This was the first depiction of a comic book superhero on film.
Superman was originally considered for this project, however, when National Periodical Publications (now known as DC Comics) turned Republic down, the producers made the offer to Fawcett Comics for its top character and was accepted.
Billy Batson becomes Captain Marvel by speaking the name of the wizard Shazam: S = The Wisdom of Solomon; H = The Strength of Hercules; A = The Stamina of Atlas; Z = The Power of Zeus; A = The Courage of Achilles; M = The Speed of Mercury.
Captain Marvel's costume, which is red in comic books, was actually blue/gray in order to photograph better in black and white.
The Golden Scorpion weapon featured in this serial would be reintroduced in Captain Marvel's 1994 comics series, "The Power of Shazam!"