TARZAN, THE APE MAN (1932)

Johnny Weissmuller was not the first actor to portray Edgar Rice Burrough's Lord of the Jungle on the silver screen. In fact, Weissmuller was the sixth Tarzan, Elmo Lincoln was the first in  the silent feature TARZAN OF THE APES (1918). But it would be Weissmuller who would gain the iconic status of TARZAN from the ones before and after him. Weissmuller made twelve Tarzan feature films in all. The first six films were made at MGM studios from 1932 -1942. The other six film entries were made at RKO studio from 1943 - 1947.

Before Weissmuller became the Lord of the Jungle, he was an Olympic God. Weissmuller was one of the fastest swimmers in the world in the 1920's, winner of 5 Olympic Gold Medals and one bronze medal . He also set sixty seven world records  and 52 United States National Championships. Weissmuller was the FIRST to achieve the 100 meter freestyle under one minute and in five minutes he accomplish to 440 yard freestyle. Weissmuller   retired with his records unbeaten. Johnny Weissmuller was given the title of the WORLD'S GREATEST SWIMMER  of the first half of the 20th Century by Associated Press.

 In 1929, BVD Underwear Company hired Weissmuller to be their spokesmodel for their men's swim line. Weissmuller toured the country promoting the swim wear by performing at swim shows  and signing autographs. When Weissmuller signed a seven year contract with MGM to play Tarzan, he was still  under contract with BVD. The underwear company opposed the idea of  having their spokesmodel parading around in a loincloth instead of their swimwear. MGM sweetened the deal with BVD by having their contract players like Joan Crawford, Jean Harlow , and Greta Garbo appear in their swim suit ads.




MGM ingénue Maureen O'Sullivan makes her first appearance as Jane Parker in TARZAN, THE APE MAN (1932). O' Sullivan would continue the role for the next ten years in six TARZAN movies. It all begins with Jane Parker ( Maureen O'Sullivan)  arriving at her father's trading post in Africa. Jane has come to join her father (C. Aubrey Smith)  and great hunter Harry Holt ( Neil Hamilton) on safari. When Jane finds her father, he is looking at her photograph. He seems surprised to see her, but Jane did cable she was coming. It seems some time has passed, since their last meeting. Jane 's father mentions how attractive she has become, while sniffing a pile of her clothing. Before you know it, Jane is stripping off her clothes down to her slip in front of her father. Jane's father goes to turn away to give his daughter some privacy. But Jane  tells her father  "Darling.. Don't be silly. You're not embarrassed by me. You bathed me sometimes and nearly spanked me several times." You can bet your bottom dollar that this is PRE- CODE FILM.  This scene would have definitely been cut during the HAYS CODE era fearing incest undertone.

It seems that James Parker (Jane's Father) and Harry Holt are after IVORY. They have arranged for an expedition to the secret graveyard of the elephants a.k.a. Mutia Escarpment. It is told that there is enough IVORY to supply the world. There is also an added bonus of a million pounds for the man who finds it. Jane wants to join the expedition, but her father is against the idea. Jane proves that she won't be hindrance , proving she can SHOOT LIKE AN ANGEL.  During the expedition, Jane discovers  a the campfire  that Harry has romantic notions  about her. Jane lets Harry down VERY TENDERLY as though she was holding out for someone better.

Suddenly their camp is invaded by fierce natives looking for someone who has broken tribal laws. Harry lies to their leader that he knows nothing in their language. In fact Harry knows where the TRADER is. Just before the natives surrounded the camp, the trader came pointing in the direction to find Mutia Escrapment  . Harry covered him up with a sheet, then sat onto of him. Showing no fear, Harry tells the natives to leave. With some reluctance the natives disband back in the jungle. When the coast is clear, Harry uncovers  the trader, only to find that the trader died from fear. Thankfully, the trader had pointed in direction to find Mutia Escarpment.

