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Shazzan
GenreAdventure
Action
Created byAlex Toth
Directed byJoseph Barbera
William Hanna
Voices ofJerry Dexter
Janet Waldo
Barney Phillips
Don Messick
Theme music composerHoyt Curtin
ComposerHoyt Curtin
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes18 (36 segments)
Production
ProducersJoseph Barbera
William Hanna
Running time22 minutes (11 minutes per segment)
Production companyHanna-Barbera Productions
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseSeptember 9, 1967 (1967-09-09) –
January 20, 1968 (1968-01-20)

Shazzan is an American animated television series created by Alex Toth and produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions that aired on Saturday mornings on CBS from September 9, 1967, to January 20, 1968, and continued in reruns until September 6, 1969.[1] The series follows the adventures of two 12-year-old siblings, Chuck and Nancy, traveling around a mystical Arabian world, mounted on Kaboobie the flying camel. During their journey they face several dangers, but they are aided by Shazzan, a genie with magical powers.[2] 18 half-hour episodes were produced, made up of two 11-minute segments.[3]

Plot

[edit]

Siblings Chuck (voiced by Jerry Dexter) and Nancy (voiced by Janet Waldo) come across a cave off the coast of Maine where they find a mysterious chest containing halves of a strange ring. When they first join the two halves of the ring, they end up transported back to the fabled land of the Arabian Nights where they meet their genie Shazzan (voiced by Barney Phillips). Shazzan creates a magical flying camel named Kaboobie (voiced by Don Messick) to serve as their mode of transportation and gives them gifts like an invisibility cloak and a magic rope. Shazzan tells Chuck and Nancy that he cannot return them home until they deliver the two halves of the ring to its rightful owner known as the Wizard of the 7th Mountain.[4]

Shazzan is very large, being able to hold Chuck, Nancy, and Kaboobie in the open palm of his hand. He is wise and jolly in nature, usually appearing with a cheerful "Ho-ho ho-HO!" and addressing the two children as his "little masters". Chuck and Nancy each wear one half of the broken ring, which has to be joined to bring forth their magical servant in times of danger or different villains.

Out of the one-shot villains, Shazzan, Chuck, Nancy, and Kaboobie had two villains they encounter more than once:

  • Master of Thieves – A powerful sorcerer who leads a group of thieves.
  • Demon in the Bottle – An evil demon imprisoned in a bottle that seeks vengeance on those who imprisoned him.

A frequent plot device is that the two teenagers became separated, most often by the act of a villain. They cannot summon the omnipotent genie until they manage to find each other. Once Shazzan materializes, it is extremely bad news for the villain.

Style

[edit]

The series is similar in its style and production details to the other Alex Toth-created CBS Saturday morning cartoons of 1966–1968, relying heavily on music and sound effects earlier created for Jonny Quest. As is typical for both animated and live-action TV series of the era that revolve around an ongoing dilemma (Dino Boy in the Lost Valley, Moby Dick and Mighty Mightor, Lost in Space, Gilligan's Island, Lidsville, etc.), the heroes never resolve their long-term situation. Chuck and Nancy never find the ring's owner and thus never return to their American teenage lives.

Voice cast

[edit]

The cast included:[1]

Production

[edit]

After the success of Space Ghost, CBS' head of daytime programming, Fred Silverman, commissioned Hanna-Barbera to develop three new action-adventure series in the same vein for the 1967–68 fall schedule consisting of The Herculoids, Shazzan, and Moby Dick and Mighty Mightor.[5] Speaking on the show several years later, Silverman lauded the creativity and artistry on display in the series while also noting the story problems that came from Shazzan's lack of weaknesses which coupled with high production costs resulted in the series being labeled a disappointment.[5]

List of episodes

[edit]

Each half-hour episode consists of two 11-minute cartoons.

