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| BACKGROUND |
•
Following the success of Tarzan the Ape Man
(1932) Edgar Rice Burroughs began negotiations with MGM in March 1932
for future films based on his popular character. A contract
to produce a second Tarzan film, with options for another two, was
signed the  following
May. It is ironic that the film considered by many fans of jungle
movies, including myself, to be the all-time best Tarzan picture,
had such a turbulent history. Cedric Gibbons, MGM's top art
director, who had worked on the first Weissmuller film, was given
an opportunity to direct and production began in August 1933. Problems
soon developed, however. Filming was suspended several times,
the actor playing the role of Martin Arlington, the main antagonist,
was changed and the roles of Pierce and Vanness, lesser antagonists,
were also changed. "Gibby" had shot a lot of excess footage,
his duties as both director and art director were burdensome, and
costs were spiraling. He was eventually demoted back to art
director and was replaced by Jack Conway as dialogue director and
James McKay, who directed most of the film. No one has yet been
able to satisfactorily answer the reason for the substitutions of
the actors. Filming concluded in March 1934, with the final
production costs said to be almost $1.3 million. Problems persisted
after the release because of the censors concerns about a nude swimming
scene involving Jane, and three difference versions were screened
at US theatres (see link below) (Essoe, Fury & St Andrews). Read
the fascinating full story at Geoff St Andrews' Tarzan
and His Mate page. |
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| APE
CRY |
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| • To hear the ape cry used
by Tarzan in this film click on the image at right |
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| • To hear the ape cry used
by Jane in this film click on the image at right |
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PLOT - Note:
Spoiler warning
• This film acts as a seamless continuation of the first
MGM Tarzan film with Harry Holt returning to the Mutia Escarpment
a year later to win back Jane and to attempt to remove some
of that abundant ivory from the Elephant's Burial Ground. Holt
and his partner, Arlington, a wealthy womaniser, seek help from
Tarzan and Jane, who has adapted to a primitive life in the
jungle. Holt attempts to persuade Jane that she is missing
the comforts of civilised life and Arlington finds he is attracted
to Jane's primitive sensuality. Arlington shoots Tarzan
when he obstructs their plans to desecrate the resting place
of the elephants. Jane, believing that Tarzan was killed
by a crocodile, agrees to return to civilisation, but on route
the safari are attacked by the savage Men-Who-Eat-Lions, and
many are killed, including Holt and Arlington. Tarzan,
who has been nursed back to health by his ape family, rallies
an army of apes and elephants to rescue Jane, who has bravely
fought off several lions single-handedly. Tarzan, Jane
and the elephants return the ivory to it's rightful location
and harmony is once again restored to their jungle home. |
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| MOVING PICTURES A |
| Click on the image below
to view the trailer for this film: |
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| MOVING PICTURES B |
| Below are links to two scenes
from this film available on Youtube: |
| • Click HERE
to see the famous underwater nude swimming scene |
| • Click HERE
to see the exciting climax of this film |
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| OTHER IMAGES FROM THIS
FILM |
| Click on the image below
to view more photos from this significant film: |
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SOURCES
• Tarzan of the Movies by Gabe Essoe, 1968, The Citadel Press
• Kings
Of The Jungle by David Fury, 1994, McFarland Classics
• Johnny
Weissmuller (1904-1984) web site, by Geoff St Andrews
PHOTOS
• The poster was pilfered from an eBay auction item
• Both photos were kindly donated by Geoff St Andrews. Thanks
a million, Geoff!
• The video of the trailer was uploaded
to Youtube by me specifically to embed in this web page
• The two Youtube videos of scenes from
this film were provided by Youtuber
CapnFlix. Many
thanks!
LYNX
• Read a review and rating of this film at At-A-Glance
Film Reviews
• Read about Weissmuller's film career at the Johnny
Weissmuller page of Brian Walker's Brian's Drive-In Theater
site
• IMDb's (Internet Movie Database) Maureen
O'Sullivan filmography
CAPTURE
•
Bag yourself a copy of this film on DVD at Amazon.com
or eBay
- it is part of the The Tarzan Collection, Vol. 1
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TARZAN®
is the property of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc., Tarzana CA.
This independent, fan-based analysis of the Tarzan material is copyright
© 2002-2008 Paul Wickham
This page was updated March 2008
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