Very disappointing...

good back-story, and good acting

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Blistering performances.

Let's start with a well-kept secret, but you have to promise to keep it to yourself since there are a lot of IMDb users, and they are all pretty nosey. Look at the star billing for this production in the IMDb billboard (main page). What do you see? Recall that IMDb gets their basic info on each film but sources directly related to the original release. Did you notice anything odd? OK, enough suspense. The answer is: Johnny Weissmuller is not billed as a star. Think about that. This is the first in a series that is both iconic and classic, that verily defines the term "action film" from this era; that was so commercially successful it not only created one of the first legitimate "franchises" in Tinseltown but led to 11 "legitimate" sequels (and a lot of dubious knockoffs, but that is not a topic for now). And the reason for the strange billing is, AT THE TIME THIS FILM WAS CONCEIVED, not only did the producers have no idea how it would catch on with the public, but the casting of Weissmuller, known merely as an ex-Olympian, and with no major dialogue in the role, was considered secondary, like a glorified extra. OK, now we have covered the big Reveal, allow me to opine that, within its class, this film (and the next one, TARZAN AND HIS MATE) are two of the best films OF THEIR KIND ever done, with superb acting, cinematography, story, and a very high fun factor. If you have not seen either (or both) prepared to be amazed. Final notes: the HAYES censorship code was still being "explored" at the time of these two films, so expect to be surprised at few scenes here and there you would not ordinarily expect from this period; and out of respect for the actors, I will merely suggest that these two films probably should not be compared to the 1940s analogues of the same name (by which time Weissmuller looked like he would have trouble climbing a flight of stairs yet alone a tree; and story lines like TARZAN in NEW YORK were beyond awkward.)

About 10 years ago I initiated campaign to build and sustain a Website on the Internet. The reasons for this initiative were two, maybe three. Firstly, I made an unsuccessful career in Academia and University which bolstered for ten years or so my ambition and energy in the field. Second, I was unsuccessful as playmate and marriage candidate which left me a lonesome dove in middle age. Third, because I had always a large family around and was obsessed with the elderly and the procreation on my brother's side. So willy-nilly I departed with my illusions to become a hero in real life and plunged into the imaginary. In the time elapsed I realized that I have become not only older but wiser - that means, I understood that "globalization" is the state of art being connected while the previous level called "totalitarianism" was sponsored by isolated people and societies. Consequently, today Internet has become more important than Movies or Books taken separately and has exempted our culture for future 21st century.I now give realm to Tarzan and his author Edgar Rice Burroughs. The author (ERB) has been my favorite reading since my early age in the 1970s when I studied both Bulgarian and English languages. My mastery in those two languages is equal although I live in Eastern European country by default. In those years before end of Cold War my time was occupied by gathering Movies and Books and associating with Friends. Now in my 50s the last component is missing and I am left alone with myself and whatever artifacts of Culture modern age has to provide in order to survive. Otherwise it will disappear like Dinosaurs and World Wars.After those gloomy memories let me present my Tarzan collection (on 6 double-sided DVDs, 12 movies in total with Johnny Weissmuller). The guy was sort of a hero now-a-days people like Arnold Schwarzenegger have become. He has also similar biography saying he was born in America while in fact he came from Banat, Austro-Hungary (formerly). Weissmuller was trained swimmer and won 5 gold medals for US Olympic team (1924-1928). He then became a Movie star in 1930s and 1940s, keeping constantly in good physical shape because the Tarzan films expounded on the image of semi-naked white ape-man as apotheosis of American supremacy over Germans and other Human Races. Johnny Weissmuller died age 80 leaving the Tarzan legacy to other actors not one of which could beat his productivity or expressionism.Edgar Rice Burroughs adapted to screenwriters format themes from his Tarzan's novels (originally 24 books dealing with this hero). He also wrote several other series of books all of which dealing with imaginary worlds, the most popular being about John Carter of Mars (originally 11 books that follow adventures of dying Captain during the Civil War whose soul transcend on the Red Planet to become there a Warlord of galactic civilization). The recent movies on John Carter aren't half intriguing as the books themselves.Finally, have a list of the 12 original Tarzan movies with Johnny Weissmuller the way they appeared chronologically: TARZAN, THE APE MAN (1932) TARZAN AND HIS MATE (1934) TARZAN ESCAPES (1936) TARZAN FINDS A SON (1939) TARZAN'S SECRET TREASURE (1941) TARZAN'S NEW YORK ADVENTURE (1942) TARZAN TRIUMPHS (1943) TARZAN'S DESERT MYSTERY (1943) TARZAN AND THE AMAZONS (1945) TARZAN AND THE LEOPARD WOMAN (1946) TARZAN AND THE HUNTRESS (1947) TARZAN AND THE MERMAIDS (1948)

English explorer C. Aubrey Smith (as James Parker) leads an expedition into Africa's jungles, to find ivory in a legendary elephant graveyard. Spunky daughter Maureen O'Sullivan (as Jane) insists on going along, despite the danger; she is looking for a more savage lifestyle. Handsome Neil Hamilton (as Harry Holt), Mr. Smith's partner, falls in love with Ms. O'Sullivan, but finds unexpected competition from likewise handsome, but loin-clothed, Johnny Weissmuller (as Tarzan). Raised by monkeys, Mr. Weissmuller gets the urge to mate, when he sees O'Sullivan.This was the first "Tarzan" film starring Weissmuller, O'Sullivan, and "Cheetah" the chimpanzee; and, by the time the movie ends, they are obviously "going places" (in the Tarzan film series). A handsome and muscular swimming star, Weissmuller makes a perfect Tarzan. While showing less skin, O'Sullivan give the film its considerable sex appeal; especially when she tears her dress to mop Weissmuller's brow, goes swimming, and has Tarzan tickle her feet.Edgar Rice Burroughs' story of survival is downplayed in favor of the novel's sexual fantasy. And, it works like a charm. "Tarzan the Ape man" was not only a great Tarzan film, but also an excellent early "talkie". Of course, there is some silliness included (this was 1932). Director W.S. Van Dyke, film editors Ben Lewis and Tom Held, and photographers Harold Rosson and Clyde De Vinna excel. The film is briskly directed, tightly edited, and nicely photographed.******** Tarzan the Ape Man (3/25/32) W.S. Van Dyke ~ Johnny Weissmuller, Maureen O'Sullivan, Neil Hamilton, C. Aubrey Smith

Johnny Weissmuller,the former Olympic champion in swimming,makes his debut as Tarzan.The movie spawned a lot of sequels and Weissmuller continued as Tarzan for 11 more films during the next 16 years. I had seen this early and somewhat primitive talkie a couple of years back and found it hard to sit through.I decided I'd give it another chance and was surprised at how much more I enjoyed it.Weissmuller is stunning, he fits the part excellent and looks amazing.There's screen charisma by the thousands.Maureen O' Sullivan as Jane really made the role her own.The African footage, shot during the making of "Trader Horn" is exciting and must have been worth the ticket on its own back in the thirties.There's some bad rear-projection used,but it doesn't spoil the movie if you don't let it bother you. So enjoy this entertaining film.