Shazam! The Complete Live-Action Series

SHAZAM! A Filmation Production. 3-Disc. Full Screen. All 28 episodes. Not restored.Executive Producers: Lou Scheimer, Norm Prescott. Based upon Captain Marvel which began in WHIZ Comics #2 (Issue February 1940), published in late 1939, for Fawcett Publications.SHAZAM! tv series (CBS, 1974-76) was shown on Saturdays in the daytime. This program is wholesome and decent for children to see. Each episode ends with Captain Marvel or Billy telling you the "moral" of the story and goodbye until next week.On back of cover box: "This disc is expected to play back in DVD video 'Play Only' devices and may not play back in other DVD devices". I did have a problem with the third disc loading in the APEX DVD player. Had to use a different DVD player. Billy Batson (Michael Gray) travels with Mentor (Lee Tremayne) in an Open Road motor home into different towns in the United States to help people in trouble. Billy got his powers from the gods: Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles and Mercury. The first letter of each name spells "SHAZAM". When trouble is nearby or someone needs help, the Gods signal Billy and Mentor by this device. Then the Gods give Billy some advice for the day. Billy can come to someone's rescue by saying the word "Shazam" and he turns into a taller, bigger and stronger adult super-hero, Captain Marvel.Some familiar faces: Barry Miller, Ty Henderson, Lance Kerwin, Pamelyn Ferdin, William Sargent, John Karlen, Christina Hart, Christopher Stafford Nelson, Darrel Maury, Rob Soble, Butch Patrick, Ruben Moreno, Lew Brown, Lisa Eilbacher, John Carter, Eddie Firestone, Jackie Haley, Frank Coghlan Jr., Steve Gustafsan, Carol Anne Seflinger, Eric Shea, John Lupton, Stephen Hudis, Dabbs Greer, Radames Pera, Jimmy McNichol, Bill Quinn, Conlan Carter, Danny Bonaduce, Eric Chase, Scott Rogers, Cindy Eilbacher, Steve Benedict, Walker Edmiston, Dennis Olivieri, Milt Kogan, Linden Chiles, Jimmy Van Patten, Patrick Laborteaux, Susan Pratt, Eric Laneuville, David Doremus, Maury Wills, Andrew Stevens. Norm Prescott as the voice of "Solomon". Adam West as the voice of "Hercules". "Holy Moly" is said alot in this tv series too, just like in Batman (ABC, 1966-68). JoAnna Cameron appears as "Isis", the ancient Egyptian super-heroine, in episodes 22, 26 and 28.In Season One, Captain Marvel is played by Jackson Bostwick. After filming two episodes for Season 2, he was fired. According to their story; he failed to show up for filming and the producers accused him of holding out for more salary. The truth is Jackson Bostwick had sustained an injury at the previous day filming and was getting treatment. Bostwick had filed a lawsuit against Filmation Enterprises. They were forced to pay him for the remainder of his contract, which included the remaining episodes of Season 2. John Davey was the replacement to play "Captain Marvel". In Season 3, the show became "The SHAZAM / ISIS Hour".Michael Gray was the age of 22-24.Les Tremayne was the age of 60-61. He played a man by the name of "Harry Marvel" in Make Room For Daddy (Season 5, episode 1), broadcast October 7, 1957. Les Tremayne passed away December 19, 2003 at the age of 90.In episode 1, did you notice the unfilled spice rack in the trailer?In episode 13, Frank Coghlan Jr. plays the guard. He played "Billy Batson" in Adventures of Captain Marvel serials (1941).In episode 15, did you see the towel ring up high to the left of the spice rack?In Season 2, episode 1, the trailer has changed inside. You also no longer see the brand name "Open Road". Goof: Mentor is driving the trailer on the road to someone. We don't see Billy inside, but in the next shot, there is Billy in the seat. Was he visiting the Gods?In Season 2, episode 2, you see a new Captain Marvel, now played by John Davey.In-episodes advertising: Mobil gas station, Gulf gas station, Shell gas station, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Thrifty Store, Pepsi, Taco Bell, 7-UP, Master Charge, VISA, Ford Truck.Some locations:Vasquez Rocks, Agua Dulce, California.Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank, California.Spin-off: The Secrets of ISIS (CBS, 1975-76), starring Joanna Cameron as the ancient Egyptian super-heroine.Even Jim Nabors as "Gomer Pyle" said "Shazam" on the Andy Griffith Show (CBS, 1960-68) and Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C (CBS, 1964-69).Adventures of Captain Marvel serial (1941) (Republic, 12-parts).The Good Humor Man (1950).Shazam! (CBS, 1974-76).Legends of the Superheroes (NBC, January 18 & 25, 1979). Garrett Craig as "Captain Marvel".The Kid Super Power Hour with Shazam! (NBC, 1981-82). Animated.The Drew Carey Show (Season 6, episode 15), broadcast February 7, 2001. John Valdetero as "Captain Marvel". Captain Marvel will be released March 8, 2019. From Marvel. About "Carol Danvers". Shazam! will be released April 5, 2019. From Warner Bros. DC Extended Universe. Starring Asher Angel as "Billy Batson", Zachary Levi as "Shazam". *** Let's hope they give Michael Gray a role or a cameo appearance in this movie.***

It is a freat way to remeber the past.