The next day the expedition heads in the direction given by the trader . The path leads them to a mountain to scale.. Harry tells Jane that is its not going to be DANGEROUS, but ties a rope around her waist just in case. But trekking up mountain proves to be very dangerous when a native plunges headlong off the clift. Then it was Jane's turn to follow the same path. Jane slipped and was plunging to her death as the native before her did. But thankfully, Jane was considered PRECIOUS CARGO had rope tied around her waist  and was immediately pulled to safety. 

Later the sound of a strange human yell could be heard in the distance . Could it be CAROL BURNETT, no it be another thirty so years before the comedienne would parodied the famous Tarzan Yell. It was the vine swinger himself. James Parker and Harry seems quite  disturb to hear the human cry. So much so they are willing to give up expedition for Jane's safety. But Jane insists that they press on and that she is not AFRAID of few cries.

Usually you think of HIPPOS as passive animals, what happens next surprised me. But in reality, they can be quite aggressive, especially if they feel threatened. So the depiction of the river scene was quite accurate. The expedition was under attack by HUNGRY HUNGRY HIPPOS when trying to the cross the river. Of course , a few natives were sacrifice for the scene. Hippos will ATTACK  and KILL people : but they do not EAT PEOPLE because they HERBIVORES. The truth is Hippos will kill more people than crocodiles and lions.

Jane survived the river of HUNGRY HUNGRY HIPPOS  without a scratch along with her father , Harry and a few natives. But they are still in danger. They are now in Tarzan's territory. Finally after forty minutes into the film, Tarzan (Johnny Weissmuller) appears letting out his iconic YELL, while swinging from vine to vine. James Parker tries to communicate with the ape man  perched above them in the tree. Then he threatens the ape man to come down out of the tree or he will shoot. 

Suddenly a band of Pygmies burst onto the scene, equipped with bows and arrows. James Parker tells his daughter Jane to stay close. But Jane is already gone, abducted by Tarzan. After being dragged off to Tarzan's bachelor pad high up in the tree, she finds herself in a very compromising position. Tarzan makes his attentions clear, but Jane puts him off by struggling and constantly crying. Tarzan learns that NO means NO. Instead of taking advantage of Jane, Tarzan sleeps alone.

The next morning, Tarzan says good morning to Jane  LORD OF THE JUNGLE  style,  by pulling her out of the hut like shelter. Jane tries to break away only to be frighten by an ape neighbor  up in the tree. Jane immediately clings to her ape man for protection. Tarzan dismisses the ape . Jane tries to thank Tarzan for protecting her. But it is clear that Tarzan does not under the English language. Thus, begins communication between Tarzan and Jane. Unfortunately you won't find any of that iconic ME TARZAN, YOU JANE lingo here. Instead it's " I'm only ME for me. To YOU ,I'm you." Who's confused now . However Jane does somehow breakthrough to Tarzan with crash course of the English language, with Tarzan going back and fourth JANE, TARZAN, JANE , TARZAN.

Suddenly Tarzan is summoned by the elephants for help. Tarzan lets loose his ICONIC yell and rides off in to the jungle leaving Jane up in the tree. Immediately Tarzan is brought to a pit by an entourage of elephants to save their own. Unfortunately, a baby elephant  has fallen in the pit and trapped awaiting imposing danger. Thankfully, the baby elephant was saved by Tarzan' s quick thinking by having him pulled out the pit by using branches.

Meanwhile, Jane is being entertain at Tarzan's bachelor pad by Cheetah and the monkeys and apes of the jungle set. But tragedy strikes, when Harry and Jane's father discover Jane up in the tree. Thinking that Jane was in danger, Harry shoots one of Tarzan's ape friends right out of the tree. Poor Tarzan had just came back in time to witness that unfortunate event. Harry tries to shoot Tarzan too, but Jane implore him not to and leaves with the expedition.

Tarzan follows behind seeking revenge. When Tarzan starts killing some of the natives of the expedition, Jane 's father and Harry are ready to take a stand. Jane tries to make them under understand that Tarzan is not a savage, that they are the ones the drew first blood when they killed that ape. Jane convinces them to let her talk him, but it was only a ploy on their part, to lure Tarzan into the open. The plan backfired, Tarzan did come out but only got grazed when Harry shot at him. Jane , the other hand was once again abducted , this time by Tarzan's posse of apes. 

