Bomba attempts to stop elephant hunters sent by the government to kill a wild herd, convinced that one rogue pachyderm is responsible for leading the others astray. Johnny Sheffield retired his loincloth and vine rope with this 12th installment in the franchise, which writer-producer-director Ford Beebe began in 1949 via Monogram Pictures (by now transformed into Allied Artists). It was appropriately timed as Sheffield no longer looks like a Jungle Boy, apt to running away from the girls after a chaste kiss. Beebe's method of intercutting wildlife footage from stock with the African-set adventures usually results in a visual hodgepodge; with "Lord", however, the editing is pretty sharp, particularly during the exciting climax. Bomba and a stubborn young woman from London became fast friends (complete with a romantic moonlight smooch), though he ends up aiding her in a reconciliation with her bleeding-heart fiancé and walks away with his standard friendly wave. Amusingly, no female was ever able to topple this lord of the jungle! **1/2 from ****
12 Reviews
Elephants rule the jungle
chris_gaskin12318 March 2005
Lord of the Jungle was the last of the 12 Bomba movies starring Johnny Sheffield as Bomba.
In this last movie, a large group of elephants are on the rampage in the jungle, destroying native villages and killing people. Some hunters go to track them down and kill them. Not if Bomba has anything to do with it. He blames these attacks on just one elephant, the leader of the group. With the help of one of the hunters, he manages to track the leader down and the hunter kills him and the rest of the group disperse.
Like all the Bomba movies I have seen so far, I found Lord of the Jungle enjoyable.
I'm lucky to have a source to get these movies from as they are all hard to get hold of.
Rating: 3 stars out of 5.
In this last movie, a large group of elephants are on the rampage in the jungle, destroying native villages and killing people. Some hunters go to track them down and kill them. Not if Bomba has anything to do with it. He blames these attacks on just one elephant, the leader of the group. With the help of one of the hunters, he manages to track the leader down and the hunter kills him and the rest of the group disperse.
Like all the Bomba movies I have seen so far, I found Lord of the Jungle enjoyable.
I'm lucky to have a source to get these movies from as they are all hard to get hold of.
Rating: 3 stars out of 5.
Bomba goes Ballistic!
sol121826 March 2012
Warning: Spoilers
***SPOILERS*** In this the last of the "Bomba the Jungle Boy" films Bomba, Johnny Sheffield,takes it upon himself to bring a murderous rouge elephant named Raju to justice. Raju who's become wild and crazy from eating contaminated, from DDT, weeds and ended up leading or forcing his heard of elephant to go nuts attacking and killing a number of the local native population.
Bomba who comes on the scene to help catch and kill Raju is shocked to find out that it's been decided by the county's High Commissioner to kill the entire heard of elephants along with Raju! Knowing that the land where the elephants are grazing at or around belonged to Bomba's British parents the Hastings he uses that technicality,in that it now belongs to him, to have the animals driven or kept on to his land and thus prevent them from being exterminated by the white hunters lead by Jeff Wood, Wayne Morris, assigned by "The Commish" to gun them them all down to the last elephant!
Raju for his part goes on,with his band of elephants followers, rampaging through the jungle killing among others Bomba's native friend Molu,Joel Fluellen, and his infant child leaving his wife, Juanita Moore, a widow before her 21th birthday. Bomba still has a hard time convincing the local authorities that it's Raju not those elephants with him who's responsible for all this carnage but time is running out with bands of white and native hunters descending into Bomba country to wipe out the entire elephant herd. As a side story there's also the spunky and pretty Mona Hammond, Nancy Hale, who traveled to Bomba Country to find her husband known by the natives as the "Great White Witch Doctor" Lewis Hammond. Lewis gave up a lucrative medical practice back in London to save those, in the African bush, who could never afford much less get his help or services!
***SPOILERS*** The film reaches a wild and bloody crescendo with the rampaging Raju tearing the jungle apart with Bomba's good friend Deputhy Commissioner Andy Barnes(Leonard Mudie), after Bomba gave him back the gun he stole from him, gunning down the rouge elephant and finally putting an end to all this madness! Still Bomba has to prove that it was only the now dead Raju who was the reason for all this death and destruction. It's then that Bomba organizes an elephant parade in front of Deputy Commissioner's Barnes headquarters to prove just how harmless and friendly the maligned by almost everyone in the movie, with the exception of Bomba and Mona, elephants were.
