classicsoncall When I was a kid watching these Tarzan flicks, there was one film, and this might be the one, that introduced the term 'juju' as something to be feared or forbidden. The word just captivated my imagination for some reason that I can't explain even today, but this movie brought it all back to mind. Funny how one's mind works.Going back a half century or so when I was first introduced to Johnny Weissmuller's Tarzan movies, I can't remember today which ones I saw but this one seemed familiar. I instinctively knew what was going to happen next a number of times, an example being the elephant who came to Tarzan's aid in the steel cage and dunked him in the river to wake him up. One of the odder segments was that goofy looking flightless bird that looked like it stepped off the set of "Alice in Wonderland". I'm pretty sure I've seen it before in a picture like that but don't ask me to nail it down.I wasn't surprised to see Tarzan take on a crocodile in the story, Weissmuller did it any number of times in his Jungle Jim flicks a little over a decade later. The thing is, it looked more real in this film than the rubberized versions used later on, so that was a head scratcher. However the Jungle Jim movies were done on a way cheaper budget, so that probably explains a lot.As for the main story, I found it interesting that the expedition led by Captain Fry (John Buckler) traveled through all sorts of terrain to find Jane (Maureen O'Sullivan) and her Great White Ape companion. There were swamps, a desert, highlands and mountains in addition to your standard jungle setting, and the story offered a lot of clever contraptions Tarzan put together for his tree-house home. It was cool to see Cheetah on hand as well; his little interlude with the zebra added a nice comedic touch to the picture.With only a handful of Weissmuller's Tarzan films viewed recently, this is probably the most romantic one involving the relationship between Tarzan and Jane. That scene that went to a fade when Jane released the water lily into the stream could have only meant one thing, and it was quite tastefully done. It makes you glad Jane decided to hang around the jungle when all was said and done, and made the picture one of the better Tarzan films, even with some of the other goofy stuff going on.One last thought - Cheetah's laugh - it kills me every time I hear it.

moonspinner55 Johnny Weissmuller's third round as the loin-clothed Tarzan is a passable time-filler, nothing more. Plot has the Ape Man outwitting smarmy game-hunters who'd like to exhibit Tarzan as a freakish novelty back in England. Well-produced entry in the long-running series apparently had some directorial trouble behind the scenes, with credited director Richard Thorpe getting some unsung assistance. The sly sexual bits involving Maureen O'Sullivan's Jane are amusing, and the action sequences rousing, but there's nothing exceptionally fresh here to entice non-Tarzan buffs. Fans and film-historians should be more than satisfied. **1/2 from ****

wes-connors Arriving in Africa from England are handsome medical student William Henry (as Eric Parker) and his attractive sister Benita Hume (as Rita). They are on the continent to find cousin Maureen O'Sullivan (Jane) and bring her back to civilization, where they hope she will claim an inheritance of half a million pounds. Living among the apes by choice, Ms. O'Sullivan mated with jungle man Johnny Weissmuller (Tarzan) in "Tarzan and His Mate" (1934). Jane's cousins consider themselves lucky to find safari guide John Butler (as Captain Fry), but he secretly plans to cage Tarzan and display him as an exhibit... Not much happens here that hasn't happened before, some of it even in the previous MGM Tarzan adventures. The plot about bringing Tarzan and Jane back to civilization by hook or by crook didn't work before, and it won't work again. The title "Tarzan Escapes" should be comforting. As this installment was released after the enforcement of the Hays Production Code, MGM had O'Sullivan wear a much more modest costume. This isn't a total loss, however, as O'Sullivan is still sexy and beautiful. This was noticed by writer/director John Farrow, one of those brought in to patch up production problems.***** Tarzan Escapes (11/6/36) Richard Thorpe ~ Johnny Weissmuller, Maureen O'Sullivan, William Henry, Benita Hume

MartinHafer This installment of the Tarzan series starring Johnny Weissmuller is very similar to one of these movies made just a few years later, "Tarzan Finds a Son!". Both have family members who come to retrieve one of Tarzan's family to take them back to civilization to retrieve a large inheritance and in both cases, it turns out that some of these 'nice people' aren't so nice after all.The episode begins with Jane's family arriving at the Tarzan residence. They inform Jane that she's an heiress to the family fortune and that she should come back with them to claim it. None of them realize that the Captain, however, is unconcerned about this and has evil plans of his own. But, when this jerk tries to make a pact with a local tribe of nasties, the nasties turn out to be even bigger jerks and it looks like all the white folks are about to breath their last.There are a few nice things about this film. E.E. Clive plays a very nice part as a guy who really seems taken with Tarzan and his lovely consort. Additionally, the film is very, very romantic--almost as much as "Tarzan and His Mate". However, the film also features very, very vague motivations for the Captain and you really never have any idea why he does what he does. There are also a few odd inconsistencies--such as Cheeta being called a 'she' despite featuring very large male anatomy! Also there is that stupid looking bird-like thing that made me laugh--and which was also in a bit scene in "Tarzan's Secret Treasure". And, like all the early Weissmuller Tarzan films it features Asian elephants with weird fake prosthetic ears! All in all, a decent but not particularly inspired entry but it's a darn shame that it's practically the same major plot ideas as are found in "Tarxan Finds a Son". Oh, and by the way, look for Tarzan to inexplicably use the word 'escarpment'!