Tarzan and Jane become reacquainted. This time they become very close at least that what we are lead to believe in the frolicking in the jungle lagoon scene. Jane does need to teach Tarzan English, especially  when they are swimming. Every word that Jane says , Tarzan thinks it means PUT ME UNDER THE WATER. After the bobbing stopped, Jane becomes smitten with Tarzan's eyes (and everything else, I'm  sure) when he carried her back to his bachelor pad in the trees. The scene goes black. I guess we will have to draw our own conclusion in what happened next, but keep it PG.

Later, we see that the expedition is looking for Jane and her father is distraught of what could have happened to her. But Jane is in good hands, literally with Tarzan, lying together high above in the tree above. Jane seems saddened that they found her , but she does have to say goodbye to her Jungle Lover. Tarzan carries Jane back to her father and the expedition. Jane wants Tarzan come back with them, but he wants no part of it . Jane becomes upset as she watches Tarzan leave. Jane's  father tries to convince his daughter that Tarzan belongs to the Jungle , not to her.

Immediately after TARZAN has officially left the area, the expedition is surrounded by tribe of fierce looking midgets equipped with spears, bow and arrows , clubs, and a hatchet known as the DWARFS.  Harry has the brilliant idea to stand down, which would give them a better chance to escape ( I wonder !!). After handing over all their guns to the dwarfs, the expedition is captured. Quickly, they are taken to river , which they are transported in  canoes  to be taken back to their village. Jane notices CHEETAH on the bank, and tells her to get TARZAN. I hope that Cheetah understands English better than Tarzan.

Apparently she does, Cheetah finds Tarzan and communicates to him by poking and pushing that Jane has been captured. The jilted Jungle Lord is not one to hold a grudge  and is off to save his damsel in distress. Tarzan lets loose his Iconic Yell, swinging vine to vine summoning all the elephants. I love the scene in which Tarzan dives into the river and is immediately followed by hungry alligators. Then you hear Tarzan's iconic yell (from nowhere) , which is hard to believe especially Tarzan 's face half under the water steadily trying to escape from the alligators. Thankfully, nearby a hippo responds to Tarzan's 911 call and gives him a ride , literally saving him from a gator chopping at his heels.

Once at the village of the dwarfs, the expedition party is brought a large pit that contains a Gigantic Monstrous Killer Ape ( really an actor in Ape Suit .. who are they kidding.) It becomes crystal clear what DWARFS have in mind, when they drop down nooses from over  head in the rafters at their captives. One by one  the natives of the expedition ( no Surprise there ) are snagged then lowered into the deep pit to the deadly grip of the killer ape.

After all the natives have been killed , it is time for the white people to have their turn with the ape. Jane is lassoed and lowered into the pit, kicking and screaming . Harry immediately jumps into the pit to save Jane, but is immediately rendered unconscious . Jane 's father leaped  in to save his daughter bearing a torch. After a brief struggle with the ape , Jane's father is tossed out of the pit. The killer ape stood victorious carrying Jane's limb body, until Tarzan burst onto the scene.  The powerful ape once again was able to overcome his challenger, knocking Tarzan against the wall unconscious.

Anyone else care to try ? Cheetah does to save Tarzan. She jumps onto the giant ape 's head but is easily over powered  and tossed out lying lifeless. But in that short time while cheetah was getting beaten, Tarzan was able to regain his senses  and throws his knife into the killer ape's eye and proceed to slit its throat. After killing the monstrous ape , Tarzan lets loose his ICONIC YELL, which sends an entourage of elephants . Immediately the DWARFS flee for their lives, while the elephants destroy their village trampling over everything in sight including them. 

Tarzan helps Jane, Harry, and Jane's father to safety. Poor Cheetah who risked her life, has to fend for herself climbing out the rumble. Jane notices that one of the elephants is mortally wounded from the stampede. Jane's father suggests that they follow him to the ELEPHANT GRAVEYARD. Jane was reluctant at first that her father had been hurt during the incident but gives in to her wishes. Jane persuades her jungle man to tagalong, just in case she may need him. Harry and her father have proven that they are not great protectors.

