The New Adventures of Tarzan

I bought this Tarzan serial 16 years ago, it was time for me to discover Herman Brix, quite handsome, expressive in the efforts with sharp glances when observing danger. He's the real Greystoke, speaking English, it's not surprising as it was produced by Burroughs Tarzan Enterprises Inc., the original author. The print I saw was absolutely not restored, it didn't matter, I was hypnotised by charismatic Herman Brix, fighting wildly against dozens of natives and lions and panthers. Shot in Guatemala, in jungle and seaside, there are strong violent scenes like this awsome shooting with machine gun against natives (did you see it, Sam?). Maybe a better director than cinematographer Edward Kull would have improved direction. The only bad surprise is Tarzan's scream, it seems in the middle he's been hit with a hammer, finally finishing singing a yodel, but it's the yell used in a previous Tarzan radio serial from 1932. Last bad surprise on the DVD extras, I didn't find the Vincent Sherman interview.

Herman Brix was an athlete in track and field, he won a silver medal in the Olympics and was breaking into films. This was his first real break, produced by Tarzan creator Edgar Rice Burroughs himself, this film goes to the books for inspiration. Although, to the best of my knowledge, it is an original story, the Tarzan character is clearly the intelligent aristocrat of the books, who lives at a manor in England, but returns to the jungles when needed. He speaks in complete sentences, and interacts with other characters on an intellectual level. His chimp sidekick is even named from the books, Nkima. Not short on action, this serial has suspense and drama to satisfy the serial and Tarzan fans quite well. We see that Brix is in perfect shape for the role, and we get to see enough flexed muscles and six-pack abs to prove it. Of all the early Tarzans, Brix has one of the most perfect and realistic builds. His yell is quite interesting, I can't describe it other than as a man who stubbed his toe, and is trying to stifle an obscenity. Certainly worth watching, and full of exotic scenery (shot on location in Guatemala), get this on DVD and have a good time. ***/****

Exceptionally dumb, even for a movie serial. They went to Guatemala to "film" this. Much ado about nothing.

I have to review what I see and sad to say other than interesting location cinematography in Central America, there's not much to recommend The New Adventures Of Tarzan.

Edgar Rice Burroughs who was personally involved in the making of this film would have been better to have left it in the hands of the professionals at MGM who while they changed his legendary character knew how to make a film. They would also have advised him to not shoot on location as they did in Trader Horn. The production costs nearly bankrupted MGM and the costs here rendered impossible any kind of profit.

In addition what I saw on TCM was a cut down feature film taken from a movie serial. The serial ran over 4 hours and the film 75 minutes. You can't make anything coherent from that.

Bruce Bennett is quite the well built Tarzan. He's starring in this under his real name of Herman Brix, the same name for which he won a Silver Medal in the Shotput in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. Later when he became Bruce Bennett he learned his craft as actor and is best remembered for The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre and Mildred Pierce as an actor.

I'm sure Bennett did a bit of cringing when he saw this film or was reminded of it in the 100 years of life he had on planet earth.

Or mad, and a bit interesting, take your pick. Herman Brix/Bruce Bennett is a good, athletic Tarzan, rather oddly at home in Africa, Latin America and England, equally comfortable in a loincloth or jungle fatigues, and even (in the final episode) fancy dress. His Tarzan cry is especially memorable, sounding as if he has just trapped his testicles in his desk drawer.

Unlike many serials, the plot develops in nearly linear fashion rather than repeatedly cycling round, and the Guatemalan locations are fascinating and well-used. The animals that Tarzan fights look less like pyjama cases than usual. There is a lot of evidence of cutting and rewriting, so it would be a stretch to say that it all made sense.

Some of the major characters disappear after Chapter Four for no obvious reason, only to reappear in the final summing up (the serial certainly improves when the cast is slimmed down; they are not missed). George, the comedy relief, degenerates from someone capable of machine-gunning dozens of natives to death early on, into a babbling cretin in the later episodes. He is literally unable to pick up a valuable clue without dropping it into the nearest river, or to walk in a straight line without falling into a cunning trap. And to cap it all, the final scene takes place at a party where everyone is dressed as a Tyrolean gypsy - why?