User Reviews

TARZAN AND HIS MATE (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1934), directed by Jack Conway (credited to MGM art director Cedric Gibbons), a sequel to the successful TARZAN THE APE MAN (1932), remains a highly acclaimed entry in the series. As with its predecessor, the character of Tarzan (and now Jane) do not appear until late into the story, in this instance 23 minutes from the start of the movie. Hailed by many as the best of the entire series, it's noted solely not only for its action and adventure, but for its sexual innuendos, Jane's two-piece jungle wear, as well as the most eye-opening sequence of all, the underwater swimming of Tarzan (still sporting his loincloth) with Jane, in long shot and shown from her back, completely in the nude. This now famous sequence which was later removed, especially from commercial television, has amazingly survived over the years and now restored, elevating the standard 93 minute print back up to its near theatrical length of 105 minutes. Johnny Weissmuller, the Olympic swimming champion chosen to play Edgar Rice Burrough's literary jungle hero, reprises his role, with an added bonus with mono-syllable ideologue. Unlike his co-star, Maureen O'Sullivan, Weissmuller's movie career became limited solely to playing Tarzan while O'Sullivan ventured in other screen roles without losing her identity as Jane.

In the conclusion of TARZAN THE APE MAN, Jane's father (C. Aubrey Smith) dies in Mutia Escartment, Harry Holt (Neil Hamilton) returns to England without his love, Jane, who has chosen to remain in the jungle with Tarzan. The sequel opens with Harry returning to Africa, accompanied by his assistant, Marlin Arlington (Paul Cavanaugh), to secure the ivory fortune at the elephant burial ground. En-route through the jungle, their safari meets up with danger as they are attacked by murderous natives and gorilla tribes. In time the safari is saved by the jungle call of Tarzan, who then escorts Harry to his mate, Jane. While Harry's intentions are honorable, with the hope of having Jane return home to England with him, Arlington's is not, plotting to do away with Tarzan and causing trouble for everyone concerned.

The supporting players consist of Forrester Harvey reprising his role as Beamish; Doris Lloyd, who also appeared in TARZAN THE APE MAN, assuming another part, that of Madame Feronde; Paul Porcasi as Monsieur Gironde; Desmond Roberts as Henry Van Ness; William Stack as Pierce; and Nathan Curry as Saidi.

The behind the scenes look to the making of TARZAN AND HIS MATE is as interesting as the movie itself. According to sources, there were complications during production, former silent screen matinée idol Rod LaRocque was replaced by Paul Cavanaugh, Jack Conway took over for Cedric Gibbons in the director's chair, having to film much of the movie all over again, as well as technical problems and script revisions. In spite of everything, it finally was completed, being the classic is has become.

A pre-code movie if ever there was one, TARZAN AND HIS MATE was obviously made for the adult masses. It would be another decade before the Tarzan films reverted more to the appeal of children like a Saturday afternoon matinée. Villains are the main factor in much of the series, and Paul Cavanaugh's performance, which might have gone to resident MGM bad guy John Miljan, plays a convincing one. His evilness speaks through his shifty eyes, especially on how he looks at the carefree Jane in her most abbreviated jungle attire as she sucks out snake poison from his forearm. He even forces his intentions on Jane by kissing her on the lips. Another interesting mention is the death of Tarzan's pet monkey, Cheta, midway through the story, while attempting to save Tarzan from a vicious rhinoceros. However, Cheta's offspring, mourning for its mother, is then adopted by Jane, who calls this one Cheta, too.

Action scenes are plentiful, bringing out many highlights, including some well constructed ones including Tarzan's battle against a 14-foot crocodile, he defeating the natives, and leading elephant stampedes. Jane also shows off her courage and skill while facing the dangers of the jungle as she plays dead while being surrounded by lions. Besides the recognized Tarzan yell, Jane gives out her jungle call as well, normally as a distress signal, in the more operatic sounding level, along with Jane's leap from the tree-top into the arms of Tarzan below - acrobatic style. With much of these ingredients and fast pace action, TARZAN AND HIS MATE is in many ways close to being superior to TARZAN THE APE MAN.

