Tarzan the Fearless (1933)

Tarzan the Fearless (1933)

“Just one of a thousand jungle legends: something about a wild white man raised by apes.”

Synopsis:
The daughter (Julie Bishop) of a missing doctor (E. Alyn Warren) who has been captured by a cult led by a high priest (Mischa Auer) goes on a jungle safari with a friend (Edward Woods) and two guides (Philo McCullough and Matthew Betz). Soon she learns her father has been rescued by Tarzan the Ape Man (Buster Crabbe).

Genres:

  • Africa
  • Hidden Treasure
  • Jungles
  • Search
  • Tarzan Films

Review:
This early competitor to MGM’s Tarzan, the Ape Man (1932) was originally shown as a serial, then pulled together into this crude feature length film. It will be of interest only to fans of early cinema curious to make a comparison — though at least Olympic swimmer Crabbe (who portrayed Tarzan, Flash Gordon, and Buck Rogers in serials) is a hunky on-screen presence (that loincloth!), and the other lead young actors are pleasant to look at, too. The storyline is pure hokum, probably enjoyable escapist fare for kids at the time but not at all of interest to modern-day film fanatics.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • Beautiful actors

Must See?
No, unless you’re curious to check it out.

Links:

One thought on “Tarzan the Fearless (1933)

  1. First viewing. Not must-see and, due to its crude storytelling, agreed about the following: “not at all of interest to modern-day film fanatics.” So, although it may be strictly for Tarzan fans, even they may find it awkward and amateurish.

    Too long for the story it’s telling, it also comes off as rather silly, really. Worst of all: Tarzan – who comes off as rather simple-minded – basically has no verbal skills whatsoever (how did he learn the little vocabulary he *does* have?!) …so what kind of osmosis allows him to understand *anything* anyone says to him?

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