Tarzan et la vallée de l' or

David Opatoshu one of the most distinguished actors of the Yiddish Theater back in the day came to Hollywood rather late in his career. In doing so however he created a series of varied and distinguished roles. But none I liked better than his playing of international criminal David Vinaro in Tarzan and the Valley of Gold.

Tarzan's been sent for by the Guatamalen government because a mysterious young boy played by Manuel Padilla, Jr. emerges from the jungle saying he's from a lost city that has vast uncounted gold. Of course that interests Opatoshu and he kidnaps the kid and forces him to lead a well armed expedition back to the lost city.

Of course they're no match for Tarzan as played in this film by Mike Henry. In addition to his jungle skills, Henry has a good command of both the Queen's English and of modern weaponry which he demonstrates during the film. He also in the end gets Nancy Kovack who is Opatoshu's mistress out of harm's way. Naturally she likes the idea after one look at Henry in a loin cloth.

Still Tarzan and the Valley of Gold belongs to David Opatoshu. He clearly loves the part he has and the end he meets in the Lost City is a poetical one to beat all.

Other than the hip musical score which seemed out of place for another Tarzan adventure flick even for 1966, Mike Henry did more than an admirable job in playing a modern day Tarzan who gets attacked by planes, helicopters and even army tanks! After retiring from a successful career in the National Football League (NFL) as a buff and bruising linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1959-1961) and then the Los Angeles Rams (1962-1964), Mike Henry thought it would be an easier gig playing the tree swinging Tarzan in a trio of films starting with the 1966 film Tarzan and the Valley Of Gold. But boy oh boy was he wrong.

Although the film was made under the hot sun of Mexico, he appeared to be running through the dense jungles of Africa. Mike Henry as Tarzan also showed no fear when he opened the cage of a fierce leopard and he put a chain around the leopard's neck before releasing him in an effort to hunt down his little friend Ramel (Manuel Padilla Jr.) who was captured to lead the greedy villain named Augustus Vinero (David Opatoshu) into the valley of gold.

Tarzan is going to face the villain Augustus Vinero and his army of planes, helicopters and army tanks with his three (3) animal friends, a monkey, a leopard and a lion. You can visibly see the sculptured thirty (30) year old body of retired professional athlete and now film star is in great shape, but what the silver screen does not tell you how hard Mike Henry worked whislt filming in Mexico. After his third feature Tarzan film, Mike Henry sued film produce Sy Weintraub after suffering animal bites, food poisoning, infections, and severe working conditions in both Mexico and Brazil. During his short tenure as Tarzan, Mike was bitten in the face by a chimp and had to have his chin sewn up with twenty stitches. In addition he suffered from dysentery, an ear infection, and a liver ailment. Just watching Tarzan (Mike Henry) running in just his bare feet and a thong suit through those woods had me shouting "ouch"...'"ouch" ... and "ouch" again.

This is in my humble opinion a better than average Tarzan film and Mike Henry's physique is more fit than the best known film Tarzan former Olympic swimmer Johnny Weissmuller's physique. Tarzan and the Valley of Gold also has its own "Jane" in the lovely actress Nancy Kovack who plays the lady in distress in the jungle Sophia Renault.

I give it an exceptional 7 out of 10 IMDB rating.

The Tarzan franchise continues with TARZAN AND THE VALLEY OF GOLD (American-International, 1966), directed by Robert Day, with a new Tarzan (Mike Henry), new locale and new type of story. With previous 1960s Tarzan carnations ranging to the muscular Gordon Scott, to the very thin Jock Mahoney, this latest Tarzan resumes back to physically build and more muscular build. Aside from Tarzan's younger physical appearance and down-to-earth performance, this edition also benefits with location filming, fast-pace direction and Eastman color photography.