TARZAN AND HIS MATE, along with the remaining post 1934 MGM films in the series, were distributed on video cassette during the 1990s, then onto DVD in 2004. This along with the other Tarzan adventures played on the American Movie Classics cable channel from 1997 to 2000, and beginning in 2004, Turner Classic Movies picked up the option in airing the duration of the MGM/ Weissmuller series (1934-1942), making this second entry the most televised thus far. (***1/2) Next installment: TARZAN ESCAPES (1936).

As noted by other reviewers this is one of the best Tarzan movies. Unlike others however, I like the beginning of the film as it feels like a pretty accurate depiction of what a trading post must have been like. Plus the exposition is needed so we know why Harry wants to go back into the jungle. In addition the beginning of the film contains one of the most thrilling and terrifying chase sequences ever made.This occurs when Harry's safari group has to outrun a tribe of cannibals. The pre-censorship production values add a lot of realism, genuinely depicting the terrible dangers that awaited Europeans going into the jungle. The film also offers, though perhaps antecedently, an accurate account of how horribly treated the native Africans were by their white employers. In addition sexy Jane, thousands of elephants , some great sets and two chetas! Not to be missed an adventure classic.

It feels weird saying this as a young black man of 29, but Maureen O'Sullivan engenders/embodies a flirty sexuality unequaled in today's movies. She plays tomboyish, but is so flirty at the same time that renders her simply irresistible as Jane. I'm also surprised that Tarzan is still so rough with her and that that was acceptable back in the day. I mean, it's cute, but a tad ungentlemanly.

Since I need to write at least ten lines, I'll continue on...

It's actually really refreshing, the irrelevance of the shame of nudity in this film. Here we are, in 1934, with a man undressing for a bath in the same room with his friend. Jane's naked silhouette tempting the imaginations of every red-blooded American. It's just so natural and alluring in its unabashedness. The skinny-dipping scene is a beautiful ballet of light, water, and skin. It's not pornographic, simply playful and free.

As a black man, I'd love if there was some way the treatment of blacks in this film weren't so harsh, as though all they are are beasts of burden, but I suppose it was a sign of the times. It's darned near slavery. But then again, I never traveled on safari in Africa in the 30s.

The release of TARZAN THE APE MAN, in 1932, caused a sensation. It may be hard to believe, 70 years later, but the film had much of the same kind of impact as THE MATRIX, or THE LORD OF THE RINGS has achieved, at a time when movies and radio were the major sources of entertainment. Tarzan became an instant pop icon, the 'noble savage' that every woman fantasized about, and every man wished he could be. The only person unhappy about the situation was Edgar Rice Burroughs, who, while he'd agreed to MGM's creative liberties, and enjoyed his hefty royalty checks, felt the 'dumbed down' version of his character (with no plans to allow him to 'grow') was unfaithful to his vision (he would start a production company, and soon be making his own 'Tarzan' films). MGM, realizing the value of it's newest 'star', knew the sequel would have to be even more spectacular than the original...and TARZAN AND HIS MATE delivered!

The film had an interesting back story; Cedric Gibbons, MGM's legendary Art Director, had gotten a commitment from the studio to direct the sequel, prior to the release of TARZAN THE APE MAN, despite the fact that he'd NEVER directed before (the studio hadn't anticipated the film's impact, and didn't think a novice director would matter much on a 'novelty' film...and they wanted to keep their Oscar-winning department chief happy). Gibbons, a prodigiously talented and imaginative visual artist, loved the freedom of pre-Code Hollywood, and decided to have TARZAN AND HIS MATE 'push the envelope' to the limit...Tarzan and Jane would frolic in a nude swim, and Jane would appear TOPLESS through most of the film. Maureen O'Sullivan said in an interview shortly before her death, in 1998, that while a double was used for the swim, she trusted the studio, and did 'a couple of days' of filming sans top...but it became too much of a headache trying to strategically place plants and fruit to block her nipples, and the idea was abandoned (the film shot those days would be worth a fortune!) She did do a nude silhouette scene in a tent, flashed her breasts at the conclusion of her 'swim', and donned a revised 'jungle' costume that was extremely provocative, very thin, and open at the sides...and the resulting outcry would help 'create' the Hays Office, and the self-censorship that would soon engulf the entire industry.