No.TitleOriginal release date
1a"The Living Island"September 9, 1967 (1967-09-09)
In order to give Kaboobie a rest, Chuck and Nancy land him on an island where they end up hunted by an evil hunter.
1b"Master of Thieves"September 9, 1967 (1967-09-09)
An underling of the Master of Thieves plans to steal Chuck and Nancy's rings in order to give them to his master.
2a"Valley of the Giants"September 16, 1967 (1967-09-16)
Chuck and Nancy travel through a valley which is inhabited by a cyclops.
2b"The Black Sultan"September 16, 1967 (1967-09-16)
Chuck and Nancy encounter a prince that has been turned into a pig. He is on a mission to rescue his princess from a sleeping spell cast by the Black Sultan.
3a"The Underground World"September 23, 1967 (1967-09-23)
While exploring some caverns, Chuck and Nancy are attacked by giant bats.
3b"Demon in the Bottle"September 23, 1967 (1967-09-23)
Nancy and Chuck find themselves on an island and discover a bottle. They open it, and from it emerges the Evil Demon of the Bottle, who has been trapped for 4,000 years and wants revenge on the one who trapped him.
4a"Ring of Samarra"September 30, 1967 (1967-09-30)
While trying to save Princess Jasmine, Chuck and Nancy end up chased by giant birds made of glass. It is soon discovered that the Evil Khan of El Jawali is holding her hostage in order to claim her father's Ring of Samarra.
4b"City of Brass"September 30, 1967 (1967-09-30)
While flying over the ocean, Chuck, Nancy, and Kaboobie get lost and land on a ship to ask for directions. They find a ship full of brass statues that come to life and capture them in order to make them their slaves.
5a"The Evil Jester of Masira"October 7, 1967 (1967-10-07)
The Evil Jester of Masira steals the secret Book of Evil Magic in a plot to overthrow the Viceroy of Masira and take over his kingdom.
5b"The Master Wizard of Mizwa"October 7, 1967 (1967-10-07)
Upon finding a garden, Chuck, Nancy, and Kaboobie end up captured by an evil wizard
6a"Demon in the Bottle Returns"October 14, 1967 (1967-10-14)
The Demon in the Bottle that Chuck, Nancy, and Shazzan had previously defeated returns for revenge. He manages to separate Chuck and Nancy so that they wouldn't summon Shazzan.
6b"City of the Tombs"October 14, 1967 (1967-10-14)
Chuck, Nancy, and Kaboobie fly over the Desert of the Dead only to be captured and taken to the City of the Tombs.
7a"The Young Rajah of Kamura"October 21, 1967 (1967-10-21)
Chuck and Nancy save a young Rajah from Kamura from certain death. Now they must fight to keep the evil Regent from claiming the throne
7b"The Sky Pirates of Basheena"October 21, 1967 (1967-10-21)
Nancy is captured by the Sky Pirates of Basheena and it's up to Chuck to save Nancy.
8a"The Forest of Fear"October 28, 1967 (1967-10-28)
Chuck and Nancy travel through the Forest of Fear in order to find the Magical Tree of Tureen.
8b"Sorceress of the Mist"October 28, 1967 (1967-10-28)
The Sorceress of the Mist captures Nancy in order for her to become the next Sorceress of the Mist.
9a"The Flaming Ruby"November 4, 1967 (1967-11-04)
The Maharajah wants to use Kaboobie to steal the Flaming Ruby of Eternal Truth.
9b"Keys of the Zodiac"November 4, 1967 (1967-11-04)
Chuck and Nancy fight an evil wizard who can summon his evil Twins of Gemini to steal the sultan's Keys of the Zodiac. The only problem is that the Twins of Gemini resemble Chuck and Nancy and it's up to Shazzan to prove their innocence.
10a"Lord of the Shadows"November 11, 1967 (1967-11-11)
The Lord of the Shadows sends some of his shadow creatures to steal the Jade Goddess from the Shah of Salim so that he can have its magical all-seeing powers.
10b"The Diamond of El Rhapir"November 11, 1967 (1967-11-11)
