Tarzan's Savage Fury

By the fourth Lex Barker entry into the Tarzan series things were more or less established, and though the new adventures had become almost routine, the efficiency evidenced in the previous films was still maintained. The new additions here are a surrogate for Boy called Joey, played very well by a kid whose only film this was; and a fourth actress playing Jane, pretty Dorothy Hart. The Cold War shadow is still present in this production, with a Russian villain named Rokov (Austrian-born actor Charles Korvin), who wants to get hold of the diamonds of an African tribe. As in "Tarzan's Peril" a murder happens in the first minutes, leading to the impersonation of Lord Greystoke, Tarzan's cousin, by the villain's weak colleague (Patrick Knowles), and Jane convincing Tarzan to help them. Here Cheetah's compulsive stealing is also a main ingredient of the plot, and little Joey also plays a key role in the proceedings. Considered by some specialists as one of the best Tarzan movies, it was directed by Cy Endfield, an American left-wing filmmaker who had a promising career but when blacklisted by the House Un-American Activities Committee, he went to England in 1951, where he made television, advertisement and a few good films as "Mysterious Island", "Sands of the Kalahari" and "Zulu" before retiring and inventing the Microwriter. Possibly it was Endfield who introduced several "sleight-of-hand routines", performed on screen by Rokov, who uses them to trick gullible natives. Known as a "master of the art of micro magic", Endfield had worked in Orson Welles' Mercury Theatre. Last but not least, this is probably the only Tarzan movie to include two black-listed film professionals: Endfield and Korvin.

A cousin from the Greystoke family goes to visit jungle king Lex Barker (as Tarzan) in his African home, and is quickly killed by greedy uncut diamond-hunting Charles Korvin (as Rokov). Next, the Russian-accented villain arranges an impersonation and expedition to get Mr. Barker's help in obtaining a tribe's treasure. Meanwhile, Barker saves cute American orphan Tommy Carlton (as Joseph "Joey" Martin) from becoming alligator food, and adopts him as a new "Boy" companion. They get into the usual danger, along with pretty mate Dorothy Hart (as Jane) and pet "Cheeta" the chimpanzee.

The previous entry in the series, "Tarzan's Peril" (1951), didn't really benefit from a modest increase in location footage. Conversely, this film wisely makes full use of RKO's studio jungle, with the direction and photography by Cy Endfield and Karl Struss most outstanding. The editing (Frank Sullivan) and "trick" photography are also improved. The rotating "Jane" looks the part again; fresh-faced but familiar, she's back in long hair and dressed to arouse. The plot incorporates some elements from writer Edgar Rice Burroughs' actual "Tarzan" stories and includes the film's popular "Boy" character.

******* Tarzan's Savage Fury (3/14/52) Cyril Endfield ~ Lex Barker, Tommy Carlton, Dorothy Hart, Charles Korvin

Tarzan's cousin Lord Greystoke has come to Africa on a safari. Only he's shot dead by his guide Rokov. Rokov convinces Edwards to impersonate Greystoke and trick Tarzan into finding a treasure full of diamonds. The natives have been using boys as bait for crocs. Tarazn stops the hunt and saves the boys. One of them is white American Joseph 'Joey' Martin.

The most memorable section is hunting for crocs. Jane seems to be an English colonialist. Tarzan's initial instincts are good. No guns for England. By the 50's, the franchise should be more leery of western colonization. I don't like the whole debate which makes Jane look bad. Lex Barker as Tarzan is fine. There are some animals and some stock footage of African animals. It's all a rather bland slow trek and then fight some natives.

TARZAN'S SAVAGE FURY (RKO Radio, 1952), directed by Cyril Enfield, is an acceptable entry to the long running jungle adventure series starring Lex Barker in his fourth go-round as Edgar Rice Burrough's legendary King of the Jungle. Not since the early silent screen adaptations has Tarzan's background ever been depicted, least of all his relation to the Greystoke family of England, how he was orphaned, raised by apes to become jungle man of Africa. Aside from revealing more about Tarzan's family history, this edition makes several attempts in recapturing the fun and excitement to the more popular "Tarzan" MGM editions (1932-1942) starring Johnny Weissmuller, notably its presentation of an orphaned boy as its latest addition. Filling in the void formerly enacted nine times by Johnny Sheffield as Boy, Tommy Carlton gets his screen credit introduction as the latest junior Tarzan. Though not quite a remake or even a rehash to Sheffield's debut of TARZAN FINDS A SON (1939), it starts off that way, then shifting over a different direction taken from TARZAN'S SECRET TREASURE (1941).