MGM yanked Gibbons from the production (the 'official' reason given was his workload as Art Director), and veteran Jack Conway was listed as the new director, to appease the critics...although James C. McKay actually directed the film, as Conway was busy on 3 other projects, including VIVA VILLA!

The film incorporated the best elements of the original (safaris, murderous tribes, Tarzan fighting jungle beasts to the death to save Jane), and actually improved on the storytelling. Harry Holt (Neil Hamilton), from the first film, returns to Africa for ivory from the 'Elephants' Graveyard', and to try to seduce Jane into returning to England, with gifts of silk dresses, underwear, and perfume. He brings with him Martin Arlington (Paul Cavanagh), a crack shot and inveterate womanizer, who sneers at Holt's chivalrous pursuit of Jane, and stalks her as a potential 'conquest', to be had by any means (including killing Tarzan, if and when he can get away with it without being seen).

Tarzan barely tolerates the intrusion into his happy life with Jane, and puts his foot down, refusing to allow the hunters into the Graveyard. Arlington finds his opportunity, catching the Ape Man alone, and shoots him, then returns to the camp with a fabricated story of his demise. Now Jane has no reason to remain in the jungle, and she can direct them to the Graveyard, before her long voyage back to England, comforted by the oh-so-sympathetic Arlington. But a savage tribe and hideous torture await the group...can Tarzan, being nursed back to health by his ape 'family', recover in time to save Jane?

While stock footage is again used extensively, the racial stereotypes of the 30s are apparent, and the gorillas are obviously actors in ape suits, TARZAN AND HIS MATE achieves a level of sophistication unsurpassed in any other 'Tarzan' film, as well as a sexiness that even Bo Derek's blatantly erotic TARZAN, THE APE MAN couldn't touch. Johnny Weissmuller was in peak condition, physically, Maureen O'Sullivan was never more beautiful, and 'Africa' never looked more romantic, and dangerous.

TARZAN AND HIS MATE was a triumph (although it would be drastically edited for many years), and remains THE classic of the series, to this day!

The efforts that MGM gave on this lavish production were undeniable, greatest sets where a painted wall has high mountain as backdrope, so many animals were introduces in each fight scenes, Johnny Weissmuller at peak of his physical fitness, allowed a vigorous decent acting, also see again the famous Neil Hamilton on early steps of his priceless career is quite nostalgic, but the highlights came from the measureless underwater ballet scenes between Tarzan and an almost nude Jane, astonishing scenes from a pre-code enforced by moralist at its time, even having a weak plot all sequence were fully developed on high standard pattern by Metro, a bit dated by now, moreover allied with a fine supporting casting the picture flow smoothly to the viewers!!

Resume:

First watch: 1988 / How many: 2 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 7.5

The second of the MGM Tarzan movies should be heralded as one of the finest adventure films in cinematic history. A sequel to Tarzan the Ape Man (1932), it brings back Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan as Tarzan and Jane respectively, and then runs through scene after scene of pre-code and pre-computer effects excellence.

Plot line is weak, but it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of entertainment things. Basically greedy ivory hunter Martin Arlington (Paul Cavanagh) and Harry Holt (Neil Hamilton as Jane's one time beau who has lost her to Lord of the Apes) travel into the jungle in search of Mutia Escarpment - the elephant burial grounds. Tarzan and Jane arrive on the scene after 20 minutes of film, which is the cue for Jane to make the two Khaki Fatigue wearing lads hot under the collar, and for Tarzan to literally have to fight for his woman - the animals - and his life!

What unfolds in 105 minutes of film is a tale of simmering sexuality, raw animal instincts, brutal battles and some Simian scene stealing. Cedric Gibbons originally directed the picture, well he was there until MGM realised he wasn't up to the task and replaced him with a criminally uncredited Jack Conway, and Conway (The Easiest Way) was just the man to curl the toes of those waiting in the wings at censorship city.

