Tarzan the Ape Man
Released - March, 1932 
Directed By - W. S. Van Dyke
Starring - Johnny Weissmuller (Tarzan), Neil Hamilton (Harry Holt), Maureen O’Sullivan (Jane Parker), C. Aubrey Smith (James Parker).
Description – On an expedition to Africa in search of the ivory tusks found in the elephant graveyard, James Parker and Harry Holt are unexpectedly joined by Parker’s daughter Jane.
It is during the expedition that they encounter a white man living among the apes. Holt, who is strongly attracted to Jane, tries to protect her from the dangers of Africa and from this strange white man called Tarzan.
Meaning no harm, Tarzan kidnaps Jane more out of curiosity than anything else. Jane is understandably frightened and soon released by Tarzan, but finds that she for some unknown reason misses him.
Not long after, the expeditions party is captured by a tribe of pygmies and dependant on Tarzan for help.
NOTABLE: This was the first Tarzan film to star Johnny Weissmuller, easily the most recognizable Tarzan in the long series.
This film also provided the introduction of Cheetah as Tarzan’s chimpanzee friend. The animal character of Cheetah was not in any of the famed Edgar Rice Burroughs novels.
Clark Gable was considered for the role of Tarzan, but at the time was considered too unknown.
The famous line “me Tarzan, you Jane” never actually was spoken in the film.
Tarzan’s famous yell was actually an Australian yodel played backwards at a higher speed and voiced by sound recordist Douglas Shearer.
Included in The Tarzan Collection – Johnny Weissmuller
Personal Note: This film and the others in The Tarzan Collection were Saturday Matinee specials when I grew up and a great deal of fun. I have recently purchased this set and will be showing them to the grandchildren.
Enjoy browsing the Hollywood Movie Memories Film Store
Tags: johnny weissmuller, maureen o'sullivan, neil hamilton, w s van dyke
December 18th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
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