The Magician of the Mirrors captures Nancy at the time when she is holding the Diamond of El Rhapir. Chuck and Kaboobie must fly through the mirror to rescue her.
11a"The Idol of Turaba"November 18, 1967 (1967-11-18)
Chuck and Nancy witness a girl getting captured and taken behind a waterfall to a secret city which is made of porcelain and the river is made of clay. Note: This episode was adapted by Gold Key Comics in an issue of Hanna-Barbera's Super TV Heroes.
11b"The Land of Neverwas"November 18, 1967 (1967-11-18)
Chuck and Nancy are captured by the ruler of the Land of Neverwas as part of a plot to take revenge on the kindly Wizard of the 7th Mountain.
12a"The Three Horsemen of Mandragora"November 25, 1967 (1967-11-25)
Chuck and Nancy unwittingly release the Three Horsemen of Mandragora upon being tricked by the Sultan.
12b"A Thousand and One Tricks"November 25, 1967 (1967-11-25)
Chuck and Nancy run into their friend the Rajah of Kamura who has been imprisoned in his own palace.
13a"The Circus of Zahran"December 2, 1967 (1967-12-02)
Chuck, Nancy, and Kaboobie arrive in the city of Zahran and visit the local circus. They end up stumbling onto a plot by the circus' ringmaster to take over the city and take all of its treasures.
13b"Baharum The Befuddled"December 2, 1967 (1967-12-02)
Chuck and Nancy run into a genie named Baharum the Befuddled who is being controlled by the Master of Thieves.
14a"The Impossible Quest of Nazir"December 16, 1967 (1967-12-16)
Chuck and Nancy go to the Temple of Knowledge to ask the Sage of Nazir for directions to where the Wizard of the 7th Mountain lives. The Sage of Nazir has them perform two different tasks. Chuck and Nancy are unaware that an evil magician is posing as the Sage of Nazir and has the real Sage of Nazir imprisoned.
14b"A Pound of Evil Magic"December 16, 1967 (1967-12-16)
Chuck and Nancy set out to meet their friend the Viceroy of Rapport where the run into the evil Master Wizard of Mizwater who plots to destroy the Viceroy of Rapport's kingdom.
15a"The Maze of Mercuraad"December 30, 1967 (1967-12-30)
Chuck and Nancy get lost in the valley of the 5th Mountain when on their way to the 7th Mountain. They end up running into the valley's guardian Mercuraad who demands payment for them to pass.
15b"The Magical Kingdom of Centuria"December 30, 1967 (1967-12-30)
The Magical Kingdom of Centuria only appears on Earth for 12 Hours every 100 years in order to find a new king. Chuck and Nancy see Centuria appear and end up captured by its queen who plots to make Shazzan its king.
16a"Nastrina of the Flames"January 6, 1968 (1968-01-06)
While Chuck and Nancy are flying on Kaboobie, a magical cloud causes them to crash on an island where they find a princess being chased by a dragon. It soon turns out that the princess is really an evil sorceress named Nastrina who plots to destroy Shazzan.
16b"Quest for the Magic Lamp"January 6, 1968 (1968-01-06)
The Master of Thieves steals Aladdin's lamp. Chuck and Nancy team up with Aladdin to get his lamp back.
17a"Raschid, the Apprentice Sorcerer"January 13, 1968 (1968-01-13)
Kabala is an evil sorcerer who has a grudge against Shazzan. He sends his apprentice Raschid to find Chuck and Nancy in order to get to Shazzan.
17b"Kahn of the North Wind"January 13, 1968 (1968-01-13)
Chuck and Nancy's friend Shalimar is captured by an evil wizard named Kahn.
18a"The Mirage Maker"January 20, 1968 (1968-01-20)
The Mirage Maker kidnaps Kaboobie and a princess. Chuck and Nancy are forced by the Mirage Maker to deliver a message to the sultan for their safe release.
18b"Mysterio, the Mini Magi"January 20, 1968 (1968-01-20)
Chuck and Nancy are pursued by flying imps who apparently have a deal with an evil wizard to get the two so he can lure and capture Shazzan.