OK! The sexy angle is hard to ignore, and why anyone with a pulse would want to is anyone's guess! O'Sullivan is barely covered and Weismuller is in such fine shape he makes me wish I had never discovered booze and junk food! There is rumble in the jungle as Tarzan and Jane go for a swim, as he blows on her hair to wake her up (oh she sleeps in the raw by the way), and as the city boys revel in getting Jane to once again wear a "city" dress. This is just a point of reference to make us aware that the one time city girl has thrown off her sexual inhibitions and gone natural up in the tree tops. And did I mention a sexy silhouette scene? No? Well I have now.

So, casting aside the wonderful eroticism of it all, as an action film it's also superb. The technical tools available in the early 1930s are used to the max here, it matters not about dummies being flung about the place, or that men in monkey suits fill in while Cheetah is off having a smoke! Or even that the back projection work will appear crude to the X-Box generation, this is film making craft that enchanted those film lovers queueing at the theatre to see this back in 1934. Watching it now demands the utmost respect and admiration.

So, get ready for a native army who during their attacks specialise in firing arrows into the heads of the enemy. For Gorilla's who love to use boulders as weapons. For Tarzan to fight a lion, a crocodile and a rhinoceros. Watch in awe as there is Pachyderm Pandemonium, a pride of lions menacing our Jane, classy chimps proving smarter than your average human, and of course there are high grade gymnastics evident as well.

The Hays Code would soon come into play and dilute the Tarzan series, but still being able to see these early MGM Tarzan movies is akin to going to a film museum where only the open minded are invited. Wonderful. 10/10

Tarzan And His Mate was the second of MGM's Tarzan series and we find Maureen O'Sullivan settled down to jungle bliss with Johnny Weissmuller without benefit of clergy. In the first film Tarzan The Ape Man, Jane after her father died decided to stay with Tarzan and her guide and suitor Neil Hamilton went back to civilization.

Now Hamilton is back with a partner, wolfish Paul Cavanaugh who is in business with Hamilton to discover the elephant's graveyard, that legendary place where the elephants go to die and there's tons of ivory to be picked up. That's a lot of piano keys. He's hoping to enlist Tarzan's help with Jane's help.

As it involves old friends she gets Tarzan to agree. Hamilton still likes her, but keeps a distance. Not Cavanaugh who is acting in the best Snidely Whiplash tradition. This is the only Tarzan film I remember where Tarzan's domestic bliss is threatened.

Lots of Trader Horn stock footage is used and effectively. Best scenes involve Tarzan taking on a rhino and the final climax where O'Sullivan, Cavanaugh, and Hamilton are all threatened by lions being sicced on them by a hostile tribe. Nicely done if a bit way out.

Tarzan And His Mate also features the famous nude swim scene with Weissmuller and O'Sullivan. When the Code came in this scene was edited out, but fortunately restored for these less puritanical times.

Definitely one of the better Tarzan features.

It's interesting how movies slumped after the censors got their out of joint noses involved. Our Puritan foundation really diminished a lot of film for many years (in some ways, it's still happening today). Like "Bride of Frankenstein" surpassing the original, "Tarzan and His Mate" is superior to the first Weissmuller film. Maureen O'Sullivan is incredible to look at, but has all the feistiness and self esteem to hold her own with the big guy. But most importantly, the producers and writers asked themselves what a true depiction of these two, living in the jungle, should be like. They went for the rawness. In addition to the recognition of the sexuality in this film, it is filled with well crafted adventures and close calls. Efforts are still being made by the Westerners to try to reclaim the beautiful young woman. These movies were much more fundamental than the silly stuff that came later, as professional body builders and football players got into the mix. When filmmakers had to work with less, they often had to resort to creativity and imagination.

You have to wonder why Jane Parker (Maureen O'Sullivan) resists the temptation of returning to civilization when her hunter pals (Neil Hamilton and Paul Cavanaugh) come across her in the jungle. She speaks of the jungle as an idyllic place to live peacefully with Tarzan and Cheetah.