Following the slanting opening credits to more 1960s style of hip music underscoring, the fade-in opens with an aerial view of Mexico City's tourist district of highways, yacht and water skiing before a helicopter landing follows. Tarzan (Mike Henry) is introduced as a businessman type sporting suit and carrying briefcase while entering a jeep to the airport on an airplane bound for Central America. Next scene finds Antonio, a chauffeur, being killed and substituted by an impersonator to pick up Tarzan upon his arrival. As Tarzan meets with Antonio to take him to his destination, Tarzan suspects something wrong when he smells the odor of blood and being driven to a secluded Plaza De Toros stadium. As gunshots are fired, Tarzan outwits his assassins. Next scene has Tarzan with the actual officials whom inform him as to why Ruiz (Frank Bandstetter), his personal friend, had sent for him. Tarzan then assumes his assignment to help locate Ramel (Manuel Padilla Jr.), a little boy abducted by Vinaro's (David Opatoshu) henchmen for being the sole link to the lost Aztec Treasure of Tukamay. Stripping from his clothing for a more natural appearance of pocket knife and loincloth, Tarzan sets out to the jungle, assisted by his animal friends, Dinky (the chimpanzee), Major (the lion) and Bianco (Ramel's pet leopard). After rescuing Ramel from his captures, Tarzan not only ventures with Ramel through the jungle back to his lost city of Vinar, but has to keep himself aware of his surroundings regarding Vinaro's evil associates out to kill Tarzan whenever possible.

Nancy Kovack co-stars as Sophia Renault, Vinaro's mistress who fears him, and wants to help Ramel escape from danger. After Vinaro is through with her, he leaves her in the jungle in fear of her life when an explosive necklace is placed around her neck. Francisco Riquerio also appears as a philosopher and peaceful leader of the Aztec City where the treasure is located. Also in support are Eduardo Noriega (Professor Talmadge); and John Kelly (Captain Voss).

With every Tarzan adventure, there has to be a villain. David Opatoshu's Vinaro, characterized as the "deadliest international criminal," assumes that title with a vengeance. There's also Vinaro's huge-sized, bald-headed bodyguard, Mr. Train (Don Megowan), who highlights the proceedings with a fight to the death battle with Tarzan.

Aside from Tarzan sporting clothing attire during its initial 20 minutes, he is also seen riding automobiles, avenging his enemies with a rifle or bombs rather than an elephant stampede. Interestingly, there is no traditional Tarzan ape call this time around. Portions of the story is a grand mix of its current trend of Sean Connery's secret agent man character, James Bond, to those latter day Harrison Ford "Indiana Jones" action flicks of the 1990s. With Tarzan being outside of his jurisdiction of Africa, there's enough action, adventure and animals to go around for its tight 90 minutes. His one-on-one bonding with Ramel is both well played and believable. Manuel Padilla Jr. would further become associated in Mike Henry's next adventure, TARZAN AND THE GREAT RIVER (1967), assuming a different character role, as well as being a series regular in the hourly "Tarzan" TV series (NBC, 1966-1969) starring Ron Ely.

Commonly shown on network television since the 1970s, TARZAN AND THE VALLEY OF GOLD had is cable television broadcasts on American Movie Classics prior to 2001, and Turner Classic Movies since 2011. Never distributed on video cassette, this Mike Henry revamped adventure of Tarzan has become available on DVD. (**1/2)

One of the later Tarzans with Mike Henry playing him. He always made Tarzan seem more like James Bond even in the opening scene where Tarzan is all decked out in a suit speaking suave English.

In this one Tarzan is needed to locate a boy who is being used as a guide to the lost treasure by a greedy tycoon. This guy is using tanks and helicopters in the jungle which is still no match for Tarzan. There is no Cheetah in this one instead you get Dinky the Chimp. Tarzan just doesn't seem the same without him.

Exploding watches and Tarzan driving tanks is what keeps you watching this one. It is better than Mike Henry's other Tarzan flicks.

It's a long time since I saw this and spent a fun afternoon watching it on the small screen; all I really remember is that the chimp usually known as "Cheetah" was called "Dinky" in this one. And that Mike Henry! What a versatile actor!