Tarzan Escapes Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Jane’s city cousins show up wanting her money and Tarzan, everyone gets kidnapped by generic bad guys, and Tarzan’s animal buddies save the day after he briefly forgets how to escape.

🍿 Tarzan Escapes: Detailed Plot Synopsis

An Unexpected Visit and a Jungle Dilemma

The film opens with Jane’s British cousins, Rita and Eric Parker, arriving in Africa on a mission. Their wealthy uncle has passed away, leaving Jane a substantial inheritance of half a million pounds, but only if she agrees to return to civilization to claim it. Hiring the seasoned hunter Captain Fry as their guide, the cousins embark on a journey to the remote Mutia Escarpment, the rumored home of a ‘great white ape’—Tarzan.

The Hunter’s Scheme and Jane’s Choice

Captain Fry has a sinister ulterior motive; he recognizes the description of the white ape as Tarzan and plans to capture him and exhibit him for profit back in England. Upon finding Tarzan and Jane living peacefully in their elaborate treehouse home, Jane is torn between her love for Tarzan and her desire to help her cousins secure their inheritance. She agrees to return to London, intending to come back to the jungle after settling the affairs.

Fry’s Treachery and Tarzan’s Capture

Captain Fry, fearing Jane’s return would thwart his plan, deceives Tarzan into believing Jane will never come back. Exploiting Tarzan’s vulnerability and sadness, Fry tricks him into entering a specially constructed metal cage. Fry intends to transport the captured ape-man back to civilization, unaware of the true strength of Tarzan’s bond with the jungle and its inhabitants.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Tarzan (Johnny Weissmuller): The powerful jungle man and Jane’s mate, who must protect his world and rescue others from treacherous outsiders.
• Jane (Maureen O’Sullivan): Tarzan’s sophisticated mate, torn between her life in the jungle and her family’s request to return to civilization for an inheritance.
• Captain Fry (John Buckler): A conniving professional hunter who plots to capture Tarzan for display and manipulate Jane and her cousins.
• Rita Parker (Benita Hume): One of Jane’s cousins who travels to the jungle to convince her to return to England to claim a substantial inheritance.
• Eric Parker (William Henry): Jane’s well-meaning cousin who accompanies his sister Rita on the expedition to bring Jane back for an inheritance.
• Herbert Henry Rawlins (Herbert Mundin): The bumbling assistant to Captain Fry who provides comic relief to the expedition.
• Cheetah (Cheetah-A Chimpanzee): Tarzan and Jane’s loyal chimpanzee companion who provides humor and assists Tarzan.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Rita Parker: “You’ve got the grandest possessions that any woman can have: peace and comradeship and perfect communion with a man whose whole strength is devoted to making your life beautiful.” – Said to Jane at the end of the film, acknowledging the value of her life with Tarzan compared to civilization.
• Rawlins: “Miss Jane, he’s the finest gentleman I ever knew – trousers or no trousers.” – Said to Jane, expressing his newfound respect and admiration for Tarzan despite his unconventional appearance.
• Captain Fry: “I mean to take him back… for exhibition!” – Revealing his true, villainous plan to capture Tarzan and display him as a spectacle in civilization.
• Tarzan: “Jane… stay.” – A simple, heartfelt plea from Tarzan when he believes Jane is leaving him to return to England permanently.
• Jane: “Tarzan makes me alive.” – Expressing her deep feelings for Tarzan and why her life with him in the jungle is fulfilling.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1,058,000
• Domestic Gross: None
• Worldwide Gross: None

💥 Tarzan Escapes Reviews

Personal Review

Watching ‘Tarzan Escapes’ felt like stepping back in time in the best way possible. I loved seeing Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O’Sullivan together again; their dynamic is just so sweet and believable, even in that wild treehouse! The whole bit with the elephant elevator cracked me up – totally unrealistic but charming. I also got a kick out of Cheetah; that chimp really steals the show sometimes! It’s maybe not as edgy as the previous films, which makes sense given the era, but there’s still plenty of adventure. Seeing Tarzan take on that giant croc was intense, and his loyalty to Jane is genuinely touching. It’s just a classic feel-good adventure with some memorable characters.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Hollywood adventure films”
  • “Viewers interested in the Johnny Weissmuller/Maureen O’Sullivan Tarzan series”
  • “Those who enjoy jungle survival and exploration stories”
  • “Fans of animal co-stars and classic special effects”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Contains violence and peril which were considered graphic for the time period (1936)”
  • “Features racial stereotypes common in films of this era regarding native populations”
  • “Includes depictions of animal capture and danger (though often simulated or using stock footage)”