But the plot of this second in the series has her needing Tarzan's help every five minutes, as she has to deal with savages, lions, rhinos and other such beasts wanting to get her and her adventurous companions before they can take a trek into the elephant's graveyard where the hunters want to get hold of the valuable ivory tusks. Danger seems to lurk at every turn with both Jane and Tarzan emitting their jungle "calls" for help until the fast-paced climactic battle with savages and beasts.

MGM has used a lot of stock footage from their previous African film, "Trader Horn," so that most of the outdoor footage gives the illusion of looking as though the players are in a real jungle rather than the usual studio set.

Weissmuller is in top form and eases his way through all the adventures with consummate athletic grace. Maureen O'Sullivan, never lovelier in her abbreviated costuming, has the proper chemistry with him to make their Tarzan/Jane relationship seem utterly credible.

The famous nude swimming scene has been restored to the TCM print, but fans now know that it was not Maureen but a professional swimmer who did all of her stunts. When you think of it, it defies logic that a "civilized" young lady like Jane Parker would ever be so adept at all the underwater ballet movements unless she had been a professional swimmer all her life. But logic goes out the door in most of these Edgar Rice Burroughs stories.

Good supporting performances from Neil Hamilton and Paul Cavanaugh help considerably in establishing interest at the outset before the trek into the jungle even begins.

Summing up: Action fans will find plenty of it in this popular entry in the series.

There's something wonderful about the fact that a movie made in 1934 can be head and shoulders above every Tarzan movie that followed it, including the bloated and boring 1980s piece Greystoke. Once the viewer gets past the first three scenes, which are admittedly dull, Tarzan and his Mate takes off like a shot, offering non-stop action, humor, and romance. Maureen O'Sullivan is charming and beautiful as Jane and walks off with the movie. Weismuller is solid as well. Highly recommended.

The first two films: Tarzan and Tarzan and His Mate are by far the best entries in the series. They were pre-code and when the Mate movie was later re-released some time after the code was in place, at least 1/2 hour of scenes were excised after the Hayes Code took effect.

Some points of note: The opening scene contains a couple of topless African natives. Maureen O'Sullivan is incredibly hot and the erotic scene of Tarzan with a loin cloth and her nude (albeit she was wearing something that hid her nipples) was quite erotic. Neither was wearing much in the movie but they both were wearing more than in the original film. The use of the Africans as labor and the fact that they are killed at the drop of a hat and treated as slaves is disturbing and a product of the era. A lot of the scenes are of Tarzan killing animals that threaten Jane. These are ambitiously filmed with the technology of the day. There is one scene underwater where he is grappling with what is supposed to be a Crocodile but looks more like a giant alligator (no alligators in Africa). The scene is sped up and is actually hysterical! I was laughing out loud. They cut between the real Tarzan and a doll during the battle. There is a lot of editing in the adventure scenes with rear projection used in a clever way as animals are charging. It is a fun movie.

Second "Tarzan" entry to star Johnny Weissmuller (following 1932's "Tarzan the Ape Man"), based on the original creation by writer Edgar Rice Burroughs (who may have blushed at seeing his wonder of the jungle shacking up happily with Jane Parker!). The plot concerns two ivory poachers who attempt to woo Jane (Maureen O'Sullivan) away from her savage man, but she and Tarzan are having too much fun to really notice. Well-made for its time, today the movie nearly lapses into camp. Weissmuller was certainly the definitive loin-clothed jungle man of the African coast, yet the movie is structured episodically like an extended Saturday afternoon serial and takes far too long to get Tarzan involved in the story. Tarzan wrestles with a tiger and scuffles with a rhinoceros, but it is Jane's skinny-dipping sequence (originally censored but restored in the 1990s) which lingers in the memory. **1/2 from ****

Never before and never since has there been a more wonderful Tarzan movie than this one. While the first Weismuller Tarzan movie, "Tarzan The Ape Man" is required viewing before seeing this one, "Tarzan And His Mate" is the only one to watch if you have to pick just one Tarzan movie. The film delivers in action, excitement and romance on a grand level with Maureen O'Sullivan looking absolutely sexy in her abbreviated costume as Jane. Unfortunately, the iron hand of the Hays Office forced all subsequent Weismuller-O'Sullivan Tarzan films to be toned down in the romance department (with O'Sullivan getting more conservative wardrobe) and the series never came close to this film again. Highly recommended.