Bomba who comes on the scene to help catch and kill Raju is shocked to find out that it's been decided by the county's High Commissioner to kill the entire heard of elephants along with Raju! Knowing that the land where the elephants are grazing at or around belonged to Bomba's British parents the Hastings he uses that technicality,in that it now belongs to him, to have the animals driven or kept on to his land and thus prevent them from being exterminated by the white hunters lead by Jeff Wood, Wayne Morris, assigned by "The Commish" to gun them them all down to the last elephant!
Raju for his part goes on,with his band of elephants followers, rampaging through the jungle killing among others Bomba's native friend Molu,Joel Fluellen, and his infant child leaving his wife, Juanita Moore, a widow before her 21th birthday. Bomba still has a hard time convincing the local authorities that it's Raju not those elephants with him who's responsible for all this carnage but time is running out with bands of white and native hunters descending into Bomba country to wipe out the entire elephant herd. As a side story there's also the spunky and pretty Mona Hammond, Nancy Hale, who traveled to Bomba Country to find her husband known by the natives as the "Great White Witch Doctor" Lewis Hammond. Lewis gave up a lucrative medical practice back in London to save those, in the African bush, who could never afford much less get his help or services!
***SPOILERS*** The film reaches a wild and bloody crescendo with the rampaging Raju tearing the jungle apart with Bomba's good friend Deputhy Commissioner Andy Barnes(Leonard Mudie), after Bomba gave him back the gun he stole from him, gunning down the rouge elephant and finally putting an end to all this madness! Still Bomba has to prove that it was only the now dead Raju who was the reason for all this death and destruction. It's then that Bomba organizes an elephant parade in front of Deputy Commissioner's Barnes headquarters to prove just how harmless and friendly the maligned by almost everyone in the movie, with the exception of Bomba and Mona, elephants were.
The Final Bomba
Michael_Elliott26 March 2012
Lord of the Jungle (1955)
* 1/2 (out of 4)
The twelfth and final film in the series was clearly showing that the thing was out of gas and needed to be stopped. This time out Bomba (Johnny Sheffield) has to deal with a bunch of hunters out to kill a group of elephants who are stampeding villages and killing people. Bomba believes that if you kill the rouge leader that the rest will return to being good but will he have time to save them? Issues with elephants have been rampant through this series as well as other jungle adventures like Tarzan. Something I've noticed in this series is that quite often Bomba is on the fence about being a jerk at times and fighting for things that just make him look silly. I think that line is crossed here because he really does come off as a jerk and while he continues to fight for the elephants more people die yet he's still only interested in the elephants. Perhaps had the writing been stronger the character could have been filled out some more but writing and Bomba never really went together. At just 69-minutes this film goes along quite slowly and as usual we're treated to some silly stock footage, rear-projection shots and of course endless scenes of dialogue with people talking about what they're going to do. This all grows very tiresome in this entry and it turns out that the last was also one of the worst. You'd think with so many elephants that you could come up with something better but I'm going to guess that everyone knew this was it so not too much effort went into it. Sheffield fits the role nicely, as usual, but even he seems to be lacking some energy. Wayne Morris makes for a good heavy but he's actually not in the film too much. Nancy Hale plays the love interest but her character is really underwritten. LORD OF THE JUNGLE will only need to be viewed by those, like me, who enjoy watching every movie in a series no matter how poor they are. Now with all twelve Bomba films viewed, this series certainly wasn't high art but Sheffield was good.
* 1/2 (out of 4)
The twelfth and final film in the series was clearly showing that the thing was out of gas and needed to be stopped. This time out Bomba (Johnny Sheffield) has to deal with a bunch of hunters out to kill a group of elephants who are stampeding villages and killing people. Bomba believes that if you kill the rouge leader that the rest will return to being good but will he have time to save them? Issues with elephants have been rampant through this series as well as other jungle adventures like Tarzan. Something I've noticed in this series is that quite often Bomba is on the fence about being a jerk at times and fighting for things that just make him look silly. I think that line is crossed here because he really does come off as a jerk and while he continues to fight for the elephants more people die yet he's still only interested in the elephants. Perhaps had the writing been stronger the character could have been filled out some more but writing and Bomba never really went together. At just 69-minutes this film goes along quite slowly and as usual we're treated to some silly stock footage, rear-projection shots and of course endless scenes of dialogue with people talking about what they're going to do. This all grows very tiresome in this entry and it turns out that the last was also one of the worst. You'd think with so many elephants that you could come up with something better but I'm going to guess that everyone knew this was it so not too much effort went into it. Sheffield fits the role nicely, as usual, but even he seems to be lacking some energy. Wayne Morris makes for a good heavy but he's actually not in the film too much. Nancy Hale plays the love interest but her character is really underwritten. LORD OF THE JUNGLE will only need to be viewed by those, like me, who enjoy watching every movie in a series no matter how poor they are. Now with all twelve Bomba films viewed, this series certainly wasn't high art but Sheffield was good.
