Copyright 12 January 1943 by Principal Artists Productions. Presented by Sol Lesser. Released through RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. New York opening at the Palace: 4 February 1943. U.S. release: 20 January 1943. Australian release: 23 December 1943. 7,601 feet. 84½ minutes. (Copyright length: 76 minutes).
SYNOPSIS: Tarzan makes war on the Nazis. A political allegory in which Zandra represents Britannia (she is even costumed accordingly - at least to some degree), and Tarzan, American isolationist non-involvement.
NOTES: Producer Sol Lesser's 5th Tarzan feature - but his first for RKO release.
COMMENT: This is another Tarzan and the Lost City - not as interesting as Tarzan and the Amazons owing to the more clichéd script and pasteboard characters, the less inventive direction, and a distinctly second-string support cast. Nonetheless, despite its dated subject matter, it is still frequently aired on TV. There's more than enough action to compensate for the over-use of stock footage and other cost-cutting infelicities. What's more, Frances Gifford makes a most attractive heroine, while Sheffield is still young enough to grab the viewer's indulgence and Weissmuller himself is both comparatively animated yet still reasonably athletic.
However, the comic relief from Sig Rumann's harassed sergeant and Cheta's harassing chimpanzee grows more than a trifle wearisome. The straight material with its obviously allegorical plotting is presented with the same degree of sledgehammer subtlety.
Yet despite routine direction, Poverty Row sets, amateurish special effects and less than slick production values, Tarzan Triumphs holds the interest. The climax in which Weissmuller taunts the Nazi before leading him to a gruesome death (even though not explicitly shown on camera) has a prolonged, psychologically violent intensity rare in the kiddies' matinee film.
OTHER VIEWS: Jane is away in England, so Tarzan battles the Nazis. Quickie, low budget offering, though the last half of the film is rather more expansively produced than the first and the climax itself is moderately exciting. - John Howard Reid writing as Geoge Addison.
SYNOPSIS: Tarzan makes war on the Nazis. A political allegory in which Zandra represents Britannia (she is even costumed accordingly - at least to some degree), and Tarzan, American isolationist non-involvement.
NOTES: Producer Sol Lesser's 5th Tarzan feature - but his first for RKO release.
COMMENT: This is another Tarzan and the Lost City - not as interesting as Tarzan and the Amazons owing to the more clichéd script and pasteboard characters, the less inventive direction, and a distinctly second-string support cast. Nonetheless, despite its dated subject matter, it is still frequently aired on TV. There's more than enough action to compensate for the over-use of stock footage and other cost-cutting infelicities. What's more, Frances Gifford makes a most attractive heroine, while Sheffield is still young enough to grab the viewer's indulgence and Weissmuller himself is both comparatively animated yet still reasonably athletic.
However, the comic relief from Sig Rumann's harassed sergeant and Cheta's harassing chimpanzee grows more than a trifle wearisome. The straight material with its obviously allegorical plotting is presented with the same degree of sledgehammer subtlety.
Yet despite routine direction, Poverty Row sets, amateurish special effects and less than slick production values, Tarzan Triumphs holds the interest. The climax in which Weissmuller taunts the Nazi before leading him to a gruesome death (even though not explicitly shown on camera) has a prolonged, psychologically violent intensity rare in the kiddies' matinee film.
OTHER VIEWS: Jane is away in England, so Tarzan battles the Nazis. Quickie, low budget offering, though the last half of the film is rather more expansively produced than the first and the climax itself is moderately exciting. - John Howard Reid writing as Geoge Addison.