This is one of those rare cases of a sequel surpassing the original. Not only is it better than the first film but it's better than any other Tarzan movie ever made. Following up from the first Tarzan, Harry Holt (Neil Hamilton) returns to Africa a year later for ivory and also to try and convince Jane (Maureen O'Sullivan) to return to civilization with him. Joining Harry on the expedition is ruthless ivory hunter and cad Martin Arlington (Paul Cavanagh). When Tarzan (Johnny Weissmuller) stops them from removing ivory from the elephant graveyard, Arlington decides Tarzan must be killed.

The action is fantastic! The violence gets pretty graphic at times, too. The early scenes of Holt's expedition meeting one deadly obstacle after another is reminiscent of the wild island scenes in King Kong. Tarzan fighting a rhino, a crocodile, and a lion are awesome scenes. The jungle swinging stuff is lots of fun. The climactic battle involving the ivory hunters, natives, lions, apes, elephants, and our heroic couple is epic.

Neither Tarzan nor Jane show up until over 20 minutes in. The first time you hear that distinctive Tarzan yell is always the most exciting part of a Tarzan movie. Jane even gets her own yell this time but it's decidedly less impressive. Weissmuller and O'Sullivan are perfect. Their chemistry is amazing whether they're being romantic or sexy or playful. The scenes of their idyllic domestic life makes living in the wilderness and crapping behind bushes seem positively charming. Jane has been teaching Tarzan to speak English in between movies so Weissmuller gets more lines this time around. Although still few words at a time. Maureen wears a skimpy thigh-bearing two-piece throughout the movie. In all the subsequent movies they would cover her up with a one-piece. The famous underwater swimming scene with Jane au naturel is a highlight. The much-discussed sexual content is among the raciest of any Pre-Code film. In addition to the amount of skin on display, there are the many allusions to Tarzan and Jane's healthy sex life.

There's so much to love about this movie. Action, humor, drama, eroticism -- it's a classic in every way. After the enforcement of the Hays Code, the series would become less risqué but still a great deal of fun. The first two Pre-Code Weissmuller Tarzan movies still stand as the best.

'Tarzan and His Mate' is certainly better than the first film in the series, 'Tarzan the Ape Man' from two years earlier, bringing back Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan who are well cast and have good chemistry, adding more action, and (ahem) having O'Sullivan prance around in more revealing clothing (or lack thereof). How great is it that in the 1990s, the famous nude swimming scene, previously censored because of pressure from conservative religious groups, was found and restored – though O'Sullivan had a body double, Olympic athlete Josephine McKim. I have to say though, it is O'Sullivan's sex appeal that is the main reason to watch this film.

There are still plenty of moments that will induce groans, including the racist treatment of the natives, two explorers in search of ivory and wanting to take Jane back to civilization bestowing on her gowns and perfumes, and various antics of Cheetah the chimp, including having a smoke. Tarzan saves Jane repeatedly from various wild animals, some of which works, really showing off Weissmuller's athleticism, but some of which is just filler. In one scene that made me smile, Tarzan is clearly aroused by her, sniffing and pawing at her in front of the two explorers, and then picking her up to take her off to presumably have his way with her, ending her night with them early. Get the picture? It's a mixed bag. If you find that the first half of the movie drags (despite some casual topless native woman in some early shots), I would say stick with it. There is enough here to make it worth watching, and the battle scene toward the end is pretty good.

Released in 1934, "Tarzan and His Mate" stars Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan in the eponymous roles. Two "great white hunters" (Neil Hamilton & Paul Cavanagh) come to Tarzan's territory, one a former romantic interest of Jane's intent on talking her into coming back to England. Jane catches the fancy of the partner as well. The hunters are desperate and intent on taking ivory from the secret elephant burial grounds, which Tarzan opposes.

