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Tarzan the Ape Man

  • 19321932
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
7.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Tarzan the Ape Man (1932)
A trader and his daughter set off in search of the fabled graveyard of the elephants in deepest Africa, only to encounter a wild man raised by apes.
Play trailer2:44
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Romance
A trader and his daughter set off in search of the fabled graveyard of the elephants in deepest Africa, only to encounter a wild man raised by apes.A trader and his daughter set off in search of the fabled graveyard of the elephants in deepest Africa, only to encounter a wild man raised by apes.A trader and his daughter set off in search of the fabled graveyard of the elephants in deepest Africa, only to encounter a wild man raised by apes.
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
7.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • W.S. Van Dyke
  • Writers
    • Edgar Rice Burroughs(based upon the characters created by)
    • Cyril Hume(adaptation)
    • Ivor Novello(dialogue)
  • Stars
    • Johnny Weissmuller
    • Neil Hamilton
    • C. Aubrey Smith
Top credits
  • Director
    • W.S. Van Dyke
  • Writers
    • Edgar Rice Burroughs(based upon the characters created by)
    • Cyril Hume(adaptation)
    • Ivor Novello(dialogue)
  • Stars
    • Johnny Weissmuller
    • Neil Hamilton
    • C. Aubrey Smith
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 57User reviews
    • 45Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:44
    Official Trailer

    Photos101

    Johnny Weissmuller in Tarzan the Ape Man (1932)
    "Tarzan the Ape Man" 1932 Lobby Card
    "Tarzan the Ape Man" Maureen O'Sullivan, Cheetah 1932 MGM
    "Tarzan the Ape Man" Maureen O'Sullivan, Cheetah, Johnny Weissmuller 1932 MGM
    "Tarzan" Maureen O'Sullivan, Cheetah, Johnny Weissmuller circa 1930s
    Maureen O'Sullivan and Johnny Weissmuller in Tarzan the Ape Man (1932)
    Maureen O'Sullivan and Johnny Weissmuller in Tarzan the Ape Man (1932)
    Maureen O'Sullivan and Johnny Weissmuller in Tarzan the Ape Man (1932)
    Maureen O'Sullivan and Johnny Weissmuller in Tarzan the Ape Man (1932)
    Maureen O'Sullivan, Neil Hamilton, and C. Aubrey Smith in Tarzan the Ape Man (1932)
    Maureen O'Sullivan and Johnny Weissmuller in Tarzan the Ape Man (1932)
    Maureen O'Sullivan and Johnny Weissmuller in Tarzan the Ape Man (1932)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Johnny Weissmuller
    Johnny Weissmuller
    • Tarzanas Tarzan
    Neil Hamilton
    Neil Hamilton
    • Harry Holtas Harry Holt
    C. Aubrey Smith
    C. Aubrey Smith
    • James Parkeras James Parker
    Maureen O'Sullivan
    Maureen O'Sullivan
    • Jane Parkeras Jane Parker
    Doris Lloyd
    Doris Lloyd
    • Mrs. Cuttenas Mrs. Cutten
    Forrester Harvey
    Forrester Harvey
    • Beamishas Beamish
    Ivory Williams
    • Rianoas Riano
    Franz Balluck
    • Evil Dwarfas Evil Dwarf
    • (uncredited)
    Charles Becker
    • Evil Dwarfas Evil Dwarf
    • (uncredited)
    Eddie Buresh
    • Evil Dwarfas Evil Dwarf
    • (uncredited)
    Ray Corrigan
    Ray Corrigan
    • Apeas Ape
    • (uncredited)
    Billy Curtis
    Billy Curtis
    • Evil Dwarfas Evil Dwarf
    • (uncredited)
    Johnny Eck
    Johnny Eck
    • Bird Creatureas Bird Creature
    • (uncredited)
    Joseph Herbst
    • Evil Dwarfas Evil Dwarf
    • (uncredited)
    Jiggs
    Jiggs
    • Cheetaas Cheeta
    • (uncredited)
    Johnny Leal
    • Evil Dwarfas Evil Dwarf
    • (uncredited)
    Jack Leonard
    • Apeas Ape
    • (uncredited)
    Angelo Rossitto
    Angelo Rossitto
    • Evil Dwarfas Evil Dwarf
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • W.S. Van Dyke
    • Writers
      • Edgar Rice Burroughs(based upon the characters created by)
      • Cyril Hume(adaptation)
      • Ivor Novello(dialogue)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Tarzan

