Arabian Knights

Last updated
Arabian Knights
Arabian knights title.jpg
Title card
Genre Animation, Fantasy
Directed by
Voices of
Country of originUnited States
Original languages
  • English
  • French
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes18
Production
Production company Hanna-Barbera Productions
Original release
Network NBC
ReleaseSeptember 7, 1968 (1968-09-07) 
January 4, 1969 (1969-01-04)

Arabian Knights is an animated segment of The Banana Splits Adventure Hour , created by Hanna-Barbera Productions. The series is based on the Arabian Nights , a classic work of Middle Eastern literature. [1] The cast includes Henry Corden, Paul Frees, Frank Gerstle, Shari Lewis, Jay North and John Stephenson. [2]

Contents

Plot: Secret origins

Once a peaceful country, Persia was overrun by the powerful forces of the evil conqueror Bakaar the Black Sultan. When all the states of Persia were overthrown, Bakaar invaded the capital city of Baghdad. Bakaar and his forces breached the royal palace and forcibly claimed the throne from Prince Turhan and ordered the prince to be killed. Prince Turhan fled the palace, pursued by the guards of Bakaar. In his escape, the prince is helped by a magician named Fariik who with his magic slipped away from the guards. On their way to the state of El-Rabaul to seek aid from his uncle the Caliph, Turhan and Fariik meet Raseem while being chased by the guards in the Caves of Doom. Raseem tells them that Bakaar's forces have already usurped the throne of El-Rabaul and imprisoned the Caliph and his daughter Princess Nida. The trio then heads to El-Rabaul on Raseem's donkey Zazuum.

In El-Rabaul, they rescue Princess Nida who is about to be sold into slavery. There, Princess Nida demonstrates her mastery of disguise and voice mimicry by tricking the guards, but they soon find themselves cornered by Bakaar's men. There Bez jumps into the scene, shapeshifts into an elephant, charges through the guards, and carries everyone to safety. In the Caves of Doom, they decide to form a heroic band and swear to protect their land from the tyranny of Bakaar, thus forming an alliance called the Arabian Knights.

Series direction

Arabian Knights was one of several animated miniseries used as filler segments for Hanna-Barbera's Banana Splits Adventure Hour show. Each episode ran between 9 and 10 minutes in length. For the most part, it competed with the other series, namely the animated The Three Musketeers , the part live action, part animated Micro Ventures , and the live action Danger Island segments.

Often, the general thrust of the Arabian Knights adventures deals with the Knights trying to effect some action against Bakaar’s soldiers, finding a means to further complete their goal of turning the tables on the evil dictator, or dealing with another villain set within the Knights' universe.

For the most part, these adventures were done with a semi-serious slant, with a goodly portion of action and comedy mixed in. Hardly anyone was injured or harmed—save for Bakaar's minions (with a usually comic effect), and the episodes usually had an upbeat, happy ending for the Knights.

Characters

The Arabian Knights

Villains

Episodes

TitleOriginal air date
1"Joining of the Knights"September 7, 1968 (1968-09-07)
This episode tells the secret origins of Bakaar's invasion of Baghdad and how the Arabian Knights came into being.
2"The Ransom"September 14, 1968 (1968-09-14)

After saving Prince Raji (Dick Beals) from the minions of Bakaar, the Arabian Knights go to help his father the Caliph of al-ʻArish who is being held captive for ransom. Vangore takes the Caliph to Baghdad just as the Arabian Knights attack his camp.

3"A Trap for Turhan"September 21, 1968 (1968-09-21)

Vangore tricks Raseem and captures him to set a trap to lure Prince Turhan and his friends to rescue Raseem and fall into Bakaar's evil scheme: a public execution of the Arabian Knights as enemies of the state.