Weissmuller did twelve Tarzan movies and "Tarzan and His Mate" was the sequel to his first one, 1932's "Tarzan the Ape Man." The Weissmuller films deviate from Burroughs' intelligent character and offer a more dim-witted character who speaks in monosyllables. While this is a turn-off if you're a fan of the books, like me, it's an acceptable movie interpretation of the character and it worked at the time seeing as how Weissmuller's Tarzan is by far the most popular. Besides, Weissmuller is just so likable in the role. He exudes goodness, nobility and innocence with a child-like edge. This is balanced out, of course, by his athletic jungle skills.

Although "Tarzan and His Mate" is old as dirt and shot in B&W, this is easily one of the best Tarzan flicks, filled with action, adventure and African animals. The elephants, by the way, are Asian, but they're decorated with fake African Elephant ears, which almost works. In any case, this was pre-code era Hollywood and cutie Maureen O'Sullivan surprisingly appears in her birthday suit. No kidding. Moreover, her jungle outfit was one of the most revealing costumes in screen history at the time: a halter-top and a loincloth that leave her thighs and hips exposed. No wonder men flocked to the movie in droves.

While there were plans to film in Africa, they were scrapped in favor of several locations around Los Angeles, including Sherwood Forest, Lake Sherwood, Whittier, Big Tugunga and China Flats. You wouldn't think Southern California would work as a substitute for Africa, but it does. The locations are excellent and the black & white photography obscures the fact that it's Southern California.

The uncut version runs 104 minutes, which is the only version I've seen.

GRADE: A

The Turner classic version is not the one I remember watching on Saturday mornings as a child but it's just as wonderful, even better! This one includes a nude scene of Tarzan and Jane swimming in the Amazon river! This movie is so ridiculous and so delightful with Tarzan being better than a superhero. Back in the days when women could be "fiercely independent" as well as completely dependent LOL Jand is wonderful and flirtatious. Tarzan is all man ;-). So silly but so great

That's probably one of the best Tarzan's adventures ever made, at least during the black and white period. Tremendous action sequences, not for the squeamish, and especially this short scene where Jane's character holds a rifle. I don't think we'll see this much in other Tarzan features. I am sorry for the death of one sympathetic character who did not deserve to die this way. Many opponents in the climax battle: cruel natives, fierce lions and the Tarzan's friends: the éléphants.

You get lots of old-style adventure, lots of animals, lots of Africa and lots of Maureen O'Sullivan's bare bum. But apart from all that, this very well made film is really about the strength of love, a love so pure and innocent that nothing else matters.

There is a lot of adventure stuff however and whilst that's done exceptionally well for 1934, it is 1934 and adventure films have improved significantly since then. Nevertheless it still holds its own and keeps you glued to the screen. At least half of this fairly long film is 'adventure in the jungle' stuff which although pretty good is nothing like as interesting as how it depicts the relationship between Tarzan and Jane.

The premise is utterly insane: that an entitled socialite from London would abandon her privileged but possibly meaningless life in London to live in the middle of the jungle with a man she can't even speak with is ridiculous. The most obvious reason she'd do this is for sex and since they can't have conversations then one guesses, lots of sex! But whilst lust alone may have made her stay with Tarzan initially, that she can't even contemplate the offer to return home with her ex boyfriend, shows that this is love is something pretty amazing.

Her ex simply can't understand how such a girl could possibly want to stay in such a place alone with Tarzan. 'What if he dies?' he quite justifiably asks. That's not something she can contemplate, Tarzan is her life. Harry, the ex, is one of the ivory hunters (distasteful but acceptable back then), whom a year after leaving her in the jungle is reunited with her as she swings down from the trees. How he doesn't scream, 'Oh my God, what are you wearing!' is beyond me. What she is wearing is generally considered to be the most revealing, sexiest outfit in a film until Sharon Stone crossed her legs decades later. It is astonishingly jaw-dropping!

The nudity and semi-nudity, not just of Miss O'Sullivan but of Mr Weissmuller as well is absolutely intrinsic to the story. Besides all the adventure stuff, this is a love story. It's not just about lust (although there's a lot of that too), it's about two people who are so in love with each other that the world of man has nothing to do with them. They are Adam and Eve, pure and innocent living in the Garden of Eden, living in a world without sin, a world without shame....and of course without (most) clothes.

