...And what an imposing figure she is too, seen right after the opening credits, looking strangely imperious as she stood out looking over her "kingdom". On first glance, I found myself checking the credits to make sure "she" was a woman, and although little information was available on Anita Lhotse, I found out indeed she was, a former swimming champion who once dated Clint Eastwood. But for this fourth of the Jungle Jim series, she's presented as an evil figure, indeed referred to as a witch, although it's insinuated that she was lost in the jungle as a child (a la Tarzan) yet according to native legend without the big heart of Johnny Weismueller's earlier character. Indeed, she has a very masculine face, a severe hair style, and enough muscle tone to make Xena, Warrior Princess jealous. Like Tarzan too, she has the ability to call wild animals, but seemingly, it's not to help somebody in distress.
Weismueller is joined by another former Tarzan, Buster Crabbe, quite different here as a villain searching for lost treasure. He's the type of white man that makes the natives hate all white men, even though Jungle Jim is clearly on their side. Accompanied by his puppy and baby chimp pals (who seemingly understand English), Jim finds out the truth about "the white witch", and comes across another lost city filled with a mystery of its own. In silly "native headdress", Rick Vallin hunts all of the white characters, bringing them altogether for the ultimate showdown. Silly fun for those who can stomach such nonsense, it's a fun time filler with plenty of thrills, unintentional laughs, and a not quite leading lady who only pretends to whistle to her animal pals and doesn't utter a word. Not surprising she only made one film, it's also a relief that Columbia didn't spin off a series featuring her.
Weismueller is joined by another former Tarzan, Buster Crabbe, quite different here as a villain searching for lost treasure. He's the type of white man that makes the natives hate all white men, even though Jungle Jim is clearly on their side. Accompanied by his puppy and baby chimp pals (who seemingly understand English), Jim finds out the truth about "the white witch", and comes across another lost city filled with a mystery of its own. In silly "native headdress", Rick Vallin hunts all of the white characters, bringing them altogether for the ultimate showdown. Silly fun for those who can stomach such nonsense, it's a fun time filler with plenty of thrills, unintentional laughs, and a not quite leading lady who only pretends to whistle to her animal pals and doesn't utter a word. Not surprising she only made one film, it's also a relief that Columbia didn't spin off a series featuring her.