a driving bass.
An interesting side note:
The intro which I composed for "Survey Says!" (the game show which I host here at
Harvard), could be construed as a knockoff of the "rocking" outro music. HOWEVER, I
had composed the song months before I had received a copy of my first 1980 Wheel
episode. Click here for the Survey Says! and compare for
yourself! Could it have been that the "Wheel" outro music had been stuck in the corner of my
mind for the past fifteen years without me ever knowing it??!? Hmmm....
SHOPPING MUSIC - This music was primarily piano and
based on the intro riff to the Thicke theme. It would basically modulate from one key to
another as the contestant selected the various prizes that he or she wanted and Chuck coached
him or her on.
PRIZE MUSIC - Basic 70s-era game show Stan Worth-sounding music chock full of sax,
trumpets, and lilting guitars.
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