An affinity for pachyderms
bkoganbing10 March 2012
Johnny Sheffield finished both the Bomba The Jungle Boy series and his career with Lord Of The Jungle. In this one the Bomba series takes a plot that could have been one from the Tarzan series where back in his adolescence Sheffield had been Boy.
Like Tarzan, Bomba has an affinity for pachyderms. But the local herd has been running wild lately, trampling through villages, destroying property and killing people. Most atypical behavior for elephants who are herbivores and won't attack people unless they're attacked.
In a story that could also have been taken from any number of westerns about a wild horse herd, Bomba suspects that a rogue has taken over the lead of the herd. No reason to kill all of his friends if the rogue is done in. But how to do it?
I would suspect the Bomba series ended for a number of reasons. The writers were not coming up with fresh story lines as witness by this retreaded western. B picture stuff like the Bomba series was showing up on television. Finally Johnny Sheffield was clearly no longer juvenile looking enough to be a jungle boy. So Sheffield quit acting and apparently lived happily ever after.
Nothing special about Lord Of The Jungle, decent viewing though.
Like Tarzan, Bomba has an affinity for pachyderms. But the local herd has been running wild lately, trampling through villages, destroying property and killing people. Most atypical behavior for elephants who are herbivores and won't attack people unless they're attacked.
In a story that could also have been taken from any number of westerns about a wild horse herd, Bomba suspects that a rogue has taken over the lead of the herd. No reason to kill all of his friends if the rogue is done in. But how to do it?
I would suspect the Bomba series ended for a number of reasons. The writers were not coming up with fresh story lines as witness by this retreaded western. B picture stuff like the Bomba series was showing up on television. Finally Johnny Sheffield was clearly no longer juvenile looking enough to be a jungle boy. So Sheffield quit acting and apparently lived happily ever after.
Nothing special about Lord Of The Jungle, decent viewing though.
The last movie in the Bomba series
tarwaterthomas19 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
That lovable jungle Tarzan tries to save a herd of pachyderms from being massacred on account of the lead elephant has gone rogue. This was the end of the line for the BOMBA THE JUNGLE BOY series, and the end of Johnny Sheffield's acting career; he decided on a change of pace and went into real estate, and made a success of it. Our hero saves the elephants and a pretty girl from London named Mona Andrews (Nancy Hale), after which he ventures into the jungle with spear in hand, all by his lonesome. I'd like to think that if there were any more films in the Bomba series, our hero would have encountered a jungle princess who would have rocked his world, and there would have been a little Bomba or two---even a little Bombette. I saw these Bomba flicks on Turner Classic Movies a few years ago, and managed to record quite a few of them. Yeah, they're on videotape. My bad. And LORD OF THE JUNGLE was directed by movie serial veteran Ford Beebe. That's all and thanks for reading my review.
"The animals are my friends and you can't shoot them."
utgard1427 July 2015
The last in the Bomba series starring Johnny Sheffield. This also happens to be the last film of Sheffield's career, as he wisely retired after this. The plot to this one has Bomba trying to stop a rogue elephant in order to prevent an entire herd from being slaughtered by government-sanctioned hunters. The idea that one elephant can essentially lead a herd of them into doing things they don't want to do seems pretty out there but it's best to just go with it. Also this movie introduces the fact that Bomba OWNS the African jungle he inhabits, apparently because his birth father bought it. How this was never mentioned in any of the other movies is beyond me but, again, just go with it.
