The Arabian Knights
1968 - United StatesCreated by Hanna-Barbera Productions in the USA, Arabian Knights appeared in an animated segment of the Banana Splits.
Stories are set round the ancient city of Baghdad which is under the rule of the evil Sultan Bakaar who has usurped the throne from the rightful inheritance of the young Prince Turham. Whilst fleeing the city for his own safety, Turham meets a magician, Fariek, who uses his magic powers to help the young prince escape (via flying table as he is "fresh out of flying carpets."). They eventually meet up and befriend Raseem the Strong in the Caves of Doom and head for the home of Turhan's uncle, the Caliph of El Rabal, only to discover that he too has been deposed by Bakaar, who is planning to sell the Caliph's daughter, Nida, into slavery. The allies manage to free Nida with the aid of Bez, a man who can transform himself into any animal. Along with Raseem's small donkey, Zazuum, the heroic band set off on many more adventures as they set out to rid the land of the tyrant Bakaar.
Prince Turhan was voiced by Jay North, the former child actor who, at the age of six, became a household name for his role as Dennis the Menace and Shari Lewis, the American ventriloquist best known for her puppet Lamb Chop, provided the voice for Princess Nida.
Published on November 27th, 2018. Written by Laurence Marcus for Television Heaven.
