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For the 2019 feature film, see Shazam! (2019).
Shazam!
Shazam! (1974)
Information
Title: Shazam!
Format: Live-action
Running time: 30 min.
country: USA
Network: CBS
Seasons: 3
Episodes: 28
Production
Production company: Filmation Associates
Warner Bros. Television
Executive producers: Norm Prescott; Lou Scheimer; Richard M. Rosenbloom
Producers: Arthur H. Nadel Len Janson; Chuck Menville
Principal cast: Michael Gray; Les Tremayne; Jackson Bostwick; John Davey
Air dates
First aired: September 7th, 1974
Last aired: October 16th, 1976

Shazam! is a live-action super-hero program produced by Filmation Associates from 1974 until 1977. The series was aired on the CBS network with a running time of thirty minutes per episode. The program was targeted to young children, with episodes that sought to teach children about virtuous qualities such as honesty, bravery and self-confidence.

The series featured young Billy Batson (Michael Gray) and his elderly guardian, known only as Mentor (Les Tremayne), who traveled across the country in Mentor's RV righting wrongs and helping those in need. When trouble arose, Billy exited the RV, spoke the magic word "Shazam", and was instantly transformed into the super-hero Captain Marvel. The series departed greatly from accepted comic book canon, in that Billy never interacted directly with the wizard Shazam. In fact, Shazam was not even included as a part of the series, and was only referenced as a power-name that Billy invoked to transform into Captain Marvel. Replacing Shazam were the Elders, an analog to the six ancients who bequeath their powers to Batson in the comic books. The only member of the Elders ever referenced by name was Solomon, who usually spoke to Billy through a red, glowing device mounted on the console of Mentor's RV. When the Elders appeared before Billy, they took the form of a mystic montage of animated characters, rather than actual actors. The series proved popular enough that it spawned a companion series, Isis. In 1975, Shazam and Isis episodes were aired back to back and were grouped together as the Shazam/Isis Hour.

Jackson Bostwick was the first actor to play the role of Captain Marvel, but left after the first season. Following in Bostwick's footsteps was John Davey who continued playing the Captain Marvel role throughout the season's run. JoAnna Cameron occasionally guest-starred on the series in the role of Isis, and following suit, Davey appeared on a two-part episode of Isis playing Captain Marvel.

Episodes[]

Season One[]

Episode Title Airdate
1x01 The Joyriders September 7th, 1974
1x02 The Brothers September 14th, 1974
1x03 Thou Shalt Not Kill September 24th, 1974
1x04 The Lure of the Lost September 28th, 1974
1x05 The Road Back October 5th, 1974
1x06 The Athlete October 12th, 1974
1x07 The Treasure October 19th, 1974
1x08 The Boy Who Said No October 26th, 1974
1x09 The Doom Buggy November 2nd, 1974
1x10 The Brain November 9th, 1974
1x11 Little Boy Lost November 16th, 1974
1x12 The Delinquent November 23rd, 1974
1x13 The Braggart November 30th, 1974
1x14 The Past Is Not Forever December 7th, 1974
1x15 The Gang's All Here December 14th, 1974

Season Two[]

Episode Title Airdate
2x01 On Winning September 6th, 1975
2x02 Debbie September 13th, 1975
2x03 Fool's Gold September 20th, 1975
2x04 Double Trouble September 27th, 1975
2x05 Goodbye, Packy October 4th, 1975
2x06 Speak No Evil October 11th, 1975
2x07 The Odd Couple October 18th, 1975

Season Three[]

Episode Title Airdate
3x01 The Contest September 11th, 1976
3x02 Bitter Herbs September 18th, 1976
3x03 Ripcord September 25th, 1976
3x04 Finders Keepers October 2nd, 1976
3x05 The Sound of a Different Drummer October 9th, 1976
3x06 Out of Focus October 16th, 1976

Notes & Trivia[]

  • Shazam! aired on Saturday mornings on CBS at 10:30 am.
  • The name Shazam is actually an acronym representing each of the six elders that Billy Batson draws power from.
  • Solomon
  • Hercules
  • Atlas
  • Zeus
  • Achilles
  • Mercury

See also[]

External Links[]



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