An aspiring filmmaker captures a robbery on film. Now, the thieves are out to get the film, but he sees it as his ticket to success in a local film festival. Can Captain Marvel and Isis ensure this film makes it to the screen while keeping the young Spielberg safe?
It's the final episode of the Shazam! series as John and Richard discuss the location of this particular episode, the professionalism of Michael Gray, the clunky resolution to a story that Isis could have solved with a simple incantation, and Shazam/Isis fandom. Plus: We have two flashbacks of our own in this episode!
It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode. Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.
Moral: “We've all been faced by temptation - a chance to win a contest, maybe cheat on an exam or make some easy money in a dishonest way, but most of us know better than to fall for things like that. In today's story, Jim learned what Zeus meant when he said, 'Those who act dishonestly to win, walk in disgrace, perhaps even in danger.' So play it safe and play it smart. Don't be fooled by temptation. The honest way is the best way."
Guest Cast
Andrew Stevens as Jim
Nancy Morgan as Kathy
Richard Stanley as Marty
Cliff Wilson as Len
and
Joanna Cameron as Andrea Thomas/Isis
Curtis is a young man blessed with great shortstop skills in baseball, but he prefers to focus his practice time on being a violinist. His teammates have other ideas and will stop at nothing to get him to play in an important game. Will Billy, Mentor, Captain Marvel, and Maury Wills himself be able to make this situation right?
It's the penultimate episode of the Shazam! series as John and Richard discuss the waning years (in John's opinion) of baseball, the missed potential in the cat, Polecat, and which actor the Mego Shazam! figure looks like.
It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode. Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.
Moral: “Billy: Maury Wills is one of the most respected men in baseball, not just because he was a great player, mostly because he respects others. You know, in some ways, all of us are different, but in one way we're all alike. We all want people to like and to respect us.
Maury Wills: That's right, Billy. And the way to bring that about is to treat others as you would like them to treat you. It's called, do unto others and it means, if you give respect, you'll get it back."
Guest Cast
Eric Laneuville as Curtis
Benny Medina as Dennis
David Doremus as Jerry
Lenore Kingston as Adele Sauber
Ed Fury as Guard
and
Maury Wills as Maury Wills
Bill is a young boy who is in a hurry to grow up so that he too can skydive like his older brother. The problem is, he's in so much of a hurry, he doesn't always think and gets himself and his brother into trouble. Can Billy help Bill see how wrong he is or will it take an act that gets his brother in danger for him to see the error of his ways?
John and Richard discuss the Mego line of toys that features Captain Marvel, the brevity of the episode in terms of length of story time, and John's horrible flashbacks to Jaime Sommers' skydiving accident.
It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode. Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.
Moral: “Sometimes there are things that a kid wants to do but he's too young for. Be patient. We grow up a lot sooner than we think."
Guest Cast
James Daughton as Larry Sherwood
Patrick Labyorteaux as Bill Sherwood
Susan Pratt as Dorothy Kaufman
William Bryant as Harry Miller
Yale is a teen who wants to join an outdoor group called "The Overlanders". But one of the leaders has a problem with this because Yale and his family are Jewish. What he doesn't know is that Yale's father is also helping Mexican authorities with smuggling of religious artifacts across the border.
We're back with our first review in over a year and we start off with one of the best episodes in the series. John and Richard discuss the stunt flying that reminded John of Jackson Bostwick's work in the first season, how this episode stands out for how it handles the theme of tolerance compared to other shows of the 70s, and the unprecedented three appearances of Captain Marvel in this episode.
It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode. Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.
Moral: “Prejudice and bigotry are two words that mean not liking somebody, calling them names because they different somebody. It's pretty silly. In some ways, all of us are different, in others, we're all the same. The important thing about a person is not the color of his hair or his skin, or his religion, whether he's tall of short, skinny or fat. What is important is something called character. Ask yourself is he honest? Does he care about others? Is he good? If the answers yes, call him friend."