Once at the ELEPHANT GRAVEYARD,  they discover a sea of IVORY  worth millions. But it prove to be too much to behold for Jane 's father who collapses to his DEATH. Jane decides not to leave with Harry, but instead decides to stay with her jungle lover. But Harry has his concerns leaving Jane in this forsaking jungle and with  a man who was raised by apes. Jane reassured Harry that he will be back heading a large safari and he will have their protection. After Harry leaves , we see a quite contented Jane cradling  Cheetah like a baby and cuddling up to her Jungle Lover. When the film ends the audience agrees that Jane made the right decision.

                        FILM FACTS

                                          

The Elephants used in TARZAN, THE APE MAN (1932) were NOT African elephants.  Instead Asian elephants were used with FAKE African sized elephant ears STRAPPED on. The reason was  that Asian elephants were more DOCILE than their African counterparts. As the film series continued, the FAKE elephant ears were abandoned, with the reasoning that no one is going to know the difference.
           
                                             

The famous TARZAN YELL was either made by Johnny Weissmuller or made by sound recordist Douglas Shearer. Maureen O' Sullivan declares that it was Weissmuller behind the YELL without technical support. 

Clark Gable was considered for the role of TARZAN, but  was consider too much of an unknown.

Director W.S. Van Dyke used STOCK FOOTAGE from a previous film TRADER HORN (1931)
                             

The Chimpanzees used in the film were BABY APES and the GORILLAS were MEN IN APE SUITS. After the first film this practice was discontinued.

The famous line " ME, TARZAN, YOU JANE" is NEVER  SPOKEN in the film. 

Johnny Weissmuller was under contract with BVD underwear as their spokesmodel when he was chosen to play TARZAN. This life size painting of Weissmuller in his BVD swim suit hangs at the SMITHSONIAN.

The silent film TARZAN OF THE APES (1918) was the first TARZAN film ever made. Elmo Lincoln played  the role of Tarzan.

            Joel McCrea was considered for the role of TARZAN.

Edgar Rice Burroughs had created the character JANE as an AMERICAN in his Tarzan novels. But in the film adaption Jane's nationality is changed  from AMERICAN to BRITISH. Jane's last name is changed as well from Porter to Parker.

                IMMORTAL DIALOGUE

             " Tarzan ... What COLOR  are your eyes ?"

Jane : " Tarzan, Let go ! Let go of my FOOT. That HURT me ! "
Tarzan : " Hurt Me? Hurt Me ? " 

" You will be coming back Harry.  I can see a huge safari  with you at the head, bearing ivory down the coast. Only this time, there be no danger because we will there to protect you every step of the way ."

                         THE CAST
                  Tarzan ... JOHNNY WEISSMULLER
             Harry Holt ... Neil Hamilton
                  Jane Parker ... Maureen O'Sullivan
                  James Parker ... C. Aubrey Smith
                   Mrs. Cutten ... Doris Lloyd
                   Beamish .... Forrester Harvey
                    Riano ....  Ivory Williams
                Ape... Ray Corrigan
                   Bird Creature ... Johnny Eck
               Ape ... Jack Leonard                      

                    

MY BOTTOM LINE IS  ...

TARZAN THE APE MAN (1932) is a FIRST RATE jungle adventure  screen adaption  of the famous Edgar Rice Burrough's novel. No other film screen version, so far has ever surpass this classic. In my opinion, there will NEVER  be another TARZAN like JOHNNY WEISSMULLER. Every Tarzan that came after Weissmuller , including Lex Barker, Gordon Scott, Ron Ely, Casper Van Dien, Alexander Skargard, and others were not worthy being pass the paton. Some may have noticed that I failed to mention Miles O' Keefe in that line up. I did  for good reason, frankly, O' Keefe played second banana to Bo Derek's Jane in TARZAN THE APE (1981)  which is a very undesirable remake .