I haven't seen this show since I was 15 in 1976. So I'm glad to see it's out on dvd. The picture & sound quality are as good now as ever. But this version of Captain Marvel is only partially faithful to the original comic books. There's no origin story except the brief explanation by the narrator at the beginning of each episode. We see the six ''elders''- the Greek gods from which Shazam's name is derived in animated form. But where is Shazam himself? Also the role of Billy Batson is made to appear to be about 20 years old. In the original Whiz Comic books Billy was a young paperboy around 10-11 years old. That doesn't stop this from being an enjoyable show. Micheal Gray handles the role of Billy Batson very well as does Les Tremayne as Mentor.Not much has been heard of from Micheal Gray or Les Tremayne since. Does anyone know what are they doing today? Jackson Bostwick looks great as Captain Marvel.He's clearly the best Captain Marvel onscreen thus far.This is a fine show that teaches us morals and values without being overbearing. John Davey took over the role for reasons unknown after Bostwick made the first 17 episodes. Davey's ok in this role except his voice shakes a bit when he says Shazam. On some of the episodes the cartoon images of the elders looks a bit foggy. Was this the effect the filmmakers hoped to achieve? Or is this the result of aging after 39 years? Either way I can easily forgive this because the technology we have today didn't exist back in 1974. Nearly all of the episodes focus on teenagers & the troubles they get into. This is a show everyone can still enjoy today.I do wonder though why is this a 3 disc set? It could easily have been reduced to 2 discs because we get no bonus features at all. By the way do all of you fans know about the Adventures of Captain Marvel serial from 1941? It's available on dvd. You'll find the origin of Captain Marvel altered just as it was on this show. You will see the wizard Shazam-but only once. There are no elders. There's no Mentor either. But Billy/Captain Marvel has a few other friends to lend a hand. Here's a few notes about guest stars on the tv show. The Joyriders episode-Barry Miller plays a teenager. He also did 1 episode of The Secrets Of Isis during this time. Later he was in the movies Saturday Night Fever(1978) playing Bobby C. & Fame(1980) where he played Ralph Garcie a Puerto Rican student at New York City's High School For The Performing Arts. Thou Shalt Not Kill episode-Pamelyn Ferdin plays Lynn Colby. Pamelyn was a very busy child actress. Check out her website Pamelyn Ferdin.com for a full list of her roles.The Brothers episode-Lance Kerwin plays a blind boy. Kerwin was a busy child actor. His last known role was James At 15 a short lived tv series from the late 1970's. The Braggart episode-On the end credits Frank Coghlan is listed as having played a guard at a local zoo. Coghlan played Billy Batson in the Adventures Of Captain Marvel serial.Fool's Gold episode-Dabbs Greer best known for his work on Little House On The Prairie plays a prospector.Speak No Evil episode- Danny Bonaduce from The Partridge Family plays Paul a teenager.The Sound Of A Different Drummer episode-Eric Lanueville plays Curtis an aspiring teenage violinist. Around this same time Eric did a few episodes of Sanford And Son. He played Aunt Esther and Uncle Woody's adopted teenage son Daniel Lisa Eilbacher plays on the Doom Buggy episode. She also appeared on an episode of Alias Smith and Jones with her sister during the seventies. She may be best remembered for working with Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop.I do hope we'll see Shazam on the big screen in the near future. Hope everybody enjoys the show as much as I do- and the extra history lesson too! Shazam!

This is a tv show from my childhood that a thought about frequently as an adult. I rewatched the whole series and still loved it. Full disclosure-- this is some corny TV. This is back in the day when TV also tried to teach morales and right from wrong. The last few minutes of the show when Captain Marvel addresses the audience is somewhat laughable. The good thing is you can watch this with very young kids with no worry of bad words or any type of sexual references. Even through all its cornyness I highly recommend this show. Watching it brought me great joy.

I honestly forgot I'd even bought this until I was asked to review it! So it's not really something you'll watch over & over, but fun to revisit how easy kids were to please back in the day. Your kids/grandkids might like to see how we spent our Saturday mornings?

Quality is surprisingly good given the age and the fact that much of it, especially the later episodes, was shot on 16mm film and some VFX shots edited using video chroma key which severely degrades the quality which of course cannot be recovered. For the most part, the quality really is full 1080 HD, or at least awfully close to it, and even the "morals" at the end are intact, and the commercial stings also. I wish the rest of Filmation's live action stuff could be delivered in such quality. However, I understand that Hallmark long ago threw away all but the edited broadcast videotapes when they acquired the rights some years back, so we will never get those. Of all the stuff they did, this one is likely to be the only title ever to be released in the highest quality.

