The Tarzan franchise continues with TARZAN AND THE VALLEY OF GOLD (American-International, 1966), directed by Robert Day, with a new Tarzan (Mike Henry), new locale and new type of story. With previous 1960s Tarzan carnations ranging to the muscular Gordon Scott, to the very thin Jock Mahoney, this latest Tarzan resumes back to physically build and more muscular build. Aside from Tarzan's younger physical appearance and down-to-earth performance, this edition also benefits with location filming, fast-pace direction and Eastman color photography.
Following the slanting opening credits to more 1960s style of hip music underscoring, the fade-in opens with an aerial view of Mexico City's tourist district of highways, yacht and water skiing before a helicopter landing follows. Tarzan (Mike Henry) is introduced as a businessman type sporting suit and carrying briefcase while entering a jeep to the airport on an airplane bound for Central America. Next scene finds Antonio, a chauffeur, being killed and substituted by an impersonator to pick up Tarzan upon his arrival. As Tarzan meets with Antonio to take him to his destination, Tarzan suspects something wrong when he smells the odor of blood and being driven to a secluded Plaza De Toros stadium. As gunshots are fired, Tarzan outwits his assassins. Next scene has Tarzan with the actual officials whom inform him as to why Ruiz (Frank Bandstetter), his personal friend, had sent for him. Tarzan then assumes his assignment to help locate Ramel (Manuel Padilla Jr.), a little boy abducted by Vinaro's (David Opatoshu) henchmen for being the sole link to the lost Aztec Treasure of Tukamay. Stripping from his clothing for a more natural appearance of pocket knife and loincloth, Tarzan sets out to the jungle, assisted by his animal friends, Dinky (the chimpanzee), Major (the lion) and Bianco (Ramel's pet leopard). After rescuing Ramel from his captures, Tarzan not only ventures with Ramel through the jungle back to his lost city of Vinar, but has to keep himself aware of his surroundings regarding Vinaro's evil associates out to kill Tarzan whenever possible.
Nancy Kovack co-stars as Sophia Renault, Vinaro's mistress who fears him, and wants to help Ramel escape from danger. After Vinaro is through with her, he leaves her in the jungle in fear of her life when an explosive necklace is placed around her neck. Francisco Riquerio also appears as a philosopher and peaceful leader of the Aztec City where the treasure is located. Also in support are Eduardo Noriega (Professor Talmadge); and John Kelly (Captain Voss).
With every Tarzan adventure, there has to be a villain. David Opatoshu's Vinaro, characterized as the "deadliest international criminal," assumes that title with a vengeance. There's also Vinaro's huge-sized, bald-headed bodyguard, Mr. Train (Don Megowan), who highlights the proceedings with a fight to the death battle with Tarzan.
Aside from Tarzan sporting clothing attire during its initial 20 minutes, he is also seen riding automobiles, avenging his enemies with a rifle or bombs rather than an elephant stampede. Interestingly, there is no traditional Tarzan ape call this time around. Portions of the story is a grand mix of its current trend of Sean Connery's secret agent man character, James Bond, to those latter day Harrison Ford "Indiana Jones" action flicks of the 1990s. With Tarzan being outside of his jurisdiction of Africa, there's enough action, adventure and animals to go around for its tight 90 minutes. His one-on-one bonding with Ramel is both well played and believable. Manuel Padilla Jr. would further become associated in Mike Henry's next adventure, TARZAN AND THE GREAT RIVER (1967), assuming a different character role, as well as being a series regular in the hourly "Tarzan" TV series (NBC, 1966-1969) starring Ron Ely.
Commonly shown on network television since the 1970s, TARZAN AND THE VALLEY OF GOLD had is cable television broadcasts on American Movie Classics prior to 2001, and Turner Classic Movies since 2011. Never distributed on video cassette, this Mike Henry revamped adventure of Tarzan has become available on DVD. (**1/2)
Following the slanting opening credits to more 1960s style of hip music underscoring, the fade-in opens with an aerial view of Mexico City's tourist district of highways, yacht and water skiing before a helicopter landing follows. Tarzan (Mike Henry) is introduced as a businessman type sporting suit and carrying briefcase while entering a jeep to the airport on an airplane bound for Central America. Next scene finds Antonio, a chauffeur, being killed and substituted by an impersonator to pick up Tarzan upon his arrival. As Tarzan meets with Antonio to take him to his destination, Tarzan suspects something wrong when he smells the odor of blood and being driven to a secluded Plaza De Toros stadium. As gunshots are fired, Tarzan outwits his assassins. Next scene has Tarzan with the actual officials whom inform him as to why Ruiz (Frank Bandstetter), his personal friend, had sent for him. Tarzan then assumes his assignment to help locate Ramel (Manuel Padilla Jr.), a little boy abducted by Vinaro's (David Opatoshu) henchmen for being the sole link to the lost Aztec Treasure of Tukamay. Stripping from his clothing for a more natural appearance of pocket knife and loincloth, Tarzan sets out to the jungle, assisted by his animal friends, Dinky (the chimpanzee), Major (the lion) and Bianco (Ramel's pet leopard). After rescuing Ramel from his captures, Tarzan not only ventures with Ramel through the jungle back to his lost city of Vinar, but has to keep himself aware of his surroundings regarding Vinaro's evil associates out to kill Tarzan whenever possible.
Nancy Kovack co-stars as Sophia Renault, Vinaro's mistress who fears him, and wants to help Ramel escape from danger. After Vinaro is through with her, he leaves her in the jungle in fear of her life when an explosive necklace is placed around her neck. Francisco Riquerio also appears as a philosopher and peaceful leader of the Aztec City where the treasure is located. Also in support are Eduardo Noriega (Professor Talmadge); and John Kelly (Captain Voss).
With every Tarzan adventure, there has to be a villain. David Opatoshu's Vinaro, characterized as the "deadliest international criminal," assumes that title with a vengeance. There's also Vinaro's huge-sized, bald-headed bodyguard, Mr. Train (Don Megowan), who highlights the proceedings with a fight to the death battle with Tarzan.
Aside from Tarzan sporting clothing attire during its initial 20 minutes, he is also seen riding automobiles, avenging his enemies with a rifle or bombs rather than an elephant stampede. Interestingly, there is no traditional Tarzan ape call this time around. Portions of the story is a grand mix of its current trend of Sean Connery's secret agent man character, James Bond, to those latter day Harrison Ford "Indiana Jones" action flicks of the 1990s. With Tarzan being outside of his jurisdiction of Africa, there's enough action, adventure and animals to go around for its tight 90 minutes. His one-on-one bonding with Ramel is both well played and believable. Manuel Padilla Jr. would further become associated in Mike Henry's next adventure, TARZAN AND THE GREAT RIVER (1967), assuming a different character role, as well as being a series regular in the hourly "Tarzan" TV series (NBC, 1966-1969) starring Ron Ely.
Commonly shown on network television since the 1970s, TARZAN AND THE VALLEY OF GOLD had is cable television broadcasts on American Movie Classics prior to 2001, and Turner Classic Movies since 2011. Never distributed on video cassette, this Mike Henry revamped adventure of Tarzan has become available on DVD. (**1/2)