Tarzan, the Ape Man

Edgar Rice Burroughs, (1875-1950), published his novel “Tarzan of the Apes” in the October 1912 issue of “The All-Story” magazine. The character became enormously popular, and Burroughs eventually wrote 24 books in the series. The first film adaptation occurred in 1918, and more than 50 movies and television series feature Tarzan.

In 1971 actor and director John Derek convinced his third wife Linda Evans to pose for “Playboy” magazine. He used the proceeds to finance his 1973 movie “Once Upon A Love,” (not released until 1981 as “Fantasies”). Derek encountered sixteen-year-old Mary Cathleen Collins on a beach and asked her to travel to Greece to star in the picture. While on location he began an affair with the girl. They stayed abroad until she had reached the age of consent, then returned to California and were married. She took on the name of “Bo Derek.” In 1979 she became a star based on her appearance in Blake Edwards’ comedy hit “10.” She then began working with her husband on a new movie version of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ classic novel.

This week’s movie was “Tarzan, the Ape Man” from MGM in 1981, directed by John Derek from a script by Tom Rowe and Gary Goddard. The movie was set in West Africa, but was actually filmed in Sri Lanka. Bo Derek took top billing as “Jane Parker.” Lee Canalito was originally to play “Tarzan,” but after five weeks of filming he was suddenly replaced by his stunt double Miles O’Keefe. As “Tarzan” O’Keefe took fourth billing, had no lines of dialogue, and didn’t appear until about halfway through the picture. This is a movie about “Jane,” not “Tarzan.” She appears alone on the poster.

After the death of her mother Jane Parker travels to Africa in search of the father who abandoned her as an infant. Explorer “James Parker,” (Richard Harris at his hammiest), is about to leave on a search for an inland sea and the nearby elephant’s graveyard. Along with the usual African porters is photographer “Harry Holt,” (John Phillip Law). The movie is beautifully photographed and is fairly enjoyable up to this point, with Richard Harris bellowing his every line. Then Jane does a gratuitous skinny-dipping scene which attracts the attention of Tarzan. Eventually Tarzan kidnaps Jane, who really doesn’t mind. The lengthy scenes of their interactions are unbearable. Since Tarzan doesn’t speak these scenes are completely dependent on the acting skills of Bo Derek, such as they are. Jane is found by her father and his party, but they are then captured by a native tribe. They paint Jane’s body all white for some sort of primitive ritual. Tarzan and a herd of elephants come to the rescue. James Parker is killed, so Jane and Tarzan head for the jungle to become lovers.

This is one dumb movie. The goal is to show Bo Derek’s nude body as often as possible. That gets boring quickly. Miles O’Keefe only shows one facial expression throughout the film. All his action scenes are shown in slow motion, destroying any semblance of reality. Richard Harris is fun, but the usually reliable John Phillip Law isn’t given anything interesting to do. The end result is one of the worst movies ever made, but one that is enjoyable sometimes for that very reason.

In spite of receiving almost universal critical contempt this movie was a financial success, earning $36 million on a $6 million budget. It did well on cable and on home video as well.

Although the movie takes place in Africa the elephants are Indian. Also neither Burmese Pythons nor Orangutans are native to Africa, but both appear in the film.

Better versions of this story include “Tarzan of the Apes,” (1932), starring Johnny Weissmuller and Hugh Hudson’s magnificent “Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes,” (1984), starring Christopher Lambert. The Walt Disney Company’s animated “Tarzan” from 1999 is also quite enjoyable.