Guest Cast
Lindin Chiles as Orin Clyde
Milt Kogan as Jack Michaels
James Van Patten as Harry
David Gruner as Yale Michaels
Darel Glaser as Joe Olveira
After a near year-and-a-half absence, the podcast returns. Before John and Richard set off once again in the RV to travel the highways and the byways of the land discussing those two iconic shows we love so much, they need to do a little house cleaning, or RV cleaning, if you will.
They discuss DC's decision to cancel a planned release of the classic Monster Society of Evil, Shazam! in HD on DC Universe, the fate of DC Universe, the fate of Isis in a modern world, and the recent Shazam movie.
It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode. Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.
A pair of Catholic School girls discover a chest of stolen money on the beach. They decide to keep it with the best of intentions for it, but the thieves who stole it want it back and will do anything to make that happen, including kidnapping the girls and Mentor. It's up to Captain Marvel and Isis to save the day.
It's another great cross-over episode as Joanna Cameron guest stars as Andrea Thomas and Isis! And so we decided to make the podcast just as special. Shazam! series star, Michael Gray, joins us to discuss the episode, working with Joanna Cameron and Tut the bird, "Big John" the stunt double for John Davey in this episode, the talent of Les Tremaine, and the lost Christmas outtakes reel.
It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode. Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.
Moral: “Laura and Kate learn that doing something wrong, even if it's for a good reason, doesn't make it right. A wrong deed is usually the beginning. You find yourself trying to cover it up and then the wrong deed has lead to lies and then they get bigger and bigger. Most of the time we can tell right from wrong, so don't try to fool yourself. Stick to the right way. It's the best way. "
Guest Cast
Dran Hamilton as Sister Mary Catherine
Carol Ann Williams as Kate
Susan Madigan as Laura
Darwin Joston as Jasper
Bill Death as McSween
and
Joanna Cameron as Andrea Thomas/Isis
Glen has a chance to win a new motorcycle, but the means of winning may prove more than Glen is willing to commit. He learns a hard lesson when his desire to win almost costs the life of a another person.
We start off the final season of Shazam! with a story that does work in today's world. John and Richard discuss how there are those in this instant world who aren't willing to work for something they desire. They also discuss what may be the worst stunts in the series, the odd choice to use a new voice over for Billy's transformation, and the caliber of guest stars this particular episode has. And finally, just what is a pizza-flavored malt?
It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode. Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.
Moral: “Just about anything worthwhile has to be worked for, and earned. If it's worth having, it's worth waiting for."
Guest Cast
Mark Montgomery as Glen
Dennis Olivieri as Fred
William Campbell as Officer Ken Taylor
Walker Edmiston as Bob Rose
Dan is much too proud to ever ask help from anyone to the point where he risks his and his girlfriend's lives. But will he learn a lesson when he sees the World's Mightiest Mortal asking for help from the Champion of Truth and Justice?
Long before Hercules and Xena - long before Buffy and Angel - long before Steve Austin and Jaime Sommers, there was Captain Marvel and Isis. It's the first of several team-ups featuring the two stars of our iconic Saturday morning TV shows. The question is, is it all worth it? Is the story worthy of such a meeting? John and Richard discuss this as well as begin a series of reviews of the DC Comics Isis series from 1976-77. They start with Isis' first appearance in Shazam! #25.
It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode. Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.
Moral: “There are a lot of things we can do by ourselves, but it's kind of foolish and maybe even dangerous to try to do something when we don't know how."
Guest Cast
Steve Benedict as Dan Haley
Cindy Eilbacher as Susie Walsh
&
Joanna Cameron as Andrea Thomas and Isis
Paul and his friends are hanging out on a Sunday afternoon and are bored. So they decide to go to school. Makes sense, right? Paul has his misgivings and he's proven right when his friends accidentally start a fire and his dog is almost killed in it before being saved by Captain Marvel. Billy and Mentor know Paul knows something but he doesn't want to be a "fink". Will he see it's better to admit the truth before it's too late?