4"The Great Gold Robbery"September 28, 1968 (1968-09-28)
Bakaar frames the Arabian Knights for the gold robbery from the local treasury to lure them into a deadly trap awaiting them.
5"The Wizard Ramnizar"October 5, 1968 (1968-10-05)
Bakaar hires an evil wizard named Ramnizar to wipe out the Arabian Knights from the face of the Earth.
6"Sky Raiders of the Desert"October 12, 1968 (1968-10-12)
Nida is kidnapped by raiders on flying horses. The Arabian Knights are attacked by giant bats, but they fight them off and manage to infiltrate the Sky Raiders' fortress.
7"The Challenge"October 19, 1968 (1968-10-19)

When Bez brings news of Bakaar holding a contest for the strongest man, Raseem cannot help but take the bait, getting him and Turhan captured. The Arabian Knights stealthily infiltrate the camp and deliver to Bakaar a humiliating loss.

8"Isle of Treachery"October 26, 1968 (1968-10-26)

Vangore captures Queen Shaheera and her son Ahmed to lure the Arabian Knights into a trap. Raseem and Bez quietly dispose of the guards to free the others and drive Vangore and his forces away from the palace.

9"The Sultan's Plot"November 2, 1968 (1968-11-02)

Abaddon, the Sultan of Darkness, takes away the city of Kilibad from its Caliph for denying him tribute. Abaddon then has the Arabian Knights trapped in his darkened kingdom. Using a donkey trick, the Arabian Knights cast sunlight on Abaddon's amulet, rendering his power useless.

10"The Reluctant Empress"November 9, 1968 (1968-11-09)

The ruler Shiraz has the means to take Nida to make her his empress by force, but she puts up an active resistance to his seduction with a heroic spirit. The Arabian Knights follow her to the city of Abadon and battle Shiraz and his men.

11"The Coronation of Bakaar"November 16, 1968 (1968-11-16)
Vangore steals the crown of Araby for Bakaar. The Arabian Knights must reclaim the crown before the coronation ceremony takes place.
12"The Great Brass Beast"November 23, 1968 (1968-11-23)
Vangore is intent on destroying Jiwara with a brass war machine in the form of a war elephant. The war machine seems to be unstoppable for the Arabian Knights.
13"The Fabulous Fair"November 30, 1968 (1968-11-30)

The Arabian Knights go undercover to Bakaar's town fair. Each event the Arabian Knights win incites more rebellious murmurings against Bakaar, especially the horse race where Zazuum poses as an Arabian zebra for a disguised Nida to ride on.

14"The Desert Pirates"December 7, 1968 (1968-12-07)
Vangore overpowers and captures Nida and Raseem with his land pirate ship. The remaining Arabian Knights mislead Vangore to Nazir to ambush him.
15"The Jewels of Joowar"December 14, 1968 (1968-12-14)
Vangore has ransacked Joowar and stolen its magical jewels. Turhan and Raseem are caught trying to retrieve the jewels, but the other Arabian Knights release them and proceed to fight off Vangore.
16"The Spy"December 21, 1968 (1968-12-21)

The Arabian Knights foil Vangore's plunder, but not without losing Zazuum to him. Bakaar's court magician Sundar impersonates Zazuum to find the Arabian Knights' hideout. Sundar's disguise does not go unnoticed and the Arabian Knights repel Bakaar's attack while Zazuum returns.

17"The Prisoner"December 28, 1968 (1968-12-28)

With Vangore out to kidnap Princess Tasmin, Nida takes her place, getting herself and Zazuum captured. They both escape and with the rest of the Arabian Knights, fight off Bakaar's guards and briefly take Bakaar prisoner.

18"The Royal Visitor"January 4, 1969 (1969-01-04)

Prince Kamal visits Baghdad unaware that it is under Bakaar's rule. He gets trapped in a pyramid which the abilities of Raseem and Bez have no effect on. Fariik provides the access to enter the pyramid. After going through the labyrinth and rescuing the prince, everyone escapes the pyramid.

Home media

The 1st episode "Joining of the Knights" was released on the DVDs Saturday Morning Cartoons 1970s Vol. 2 & Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1960s-1980s Collection.