This is the EXACT Same Material as the DVD which comes on 3 Discs, usually you get more Better Quality Material or Bonus Features taking up Less Space on a Blu-Ray Disc, So I Really Don't See the Point of This at All Accept to Rip Off Our Money & the Worst of it is that the Blu-Ray version isn't even a Full Screen Version but can only be Viewed in 4:3 & Can Not even be made to stretch or be formatted to 16.1 or Full Screen Like at Least the Dvd Easily Can & Still Looks Great, So in All Logical Sense ... Just Better Off with the Dvd as This Blu-Ray Version Was Just a Complete Rip-Off !!!

Not a fan, purchased as a present for a good friend.He says it is ok, very camp and cheesy, but very quick delivery from U.S.

This is a truly wonderful show--the kind they are incapable of making anymore: action without violence, morals without indoctrination, and humor without profanity. The '70s were a great time to grow up in--the first real "Super-Hero Explosion," when all our favorite heroes came bursting onto the screen (and toys and merchandise of all kinds were overflowing the store shelves!) We had the reruns of great shows like "The Adventures of Superman" (there will never be any other Man of Steel than George Reeves) and "Batman" (ditto for Adam West), and we had new television heroes in the form of the inimitable Lynda Carter's Wonder Woman, Joanna Cameron's Isis, Nicholas Hammond's Spider-Man, and Bill Bixby's and Lou Ferrigno's Incredible Hulk!Filmation put out so many great, quality animated shows ("The Adventures of Superboy," "Star Trek: The Animated Series," "Tarzan and the Super 7," and later "He-Man" and "She-Ra" to name a few), but "SHAZAM!" was their first foray into live-action. Shot at locations all over Southern California with 16mm film, the result is nothing less than an amazing achievement to what can be done on a shoestring budget with some talent and imagination. True, the premise of Fawcett Comic's original Captain Marvel was tweaked somewhat for the sake of budgetary limitations. As DC Comics held the character rights at the time, Filmation had to pay licencing fees to use them, so Billy and Cap was all the production could afford. There was no wizard Shazam, and no Rock of Eternity, but the five Greco-Roman gods and Solomon still appear, albeit in animated form, which was a cool effect actually (Hercules was voiced by Adam West, and producer Lou Scheimer voiced the rest, as well as being the narrator in the opening credits and commercial break interstitials).It would have been nice, though, to see Freddy Freeman or Mary Batson pop up in later seasons ... or if Mentor, Billy's guardian on their cross-country "vacation" in an Open Road motorhome, had been called Uncle Dudley. They adopt a cute orange kitten in one of the last episodes and name him "Polecat" (because Cap rescued him from the top of a telephone pole. How did he even get up there??) but would it have broke the bank to call him Mr. Tawny ... or even just Tawky? Probably, but it didn't matter, because the show was still one that made getting up on Saturday mornings a real pleasure! Despite the lack of seminal comic book baddies like Dr. Sivana, there was no shortage of dangerous situations for our heroes to get in and out of. And helping folks with their problems, and making friends along the way, was really what Captain Marvel from the original comic books was all about anyway. The stories were engaging, the social themes important, and Billy (Michael Gray) and Mentor (Les Tremayne) had brilliant chemistry together.Two actors portrayed Captain Marvel: first Jackson Bostwick, then John Davey. While I like them both, I much preferred John Davey because he was more like the character both physically (the original Cap was beefy, setting him apart from other heroes of the day) and in personality. You really could believe he was Billy transformed because he maintained a playful temperament and continued the lighthearted banter with Mentor. Not that he couldn't be tough when he wanted to, he excelled at conveying parental authority, but John played it real and natural ... a lot like George Reeves did for Superman, actually. He was the kind of hero who would fold his arms over his chest and lean up against a wall when he chatted with you. Jackson, on the other hand, was channelling more of Kirk Alyn's posy and overblown Superman portrayal. (Tom Tyler did a bit of that, too, in the Republic Captain Marvel serial--considered the best serial ever made, by the way, even if it plays it fast and loose with the origin and portrays Cap as uncharacteristically violent). With his scary eyes, evil grin, and creepy voice, Jackson would have made a better villain, like Black Adam, than a hero. Both Jackson and Davey were athletes, but Jackson was a martial artist whereas Davey was a professional boxer (who got in the ring with Joe Frazier), and its pretty obvious to comic book fans which fighting style "The Big Red Cheese" used ... POW!! I liked SHAZAM! when Bostwick did it, but I LOVED the show when Davey took over.To sum up this rather long review, SHAZAM! is a great show that will have you reveling in nostalgia if you grew up watching it. Seeing the Captain Marvel/Isis team-ups are truly thrilling and represent a first in the super-hero genre (Isis was created by Filmation but DC did publish a short-lived comic with her). If you can get a hold of BCI's complete "Secrets of Isis" set, do so. Not only is it a great show, but Captain Marvel makes a few crossover appearances in Isis's show (and vice-versa). By the way, the music on both shows, in fact many of Filmations shows, was composed by the great Ray Ellis, who did the 1960s Spider-Man cartoon!

I remember Saturday mornings in the seventy's and as a kid I never missed this program.Its nice to relive those days again and that's why I bought this DVD and it has great morels thatsome kids could still today.