Danny Bonaduce plays the misguided, but well intentioned teen who keeps his silence in this episode. John and Richard play the hosts of a podcast discussing the episode. They discuss how many kids learned to take off in flight from Superman and Captain Marvel as well as the "rural" effect on television in the 70s.
It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode. Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.
Moral: “Don't ever be afraid of being called a name. As long as you're sure what you're doing is right, there's no word... no name... that can harm you."
Guest Cast
Melvin F. Allen as Sheriff
Danny Bonaduce as Paul
Eric Chase as Sam
Ty Henderson as Kyle
Hal Lynch as John Jerome
Kerry Maclane as Chuck
Kathy has raised Packy since he was a pup. It's an adorable relationship, but there is one hitch - Packy is a wolf. He's getting older now and harder to control. Add to it, the danger he poses to livestock in the area and Kathy's father wants to release him to the wild. But Kathy and Packy run away and quickly find themselves in danger. Can Captain Marvel rescue the two in time?
It's the first episode of the season that John and Richard do not like which is surprising considering how good the stories have been to this point and the fact that this one was written by a team who wrote some good stories in the first season. The two discuss where this one went wrong, the laws concerning the possession of wild creatures, and the motif of eating that runs throughout the entire Shazam! series.
It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode. Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.
Moral: “Having a pet carries responsibilities. Some animals are born to be free. To deprive them of that right is selfish, so we all must understand and respect the laws of nature... for our sake, as well as for our animal friends."
Guest Cast
Conlan Carter as Bob Rose
Shannon Terhune as Kathy Rose
Billy and Mentor are shocked to learn that Captain Marvel is accused of robbing a gas station. Billy's first instinct is to investigate the matter, but he turns himself in as Captain Marvel in order to prove a point to a young boy about the idea that no one is above the law. But if Captain Marvel is in jail, who is going to prove his innocence?
John and Richard are both in agreement that this is one of the best episodes in the entire series. We learn though it's one that Jackson Bostwick suggested as an idea for the show and it allows Captain Marvel a lot more dialogue and screen time. The two discuss the potential of the episode, the importance of the moral today in a world where many feel they are above the law, and the number of known actors who appeared in this episode.
It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode. Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.
Moral: “Respecting the law is just another way of saying that we respect each other. Laws have been made for the good of everyone, and when someone breaks the law, they're saying "I don't care about you." When you respect the law, you respect yourself."
Guest Cast
Ben Andrews as Pierce Young
William Bassett as Bill Ritzi
Ross Elliot as Sheriff Martin
Jack Garner as Phil Schartoff
Jimmy McNichol as Kelly Martin
Bill Quinn as Larry Frank
An old gold prospector is tormented by a group of young boys in the mountains near his claim. But when he's trapped within his mine, will they do the right thing and save him in time?
Actor Michael Gray returns to the podcast to discuss another favorite of his from the Shazam! series. This episode marks the final appearance of Jackson Bostwick in the role of Captain Marvel. In addition to discussing the episode, Michael also talks about the accident that brought about Jackson's departure, the bonus feature he appears in on the Archer sixth season DVD set, and the possibility of his appearing on Dancing with the Stars.
It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode. Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.
Moral: “There are some things even more precious than gold, things like respect and understanding. Respect means more than being polite. It means knowing we've learned from each other. There's a lot we can learn, if we only listen.
Debbie is a girl who finds herself attracted to wrong people, despite her mother's warnings. When she finds herself getting in too deep and her life in danger, can Captain Marvel save her in time? Also, what happened to Captain Marvel?
On our last Shazam! review, we pointed out how the show did nothing new or innovative with the premiere of the second season. It all seemed like business as usual. Be careful what you wish for. As the credits to this second episode begin, one can see there is clearly someone new in terms of who is wearing the big red suit. John Davey takes over the role of Captain Marvel. Hosts John and Richard discuss Davey's first outing and draw their own comparisons, from childhood and today, to the portrayals of the two actors in the series.
