Tarzan Finds a Son! (1939)

Tarzan finds a boy from a crashed plane and raises him with Jane in the jungle. A search party comes looking for the plane.

Director:

Richard Thorpe

Writers:

Cyril Hume (screen play), Edgar Rice Burroughs (based upon the characters created by)

Stars:

Johnny Weissmuller, Maureen O'Sullivan, Johnny Sheffield

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Johnny Weissmuller	...	Tarzan
Maureen O'Sullivan	...	Jane
Johnny Sheffield	...	Boy (as John Sheffield)
Ian Hunter	...	August Lancing
Henry Stephenson	...	Sir Thomas Lancing
Frieda Inescort	...	Mrs. August Lancing
Henry Wilcoxon	...	Mr. Sande
Laraine Day	...	Mrs. Richard Lancing
Morton Lowry	...	Mr. Richard Lancing

Storyline

A young couple die in a plane crash in the jungle. Their son is found by Tarzan and Jane who name him Boy and raise him as their own. Five years later a search party comes to find the young heir to millions of dollars. Jane agrees, against Tarzan's will, to lead them to civilization.

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Plot Keywords:

1930s | 30s | danger | perilous escape | journey | 

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Taglines:

Super Story of a Super Man ! The Titan of all Tarzans . . . Giant of all jungle thrills . . . worth the years it took to make !

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Family | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 June 1939 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tarzan in Exile

Filming Locations:

Backlot, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$2,265,020

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,551,840

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White (Sepiatone)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The titular Character of "Tarzan" does not appear until 7 minutes into the feature. The earliest appearance of all previously released Weissmuller "Tarzan" films up to that point.

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Goofs

At the climax when Boy is being chased by a lion, sudden position changes in the leaves in the background bushes show the progress of the traveling split screen from right to left, used so that both could be in frame without any danger.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Mr. Richard Lancing: Wildebeest again.
Mrs. Richard Lancing: I think we've seen about a million today.

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Alternate Versions

Originally released as Tarzan in Exile (1939), the film originally ended with the death of Jane. Protests by fans and Edgar Rice Burroughs forced the studio to reshoot much of the film so Jane survives.

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Connections

Followed by Tarzan and the Trappers (1960)

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Soundtracks

My Tender One
(1933) (uncredited)
from Eskimo (1933)
Music by William Axt
Played during end credits

User Reviews

Good Fare for the Old Matinée Shows

Most people I talk to about Tarzan films, always seem to remember this one best - it certainly was aimed at the Saturday Afternoon Matinée Audiences of the 1930"s, and from their points of view, it probably did not disappoint. It really is a kids movie, but provides escapist entertainment, and the introduction of their "son" creates new interest to a somewhat tired storyline - there are only so many elephant stampedes you can have! The acting of the principals is the same as always, with Johnny W. having a very limited script to worry about. Jane (Maureen O'S.) looks good, while Johnny Sheffield is an appealing "Boy" who became a real pain in sequels! Henry Stephenson and Freda Inescort were good support for Ian Hunter, and in a very small bit part was Laraine Day, presumably in her debut movie. I must say the Metro Tarzan movies had more class than those that followed from lesser studios.