cjskama-956-515706 I agree with the other reviewers that this is not one of the better Tarzan movies. But about three quarters of the way through, I began to ask myself "where have I seen this before?" Then it struck me. This movie introduces three creatures that later appeared in Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings." TDM first presents a wild-spirited horse that cannot be tamed but will allow a person to ride it if asked. And Tarzan can summon this wild horse by whistling. Sounds a lot like Shadowfax. Then we have a dangerous multi-tentacled creature at the entrance to the jungle which later entraps Tarzan. This seems quite similar to the Watcher in the Water by the gates of Moria. Finally there is the huge cave-dwelling spider. As soon as I saw Boy caught in the spider's web, I remembered the image of Frodo caught by Shelob. Now, one coincidence I can dismiss. But three imaginary creatures in one movie that later appear in a different book? TDM came out in 1943, and according to Wiki Tolkien resumed writing LOTR in 1944. Coincidence? Watch TDM and decide.

Ben Burgraff (cariart) Following the HUGE success of TARZAN TRIUMPHS, RKO released TARZAN'S DESERT MYSTERY, which again offered Nazi villains (Otto Kruger, who'd played a similar role in Hitchcock's SABOTEUR, a year earlier, and veteran screen baddie Joe Sawyer), an American girl magician (vivacious Nancy Kelly, who sings a mean "Boola Boola"), and a chance to combine Nazi duplicity with an 'Arabian'-themed adventure (which was popular escapism during the war years). Even a fantasy element was tossed in, as giant lizards and a mechanical spider 'passing' as 'prehistoric' appear in a 'lost jungle' climax.The plot is simple; Jane (at this point serving as a military nurse in London), sends Tarzan a letter, asking him to send his jungle fever remedy. The ingredients are in a 'lost' jungle, across a vast desert, leading Tarzan, Boy, and Cheeta into the adventure...Dated, certainly, but a very enjoyable RKO Tarzan entry!

lost-in-limbo Tarzan receives a letter from Jane who is nursing British soldiers back in England during the war, which asks Tarzan to travel to a jungle out in the Sahara desert to collect a special type of malaria serum from a plant. On there journey there Tarzan and Boy, come across a wild horse they rescue from a German and some Arabs and they also bump into a lady magician who gets stranded in the desert. When they take the lady to her destination - an Arabian city> Tarzan is arrested for supposedly stealing the horse because of some shifty Nazis. But he manages to escape and head off to the jungle to collect the very important serum, but the jungle offers up some surprises. Oh, I recall vividly when I was a kid I use to sit in front of the TV on weekends watching the black and white Tarzan movies. Well, that's when I wasn't watching a western or some anime. So, seeing that an entry of the Tarzan series was on one late night, I thought that bit of nostalgia wouldn't go astray. And what a delight it was. I wouldn't class it is one of the best, but in all it was a strange mix that throws in the unexpected. The story is quite a mystery, because there's so much going on with one incident after another occurring. What Tarzan faces on this erratic adventure includes Arabs, Nazis, gigantic prehistoric beasts, dangerous plants and a giant spider. Limbo, thinks Tarzan has he work cut out for him! While, it might have those interesting facets it does take a while to get going with it being rather talkative and Tarzan gets less screen time. This is when Boy played by Johnny Sheffield chirps in and Cheetah the chimpanzee makes for the usual comic relief. But its Nancy Kelly who dominates the film as the stubborn Connie the American Magician. There seems to be more of a comedy of capers thanks too Nancy Kelly's character who comes up with some humorous quotes and like others have already mentioned; she makes a good substitute for Jane. The film takes place mostly in a desolate backdrop (of course studio sets), but when it hits its dense jungle setting in the last half hour that's when it becomes lively with it's out-of-this-world development with everything in the jungle mostly being big. Johnny Weissmuller is more than capable as our hero Tarzan and Otto Kruger gives a perfect performance as the sneaky Nazi Heinrich. The action and comedy are worked in reasonably well by director Wilhelm Thiele; who incorporates a touch of suspense. The story is rigid and been done before, but the new surroundings and the uncanny nature of some sudden turns and changes makes it more memorable and gives it an edge. It's not a groundbreaking entry to the series, but still its a fun adventure for all.

telegonus When I was growing up and Tarzan pictures were shown regularly on a local television station every saturday morning, this is the one I and my friends would wait for: the one with the giant spider. It's not the best of the series otherwise, but has an interesting locale (North rather than sub-Saharan Africa), and a non-Jane leading lady for the big guy (Nancy Kelly). I can't recall whether Tarzan and Miss Kelly get together romantically, but she was a most attractive woman and a nice change of pace for the series, which was beginning to run out of gimmicks. Otto Kruger makes a pretty good, refined villain; his small, slight stature contrasts interestingly with Weisssmuller's. But it's the spider most people remember best from this film, and it's big, furry one with a sticky web and eight disturbingly agile legs. I've never cared much for arachnids, and don't know anyone who does, and so just watching the movie was both a trial and a thrill, as I could only hope I would behave with such bravery and resourcefulness as the swinging hero of the film were I caught up in a similar circumstance.