Tarzan – King Of The
Jungle (Passport)
Picture: C-
Sound: C Extras: C+ Films: C+
Like Sherlock Holmes, there is plenty of material on
Tarzan not available on DVD at all and the new Passport 5 DVD box Tarzan –
King Of The Jungle tries to remedy that somewhat with little-scene films of
the vine-swinging hero. As you watch
the other versions, their failure always has to do with either sticking with
the Johnny Weissmuller model that could not be replaced or trying something
different that was not as well rounded.
Tarzan The Fearless (1933) was Buster Crabbe’s only
outing in the role, with a yell that never worked and a production mess that
did not allow Crabbe a chance, even if he had one. For the time, he is more naked (i.e., his loin cloth is almost a
thong from behind!) than just about any actor in the role to date. The New Adventures Of Tarzan (1935)
offered Herman Brix, who later changed his name to Bill Bennett in the first of
two film versions of serial. This
feature print has the name change. Tarzan
& The Green Goddess (1938) is the other film. Tarzan’s Revenge (1938) has Glenn Morris taking the role
over, but is not in the film much. Tarzan
& The Trappers (1958) is actually three episodes of the TV series
edited together with Gordon Scott in the role.
Scott is probably the second most successful actor in the role to date,
but is not remembered much, while Ron Ely (also a TV Tarzan who landed up on
the big screen) went on to be a bigger star).
What is interesting about these films is how they almost
work, though I do not take the Scott entry included as his best work in the
role. Also, it was more than just how
well Weissmuller fit into the role, or the money MGM put into his entries, as
his RKO films also are in the spirit that made the character a hit on the big
screen to begin with. It is about well
roundedness and the drive for the later productions to add color, naturalism,
more locations and even widescreen formats (RKO-Scope, CinemaScope, Panavision,
even Super 35) is a very interesting aspect in trying to compete and catch a
new wave of Tarzan-mania. It is amazing
how this never fully materialized, despite the continued publishing of the
Edgar Rice Burroughs books and the hit success of several comic book
series. This set, despite quality
issues, makes for an interesting look at direction of that progression.
The 1.33 X 1 image throughout on all the material is muddy
and poor, with only the occasionally sharper shot or relatively clean
scene. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono is also
aged throughout, even including the two 1996 featurettes on the first two
DVDs. Extras include those
productions. Tarzan At The Movies
is in two parts, covering the films of Johnny Weissmuller (out on DVD from
Warner, who owns the old MGM films) by using public domain trailers, then
offering a retrospective on all the actors to Joe Lara on TV to play the
lead. Too bad they did not update it
for a few new actors who fell through in the role, including Casper Van Dien
(from Starship Troopers), Travis Fimmel (a TV version with the one-time
underwear model that tried to catch the lame “romantic superhero couples” cycle
of deconstruction that has only worked twice with Superman so far; it was
called Tarzan & Jane and deservedly bombed) and even the huge animated
hit Disney feature or even the underrated Filmation series of the
mid-1970s. Some of those later color
and widescreen films ought to be issued on DVD. Kid’N Africa is an early Shirley Temple short that sends
up Tarzan with some question, while the last two discs offer episodes of the
1950s TV series Sheena: Queen Of The Jungle (Forbidden Cargo, Curse
Of The Voodoo) and DVD 5 has a Tarzan health advisory. A section of memorabilia would have been
nice too, but maybe next time.
- Nicholas Sheffo