I'm not qualified to comment on Johnny Weissmuller's looks but he clearly had an admirable athletic physique which I'd guess was quite appealing to the ladies. Maureen O'Sullivan however was unquestionably beautiful with an equally beautiful body as well and this film presents these beautiful people in the flesh, so to speak, as natural, innocent and purity uncontaminated by the tawdriness of civilisation. There's a mental dichotomy in watching this inasmuch that you can appreciate the Garden of Eden analogy but the film clearly encourages you to find Miss O'Sullivan (or Mr Weissmuller) very sexually exciting.

Overall this film, which is the best Tarzan film is more mature picture than the family friendly ones which came after. There's much more depth to it and it succeeds in being more than just a jungle adventure. What makes this special is the superb nuanced acting from both Tarzan and Jane. Considering that they were both fairly new to acting, they are both absolutely perfect in these roles.... And with my shallow head on: Oh my God, Maureen O'Sullivan is sexy in this.

Considered by almost all the critics to be the best of the Johnny Weissmuller Tarzan films, I have no argument with that, although there are a couple of others I thought just as entertaining. One thing: it's the longest of the series that I've seen at 105 minutes. I've only seen six of them but this was longer than I'm used to and with the drawn-out action finale I thought the whole thing was a bit too long.

Nonetheless, it is a good mixture of action, suspense and romance. The only things missing are color and stereo sound. The primitive special-effects don't bother me, as that was all that they had back in the 1930s.

Among some, this film is most noted for one thing: skin! "Jane" never wore anything this skimpy after this film as the Hays' Code was instituted by the time the next Tarzan film was made. Her outfit showed what a great figure Maureen O'Sullivan possessed. The nude underwater scene, however, was not her - by a longshot. The woman under the water didn't have a good figure at all, whoever it was.

There is plenty of action in here. Up to the finale, it was not overdone, either. The ending went on for 15 minutes, though, and was so intense that it was almost too much to watch.

Still, this movie offers about everything - except "Boy" (their adopted son) - you'd want to see in a Tarzan film, even O'Sullivan doing her Tarzan yell about a dozen times. With her pair of "lungs," that was no problem.

I absolutely loved the Johnny Weissmuller/Maureen O'Sullivan Tarzan movies when I was a kid. They seemed so fantastical, so adventurous. Of course, they ARE fantasies. Jungle life is not that idyllic, and no human has Tarzan's superhuman abilities, including his control over animals. But I don't remember seeing this one back then, and I certainly don't remember the nudity from it (it was probably cut for commercial broadcast). Wowza, Hollywood certainly pushed the limits before that old prude Hayes clamped down. Just look at the nude swimming scene! Even if O'Sullivan's body double was wearing "something" sheer, she was indeed nude for all practical purposes. It only made sense, given the "outside civilization" setting, but as I said, there were obviously people who wouldn't stand for it, and no subsequent movies had such a scene. Neither did they have anything like the scene where O'Sullivan's loin cloth separates from her body, and you can clearly see what's underneath it. Even if she was wearing some sort of "appliance" there, one is certainly getting an eyeful.

Something else I was never aware of back then was how repetitive the films were. I was made aware of this by watching several of the films consecutively. The identical scene showing Tarzan fighting a giant crocodile is shown in three different movies. We also see the scene of him fighting a rhino repeated. Except for the film where Tarzan goes to New York, the plot formula is the same as well:

Devious white men intrude on Tarzan's jungle paradise.

Tarzan proves to be correct in his mistrust of the civilized white men. The white men's greed/violence/treachery puts Tarzan/Jane/Boy in jeopardy.

The white men and Jane/Boy get captured by hostile African tribe, which violently kills the white men.

Tarzan rescues Jane/Boy from tribe, making use of his extraordinary control of elephants/apes.

All ends well.

It works well enough. Weissmuller had very limited acting skills, but it's ok, because he wasn't asked to do much except look the part. O'Sullivan's acting is very good. Good chemistry with Weissmuller. Love her accent. She was luminously beautiful, and it certainly helped that her outfits showed so much of her.