Other appearances

[edit]

Shazzan has appeared on an episode of Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law voiced by Maurice LaMarche. In the episode "Mufti Trouble," he had a long-standing rivalry with Mentok the Mindtaker. Chuck and Nancy also appeared in the episode.

Shazzan appeared in "The Final Encounter", an episode of Space Ghost. It was last episode of the six part "The Council of Doom". Space Ghost falls in a trap that transports him to the dimension of Shazzan. Shazzan helps him defeat the Sultan of Flame and transports him back to his own dimension.

A satirized version of Shazzan named Shazzang! appeared as an animated short as part of Robert Smigel's Saturday TV Funhouse feature on the late night sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, on the May 14, 2005 episode. The parody depicted the genie Shazzang quickly defeating the villain, but then maiming and executing the villain in an increasingly sadistic fashion, to the horror of Chuck, Nancy, and Kaboobie, eventually babbling about having to "please his dad". It is shown on the DVD version of the SNL special "The Best of TV Funhouse".

Shazzan appears in Jellystone![6] voiced by Fajer Al-Kaisi.[7] This version is shown to be at normal size and is a love interest for Mildew Wolf. Shazzan does many vendor jobs and is often working as a ticket seller at the Jellystone Theatre. He mentions Kaboobie in the season 2 episode "Lady Danjjer: Is It Wrong to Long for Kabong?" where he gives a shoutout to him at the time when Shazzan was promoting his gourmet ice cream.

Home media

[edit]

Two episodes of Shazzan were released on a Saturday morning cartoon compilation, along with a short video containing some background information. On April 3, 2012, Warner Archive released Shazzan: The Complete Series on DVD in region 1 as part of their Hanna–Barbera Classics Collection. This is a Manufacture-on-Demand (MOD) release, available exclusively through Warner's online store and Amazon.com. All episodes, while not perfect, have been remastered for this release.[8]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Shazzan

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Shazzan is an American animated television series created by comic book artist and produced by Productions for , premiering on September 9, 1967, and running for one season until 1968. The series comprises 18 half-hour episodes, each containing two 11-minute adventure segments, and follows the exploits of teenage siblings Chuck and Nancy as they navigate a mystical world filled with peril and wonder. In the premiere storyline, the siblings discover two halves of an ancient ring inside a off the coast of ; upon joining them, the ring summons the towering, benevolent Shazzan, who magically transports the pair to an Arabian Nights-inspired realm. There, they ride the wisecracking flying camel Kaboobie and rely on Shazzan's immense powers—including granting wishes and battling villains—to overcome obstacles like evil wizards, monstrous creatures, and treacherous landscapes, all while seeking the ring's true owner to secure their return home. The show blends elements of fantasy, action, and adventure, characteristic of Hanna-Barbera's Saturday morning programming during the late . Key voice performances include as the adventurous Chuck, as the resourceful Nancy, as the booming-voiced Shazzan, and providing the humorous utterances for Kaboobie. Produced amid Hanna-Barbera's expansion into superhero and fantasy cartoons, Shazzan aired in two segments per episode format to fit the network's children's block, contributing to the studio's legacy of whimsical, family-oriented . The complete series was later released on DVD by in 2012, preserving its episodes for modern audiences.

Overview

Premise

Shazzan is an animated adventure series centered on teenage siblings and Nancy, who discover two halves of a mysterious ancient ring inside a off the coast of . When the siblings join the halves of the ring, it summons the powerful Shazzan, who transports them to a fantastical world inspired by ancient and mythical settings, including locales reminiscent of Persia and the Arabian Nights. In this mystical realm, Shazzan serves as their guide and protector, capable of granting wishes to aid their quests, though he cannot directly resolve their dilemmas, requiring the siblings to rely on their ingenuity, bravery, and teamwork to overcome perils such as villains, monsters, and treacherous landscapes. A common narrative device involves the siblings becoming separated—often by antagonists—forcing them to reunite with both ring halves to summon Shazzan, thereby emphasizing themes of and perseverance. The series' overarching goal is for and Nancy to return the ring to its rightful owner to find their way back home, while embarking on self-contained adventures that explore moral lessons. The show consists of 18 half-hour episodes, each divided into two 11-minute segments featuring distinct yet thematically linked stories triggered by the ring's . These episodes blend elements of and fantasy, with the siblings encountering diverse challenges in time-lost or legendary environments, fostering and heroic resolve without resolving the central quest prematurely.

Main Characters

The main protagonists of Shazzan are the teenage siblings and Nancy, who serve as the human leads in the series' adventures through a mystical ancient world. is portrayed as the brave and resourceful brother, often taking the lead in physical confrontations and daring escapades, complementing his sister's strengths with bold action. Nancy, equally adventurous, is depicted as intelligent and quick-witted, excelling in clever problem-solving and strategic thinking to navigate challenges. Their sibling dynamic emphasizes teamwork, as they frequently become separated during perils and must reunite—using their shared —to summon aid, highlighting themes of cooperation and mutual reliance. Central to the narrative is Shazzan, the powerful from ancient Persia who is bound to serve the siblings after they join the halves of his enchanted ring. Towering at 60 feet with a distinctive , flowing , and swirling magical auras, Shazzan grants wishes to protect and assist and Nancy, yet he often imparts lessons in by encouraging them to resolve issues through their own ingenuity before intervening fully. As a mentor figure, he is benevolent and jolly toward the protagonists—addressing them as "little masters"—but flippant and overpowering toward threats, effortlessly transforming foes with his vast abilities. Accompanying Shazzan is Kaboobie, his loyal magical who provides transportation across the fantastical landscapes via flight and offers through humorous reactions and antics. The group frequently encounters antagonists such as evil wizards, monstrous beasts, and other supernatural adversaries unique to their episodic quests, which test the characters' bonds and resourcefulness.

