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Tarzan the Ape Man (1932) 7.2
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. Director:W.S. Van DykeWriters:Edgar Rice Burroughs (based upon the characters created by), Cyril Hume (adaptation), 1 more credit » |
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Title: Tarzan the Ape Man (1932)
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Cast
| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Johnny Weissmuller | ... | ||
| Neil Hamilton | ... | ||
| C. Aubrey Smith | ... | ||
| Maureen O'Sullivan | ... | ||
 |
Doris Lloyd | ... | |
|
|
Forrester Harvey | ... |
Beamish
|
|
|
Ivory Williams | ... |
Riano
|
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
James Parker and Harry Holt are on an expedition in Africa in search of the elephant burial grounds that will provide enough ivory to make them rich. Parker's beautiful young daughter Jane arrives unexpectedly to join them. Harry is obviously attracted to Jane and he does his best to help protect her from all the dangers that they experience in the jungle. Jane is terrified when Tarzan and his ape friends first abduct her, but when she returns to her father's expedition she has second thoughts about leaving Tarzan. After the expedition is captured by a tribe of violent dwarfs, Jane sends Cheetah to bring Tarzan to rescue them... Written by Gary Jackson <garyjack5@cogeco.ca>
Taglines:
An original M.G.M. Hit - Greatest of All! See more »Parents Guide:
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
2 April 1932 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Tarzan, the Ape Man See more »Box Office
Budget:
$652,675 (estimated)Company Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
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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]
[...]
See more »
(uncredited)
Music by George Richelavie
Arranged by Paul Marquardt & Fritz Stahlberg
Played during main title
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
When Johnny Weissmuller was approached to play Tarzan, he was under contract with BVD to advertise its underwear and swimming trunks. BVD strenuously objected to its spokesman appearing in just a loincloth - the company only wanted him to appear wearing its product. In return for letting Weismuller play Tarzan, MGM allowed BVD to run ads featuring the studio's contract players in BVD swimsuits (including Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, Jean Harlow and Marie Dressler). (source: "Tarzan of the Movies" by Gabe Esso) See more »Goofs
After the first Tarzan's yell, Harry has the gun on his right shoulder. Next shot he is holding the gun barrel with his left hand. See more »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]
[...]
See more »
Soundtracks
Voo-Doo Dance(uncredited)
Music by George Richelavie
Arranged by Paul Marquardt & Fritz Stahlberg
Played during main title
See more »
This is the first of the MGM Tarzan films featuring Olympic medalist Johnny Weismuller in the titular role. It is new out on DVD, in a box set that contains the first six (out of twelve) that he would make. His co-star in these first six films (though I think she disappears in the latter six) is Maureen O'Sullivan, one of the greatest beauties Hollywood ever knew. They are the perfect Tarzan and Jane. Tarzan the Ape Man is extraordinary. The second film of the series, Tarzan and His Mate, is an acknowledged masterpiece of the adventure drama, but I'd almost rank Ape Man aside with it. It is beautifully done in every way, fun and exciting, but also at lengths gentle, charming, and downright erotic. There's a long scene where Tarzan and Jane play in the water. It's so sweet and so sexy. There's hardly any background music to the film, which sets it apart from many in its era that overused their musical scores. Long scenes are played out silently. There is no attempt to make up for a lack of dialogue. Of course, since this is the first time Tarzan meets men (at least white men), he doesn't speak much except for a few grunts to his chimpanzee buddies. It's quite amazing how much attention and care is put into the way Tarzan behaves, how he has become chimp-like. I also begin to notice with this film how good an actor Johnny Weismuller is. Tarzan the Ape Man is really a wonderful film. The new box set is absolutely a must-have. 10/10.