In addition to Sheffield and regulars Leonard Mudie and Smoki Whitfield, there's a portly Wayne Morris as one of the hunters and Nancy Hale as the niece of Bomba's friend Andy Barnes. She has an obligatory swimming scene, as most of the girls in this series did. Wayne Morris is far removed from his days as a leading man for Warner Bros. If it weren't for his distinctive voice, I might have mistaken him for George Kennedy here. There's even more stock footage than usual in this entry. It's used well and the action scenes with the elephants are good. There are also more scenes of Bomba swinging through the jungle than normal. The Bomba series is not one of my favorites and it is certainly far below the quality of the Tarzan movies Sheffield co-starred in with Johnny Weissmuller. Still, most of them are enjoyable enough and this is a good end to the series.
In addition to Sheffield and regulars Leonard Mudie and Smoki Whitfield, there's a portly Wayne Morris as one of the hunters and Nancy Hale as the niece of Bomba's friend Andy Barnes. She has an obligatory swimming scene, as most of the girls in this series did. Wayne Morris is far removed from his days as a leading man for Warner Bros. If it weren't for his distinctive voice, I might have mistaken him for George Kennedy here. There's even more stock footage than usual in this entry. It's used well and the action scenes with the elephants are good. There are also more scenes of Bomba swinging through the jungle than normal. The Bomba series is not one of my favorites and it is certainly far below the quality of the Tarzan movies Sheffield co-starred in with Johnny Weissmuller. Still, most of them are enjoyable enough and this is a good end to the series.
"The animals are my friends, and you can't shoot them."
classicsoncall17 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I was a little curious about Johnny Sheffield's age when he made this picture so I had to take a look. Turns out he was about twenty four, which might have been a hint that Bomba the Jungle Boy wouldn't work as a character much longer. Later on in the story hunter Jeff Wood (Wayne Morris) called him a junior ape man making it sound kind of derogatory. I guess it was time to call it quits.
The story isn't too bad, Bomba shows his mettle in protecting a herd of elephants that hunters have been authorized to kill by the territorial commissioner due to their destructive rampages. Turns out however that it was a lone rogue elephant responsible for the havoc, so Bomba intends to single him out as the bad guy. There was a running theme that Bomba actually owned the land that the elephants were living on by virtue of his parents having settled and worked there. I don't know how one would lay claim to jungle property but everyone seemed to accept it in the story.
I'm not certain how far back one would have to go in film history to credit the first time it happened, I'm sure Tarzan had his fair share of vine swing saves the way Bomba did here with pretty Mona Andrews (Nancy Hale). It always brings to mind what most modern viewers recall about Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia. She didn't kiss him however, that actually happened earlier in the picture, and it was Bomba planting an innocent peck on the cheek of Miss Andrews.
The one thing I did find hilarious in the film had to do with the African native drum talk, especially when Molu (Joel Fluellen) rapped his drum exactly the same way each time, and each time it meant something different. That was in the same league as all those Westerns in which Indian tribes communicate by smoke signals, or better yet, each time Tonto communicated with the Lone Ranger with identical hand waves under entirely different circumstances. How can you possibly interpret that?
The story isn't too bad, Bomba shows his mettle in protecting a herd of elephants that hunters have been authorized to kill by the territorial commissioner due to their destructive rampages. Turns out however that it was a lone rogue elephant responsible for the havoc, so Bomba intends to single him out as the bad guy. There was a running theme that Bomba actually owned the land that the elephants were living on by virtue of his parents having settled and worked there. I don't know how one would lay claim to jungle property but everyone seemed to accept it in the story.
I'm not certain how far back one would have to go in film history to credit the first time it happened, I'm sure Tarzan had his fair share of vine swing saves the way Bomba did here with pretty Mona Andrews (Nancy Hale). It always brings to mind what most modern viewers recall about Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia. She didn't kiss him however, that actually happened earlier in the picture, and it was Bomba planting an innocent peck on the cheek of Miss Andrews.
The one thing I did find hilarious in the film had to do with the African native drum talk, especially when Molu (Joel Fluellen) rapped his drum exactly the same way each time, and each time it meant something different. That was in the same league as all those Westerns in which Indian tribes communicate by smoke signals, or better yet, each time Tonto communicated with the Lone Ranger with identical hand waves under entirely different circumstances. How can you possibly interpret that?