Production

Development

The concept for Shazzan was developed by comic book artist Alex Toth in 1966 as a genie-adventure tale drawing inspiration from Arabian Nights folklore and the Aladdin story, featuring magical rings that summon a powerful genie for adventurous exploits in a mystical world. Toth pitched the idea to Hanna-Barbera Productions, which embraced it for their expanding slate of Saturday morning cartoons. Hanna-Barbera produced Shazzan as part of their lineup for , positioning it within a block of to appeal to family audiences through light educational elements on history and mythology embedded in its fantastical narratives. Key creative decisions included structuring episodes into two self-contained segments per half-hour format to align with broadcast scheduling and commercial breaks, allowing for episodic adventures across diverse eras and locales. The production emphasized techniques to manage costs effectively while visually evoking exotic, mythical settings like ancient deserts and enchanted kingdoms. Pre-production progressed steadily, with Toth's character designs—including the genie , siblings and Nancy, and their flying camel Kaboobie—shaping the series' premise of mystical adventures, blending with exploratory themes. The production was supervised by , with music direction by .

Voice Cast

The principal voice cast for Shazzan consisted of a small ensemble of experienced actors, reflecting Hanna-Barbera's efficient production approach for the series, with all principal recordings completed during sessions that year in studios. The limited roster of four to five performers, without recurring guest stars per episode, helped maintain budget constraints typical of Saturday morning animation at the time. Barney Phillips provided the voice of the genie Shazzan, delivering a deep and authoritative tone that emphasized the character's wisdom and power, while also narrating the show's opening. A veteran of radio and television, Phillips was best known prior to Shazzan for his role as Sergeant Ed Jacobs in the 1950s Dragnet. Though more renowned for live-action work than , his resonant delivery suited the mystical authority of the genie, aligning with Shazzan's role as a guiding protector. Janet Waldo voiced Nancy, the adventurous teenage girl, with a youthful and spirited performance that captured her curiosity and bravery. A versatile Hanna-Barbera staple, Waldo had already established herself in the studio's productions, notably as Judy Jetson in The Jetsons (1962–1963), showcasing her skill in portraying energetic young female leads. Her lively delivery complemented Nancy's personality as the resourceful sibling companion. Jerry Dexter lent his energetic, boyish tone to Chuck, Nancy's brother and co-adventurer, infusing the role with the enthusiasm of a teenage explorer. Dexter specialized in voicing teen and young adult male characters in animation, with prior and subsequent Hanna-Barbera roles including Gary Gulliver in The Adventures of Gulliver (1968) and Alan in Josie and the Pussycats (1970–1971). This marked one of his earliest prominent animation credits, setting a pattern for his youthful, heroic portrayals. Don Messick handled the voice of Kaboobie, the magical flying camel, employing his signature comic timing to bring humor and expressiveness to the animal through grunts and reactions. A longtime collaborator since the late 1950s, Messick was renowned for voicing animal and comedic supporting characters, such as in (1961–1962) and in the same series. His expertise in pet-like voices made him ideal for Kaboobie's whimsical, non-verbal role.

Animation and Style

Shazzan utilized Productions' hallmark techniques, which prioritized cost efficiency by employing static backgrounds, reusable character movement cycles, and panning shots to convey the expansive ancient Arabian settings without requiring full-frame redraws for every scene. These methods reduced the number of unique cels needed, often limiting motion to 12-16 frames per second through holds and cycles, while maintaining the standard 24 fps projection rate via strategic repetition. This approach allowed the series to evoke dynamic adventures in deserts and palaces through minimalistic yet evocative visuals, focusing on composition over realism. The art direction for Shazzan was led by renowned designer , whose bold, stylized character designs drew heavily from 1960s comic book aesthetics, featuring exaggerated proportions, dynamic poses, and streamlined lines that infused the characters with energy and personality. Toth's influence is evident in the vibrant color palettes used for exotic locales, with rich hues enhancing the mystical Arabian atmosphere and differentiating Shazzan from more subdued contemporary animations. These comic-inspired elements, including simplified yet impactful silhouettes, supported the show's adventurous tone by emphasizing heroic stances and fantastical scale in a television budget. Visual motifs in Shazzan relied on simple, economical effects to depict , such as sparkles and fades for wish-granting sequences, integrated seamlessly with animation framework to avoid complex layering. Background variety across episodes—ranging from sandy dunes to ornate palaces—evoked historical eras through stylized, non-realistic details, leveraging panning and static holds to create a sense of vast, otherworldly exploration. The production employed traditional cel throughout, with shortcuts like simulations via static overlays to heighten depth in key mystical moments.

