The Series Project: Tarzan (Part 1)
By Witney Seibold via CraveOnline.com
According to the Internet Movie Database, there have been nearly 80 feature films to star the character of Tarzan. If The Guinness Book of World Records is to be trusted (and I trust it), Edgar Rice Burroughs’ famous ape man has been adapted to film third most of any literary figure, which is not to mention all the TV and comic books and radio dramas to feature the character. The only other characters to have him beat are Count Dracula and Sherlock Holmes. Tarzan started his cinematic life during the silent era with the 1918 film Tarzan of the Apes, starring Elmo Lincoln. Most of this generation may be more directly familiar with Disney’s 2000 animated film, or its two straight-to-video sequels, or perhaps the oddball Broadway musical based on the animated film. Promised for released in 2013 is another Tarzan film starring young hunk Kellan Lutz (from the Twilight movies) as Tarzan, and Spencer Locke as Jane. But Tarzan is one of those immortal movie characters, like Dracula or King Kong, that most Americans seem to just intuitively know about. His presence has leaked throughout popular culture in such a way that he has invaded even the smallest corners. You don’t really need to explain a Tarzan reference to a little kid. Somehow, without reading the books or perhaps without even seeing the movies, they have gained knowledge of Tarzan.
2 comments
“Tarzan is one of those immortal movie characters, like Dracula or King Kong, that most Americans seem to just intuitively know about. His presence has leaked throughout popular culture in such a way that he has invaded even the smallest corners.”
Tarzan had this presence in name, while John Carter had his influence in essence.
Love seeing these mentions of ERB’s legacy!
Still reading Tarzan of the Apes. Boy is that a treat! The completely inappropriate banter between Pr Porter and Philander while they’re lost in the middle of a hostile jungle is just hilarious fun! That, and the action scene where Tarzan and Clayton drag the lioness out of the cabin, for Tarzan to finish Sabor off with a half nelson! Just awesome. All seem so effortless for Burroughs. It seems as if all those movies just scratched the surface.