Lord of the Jungle
malcolm-685 June 2012
This is the only Bomba film in which Johnny Sheffield shares top billing with another actor namely chain smoking, overweight, disillusioned Wayne Morris. It is the only one of the series which does not have a human villain. Instead there is a rogue elephant who is leading the rest of the herd to commit mayhem. The crux of the drama is conflict between Bomba who is full of bombast and only wants to shoot the rogue elephant and Wayne Morris who is head of a government licensed group of hunters ordered to shoot the entire herd. The last few of the series injected a sliver of sex by inventing an excuse for the comely heroine,in this case Nancy Hale, to go for a dip with Bomba. They also share a couple of chaste kisses. The budget of this film must have been trimmed more than usual because much of the action is talked about or described rather than seen, but the climax packs a little excitement. Stock footage of wild animals abounds. The rest of the film is padded out with aimless trekking through the jungle in pursuit of the rogue elephant. The script contains gaps in logic and continuity and most of the characters display a lack of common sense. Sheffield fits the role and his loin cloth comfortably. On the strength of Wayne Morris's appearance in this film, the title could have been changed to "Lard of the Jungle". After viewing this effort, it is doubtful if anyone exclaimed, "We could be talking Oscars here!"
"Trees and bushes can't be much different, whether Africa or Devonshire"
hwg1957-102-26570420 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The last of Bomba and the last of Johnny Sheffield (in the acting profession that is) which is a shame because as jungle pictures go I did like the 'Bomba' series, which was the equal of the 'Jungle Jim' series but not quite rising to the tree top heights of the Tarzan movies. In this one Bomba tries to stop the slaughter of an elephant herd when only one of the elephants have gone rogue. Mr. Sheffield is his usual pleasant self but is not quite a boy anymore. Seems to be weightier than before. Perhaps in this last film he should have fallen in love and gone off into the sunset with a bride but that doesn't happen. The cast are OK which includes Smoki Whitfield who had been a stalwart of the Bomba series. A nice jungle romp anyway.
There is a dark moment when a father and child are killed by the rogue elephant and Juanita Moore as the grieving mother and wife is mourning over them. It's a moving scene.
There is a dark moment when a father and child are killed by the rogue elephant and Juanita Moore as the grieving mother and wife is mourning over them. It's a moving scene.
Bomba and the Elephant Hunters
lugonian16 August 2015
LORD OF THE JUNGLE (Allied Artists, 1955), Written, produced and directed by Ford Beebe, might have been a more fitting title for any one of the "Tarzan" adventures starring Johnny Weissmuller a decade or so ago. Instead, the title is used for what's not only become the twelfth and final installment to the "Bomba, the Jungle Boy" movie series, but the final screen appearance to its originator, Johnny Sheffield (1931-2010). After many years in jungle adventures starting with his debut role of Boy in TARZAN FINDS A SON (MGM, 1939) starring "lord of the jungle" Johnny Weissmuller at his fourth go-round in his signature role, it was rather fitting that after growing out of playing Boy 1947, that the teen-age Sheffield was offered another jungle character portrayal. As often credited, "based on the character created by Roy Rockwell in the "Bomba" books," who else but Sheffield could play the part of a teenage Tarzan named Bomba? Debuting in the part in BOMBA THE JUNGLE BOY (Monogram, 1949), unlike the long-running Tarzan franchise, nobody but Sheffield was Bomba. It would be a matter of time before Sheffield outgrew his teen character considering by this time he was already approaching his mid-twenties. Whether it was the intent to end the series here or not, at least it didn't conclude with an unwatchable or unbearable item as with some series finales.
Following its fade in as the camera tracking through the jungle, Bomba is immediately viewed swinging on a vine. Next scene introduces new assortment of characters, that of Mona Andrews (Nancy Hale) and her fiancé, Paul Gavin (Paul Picerni) in a private airplane. It is later revealed that Gavin intends on moving to Africa to work as a missionary doctor, something Mona would rather he not do. Mona in turn happens to be the niece of Bomba's closest friend, Deputy Commissioner Andy Barnes (Leonard Mudie). Enter Jeff Wood (Wayne Morris), a hunter hired by the government to shoot a herd of rogue elephants destroying villages and killing natives. Bomba prevents Wood from doing so, and intends on proving his theory of only one bad elephant being the responsible one and the one to be shot and killed, not the entire herd. Because Bomba actually owns the property formerly owned by his now deceased parents, the Hastings, does the jungle boy resume his protection of his animal friends from extinction. During the course of the story, Bomba helps with Mona's dilemma and ends up in troubles of his own when later tied and bound by one of the hunters he had earlier rescued, thus, leaving the helpless Bomba to face an oncoming elephant stampede heading his way.