Broadcast

Original Airing

Shazzan premiered on on September 9, 1967, airing Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. as part of the network's dedicated youth programming block, which featured animated series produced by to appeal to children aged 6 to 12. The complete first season consisted of 18 half-hour episodes, each containing two 11-minute adventure segments, and ran through January 20, 1968. Following the production of new episodes, aired reruns of the series on mornings until September 6, 1969. The show performed solidly in ratings during its initial run, ranking competitively within CBS's lineup—such as a 9.2 household rating in March 1968—but did not lead the Saturday morning block dominated by programs like . Its conclusion after one season aligned with Hanna-Barbera's strategic shift toward developing fresh animated properties for the network, with no reported controversies impacting the broadcast. Following its CBS tenure, Shazzan entered syndication in the 1970s, expanding its reach beyond network television. Internationally, the series was broadcast in dubbed versions across various European and Asian markets during the decade. In the 2020s, it experienced streaming revivals on platforms like until the service's shutdown in September 2024. As of 2025, episodes are available on public archives such as the .

Episode Guide

Shazzan consists of 18 self-contained half-hour episodes, each divided into two 11-minute segments featuring distinct but thematically linked adventures for siblings and Nancy in a mystical Arabian world. The series aired on Saturdays from September 9, 1967, to January 20, 1968, with no overarching story arcs, emphasizing episodic perils from villains such as sorcerers, giants, and shadowy entities like the Shadow People, resolved through the protagonists' and Shazzan's guidance. Common themes include quests for magical items, encounters with deceptive , and lessons in and loyalty. The episodes embody the premise's adventure style by transporting the characters to exotic locales filled with supernatural challenges, often requiring clever use of Shazzan's powers without direct intervention in forbidden areas.
EpisodeAir DateSegment 1Segment 2
1September 9, 1967The Living IslandMaster of Thieves
2September 16, 1967Valley of the GiantsThe Black Sultan
3September 23, 1967The Underground WorldDemon in the Bottle
4September 30, 1967Ring of SamarraCity of Brass
5October 7, 1967The Evil Jester of MasiraThe Master Wizard of Mizwa
6October 14, 1967Demon in the Bottle ReturnsCity of the Tombs
7October 21, 1967The Young Rajah of KamuraThe Sky Pirates of Basheena
8October 28, 1967The Forest of FearSorceress of the Mist
9November 4, 1967The Flaming RubyKeys of the Zodiac
10November 11, 1967Lord of the ShadowsThe Diamond of El Rhapir
11November 18, 1967The Idol of TurabaThe Land of Neverwas
12November 25, 1967The Three Horsemen of MandragoraA Thousand and One Tricks
13December 2, 1967The Circus of ZahranBaharum The Befuddled
14December 16, 1967The Impossible Quest of NazirA Pound of Evil Magic
15December 30, 1967The Maze of MercuraadThe Magical Kingdom of Centuria
16January 6, 1968Nastrina of the FlamesQuest for the Magic Lamp
17January 13, 1968Raschid, the Apprentice SorcererKahn of the North Wind
18January 20, 1968The Mirage MakerMysterio, the Mini Magi
Representative examples include the premiere , where in "The Living Island," and Nancy rest Kaboobie on an enchanted island but become prey for the Hunter and his magical creatures, forcing them to reunite for Shazzan's aid; "Master of Thieves" involves capture by a thieving lord plotting to seize their . A mid-season highlight, 11's "The Land of Neverwas," sees the siblings trapped in an inescapable realm where an evil wizard turns inhabitants into statues under a giant statue's rule, testing Shazzan's boundaries. The finale, 18, features "The Mirage Maker," a deceptive entity creating illusions to ensnare travelers, and "Mysterio, the Mini Magi," involving a tiny sorcerer whose spells pose unexpected dangers in a test of over power.

