I was amazed to see one reviewer thought this was among the best of the series, as the original MGM series with Johnny Weissmuller had just switched to lower-status RKO and now were being made with considerably smaller budgets. In addition, Maureen O'Sullivan was on contract with MGM still and so there was no Jane in the series (until they eventually replaced her with another actress). Until then, they gave a wider variety of reasons to explain why she wasn't there--and it sounded a lot like Larry Mondello's father from "Leave it to Beaver". Not only had the budgets and Jane changed, but RKO relegated these good films to B-movie status--not only because of the budgets but because of the plots which were, to put it charitable, strange.
Here in this film, Tarzan actually (and I am NOT kidding) fought the Nazis!!! Now if this doesn't clearly illustrate the term "jumping the shark", I don't know what does!! To "jump the shark" means when a series has reached its apex and is on the way down--and they do something very desperate to try to revive it. On "Happy Days" it was having the Fonz jump a shark tank on his motorcycle. On "The Brady Bunch" it was the addition to Cousin Oliver. On "Fairly Odd Parents" (and MANY other series) it was the addition of a baby. Well, although the Tarzan series was before TVs were available to the general public, it was a series and Tarzan fighting Nazis was clearly a case of jumping that 'ol shark!! In addition to Nazis in the middle of a lush jungle (shouldn't they have been taking over Europe or invading Russia?!?), we find that Tarzan has gone to charm school and grammar school, as his normal vocabulary of about 20 words has grown dramatically. The real surprise, though, was Boy--who apparently was taking on-line classes with University of Phoenix, as he spoke BETTER than kids educated in the USA! If you care about the plot (and RKO obviously didn't), it begins with Boy blundering about and almost killing himself (a very familiar plot device). He is saved by a sexy lady who comes from a tribe that speaks perfect English and also went to charm school. Later, when this lady's tribe is enslaved by the dreaded Hun, Tarzan responds by becoming the next Chuck Norris and wiping them out pretty much by himself (with some help from his jungle friends). Never mind that the Nazis had guns and grenades and the like! Because the plot is 100% stupid, you can't seriously give this film a high score. However, it IS still entertaining in a kitschy sort of way. And, if you want to see just how badly the Weissmuller series has sunk, give this one a look.
Here in this film, Tarzan actually (and I am NOT kidding) fought the Nazis!!! Now if this doesn't clearly illustrate the term "jumping the shark", I don't know what does!! To "jump the shark" means when a series has reached its apex and is on the way down--and they do something very desperate to try to revive it. On "Happy Days" it was having the Fonz jump a shark tank on his motorcycle. On "The Brady Bunch" it was the addition to Cousin Oliver. On "Fairly Odd Parents" (and MANY other series) it was the addition of a baby. Well, although the Tarzan series was before TVs were available to the general public, it was a series and Tarzan fighting Nazis was clearly a case of jumping that 'ol shark!! In addition to Nazis in the middle of a lush jungle (shouldn't they have been taking over Europe or invading Russia?!?), we find that Tarzan has gone to charm school and grammar school, as his normal vocabulary of about 20 words has grown dramatically. The real surprise, though, was Boy--who apparently was taking on-line classes with University of Phoenix, as he spoke BETTER than kids educated in the USA! If you care about the plot (and RKO obviously didn't), it begins with Boy blundering about and almost killing himself (a very familiar plot device). He is saved by a sexy lady who comes from a tribe that speaks perfect English and also went to charm school. Later, when this lady's tribe is enslaved by the dreaded Hun, Tarzan responds by becoming the next Chuck Norris and wiping them out pretty much by himself (with some help from his jungle friends). Never mind that the Nazis had guns and grenades and the like! Because the plot is 100% stupid, you can't seriously give this film a high score. However, it IS still entertaining in a kitschy sort of way. And, if you want to see just how badly the Weissmuller series has sunk, give this one a look.