Shazam! represented another great memory of childhood in the 70's and a weekly Saturday morning TV staple. Billy Batson (Michael Gray) is a teenage young man who "travels the highways and byways" in a Winnebago camper with an older gentleman, Mentor, (Les Tremayne) seeking to help people in need. Given the power by the immortal gods Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Apollo and Mercury to transform himself into Captain Marvel upon yelling the word "Shazam", Billy tries to right wrongs, put people on a righteous path and rescue those in distress. Each episode presented a moral parable involving the importance of honesty, lawfulness, or trust. Young viewers were treated to an entertaining, yet meaningful half hour of television, and parents could be assured of their children watching a wholesome Saturday morning program that helped to instill life lessons.
Devoid of great special effects or visuals, it is no doubt considered "cheesy" by today's standards of programming but was nonetheless a highly enjoyable show in its day. Unfortunately, rarely are shows like this offered to kids today, and Saturday morning cartoons are all but a memory.
In this sick world we live in today, a show about a young man driving around with an older stranger would be considered unsavory- a sad reminder of just how we've regressed as a society. But to a young kid in the 70's, this was just a cool show to watch, completely free of any dubious intentions or improprieties. Childhood simplicity is a wonderful thing- and Shazam! didn't disappoint. Wish it were still on today.
Devoid of great special effects or visuals, it is no doubt considered "cheesy" by today's standards of programming but was nonetheless a highly enjoyable show in its day. Unfortunately, rarely are shows like this offered to kids today, and Saturday morning cartoons are all but a memory.
In this sick world we live in today, a show about a young man driving around with an older stranger would be considered unsavory- a sad reminder of just how we've regressed as a society. But to a young kid in the 70's, this was just a cool show to watch, completely free of any dubious intentions or improprieties. Childhood simplicity is a wonderful thing- and Shazam! didn't disappoint. Wish it were still on today.