Wednesday, June 22, 2011

~ Pass Me a Banana Please ~

Flipping through the channels the other night, I came across an old Tarzan movie in black & white.  I believe it was called, "Tarzan Escapes" starring Johnny Weismuller, former Olympic gold medal swimmer. I started wondering how many actors have played Tarzan so I looked it up.  The first guy to play Edgar Rice Burroughs's jungle king was Elmo Lincoln in two silent films in 1918.  New York Firefighter Gene Pollar starred in one movie in 1920.  Then next came, James Pierce, who married Burroughs's daughter and had one movie as the ape man in 1927.  A guy named Frank Merrill followed with three movies in 1928 to 1929.

Then Johnny Weissmuller took over in the 30's and made those twelve movies as Tarzan before switching to become "Jungle Jim" for 13 movies.  I should mention Buster Crabbe who played Tarzan in 1933 once before becoming "Flash Gordon" for which he is more remembered. In addition, Herman Dix made two movies as Tarzan in the 1930's and Glen Morris made one. Lex Barker made five movies as Tarzan between 1949 and 1953.

Then we come to a guy many believe was the best movie Tarzan, Gordon Scott, who starred as the ape man six times between 1955 and 1960. Jock Mahoney took over the role for two films in the early 60's and was followed by ex pro football linebacker Mike Henry for three movies. Myles O'Keefe played Tarzan to Bo Derek's Jane in 1981's "Tarzan of the Apes". 

Christopher Lambert starred in "Greystoke" in 1984, a movie thought to be closest to the real story conceived by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Finally, Casper Van Dien starred in 1998's Tarzan and the Lost City.  TV Tarzans include Ron Ely between 1966 to 1970, Joe Lara in a 1989 CBS Television movie and one, 22 episode seasons, and Canadian born Wolf Larsen was Tarzan for three seasons. A guy named Travis Fimmel had a short eight episode run as Tarzan on Television in 2003.  There you go.

That's many ape men if you ask me.

And speaking of Apes...:

Now this Ape certainly does know how to dance.

 

 

 

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33 comments:

  1. Cinabear CinnamonJune 22, 2011 at 12:42 PM

    Lol well what about jane? Haha

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  2. Initiative StainJune 22, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    I don't now Cinn with regards to the Utube.
    Yet I am sure Jane kept Tarzan in line while on a vine. :)

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  3. Erika RoyJune 22, 2011 at 1:28 PM

    He looked like he enjoyed the water. But, it would be nice if the Ape could see the light of day.

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  4. Sharon DJune 22, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    I love the ape. He looked like he was having fun

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  5. Cille ShanerJune 22, 2011 at 1:56 PM

    My Word, that's a lot of Tarzan's and a lot of movies/series. My favorite has always been Weissmuller followed by, of all people, Mike Henry. Though I DID rather enjoy Christopher Lambert. (Of course I like Lambert in just about anything, LOL.)

    That Gorilla does indeed appear to be enjoying his water. Now to go out and lie in the sun for a bit, ahhh. LOL

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  6. maritess* estrellaJune 22, 2011 at 2:13 PM

    Here's a piece of Pineapple.

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  7. tee skorJune 22, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    I remember a lot of the movies.

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  8. Becky SykesJune 22, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    Well, I wish I could see the video...can't get flash player on this old machine! I was born in 1952 and never saw a tv until 1956. But my brother and I made up for lost time enjoying The Lone Ranger, Fury, My Friend Flicka, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Sky King and many more. One of our favorites that we would rush in to watch or not go out til it was over, was Tarzan. I was young and can only remember Johnny Weismuller and Ron Ely. But we must have seen everything each of them did, several times over! This was a lovely trip down memory lane!

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  9. Roddy GJune 22, 2011 at 4:22 PM

    LOL Love the ape video. That is some fancy footwork.

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  10. Initiative StainJune 22, 2011 at 7:33 PM

    Just arrived on here and when I placed in on I do know what you mean Erika with regards to animals and zoos. I am
    not much of a fan of zoos myself - but some zoo have literally aided and assisted animals and then placed them
    back out into their enviornment. Not all but some good ones. Yet main my post was regarding Tarzan with a little
    satire.

