USA, 1932
99m
35mm film, black and white (colourized version also available), 1.37:1
mono, English
An American fantasy film directed by W.S. Van Dyke. It was the first Tarzan film to star Johnny Weissmuller in the title role and Maureen O’Sullivan as Jane and also the first to feature the famous “Tarzan yell”.
Plot Summary
While on an African expedition in search of elephant burial grounds, James Parker and Harry Holt are unexpectedly joined by Parker’s beautiful daughter Jane, much to Harry’s delight. Jane is abducted by Tarzan and his apes and she develops an attachment to the jungle lord – and she’ll need his help when the expedition is captured by a tribe of pygmies.
Credits
* = uncredited
Crew
Directed by: W.S. Van Dyke
© MCMXXXII by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer presents. Controlled by Loew’s Incorporated
Producer: Bernard H. Hyman *
Adaptation by: Cyril Hume
Dialogue by: Ivor Novello
Based upon the characters created by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Photographed by: Harold Rosson and Clyde De Vinna
Film Editors: Ben Lewis and Tom Held
Recording Director: Douglas Shearer
Western Electric Sound System
Art Director: Cedric Gibbons
Locations: Iverson Ranch, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA; North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
Stunts: Al Cadutta, Tony Cadutta, Ray Corrigan (all uncredited)
Cast
Johnny Weissmuller (Tarzan)
Neil Hamilton (Harry Holt)
C. Aubrey Smith (James Parker)
Maureen O’Sullivan (Jane Parker)
Doris Lloyd (Mrs Cutten)
Forrester Harvey (Beamish)
Ivory Williams (Riano)
Alternative Titles
Tarzan – Denmark
Tarzan – aarniometsän valtias – Finland
Tarzán de los monos – Spain
Tarzan el hombre mano – Mexico
Tarzan, der Affenmensch – Austria, Germany
Tarzan, der Herr des Urwaldes – Austria
Tarzan, der Herr des Urwalds – Germany
Tarzan, der Herrscher des Urwalds – Germany
Tarzan, der Mann aus dem Urwald – Germany
Tarzan, l’homme singe – France
Tarzan, l’uomo scimmia – Italy
Tarzan, o Homem Macaco – Portugal
Tarzan, viidakon valtias – Finland
Links
Extracts included in
100 Years at the Movies (1994)
The 53rd Annual Academy Awards (1981)
AFI’s 100 Years… 100 Heroes & Villains (2003)
Hollywood: The Dream Factory (1972)
It’s Showtime (1976)
Sixten (1994)
Biography: Tarzan: The Legacy of Edgar Rice Burroughs (1996)
References
Periodicals
- Diário de Notícias 10 April 2000 p.55 – review
- Films of the Golden Age no.21 (Summer 2000) pp.18-24 – illustrated interview with Maureen O’Sullivan (Maureen O’Sullivan – Our Favorite Jane by Tom Weaver and Ray Nielsen)
Books
- The Encyclopedia of Novels Into Films second edition by John C. Tibbetts and James M. Welsh pp. 438-440 – illustrated credits, review (by J.C.T. [John C. Tibbetts])
- Kings of the Jungle: An Illustrated Reference to Tarzan on Screen and Television by David Fury – review
- Reference Guide to Fantastic Films by Walt Lee p.477 – credits
- Sound Films, 1927-1939: A United States Filmography by Alan G. Fetrow pp.659-660