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Tarzan's distinctive call was either created by sound recordist Douglas Shearer from various sounds, or it was indeed Johnny Weissmuller doing the yell himself. Co-star Maureen O'Sullivan insisted throughout her life that it was Weissmuller doing the yell without any technical assistance. Johnny Weissmuller explained on the Mike Douglas show that he was the one that did the yell, which he did on the show.
    • Goofs
      While swimming across a river, Tarzan gives off his full Tarzan yell while his head is completely submerged under water.
    • Quotes

      Jane Parker: Thank you for protecting me.

      Tarzan: Me?

      Jane Parker: I said, thank you for protecting me.

      Tarzan: [points at Jane] Me?

      Jane Parker: No. I'm only "Me" for me.

      Tarzan: [points at Jane] Me.

      Jane Parker: No. To you, I'm "You."

      Tarzan: [points at himself] You.

      Jane Parker: No...

      [Thinks for a second]

      Jane Parker: I'm Jane Parker. Understand? Jane, Jane.

      Tarzan: [points at Jane] Jane, Jane.

      Jane Parker: Yes, Jane. And you?

      [Tarzan stares]

      Jane Parker: [points at herself] Jane.

      Tarzan: Jane.

      Jane Parker: [points at Tarzan] And you?

      Tarzan: Tarzan. Tarzan.

      Jane Parker: Tarzan...

    • Alternate versions
      Colorized version was available... and shown on TNT
    • Connections
      Edited into Tarzan Escapes (1936)
    • Soundtracks
      Voo-Doo Dance
      (uncredited)

      Music by George Richelavie

      Arranged by Paul Marquardt & Fritz Stahlberg

      Played during main title

    User reviews57

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Love, Action, & Adventure--will make you feel like a kid again!
    I'm sure I saw bits and pieces of "Tarzan, the Ape Man" on television when I was a kid, but I never really paid much attention to it. I just recently checked out the DVD from my local library, and I was amazed to discover what I had been missing all these years.

    This movie made me feel like a young boy, craving excitement and adventure. This first installment in the MGM Tarzan movies delivers big time. Yes, the special effects and interweaving of the stock footage looks a bit dated, but remember that this film was only made three years after the first "talkie" (i.e. a sound picture, not a silent movie). There are certain techniques that obviously stem from the silent movie days. But to me, this just adds to the charm.

    The animal footage is excellent. For the first time in a long time, I was actually on the edge of my seat during a movie. The CGI effects today are amazing, but they're so overdone (most of the time). The thrills and suspense in "Tarzan" are heightened, because you know everything you see is physically tangible, not an actor reacting to a green screen.

    I still don't know how they did some of those scenes without anyone getting hurt. Swinging from the treetops, wrestling with lions, wrestling with leopards, being chased by wild animals--all of these things make for great entertainment and adventure.

    I should also mention that the relationship between Tarzan and Jane is one of the most captivating I've ever seen in a movie. It's very understated, yet very sexy. Today, they would ruin the story by making the couple have sex after five minutes. But because the sexual chemistry is only hinted at, the entire relationship is one of Jane flirting and Tarzan pursuing. It just builds and builds. This romance actually has excitement to it. Definitely one of the best screen romances of all time.

    Despite a few minor shortcomings in the special effects of the time, this is a thrilling movie. Great adventure, great excitement, great entertainment. Don't miss it!
    helpful•24
    6
    • FlamRatamacues
    • Nov 18, 2008

    FAQ10

    • Is "Tarzan" based on a book?
    • Is this the first Tarzan movie?
    • Why is Jane in Africa?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 2, 1932 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Tarzan, the Ape Man
    • Filming locations
      • Silver Springs, Florida, USA
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $652,675 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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