It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode. Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.
Moral: "When a parent sets rules and regulations, it really is a form of expression of their love and concern. Sometimes the hardest thing for them to say is "no." But we can be sure that if they say "no", that most of the time there's a good reason for it."
Guest Cast
Cindy Henderson as Debbie
Harry Moses as Tom
Casey Young as Paul
The second season of Shazam! begins and it looks like business as usual. In fact, that's the problem here, for a season premiere of a hot Saturday morning television show, the opening of its second season is somewhat lackluster. Two brothers are vying for their father's attention and the younger of the two feels left out. But he soon learns that his father loves him enough to risk his life for him.
The second season of Shazam! begins and while there are many changes in store for the coming season, this first episode doesn't seem to demonstrate it. John and Richard discuss how what is right with a usual episode of Shazam! is what is wrong with this season opener. Plus, they discuss how the Elders flashbacks that Billy has during the course of the episode are not neccessary and won't be missed on Isis.
It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode. Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.
Moral: "Winning isn't the important thing. What is important, is to do the very best you can. And a parent's love is a very special kind of love, its so big, that no matter how many brothers or sisters you have, there's more than enough love for everyone."
Guest Cast
Stephen R. Hudis as Dan
John Lupton as Craig Enright
Eric Shea as Corky
Vinnie is out of jail and looking for revenge on Jackie. Will Jackie take on Vinnie? Why does everyone thing Billy is looking for a fight? Was this episode really necessary?
The first season of Shazam! comes to an end with the second of a two-part story. And the real question is, "Was this episode really necessary?" John and Richard come at the episode from different sides and have very different opinions on it.
It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode. Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.
Moral: "In the end, fighting doesn't prove anything. It makes more sense to work together, and iron out our differences in a constructive, rather than a destructive way."
Guest Cast
Greg Mabrey as Jackie
Jack McCulloch as Vinnie
Tom Ruben as Vinnie's Lieutenant
Carol Anne Seflinger as Mellie
Chad States as Vinnie's Pal
Jackie has a past that he feels defines who he is. The problem is, it has some back to haunt him and threaten his future. Can Billy separate his feelings from the facts and determine if Jackie is truly innocent of the crime he's accused of committing?
The first season of Shazam! comes to an end with the first of a two-part story. It's an odd duck in many respects, but John and Richard do find the good in it and remind everyone that odd does not mean bad. The question though is, does it hold up today?
It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode. Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.
Moral: "Making one mistake isn't the end of the world. We often get a second chance. Just make sure you don't mess it up, or let others mess it up for you."
Guest Cast
Jimmy Hayes as Mister Samuels
Greg Mabrey as Jackie
Jack McCulloch as Vinnie
Tom Ruben as Vinnie's Lieutentant
Carol Anne Seflinger as Mellie
Chad States as Vinnie's Pal
Alan has self-esteem issues and compensates by making up wild stories about himself to impress his friends. But when he has to prove what he is saying, will he endanger not only himself but his friends as well?
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This episode bares some similarities with the previous episode, "The Delinquent" in that we are dealing with young men with self-esteem issues. The difference he is that Alan is actually quite friendly, but his friendship comes at a cost as he weaves his wild stories. Does it hold today? Why didn't Jackson Bostwick wrestle a lion? And did Richard really beat up Captain Marvel?
It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode. Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.
Moral: “Honesty is the best policy."
Guest Cast
Gary Dubin as Mitch
Scott Garrett as Jerry
Steve Gustafson as Alan
Sean Kelly as Tim
Kerri Shuttleton as Debbie
and
Frank Coghlan Jr. as the Guard
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We're entering the age of "Free to Be You and Me" as Shazam! teaches kids to get in touch with themselves before they can be liked by others. In this episode, John and Richard talk about a kid's self-esteem, Richard as "The Great Indoorsman", and sharing soda cans and ice creams.
It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode. Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.
Moral: “Before we can like others, we must like ourselves."
