The Tarzan Collection, Volume 2

After MGM dropped its Tarzan series in 1942, producer Sol Lesser purchased film rights to the character and cut a distribution deal with RKO, retaining Olympic swimming champ Johnny Weissmuller as Tarzan and young Johnny Sheffield as Boy. (Maureen O'Sullivan, Weissmuller's original Jane, passed on Lesser's offer to reprise her role.) Produced on a slightly smaller scale than MGM's entries—no massive elephant stampedes or hordes of rampaging natives—the RKO films still delivered plenty of action and kept the histrionically-challenged Weissmuller in the water as much as possible. Tarzan Triumphs (1943) is by far the best, with Edgar Rice Burroughs' legendary ape man doing battle with Nazi invaders who seize control of a fabled lost city they plan to use as headquarters for the Third Reich's latest African campaign. Beautiful Frances Gifford makes a fetching foil for Tarzan as Zandra, daughter of the city's rightful ruler, and Stanley Ridges is superb as the Nazi commander. None of the remaining films match the first one, but Tarzan's Desert Mystery (also 1943), Tarzan and the Amazons (1945), Tarzan and the Leopard Woman (1946), Tarzan and the Huntress (1947), and Tarzan and the Mermaids (1948) all have merit. Brenda Joyce makes her debut as Jane in Amazons; a statuesque beauty and capable actress, she amply compensated for Weissmuller's shortcomings in the emoting department. If there isn't a bona fide classic in the six, neither is there a bona fide stinker: Weissmuller's RKO Tarzan entries are consistently entertaining, and their initial appearance on home video will be welcomed by fans. Presented on an extra-less three disc set, this is recommended. (E. Hulse)