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  11. Initiative StainJune 22, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    I couldn't resist the utube Sharon. Yet the history of Tarzan was primary.

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  12. Initiative StainJune 22, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    It was something Cille as I used to watch the black and white oldies as a kid. Lambert was from Canada - but he was one of many. Greystoke was all to great a movie when it came out. The Utube - well since the write was on Apemen. ~ Smiling ~ It was funny. I am not sure about you but during the 2 grade during weekends I was allowed to stay up late and my second television series was that of King Kong - I kid you not.

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  13. Roddy GJune 22, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    As a kid I was always a big Tarzan fan. I was surprised to learn that there have been Tarzan shows as recently as 2003.

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  14. Initiative StainJune 22, 2011 at 7:40 PM

    Thanks I shall save it for tomorrow. :)

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  15. Initiative StainJune 22, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    Tee they were great movies, there is one station I as well love called AMC. I am sure you have seen it. As well, John Wayne was playing last night. The Duke was right up there as well. Movies and some of those oldies are great. As well, I have and love a collection of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis - now they were a duo that was a hoot!

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  16. Initiative StainJune 22, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    Becky those oldies are great. How about Marlon Brando! Now there was something!
    As far as not being able to see some utubes. On your browswer you want to type in www.macromedia.com.
    And then you will see Flashtime player.

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  17. Roddy GJune 22, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrDWRHC704c

    here's one you didn't mention....lol

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  18. Initiative StainJune 22, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    Rodney the video apparently was one of the highest rated for humor as of yesterday. He can dance!

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  19. Initiative StainJune 22, 2011 at 7:50 PM

    We do have some commonalities Rodney - I don't watch that much television yet I thought what the heck.
    As a kid, on a Friday night I would be up till 3am.

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  20. Initiative StainJune 22, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    You have to love it. Thanks.

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  21. Roddy GJune 22, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Do-oBTyDtnM&NR=1

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  22. Initiative StainJune 22, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    Disney did come out with some great animation to say the least.

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  23. Roddy GJune 22, 2011 at 8:11 PM

    yep, I was just thinking that very thing. They do an excellent job with a good story and the story of Tarzan is one of the best. I can remember reading Tarzan comics. Maybe it was the Classic series.

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  24. Roddy GJune 22, 2011 at 8:45 PM

    http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=tarzan+broadway+video&mid=419F0B7A2AB47F580F6C419F0B7A2AB47F580F6C&view=detail&FORM=VIRE3

    Let's not forget Tarzan on Broadway

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  25. Roddy GJune 22, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Dell+Tarzan+Comics&qpvt=Dell+Tarzan+Comics&FORM=IGRE

    and Tarzan comics

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  26. Initiative StainJune 22, 2011 at 8:48 PM

    Hey thanks Rod...

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  27. Roddy GJune 22, 2011 at 8:53 PM

    you are welcome. Now I think your blog is complete. lol

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  28. Initiative StainJune 22, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    There is no perfection it's all within good enjoyment hence it's merely a thread. :)

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  29. Roddy GJune 22, 2011 at 9:20 PM

    Of course!

    http://tarzan.com/

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  30. doug noakesJune 22, 2011 at 10:34 PM

    I was that way myself very often Jack. I prefer older films to this day, all things being equal. Thanks for the research there. I think Johnny Weissmuller was likely the most famous of the Tarzans, if only because he had such a success with the early-talkie version MGM madee around 1932.

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  31. Initiative StainJune 23, 2011 at 3:27 PM

    There was Doug some tremendous movies back then Doug. We are much alike some of which are still all too good.

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  32. doug noakesJune 24, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    The best films of today always echo back to the best of the past, Jack. Reliance on special effects ruin too many films that lack a heart and relatable characters.

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  33. Initiative StainJune 24, 2011 at 6:02 PM

    Doug I believe so. I kid you not I love and have a collection of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.
    They both came on the "scene". There were more movies which rendered an option music during the times
    of World War 2 and so on - entertainment maybe was tended to with more thought. As within those times
    and for that matter entertainment within the areas of, radio movies, music, theater. Maybe just maybe it
    was an excursion - yet produced with merit. One old time radio show that of Fibber & Molly.

    Now I don't know where the industry is at - yet I like it.

    ReplyDelete

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