Somewhat reminiscent to the earlier Weissmuller/Tarzan adventures where jungle lord pits himself against hunters invading his territory and out to eliminate his wildlife friends. There's also some footage capturing some underwater swimming between Bomba and Mona, the sort of scenes commonly depicted by Tarzan and his mate, Jane. Other story extensions as sending messages through drum pounding and lifted stock animal footage of giraffes and elephants roaming about add to its jungle feel, even with obvious rear projection footage noticeable here and there.
For the only time in the series, Sheffield shares equal billing above the title with co-star Wayne Morris. Though the Morris share might have meant something for movie audiences during his brief prime in motion pictures for Warner Brothers (1937-1940), by 1955, ranging from older to a younger generation of theater attendees, Morris was just another name on the motion picture screen. Oddly enough, in spite of their equal status billing, Sheffield and Morris are not constantly together from start to finish as what one may assume. In fact, Sheffield has more screen time with Nancy Hale (quite obvious by the writer's point of view by using her as a female influence on the jungle boy now jungle man). Although Hale gets by with her fine looks, the only setback happens to be on her somewhat amateurish acting in certain scenes. Others featured in the cast are William Phipps (Kenny Balou); series regular Smoki Whitfield (Eli); James Adamson (Elisha); Harry Lauter (The Pilot); Joel Fluellen (Mulu); and Juanita Moore (Mulu's Wife).
Presented on commercial television since the 1960s, better known as my own introduction to the Bomba series when it played part of its weekly Saturday morning line-up of "Jungle Adventure" on WOR-TV, Channel 9, in New York City (1977-1979), LORD OF THE JUNGLE, along with the previous "Bomba" adventures, have turned up on cable television, notably Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: March 24, 2012), where the series has been rediscovered by a new generation, or revisited by older ones who grew up watching this series. Mainly geared for the youthful generation when produced, LORD OF THE JUNGLE bids farewell from both Bomba the character and Johnny Sheffield, the jungle boy of many Saturday Matinée second feature presentations. (**1/2).
Following its fade in as the camera tracking through the jungle, Bomba is immediately viewed swinging on a vine. Next scene introduces new assortment of characters, that of Mona Andrews (Nancy Hale) and her fiancé, Paul Gavin (Paul Picerni) in a private airplane. It is later revealed that Gavin intends on moving to Africa to work as a missionary doctor, something Mona would rather he not do. Mona in turn happens to be the niece of Bomba's closest friend, Deputy Commissioner Andy Barnes (Leonard Mudie). Enter Jeff Wood (Wayne Morris), a hunter hired by the government to shoot a herd of rogue elephants destroying villages and killing natives. Bomba prevents Wood from doing so, and intends on proving his theory of only one bad elephant being the responsible one and the one to be shot and killed, not the entire herd. Because Bomba actually owns the property formerly owned by his now deceased parents, the Hastings, does the jungle boy resume his protection of his animal friends from extinction. During the course of the story, Bomba helps with Mona's dilemma and ends up in troubles of his own when later tied and bound by one of the hunters he had earlier rescued, thus, leaving the helpless Bomba to face an oncoming elephant stampede heading his way.
Somewhat reminiscent to the earlier Weissmuller/Tarzan adventures where jungle lord pits himself against hunters invading his territory and out to eliminate his wildlife friends. There's also some footage capturing some underwater swimming between Bomba and Mona, the sort of scenes commonly depicted by Tarzan and his mate, Jane. Other story extensions as sending messages through drum pounding and lifted stock animal footage of giraffes and elephants roaming about add to its jungle feel, even with obvious rear projection footage noticeable here and there.
