7/10
One of the better Tarzans!
11 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Producer: Sol Lesser. Copyright 10 June 1953 by Sol Lesser Productions, Inc. Released through RKO Radio Pictures. No New York opening. U.S. release: 8 June 1953. U.K. release: 29 June 1953. Australian release: 21 August 1953. 76 minutes. Censored by 2½ minutes in Australia in order to qualify for a "G" certificate.

NOTES: Number 29 of the 46-picture "Tarzan" series. Fifth and last appearance of Lex Barker as Tarzan. First and only appearance of the gorgeous Joyce MacKenzie as Jane.

COMMENT: Definitely one for the boys. Thanks to the girls. Our choice of the two lovelies is Tarzan's mate. We found Joyce most attractive, though we admit that many will prefer the exotic Monique. Dressed to the nines, Miss Van Vooren will flame the fires of passion in many an adolescent breast. She's terrific!

The rest of the players fail to reach the MacKenzie/Van Vooren standards, though Lex tries his best as the jungle man, and Raymond Burr makes a decent stab at the heavy. Nice to see Tom Conway too. But the real king/queen of the support stars is Cheta, the chimp. Not only does he/she get up to more than his/her usual tricks, but the director calls time out to photograph a whole series of delightful head-knockings.

Admittedly, a fair bit of stock footage (said to be from 1934's "Wild Cargo") has been thrown into this one, and the conclusion is a bit abrupt. All the same, it's attractively photographed and full of lively incident. And Misses Van Vooren and MacKenzie are definitely worth anyone's price of admission.
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