Tarzan the Fearless

Infobox Film
name = Tarzan the Fearless
writer = Basil Dickey
George Plympton
Walter Anthony
based on the character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs
starring = Buster Crabbe
Jacqueline Wells
E. Alyn Warren
Mischa Auer
director = Robert F. Hill
producer = Sol Lesser
distributor = Principal Distributing Corporation
released = August 11, 1933
runtime = 71 mins. (feature), 12 chapters (serial)
language = English
preceded_by = "Tarzan the Ape Man"
followed_by = "Tarzan and His Mate"
imdb_id = 0024645 |

Tarzan the Fearless (1933) is a 12 chapter movie serial (also released as a 71 minute feature which comprised the first four chapters of the serial version), starring Buster Crabbe in his only appearance as the Ape Man. Co-starring was actress Jacqueline Wells, who later changed her name to Julie Bishop. The serial was produced by Sol Lesser, written by Basil Dickey, George Plympton and Walter Anthony (based on the character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs), and directed by Robert F. Hill. The film was released in both formats on August 11, 1933. [http://www.erbzine.com/mag5/0595.html]

Plot

Tarzan rescues Dr. Brooks, an elderly scientist, who is held by the followers of Zar, God of the Emerald Fingers, in their lost city. Mary Brooks, his daughter, and Bob Hall have also been searching for him, led by villainous safari guides, Jeff Herbert and Nick Moran.

Tarzan goes in search of Mary, and soon all are captured by the people of Zar and brought before Eltar, their high priest. Jeff and Nick are killed, but the others are free to go, provided they never return.

Mary and her father decide to stay with Tarzan instead of returning to civilization with Bob Hall.

Cast

*Buster Crabbe as Tarzan
*Jacqueline Wells as Mary Brooks, pseudo-Jane
*E. Alyn Warren as Dr. Brooks, Mary's father
*Mischa Auer as Eltar, High Priest of Zar
*Edward Woods as Bob Hall, friend to Mary and Dr. Brooks
*Philo McCullough as Jeff Herbert, villainous safari guide
*Mathew Betz as Nick Moran, another villainous safari guide

Chapters

*1. "The Dive of Death"
*2. "The Storm God Strikes"
*3. "Thundering Death"
*4. "The Pit of Peril"
*5. "Blood Money"
*6. "Voodoo Vengeance"
*7. "Caught By Cannibals"
*8. "The Creeping Terror"
*9. "Eyes of Evil"
*10. "The Death Plunge"
*11. "Harvest of Hate"
*12. "Jungle Justice"

Production Notes

Edgar Rice Burroughs originally sold the rights to this film with the proviso that Tarzan be portrayed by his son-in-law, James H. Pierce, star of 1927's "Tarzan and the Golden Lion". As Pierce had gained a great deal of weight since then, Lesser did not wish to cast him, though he did give him a screen test, and bought out his contract.

The version of the film most readily available to the public, today, is an 85-minute feature, (comprising the edited first four serial chapters released as a feature and the final chapter) which was released in the United Kingdom in 1933.

References

Essoe, Gabe. "Tarzan of The Movies", 1968, published by The Citadel Press.