Tarzan's Peril

Third Tarzan film starring Lex Barker is still good, directed by Byron Haskin, who had made "I Walk Alone" and "Treasure Island" and who would go on to make the science-fiction classic "The War of the Worlds" and the adventure films "The Naked Jungle" and "Captain Sindbad". Labeled as the first Tarzan film made in Africa, the material mostly consists of establishment shots and good sequences of dances and tribe life, aptly directed by Philip Brandon and photographed by cinematographer Jack Whitehead. It matches only moderately well with the studio shooting, but still gives add some distinction to the product. As it happened before with Charlie Chan, Mr. Moto and Sherlock Holmes, Tarzan is affected by the United States foreign policy, so he is part of a Cold War intrigue. Thankfully it is not openly exposed, but suggested: the villain (George Macready) is called Radijek, he probably comes from Poland or any other country behind the Iron Curtain, and he is providing guns to the Africans, although not under the Soviet aegis: he is a ruthless, egotistical, murderous dealer, who wants to sell his weapons and collect . His first opponent is a retiring British commissioner (Alan Napier), who defends the colonialist regime of the Crown, and wants to leave the natives under control and evangelized by Protestant missionaries, a work that took him 30 years. But things get violent soon in this entry, quickly increasing the body count and including women abuse, as Queen Melmendi (Dorothy Dandridge) is subject to the whims of the feisty but mean ruler of another tribe, King Bulam (Frederick O'Neal). As usual Cheetah keeps stealing things and getting scared even by rubber snakes.

Strangely the RKO's producers provide a new Jane in an each Lex Barker's Tarzan, I really want to know such discrepancy, Virginia Huston is redhead, thus unable for the role, due all previous were black hair, but speaking the truth who cares anyway, she is sexy, the summarized plot is about a smugglers who intent selling fire guns to an ambitious native's King, the strong presence of George Macready spoke for himself, he fits prefect as evil man, the nearest Ashuba tribe's Queen played by the gorgeous Dorothy Dandridge is another high point, the King Bulam wants marry Queen Melmendi to rules the whole territory, shot in Africa many sequences blended later with the soundstage studio is easily noticed and improve the production, a slight accent of humor from the usual Cheetah, fine Sunday matinee!!!

Resume:

First watch: 1978 / How many: 4 / Source: TV-VHS-DVD / Rating: 6.5

This is a good Tarzan action movie. Featuring such notable supporting actors as Alan Napier and Walter Kingsford, you get the impression that the studio wanted to make a quality film here- its not just another b-movie throw away. Talented director Byron Haskins (who directed many notable movies of the 40's, 50's and 60's as well as a career in cinematography) is in charge with a sure and steady hand.

Lex Barker is a big strong hunk and he does a fine job as Tarzan, who faces some serious perils. Bad tribal chief King Bulam very nearly kills Tarzan with his bare hands and a knife in an exciting fight sequence. George Macready is at his meanest as he murders several people and almost kills everybody else. Macready is really a nasty baddie in this one. Virginia Huston is an athletic and poised Jane who contributes her usual lovely and capable movie effort in an underwritten role.

Dorothy Dandridge steals this movie with terrific screen presence. She is ravishing as Good Queen Melmendi. The director wisely showcases Ms. Dandridge, who ignites every scene she is in and makes it special. She is a powerhouse obviously destined for future star potential.

"Tarzan's Peril" is a worthwhile, vigorous and fast-moving adventure movie. You will be satisfied if this is what you are expecting from a film outing with a classic adventure hero.

After MGM finished its Tarzan series, RKO picked up the series and hunky Lex Barker took over as the heroic ape-man. Surprisingly, RKO even bothered to take the project to Africa itself...something the fancier and richer MGM failed to do with the series. As for the results, they are pretty much what you'd expect...no more, no less.

In this third RKO installment, a super-evil gun runner named Radijeck (George Macready) has escaped custody and is back to his old gunrunning ways. He wants to destabilize the region by selling guns to the natives and his getting rich is his only real concern. As for his partners and any one else, they are expendable and Radijeck is a truly soul-less jerk. Can Tarzan manage to bring him to justice?

Barker was just fine as Tarzan, though I though Jane (Virginia Huston) lacked, well, a lot. She looked as if she just arrived from the beauty shop and lacked the humor and sex appeal of Maureen O'Suillivan, MGM's Jane. As for Macready and the other folks (such as Alan Napier), they were all good. What really stood out for me when I watched is that the animals actually WERE African animals. Most prior Tarzan pics featured animals from all over the globe...such as Asian elephants and American Alligators! All in all, a reasonably well made and satisfying film...but nothing more.

Lord of the jungle Lex Barker (as Tarzan) battles gunrunner George Macready (as Radijeck) and assorted cohorts. This film seems a little foreign when compared to recent entries in the series. First, more of it was shot in Africa than had become the norm. Additionally, shapely Virginia Huston (as Jane) appears with a much shorter haircut than usual for the character, and her clothing has become a form-flattering white dress. Unfortunately ineligible as Tarzan's mate, the beautifully mixed Dorothy Dandridge plays an African queen. To prevent "Tarzan's Peril" from becoming too serious in tone, a certain chimpanzee gets the last laugh when swallowing a watch gives "Cheeta" musical indigestion.

**** Tarzan's Peril (3/13/51) Byron Haskin ~ Lex Barker, Virginia Huston, George Macready, Dorothy Dandridge