The "African" elephants were actually Indian elephants fitted with prosthetic tusks and ears, as MGM already owned several Indian elephants and considered them easier to handle.
Cedric Gibbons was replaced as director due to other duties as the head of MGM's art department. He was officially replaced by Jack Conway. Maureen O'Sullivan recalled that the actual direction was carried out by James C. McKay (uncredited as director), who was billed only as the animal director. Betty Roth (wife of animal supervisor Louis Roth) doubled for O'Sullivan for some closeup lion scenes near the film's conclusion due to O'Sullivan's one-month absence for an appendectomy.
His role as one of the gorillas was the first film role for George Barrows. He would become one of Hollywood's leading gorilla performers. He would also have extensive work as a stuntman and bit player in a film and television career that would last almost 50 years.
Notable is the fact that Johnny Weissmuller did his own stunts riding a rhino, an elephant, and a hippo.
Tarzan does not appear until 23 minutes into the film.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