Guest Cast
Jackie Earle Haley as Norm
Hilly Hicks as Frank Carlin
Larry Michaels as Doug
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As we discussed in a previous interview, this is actor Michael Gray's favorite episode. So it made sense to ask Michael to join us to review "Little Boy Lost". In this episode we discuss the mixed moral message, writer/director Arthur Nadel, real life trauma of children, and John's reversal of his opinion of this episode.
It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode. Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.
Moral: “If you don't communicate, you'll never solve your problems, and the most important communication for all of us, is with the ones we love. Remember, there are times when everyone needs help, even you."
Guest Cast
John Carter as Sam
Eddie Firestone as Lou
Mark Edward Hall as Howard
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We come to the episode written by Donald F. Glut who we interviewed on a previous podcast. He mentioned how there were elements of Jim he could relate to as a kid. Indeed, being a fan of genre television, movies, and books was not as well accepted back in the 70s as it is today and John and Richard relate to the character in many respects as well. The two get into a further discussion on why higher powers do not use their abilities to help mortal beings and wonder what role Satan may have in this story.
It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode. Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.
Moral: “We all want to be liked, but scary, daredevil stunts aren't the way to go about it. If a person can't like you for who you are, then maybe they aren't worth having as friends."
Guest Cast
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We all have felt, at one time or another, that some of the classes we took in the course of our education were useless. But one never knows what life will throw at them. In the course of this episode, lessons in ancient history and geology pay off for Billy and Cathy, but will Don learn his lesson before it's too late. Plus, Richard relates some personal stories of times he spent with Shazam! stars Jackson Bostwick and Michael Gray. Stay tuned for the story of how guest star Wink Roberts set the desert landscape on fire.
It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode. Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.
Moral: “If you close your mind to learning, sooner or later you're going to have it opened and be surprised at just how much you've shortchanged yourself. So if you ever think about dropping out of school, you're only hurting yourself."
Guest Cast
Wink Roberts as Don
Lisa Eilbacher as Cathy
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"Snitches dig ditches" is a common phrase among the young today, sadly, but it seems to hold true with young Larry Burns. In this episode, John and Richard discuss the responsibility of youth to step forward and report wrongdoing, the question of powerful beings granting insight into potential danger, and the difficult stunts Jackson Bostwick had to perform.
It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode. Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.
Moral: “Some day you may see somebody do something wrong. If you don't know what to do about it, just remember that when a problem has you stumped, it's a good idea to talk with a grown-up you can trust. It could save you a lot of trouble in the long run!"
Guest Cast
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This episode has a great deal of ties to the seventies as the struggles of the Native American were finally being recognized in American television. No longer were we seeing the Native American as the Indian, the enemy of the cowboy, but rather as a group of displaced people looking to be recognized and respected. But does the episode hold up? John and Richard discuss this and more on a new episode of the podcast.
It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode. Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.
Moral: “The desert and traditions of other people have much to teach us and must be preserved for future generations to see and to know."
Guest Cast
Ruben Moreno as Chief Adam
John Linton as Johnny
Allen G. Norman as Jed
Will Seltzer as Artie
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After the dark themes of the previous two episodes, John and Richard tackle the ideas of equality and realizing your dreams in "The Athlete". Is this a tale that still needs to be told today? What is it about the "utterance of a single word" that lends such credibility to the show? Would this story need to be altered as we've discussed with previous stories in order to work for a modern audience? Are the stunts seen in this episode the best in the entire series?
It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode. Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.
Moral: “Everyone should be given a chance to prove his or her abilities."
Guest Cast
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In the continuation of the review of this two-part story, John and Richard discuss if this episode holds up to the five "Holey Moley" rating the first part of the story received. They look at the legality of what Billy and Gary do in order to entrap Brok. They also comment on the lengthly chase scenes as was apparant in the last episode. In the end, does this hold up and does it remain as dark as the first part offered?
It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode. Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.
Moral: “It's important to be responsible for what we say and what we do.”
Guest Cast