Related Research Articles

<i>The Thief of Bagdad</i> (1924 film) 1924 film by Raoul Walsh

The Thief of Bagdad is a 1924 American silent swashbuckler film directed by Raoul Walsh and starring Douglas Fairbanks, and written by Achmed Abdullah and Lotta Woods. Freely adapted from One Thousand and One Nights, it tells the story of a thief who falls in love with the daughter of the Caliph of Baghdad. In 1996, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aladdin</span> Middle-Eastern folk tale

Aladdin is a Middle-Eastern folk tale. It is one of the best-known tales associated with The Book of One Thousand and One Nights, despite not being part of the original text; it was added by the Frenchman Antoine Galland, based on a folk tale that he heard from the Syrian Maronite storyteller Hanna Diyab.

<i>The Banana Splits</i> American variety television series

The Banana Splits is an American television variety show produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions and featuring the Banana Splits, a fictional rock band composed of four costumed animal characters in red marching band hats with yellow plumes. The costumed hosts of the show are Fleegle, Bingo, Drooper, and Snorky.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shapeshifting</span> Ability to physically transform in mythology, folklore and speculative fiction

In mythology, folklore and speculative fiction, shapeshifting is the ability to physically transform oneself through unnatural means. The idea of shapeshifting is in the oldest forms of totemism and shamanism, as well as the oldest existent literature and epic poems such as the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Iliad. The concept remains a common literary device in modern fantasy, children's literature and popular culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sinbad the Sailor</span> Fictional sailor

Sinbad the Sailor is a fictional mariner and the hero of a story-cycle. He is described as hailing from Baghdad during the early Abbasid Caliphate. In the course of seven voyages throughout the seas east of Africa and south of Asia, he has fantastic adventures in magical realms, encountering monsters and witnessing supernatural phenomena.

<i>Kismet</i> (musical) 1953 US musical by Charles Lederer and Luther Davis

Kismet is a musical adapted by Charles Lederer and Luther Davis from the 1911 play of the same name by Edward Knoblock, with lyrics and musical adaptation by Robert Wright and George Forrest. The music was mostly adapted from several pieces composed by Alexander Borodin. The story concerns a wily poet who talks his way out of trouble several times; meanwhile, his beautiful daughter meets and falls in love with the young caliph.

<i>Aladdin</i> (animated TV series) Animated television series made by Walt Disney Television

Aladdin: The Series is an American animated television series produced by Walt Disney Television Animation that aired from February 6, 1994, to November 25, 1995, concluding exactly three years to the day from the release of the original Disney's 1992 animated feature film of the same name on which it was based. Despite the animated television series premiering four months before the first sequel, the direct-to-video film The Return of Jafar, it takes place afterward. The second and final animated sequel was the 1996 direct-to-video film, Aladdin and the King of Thieves.

<i>Scooby-Doo! in Arabian Nights</i> 1994 television film

Scooby-Doo! in Arabian Nights is a 1994 made-for-television film produced by Hanna-Barbera, and aired on syndication on September 3, 1994. It is an adaptation of The Book of One Thousand and One Nights and features appearances by Scooby-Doo and Shaggy Rogers, in wrap around segments.

<i>Arabian Nights</i> (miniseries) American TV series or program

Arabian Nights is a two-part 2000 miniseries, adapted by Peter Barnes from Sir Richard Francis Burton's translation of the medieval epic One Thousand and One Nights. Mili Avital and Dougray Scott star as Scheherazade and Shahryar respectively. Produced by Dyson Lovell and directed by Steve Barron, the serial was produced by Hallmark Entertainment and originally broadcast over two nights on 30 April and 1 May 2000 on BBC One in the United Kingdom and ABC in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ja'far ibn Yahya</span> 8th century Vizier of Harun al-Rashids Court

Jaʽfar ibn Yahya Barmaki or Jafar al-Barmaki (767–803), also called Aba-Fadl, was a Persian vizier of the Abbasid caliph Harun al-Rashid, succeeding his father in that position. He was a member of the influential Barmakid family, formerly Buddhist leaders of the Nava Vihara monastery. He was executed in 803 at the orders of Harun al-Rashid.

