Sunday, August 21, 2016

Sinbad Junior!




Sinbad Jr. and His Magic Belt came up at another online location I frequent (Golden Silver Bronze Ages Message Board if you must know) and it got me to musing about this vintage syndicated cartoon. I have fond memories of this showing up weekdays on local television, a wacky updated variation on the classic Arabian Knights character bonded with what passed for superhero tropes of the time.

Sinbad had a magic belt that when he tightened it would give him superpowers. He'd do pretty much what Popeye used to do, put with the nonsense for a bit then resort to his super strength to mop up the threat. Sinbad had a partner named Salty, an obligatory nautically cliched parrot who functioned as comedy relief.

My research on the cartoon suggests it had a rather complicated development, first beginning in 1960 but falling in the face of possible litigation from others who already had some claim to the Sinbad name, at least in specific formulations. Eventually the cartoon originated by Sam Singer (called the "Ed Wood" of animation by some) was dusted off by Hanna-Barbara and recast with Tim Matheson (Jonny Quest's voice) taking the role and the ubiquitous Mel Blanc as Salty.

Here's a sample.



Dell Comics managed to crank out three issues of a comic inspired by the cartoon. The first two issues which dropped in 1965 and 1966 were done by Charlton stalwart Tony Tallarico. The third issue is not credited to Tallarico, at least not the GCD.

Fun stuff!

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2 comments:

  1. I remember watching this cartoon growing up but don't remember if it was part of a day time show like Captain Kangaroo or some kid show. Didn't know about the comic book.

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    1. I don't know when I saw them either, but I think they were a daily event.

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