Tarzan and His Mate (1934)

Director:

Cedric Gibbons

Writers:

Edgar Rice Burroughs (characters)
Leon Gordon (adaptation)

Release Date:

20 April 1934 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure

Tagline:

Johnny Weismuller is back again!

Plot:

The idyllic life of Tarzan and Jane is challenged by men on safari who come seeking ivory, and come seeking Jane as well.

Plot Keywords:

Loincloth | Female Bare Butt | Sequel | Tarzan | Africa

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Johnny Weissmuller	...	Tarzan
Maureen O'Sullivan	...	Jane Parker
Neil Hamilton	...	Harry Holt
Paul Cavanagh	...	Martin Arlington
Forrester Harvey	...	Beamish
Nathan Curry	...	Saidi
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Doris Lloyd	...	Mrs. Cutten (scenes deleted)

Runtime:

104 min | Finland:96 min (1951) | 91 min (cut)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 (1934) | Finland:K-12 (1951) | USA:Approved (PCA #1305-R) (26 August 1935 for re-release)

Filming Locations:

Big Tujunga Canyon, Sunland, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

The "African" elephants were actually Indian elephants fitted with prosthetic tusks and ears, as MGM already owned several Indian elephants and considered them easier to handle.

Goofs:

Continuity: While Jane talks with Harry and Martin, drinking coffee, her hands holding the cup change position from one shot to another.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Beamish: I wouldn't trust meself in that jungle if it was me, sir.
Harry Holt: Well, I will.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Tarzan: Silver Screen King of the Jungle (2004) (V)

Soundtrack:

Voo-Doo Dance

Sexiest movie of all-time

I recommend watching this film with your significant other if you're planning a romantic evening with him/her. The chemistry between Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan as Tarzan and Jane is so steamy it could fog up your screen.

After the original film, we begin to see how Tarzan and Jane have adapted to the jungle and to each other. Jane's skimpy jungle wear and Tarzan's protest when Jane covers up for their visitors illuminates that they are not just romantically, but also quite sexually in love.

One's imagination can supplement the constant touching and love talk between Tarzan & Jane to portray how much Jane is actually teaching Tarzan about love emotionally, romantically and sexually. And Jane's student is not only embracing but also thriving with his previously untapped sexuality.

The skin show in this film is off the charts. In addition to Jane's two-piece sexy midriff, leg, and hip baring costume, she also has an underwater nude swim with Tarzan. (although it is not O'Sullivan, but Olympic swimmer Josephine McKim who doubles for her in this scene) Weissmuller, also reveals a tremendous body and perfect pectorals in his barely there loincloth. The ladies will delight when Weissmuller emerges from the water after his lengthy fight with the giant crocodile and sounds his yell - with his water soaked loincloth practically falling off his hips.

It's a shame that the over-protective censors toned down the adult nature of the Tarzan films after this entry. Although the Weissmuller Tarzan films would still prosper in the years to come, they would rarely approach the sex appeal of this movie.