With the plot development bearing two separate stories before connecting to a basic formula, the opening first brings forth Lord Oliver Greystoke (Lex Barker) on an expedition locating his long lost cousin, Tarzan. Moments later he is shot and killed by the evil Rokov (Charles Korvin), letting his weakling associate, Edwards (Patric Knowles), to assume Greystoke's identity. Next comes Tarzan (Lex Barker) and his pet chimpanzee, Cheta, on their venture home after six days away from Jane (Dorothy Hart). It's never fully explained where Tarzan has been during that time. Maybe on his vacation from marriage or settling some business deal with Edgar Rice Burroughs. Shortly after-wards Tarzan witnesses abusive native tribes using boys as crocodile bait. As Joey Martin (Tommy Carlton), a white boy, comes close to a crocodile attack, Tarzan swims to his rescue. Learning Joey to be the son of American missionaries, recently killed, Tarzan, an orphan himself, takes Joey along with him. Before returning to the tree house and Jane, Joey, wanting to become jungle man like Tarzan, is shown methods of jungle survival and how to conquer his fear when approached by dangerous animals such as lions. After Joey becomes an established member of the Tarzan family, a safari consisting of Rokov and "Greystoke" enter the scene. Rokov, a magician, gains their confidence showing off some magic tricks while Tarzan's "cousin" presents the diary written by Tarzan's father dating back to 1922-23, explaining how Tarzan's missionary parents lived among the Wazuri tribe when he was a little boy. Because of the tribes richness in diamonds, Rokov wants Tarzan to lead him over to their village so to obtain and use those diamonds for the good of England's military safety. Thanks to Jane's insistence, Tarzan, at the same time tracking down his roots to where he lived as a boy, heads the expedition on a long and prosperous journey through mountains and desert before facing both a deadly tribe and the truth behind Rokov's mission.

Often dismissed as a lesser entry to the Lex Barker entries, mainly due to some slow pacing by the midway point, TARZAN'S SAVAGE FURY does resume its usual doses of action and adventure through the stock footage and/or rear projection screening of wild animals, cannibal attacks, the traditional good versus evil theme and the climatic Tarzan yell. Charles Korvin, the accented talking villain, is one not to reckon and stops at nothing to get what he wants. After killing a tribal leader and doing away with "Greystoke," Korvin's Rokov manages to trap Tarzan to where he lies helpless with heavy rock resting on his back while only a few feet above a pit of hungry lions below. As for Jane and Joey, they face dangers of their own as they are held prisoners of an angry tribe some distance away.

Lex Barker resumes his role in the usual manner, with an added bonus briefly playing Lord Greystoke for its prologue. One notable drawback to the Barker series is its constant changing of actresses playing Jane. Dorothy Hart ranks one of the finer and prettier substitutes thus far. Featured in one piece jungle attire and dark hair down to her shoulders, looking very much the way Maureen O'Sullivan was presented in the MGM days, Hart speaks softly in the manner of Donna Reed, but most importantly, not impossible to dislike. With prior screen roles to her credit, this was Hart's only venture as Tarzan's mate. Tommy Carlton, age 10 or so, in fine physical build and hair always perfectly in place, acquires enough camera close-ups to assure enough attention as Tarzan's newest "boy." Interestingly, his character would not return in future installments, thus, adding further contradictions to this series. With such a promising start of the hero worshiping youngster alongside the legendary Tarzan, Carlton's character is suddenly reduced to limited viewing, seen mostly in the background before reminding viewers of his existence before the film's fadeout.

TARZAN'S SAVAGE FURY, along with others in the series that played on commercial television as part of "Tarzan Theater," did get cable TV exposure in later years, first on American Movie Classics (1997-2000) and later on Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere, July 23, 2011). Never distributed to video cassette, this and other Lex Barker editions were later placed onto DVD by the TCM Archive Collection. Regardless of pros and cons, TARZAN'S SAVAGE FURY should make satisfying viewing for fans of the series. Next installment: TARZAN AND THE SHE-DEVIL. (**1/2)

Tarzan's Savage Fury was one of the only Tarzan films to make reference Tarzan's noble background. At least since the Johnny Weissmuller films started I don't recall another movie mentioning Tarzan being the Earl of Greystoke.

But it's a false Greystoke played by Patric Knowles who with his guide Charles Korvin comes calling on Lex Barker and Dorothy Hart as Jane. What is family for, but to call on them for aid. The real Greystoke was killed at the beginning of the film and Knowles takes his place. The object is to get to a tribe which has a fortune in diamonds and uses them in their animist religious rites.

Although it's never said, Korvin's accent is a broad hint that there is a foreign power behind these proceedings. The Cold War at last comes to the Tarzan series. With RKO under the control of Howard Hughes would you expect nothing less?

The cast acquits themselves well and now it seemed that finally black people were playing the African natives in the series for good and all time now.