<i>Kismet</i> (1944 film) 1944 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film directed by William Dieterle

Kismet is a 1944 American Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film in Technicolor starring Ronald Colman, Marlene Dietrich, Joy Page, and Florence Bates. James Craig played the young Caliph of Baghdad, and Edward Arnold was the treacherous Grand Vizier. It was directed by William Dieterle, but was not a success at the box office. Dieterle had directed Dietrich two decades before in the German silent film Man by the Wayside, which was both the first role in which Dietrich was cast competitively and Dieterle's directorial debut.

<i>A Thousand and One Nights</i> (1969 film) 1969 Japanese anime film

A Thousand and One Nights is a 1969 Japanese adult animated fantasy film directed by Eiichi Yamamoto, conceived by Osamu Tezuka. The film is the first part of Mushi Production's adult-oriented Animerama trilogy, and was followed by Cleopatra (1970) and Belladonna of Sadness (1973).

A-Lad-In His Lamp is a 1948 Warner Bros. Looney Tunes cartoon. The short stars Bugs Bunny, and features the Genie and Caliph Hassan Pfeffer, who is after Bugs and the genie in his lamp. The voices of Bugs Bunny and Caliph Hassan Pfeffer are voiced by Mel Blanc, and the voice of the genie is played by Jim Backus. The cartoon is a takeoff of the story of Aladdin's Lamp. Elements of this short would later be re-used for the Arabian era in Bugs Bunny & Taz: Time Busters.

<i>Time Travel Tondekeman</i> 1989 television anime

Time Travel Tondekeman is an anime series directed by Kunihiko Yuyama and Akira Sugino. It was written by Junki Takegami and produced by Animax network president Masao Takiyama. Logo Cake Entertainment It was originally broadcast by Fuji Television in Japan between 19 October 1989 and 26 August 1990. Time Quest, as it was called outside Japan, was first aired in the Philippines in 1992 on IBC. It was reaired on ABC in 2000 and GMA Network in 2015. It also was aired in Indosiar, Indonesia during 1995, and it was rerun in Space Toon Indonesia since the year 2008.

<i>The Golden Blade</i> 1953 film by Nathan H. Juran

The Golden Blade is a 1953 American adventure film directed by Nathan Juran and starring Rock Hudson as Harun Al-Rashid and Piper Laurie as Princess Khairuzan. It is set in ancient Bagdad and borrows from the Arabic fairy tales of One Thousand and One Nights as well as the myth of King Arthur and the Sword in the Stone.

<i>La Rosa di Bagdad</i> 1949 Italian film

La Rosa di Bagdad is a 1949 Italian animated film by Anton Gino Domeneghini. In 1952, the film was dubbed into English, retitled The Singing Princess and dubbed by Julie Andrews as her first venture into voice-over work. The film was reissued in 1967, at the height of Andrews' subsequent Hollywood career. It is often cited as one of the first animated films from Europe and in Technicolor together with The Dynamite Brothers. It is also Italy's first film in Technicolor.

<i>Gawayn</i> Animated television series

Gawayn is an animated television series created and designed by Jan Van Rijsselberge. It is produced by Alphanim, and the series has been dubbed into different languages. The title of the show refers to King Arthur's nephew Gawain. As of April 2012, Gawayn has been shown on the Starz Kids & Family cable network. It was also the first Alphanim-produced cartoon to get dubbed in Japanese.

Little Wizards, also called Young Wizards, is a 1987–1988 American animated series, created by Len Janson and Chuck Menville and produced by Marvel Productions and New World International.

<i>Ye Olden Days</i> 1933 Mickey Mouse cartoon

Ye Olden Days is a 1933 animated short film, released as part of the Mickey Mouse film series. It was directed by Burt Gillett and produced by Walt Disney. It was the 55th Mickey Mouse short film, and the fifth of that year.

References

  1. Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. pp. 109–111. ISBN   978-1476665993.
  2. Lenburg, Jeff (2009). The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons (3rd ed.). New York: Checkmark Books. p. 437. ISBN   978-0-8160-6600-1.