For the only time in the series, Sheffield shares equal billing above the title with co-star Wayne Morris. Though the Morris share might have meant something for movie audiences during his brief prime in motion pictures for Warner Brothers (1937-1940), by 1955, ranging from older to a younger generation of theater attendees, Morris was just another name on the motion picture screen. Oddly enough, in spite of their equal status billing, Sheffield and Morris are not constantly together from start to finish as what one may assume. In fact, Sheffield has more screen time with Nancy Hale (quite obvious by the writer's point of view by using her as a female influence on the jungle boy now jungle man). Although Hale gets by with her fine looks, the only setback happens to be on her somewhat amateurish acting in certain scenes. Others featured in the cast are William Phipps (Kenny Balou); series regular Smoki Whitfield (Eli); James Adamson (Elisha); Harry Lauter (The Pilot); Joel Fluellen (Mulu); and Juanita Moore (Mulu's Wife).
Presented on commercial television since the 1960s, better known as my own introduction to the Bomba series when it played part of its weekly Saturday morning line-up of "Jungle Adventure" on WOR-TV, Channel 9, in New York City (1977-1979), LORD OF THE JUNGLE, along with the previous "Bomba" adventures, have turned up on cable television, notably Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: March 24, 2012), where the series has been rediscovered by a new generation, or revisited by older ones who grew up watching this series. Mainly geared for the youthful generation when produced, LORD OF THE JUNGLE bids farewell from both Bomba the character and Johnny Sheffield, the jungle boy of many Saturday Matinée second feature presentations. (**1/2).
Bomba Swings out of Africa
wes-connors9 April 2016
Elephant hunters have arrived in Africa, which understandably irks jungle lord Bomba (Johnny Sheffield). It turns out the killing of a herd of elephants is mandated by government officials. The herd is said to have gone "rogue." Bomba argues that only one elephant has gone "rogue" and forbids any killing of elephants on his land. Pretty young Nancy Hale (as Mona Andrews) arrives from London. Yes, she is there for the prerequisite "swimming scene" and must come around after calling Bomba spoiled and stubborn. Her uncle Paul Picerni supports the elephant killing, even though he's Bomba's friend. Bomba considers the elephants his friends, too...
This was the last film in the "Bomba" series. It was always intended as low-budget matinée fare for a young audience and was certainly successful on that level. The genre produced great movies, which can't be claimed here. This entry is representative, and does feature a comparative good level of action, courtesy of Ford Beebe. He does keep the excitement level high. Several segments are edited nicely, too. While the "stock footage" is obvious, you have to compliment Mr. Beebe on how he keeps the performers on track; for example, the plane passengers in the beginning look more realistic in their movements and actions than the jungle footage...
This was also the last film for Mr. Sheffield. He did an unsold pilot for a TV series called "Bantu the Zebra Boy" (1956). It is very much like "Bomba the Jungle Boy" and can be seen on a popular video site. Sheffield was well-suited for his role as Tarzan's "Boy" and "Bomba" but was never quite authentic in the jungle, after maturing into teen and adult years. He was curiously not cut out for the role which made him a star. Keeping fit and being so associated with the genre probably hurt his chances at getting more serious roles. Considering the inclusion of some fine stunts Sheffield performs in this film, he might also have made a convincing comic book hero.
***** Bomba: Lord of the Jungle (6/12/55) Ford Beebe ~ Johnny Sheffield, Nancy Hale, Wayne Morris, Paul Picerni
This was the last film in the "Bomba" series. It was always intended as low-budget matinée fare for a young audience and was certainly successful on that level. The genre produced great movies, which can't be claimed here. This entry is representative, and does feature a comparative good level of action, courtesy of Ford Beebe. He does keep the excitement level high. Several segments are edited nicely, too. While the "stock footage" is obvious, you have to compliment Mr. Beebe on how he keeps the performers on track; for example, the plane passengers in the beginning look more realistic in their movements and actions than the jungle footage...
This was also the last film for Mr. Sheffield. He did an unsold pilot for a TV series called "Bantu the Zebra Boy" (1956). It is very much like "Bomba the Jungle Boy" and can be seen on a popular video site. Sheffield was well-suited for his role as Tarzan's "Boy" and "Bomba" but was never quite authentic in the jungle, after maturing into teen and adult years. He was curiously not cut out for the role which made him a star. Keeping fit and being so associated with the genre probably hurt his chances at getting more serious roles. Considering the inclusion of some fine stunts Sheffield performs in this film, he might also have made a convincing comic book hero.
***** Bomba: Lord of the Jungle (6/12/55) Ford Beebe ~ Johnny Sheffield, Nancy Hale, Wayne Morris, Paul Picerni
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