Jungle Jim (1948)

Lady scientist, Hilary Parker is searching for a rare drug to help combat polio. Opportunist Bruce Edwards joins the quest but is actually after gold and buried treasure.

Director:

William Berke

Writer:

Carroll Young (story and screenplay)

Stars:

Johnny Weissmuller, Virginia Grey, George Reeves

Cast

Cast overview:
Johnny Weissmuller	...	Jungle Jim
Virginia Grey	...	Dr. Hilary Parker
George Reeves	...	Bruce Edwards
Lita Baron	...	Zia
Rick Vallin	...	Kolu - Chief of the Masai
Holmes Herbert	...	Commissioner Geoffrey Marsden
Tex Mooney	...	Chief Devil Doctor

Storyline

Lady scientist, Hilary Parker is searching for a rare drug to help combat polio. Opportunist Bruce Edwards joins the quest but is actually after gold and buried treasure.

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Plot Keywords:

mercenary | based on comic strip | drum | low budget | tribe | 

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Taglines:

ADVENTURE IDOL OF MILLIONS...on the screen at last!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 December 1948 (USA)

Also Known As:

Das Geheimnis von Zimbalu

Filming Locations:

Corriganville, Ray Corrigan Ranch, Simi Valley, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Esskay Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

71 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In only 4 years, scheming dirty-dog villain George Reeves would become more famous playing the ultimate hero, Superman, in the "Adventures of Superman" (1952). And only five years later, Dr. Jonas Salk would announce the real polio vaccine.

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Goofs

Half way through the safari, Jungle Jim's hat changes from a common fedora hat to a more appropriate jungle type hat with a white puggaree.

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Connections

Followed by Captive Girl (1950)

User Reviews

Only For the Camp Value

Jungle Jim was Johnny Weismuller's vehicle after he became too old to play Tarzan, and passed the mantle to younger actors. As Jungle Jim, he stays in his African milieu, dons safari clothes and has a series of numbskull adventures mostly saving ladies in distress. This is the first of the series, in which Jungle Jim helps a lady scientist discover a cure for polio (remember that Jungle Jim is made in 1948 before the discovery of the Salk vaccine). In this, it may be ahead of its time; first having a smart female character, and second, finding cures to disease in tropical plants. The villain is played by the pre-Superman George Reeves.

Where Jungle Jim is behind the times is its portrayal of Africans, in this case Masai, who look like white people, and the idiotic portrayal of wildlife. Nonetheless, it's a laugh. But if you're looking for something serious pass it by.