Tarzan and the Jungle Boy

Mike Henry in his last appearance as Tarzan assists a pair of journalists (Gur and Gans) in attempting to locate a boy (Bond), missing in the jungles for several years. Complicating matters is the volatility of a local tribe after its chief dies, leaving the sons (Ed and Rafer Johnson) to battle for succession.

Strictly formula Tarzan fare with all the usual motifs (pet leopard, a pair of chimps et al) blends some nice scenery with watchable action scenes. Henry is not as relaxed in his role as Ron Ely (the TV Tarzan), but does the business well enough to be convincing. Lacks intensity (the scene where Gur & Gans are attacked by the megalomaniacal brother Ngambi ends rather abruptly), although enough of the cast end up skewered on spears that it's perhaps too violent for the pre-adolescents.

If you're into Tarzan, and especially if you grew up on Ely's TV rendition, then this instalment should satisfy a Sunday afternoon.

This is the movie with Steve Bond's (soap opera actor of "General Hospital" and "Santa Barbara") first performance. He plays Erik, a boy who was forced by circumstances to survive in the jungle on his own. He is a kind of smaller version of the hero, Tarzan.

Mike Henry's Tarzan is averaged (a softened version of the classic Tarzan), as is the movie. This must be a movie in a line of other Tarzan-films. All the stereotyped elements are there: Cheetah the monkey (in this movie kind of addicted to alcohol to amuse the viewer), Tarzan's screaming (but only once...) ...

Charming story full of adventures, many animals, so-called clever slogans from our hero, a very sexy reporter (Alizia Gur) and some tension is created when the villain seeks revenge of Tarzan.

6 out of 10

Mike Henry's last film outing as Tarzan is in this film Tarzan And The Jungle Boy. Although shot in Brazil, but with establishing shots of African wildlife to make sure that Tarzan after a few films away from Africa was back in his native habitat. Too bad that this warmed over remake of Tarzan Finds A Son was not better than what MGM did on its back lot jungle sets back in the days of Johnny Weissmuller.

Tarzan takes on an assignment to find a lost kid in the jungle played by young Steve Bond. He hears about it from journalists Ron Gans and Alicia Gur who want to tag along, but Tarzan moves better on his own. For any number of reasons they should have stayed behind, but Gur especially wants the story. They kidnap a drunk Cheta and follow Tarzan into the jungle with Cheta on a leash.

Tarzan And The Jungle Boy features 1960 Olympic Decathalon champion Rafer Johnson as the villain locked in a struggle with his real life brother Ed for the succession to be tribal chief. They have their own little Decathalon in the jungle which consists of versions of the Javelin, the pole vault, and the broad jump. That's easily the best part of the film.

This one's a little too unbelievable for me to swallow, especially Tarzan telling some kid about the benefits of civilization.

One of the better post-Johnny Weissmuller "Tarzan" films stars heavy-lidded Mike Henry in the lead. Henry, ex-football player making his third appearance as the Ape Man, is a decent actor, although he would probably be more comfortable cast as a shady gigolo seducing older women over champagne than playing Tarzan. Henry does have the proper physique for the role, and his modern appearance is used to his advantage. This Tarzan is given a 1960s spin: he's 007 in a loincloth! Tarzan searches for a lost child in the jungle, aided by a sexy female reporter. The entire movie is full of sweaty bodies, so it comes as something of a surprise when potential love-interest Alizia Gur isn't allowed to play around with anything but her camera! ** from ****

This is a formulaic Tarzan movie. You have your girl, natives, and even a jungle boy. You would think that it would be pretty lame, but it's not. If I had to guess, I would say that the people making this movie knew how formulaic it was and so they pulled no punches. It's a simple Tarzan story and that's the way it's presented.

First, the movie takes place in Africa. It doesn't try taking Tarzan to far off places. It's stays right in Tarzan's backyard.

Second, Mike Henry does a much better job in this one than any other one. It was like he finally figured out how he should play Tarzan.

Third, the boy, played by Steve Bond, does a really good job. He doesn't over act and is believable.

Fourth, the evil and good natives, who are brothers in real life and in the movie do a great job. They are fit and much like everyone else, they don't over do it.

Fifth, the girl, Aliza Gur, is very pretty and has your classic 60's look. Wearing the riding pants, boots, low cut top, long hair with the wide head band. She looks like she stepped off the set of the Beverly Hillbillies.

So if you want a simple Tarzan movie that you can get into, this one will definitely work.