1974 SHAZAM! Saturday Morning TV Series

The Shazam! TV series, which first aired on September 7, 1974, was a live-action, half-hour Saturday morning program produced by Filmation for CBS. It was based on the DC Comics superhero, then known as Captain Marvel. The show centered on Billy Batson (played by Michael Gray), a teenage boy who traveled across the country in a motorhome with his mysterious guardian and mentor (played by Les Tremayne). In times of trouble, by speaking the magic word "Shazam!", Billy would transform into the superhero Captain Marvel, who possessed the powers of six immortal elders: Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury. Unlike the comic books which often featured supervillains, the TV series usually involved Captain Marvel helping people in peril from natural disasters or dangerous situations caused by poor choices, with each episode concluding with a moral lesson. Billy Batson: Michael Gray Mentor: Les Tremayne Captain Marvel: The role was played by two different actors during the show's run: Jackson Bostwick (Season 1 and start of Season 2) John Davey (rest of Season 2 and Season 3) The series ran from 1974 to 1976 and was later aired as part of The Shazam!/Isis Hour alongside its spin-off show, The Secrets of Isis, in 1975. The show is notable for being Filmation's first live-action series. Although it had a low budget and simple special effects, it is remembered fondly by many who watched it as children for its wholesome, moralistic storytelling.