Legacy

Home Media Releases

The first home video releases of Shazzan came in the form of VHS compilations during the 1980s, distributed by Worldvision Home Video, which offered select episodes in various volumes targeted at children. In 2012, Warner Archive Collection issued the first complete home video edition with Shazzan: The Complete Series, a two-disc DVD set containing all 18 episodes in Region 1 (NTSC) format, running approximately 389 minutes total. The release features the original mono audio and standard-definition transfers from the 1967 masters, including the classic opening sequence, but lacks bonus materials such as commentaries or featurettes. European consumers could access the same NTSC discs, compatible with multi-region players, though without subtitles. As of 2025, Shazzan remains unavailable on major subscription streaming platforms like Max. However, full episodes have been offered for free on through official Entertainment channels since 2012, providing easy digital access to the complete series. No Blu-ray edition has been released, likely due to the series' age and niche appeal in the high-definition market.

Other Appearances and Influence

Shazzan appeared in the animated series in a 2006 episode titled "Shazzan," where the genie is summoned from a vase by the character and becomes entangled in a courtroom mishap, voiced by . The series spawned merchandise including a tie-in comic book line published by within the anthology Super TV Heroes, which featured Shazzan stories across its seven issues from July 1968 to May 1969, alongside other properties like Birdman and . Shazzan's depiction of a benevolent aiding young adventurers reinforced genie tropes in mid-20th-century , echoing elements seen in contemporary shows while blending Arabian Nights motifs with Saturday morning adventure formats. Its cultural footprint remains niche but enduring among enthusiasts, with the series regarded as a mid-tier entry in the studio's catalog for its whimsical fantasy and creator Alex Toth's bold, dynamic character designs that emphasized action and exotic locales. A 2012 retrospective highlighted the episodes' fast-paced escapades and imaginative perils as strengths that hold up for nostalgic viewing.

References

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  3. https://archive.org/details/shazzan-the-h.b.-complete-series
  4. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061294/fullcredits
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  8. https://hanna-barbera.fandom.com/wiki/Shazzan
  9. https://www.facebook.com/groups/316268999044669/posts/743396169665281/
  10. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/WesternAnimation/Shazzan
  11. https://animatedviews.com/2012/shazzan-the-complete-series/
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  17. https://www.cartonionline.com/en/characters/Shazzan.htm
  18. https://www.illustrationhistory.org/essays/hanna-barbera-the-architects-of-saturday-morning
  19. http://www.tvparty.com/sat67.html
  20. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061294/fullcredits/
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  22. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0680237/
  23. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0907228/
  24. https://leonardmaltin.com/remembering-janet-waldo/
  25. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Shazzan/Chuck/
  26. https://voiceoverforanimation.com/jerry-dexter-voices/
  27. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0223305/
  28. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Shazzan/Kaboobie/
  29. https://hanna-barberawiki.com/wiki/Don_Messick
  30. https://openlab.bmcc.cuny.edu/history-of-animation-mes160/week-10/
  31. https://digitalcommons.spu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1058&context=honorsprojects
  32. https://www.tcj.com/reviews/genius-animated-the-cartoon-art-of-alex-toth/
  33. https://www.tcj.com/reviews/genius-animated-the-cartoon-art-of-alex-toth
  34. https://www.twomorrows.com/comicbookartist/articles/11toth.html
  35. https://iro.uiowa.edu/view/pdfCoverPage?instCode=01IOWA_INST&filePid=13809704980002771&download=true
  36. https://cbs-broadcast-archives.fandom.com/wiki/Shazzan
  37. https://radiodiscussions.com/threads/march-1968-saturday-morning-ratings.625139/
  38. https://hanna-barberawiki.com/wiki/Shazzan_(TV_series)
  39. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1226163/
  40. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6908304/
  41. https://www.ebay.com/itm/197353170004
  42. https://hanna-barberawiki.com/wiki/Shazzan:_The_Complete_Series
  43. https://www.blu-ray.com/dvd/Shazzan-The-Complete-Series-DVD/32559/
  44. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shazzan-Complete-DVD-Region-NTSC/dp/B007RKFXWQ
  45. https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/shazzan/1030225625/
  46. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLhOnau-tupQS7ngIfSQz_spWxP1_ya01
  47. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYMeVDMi_tk
  48. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0887533/
  49. https://archive.org/details/Hanna-BarberaSuperTVHeroesGoldKey
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