In
“Double Trouble,” a thief dressed as Captain Marvel (Jon Davey) robs a gas station. In
truth, the impostor is wearing a Captain Marvel costume and mask. Before long, a local law enforcement
official, Sheriff Martin (Ross Elliott), has issued a warrant for the
superhero’s arrest.
Meanwhile,
the Elders inform Billy Batson (Michael Gray) that “all laws should be respected. Even those which seem unfair.” The
young man is also told to “practice” what he preaches.
Realizing
the meaning of these phrases, Billy transforms into Captain Marvel and turns
himself in, spending the night in the county jail as a prisoner.
With
Captain Marvel incarcerated, Mentor (Les Tremayne) and the sheriff’s son, Kelly
(Jimmy McNichol) go in search of the criminal impersonators. Kelly finds the
cast-off costume and mask, but it is too late: the criminals are gone.
After
the robbers tangle with the sheriff, he releases Captain Marvel to save the
day.
There’s
actually something akin to a criminal plot in this episode of Filmation’s
live-action Shazam! (1974-1976). In “Double Trouble,” Captain Marvel is
targeted as a criminal, but it’s all a mistake owing to a thief wearing Captain
Marvel mask and costume.
After
a warrant is issued, Billy decides he must obey the law, even though it means
he won’t be able to clear Captain Marvel’s name. Instead, that task is left up
to Mentor.
It’s
a fun episode, seeing Captain Marvel behind bars, and then, later, bending
those same bars. It’s also fun to see Captain Marvel, apparently, robbing a gas
station.
Actually,
Davey really makes the role his own this week. Captain Marvel is on-screen more
frequently than he is in many episodes, and he even has more dialogue here,
too. Davey does a good job portraying
the character, essentially a paragon of virtue. But there's something also very human about this iteration of the character.
The
ending sequence of “Double Trouble” is also exciting, as Captain Marvel lands
from the air into the back of a small truck in motion to stop the thieves.
Next
week: “Goodbye, Packy.”
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