Tarzan the Ape Man (1932)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

W.S. Van Dyke

Writers:

Edgar Rice Burroughs (characters)
Cyril Hume (adaptation)

Release Date:

2 April 1932 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure

Tagline:

A Glorious New Thrill!

Plot:

A trader and his daughter set off in search of the fabled graveyard of the elephants in deepest Africa, only to encounter a wild man raised by apes.

Plot Keywords:

Jane | Tarzan | Ape | Elephant | Africa

US TV Schedule:

Mon. July 27

6:15 PM

TCM

Cast

Neil Hamilton	...	Harry Holt
Maureen O'Sullivan	...	Jane Parker
C. Aubrey Smith	...	James Parker
Doris Lloyd	...	Mrs. Cutten
Forrester Harvey	...	Beamish
Ivory Williams	...	Riano
Johnny Weissmuller	...	Tarzan

Also Known As:

Tarzan, the Ape Man (USA) (review title)

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | USA:TV-G (TV rating) | Netherlands:AL | Finland:K-11

Filming Locations:

Iverson Ranch, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

This film used considerable stock footage from Trader Horn (1931) also directed by W.S. Van Dyke, resulting in some very obvious back-projection effects, particularly toward the beginning of the picture.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the safari people stop to camp, Parker gives the orders to the carriers holding the gun about his waist, with the left hand. In the subsequent shot the gun is resting on the ground, with the barrel held by Parker's right hand.

Quotes:

Jane Parker: Thank you for protecting me.
Tarzan: Me?
Jane Parker: I said, thank you for protecting me.
Tarzan: [points at Jane] Me?
Jane Parker: No. I'm only "Me" for me.
Tarzan: [points at Jane] Me.
Jane Parker: No. To you, I'm "You."
Tarzan: [points at himself] You.
Jane Parker: No...
[Thinks for a second]
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Max Havoc: Curse of the Dragon (2004)

Soundtrack:

Romeo and Juliet Overture

A great film, often eclipsed by its sequel.

Of course, Tarzan and His Mate is by far the best film in the wonderful 1930s MGM series. But you shouldn't therefore overlook its forerunner, Tarzan the Ape Man. This is also a great movie and has some fantastic moments. In particular, get a load of the lighting and the way in which the jungle's well-defined shadows are cast across Tarzan's (equally well-defined!) torso. Also worth watching, of course, to discover what Tarzan really says, as he certainly DOESN'T ever say 'Me Tarzan, You Jane'. While Tarzan and His Mate is often cited for its sexy content, this movie is also pretty hot in places; a beautiful pre-code film, which is a must for any Tarzan fan to see.