Arabian Knights

The Arabian Knights

1968 - United States

Created 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.

Read Next...

Adventure Weekly

Five budding young reports get involved in a series of adventures.

Also released in 1968

All Your Own

BBC hobby programme for children.

Also tagged Childrens Television

The Caesars

Historical period drama detailing the murder, sex and madness that will forever have a place in the annals of ancient history.

Also released in 1968

Dad's Army

"If the quality of the writing was a major factor in Dad's Army's resounding success, then that quality was more than matched by a cast which not so much interpreted the writing, as physically embodied it."

Also released in 1968

For the Children

Just a year after experimental BBC television began broadcasting to a few hundred homes in London, a ten-minute show called For The Children made its debut.

Also tagged Childrens Television

Crime Buster

Ray Saxon has a nose for sports racketeers. Working for the Sunday Globe he investigates corruption and murder.

Also released in 1968

According to Dora

According to Dora, subtitled A Bryan's Eye View on the World, was a starring vehicle for Southport born actress/comedienne Dora Bryan who had made her showbiz debut as a child in pantomime in Manchester.

Also released in 1968

The Appleyards

Transmitted once a fortnight from 1952 in the Children's Television slot, The Appleyards is generally regarded as Britain's first television soap opera-even if it was made for kids.

Also tagged Childrens Television

H.R. Pufnstuf

Short lived but lively musical series based on The Wizard Of Oz.

Also tagged Childrens Television