Professional Reviews

• The Classic Film Chronicle: “While perhaps not reaching the heights of its pre-Code predecessors, ‘Tarzan Escapes’ remains a highly watchable adventure. The undeniable chemistry between Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O’Sullivan anchors the film, even as the plot navigates troubled production history and the newly enforced Hays Code, leading to a somewhat tamer experience than earlier installments. The jungle setting and animal sequences, though occasionally recycled, still hold a certain charm.
• Vintage Movie Blog: “This third Tarzan outing benefits immensely from its lead duo. Weissmuller conveys surprising emotional depth for a character often limited to monosyllables, and O’Sullivan is radiant as Jane. The film struggles slightly with tonal shifts, bouncing between romance, comedy (courtesy of Cheetah and Herbert Mundin), and moments of genuine peril, likely a result of its notorious production issues and cuts. Still, a fast-paced and entertaining jungle romp.

Audience Reactions

Viewers particularly loved the chemistry between Tarzan and Jane and Cheetah’s comedic antics.: The film is praised for its lead actors’ performances, entertaining mix of adventure and romance, and the impressive jungle sets and animal footage for its time.

Overall Consensus: A generally enjoyable, if somewhat uneven, entry in the classic Tarzan series, notable for the enduring charm of its stars and moments of thrilling adventure despite production challenges and changes.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film had a troubled and lengthy production, originally filmed as ‘Tarzan Returns’ in 1935 under a different director (James C. McKay).”
• “The original 1935 version was deemed too graphically violent by preview audiences, leading to extensive re-shoots, a change in director to Richard Thorpe, and a new title.”
• “A notorious deleted scene from the original cut involved a sequence with giant vampire bats in a swamp.”
• “The implementation of the Hays Production Code during production led to Jane’s costume being made more modest compared to the previous film, ‘Tarzan and His Mate’.”
• “Maureen O’Sullivan (Jane) and John Farrow (one of the uncredited directors brought in for re-shoots) married shortly after filming wrapped.”

🖥️ How to Watch Tarzan Escapes?

To watch the classic adventure ‘Tarzan Escapes’ (1936), you can typically find it available for digital purchase or rent on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming services as availability can change, and libraries occasionally include classic films. Physical copies may also be available on DVD or Blu-ray from online retailers like Amazon.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Tarzan Escapes, you might like these similar films:

• Tarzan the Ape Man (1932): The first film in the iconic Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O’Sullivan series, establishing the characters and their jungle home.
• Tarzan and His Mate (1934): The direct predecessor, known for its more mature themes and pre-Code sensibilities, offering a contrast to the toned-down ‘Tarzan Escapes’.
• Tarzan Finds a Son! (1939): The next film in the series, which introduces ‘Boy’ and signals a further shift towards more family-friendly adventures, relevant to the tonal change noted in ‘Escapes’.
• King Kong (1933): Features a similar central theme of capturing a unique, powerful creature from a ‘lost world’ to exploit and display in civilization, from the same era.
• Trader Horn (1931): An earlier MGM jungle adventure that famously shared stock footage with the Tarzan series, providing a look at similar early studio jungle filmmaking.

🛒 Tarzan Escapes Related Products

• Tarzan: The Complete Collection (DVD/Blu-ray): Experience the full saga of Johnny Weissmuller’s iconic portrayal of Tarzan across all his feature films, digitally restored for optimal viewing.
• Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan Comic Books (Digital): Dive into the diverse world of Tarzan through various comic adaptations and original stories expanding the lore of the Ape Man and his jungle home.
• Classic Jungle Adventure Game (PC/Console): Embark on your own exploration quest through lush, perilous jungle environments, swinging through trees and encountering wild animals.
• Vintage Tarzan Movie Poster Print: Decorate your space with a high-quality print of original theatrical posters, capturing the classic imagery and adventure of films like ‘Tarzan Escapes’.

🎧 Soundtrack

Tarzan Escapes features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Cannibal Carnival” – performed by Sol Levy (uncredited)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Tarzan Evolution in Movies & Cartoons

Ever wonder how Tarzan changed over the years in movies? This video shows you the whole journey, including the version you’re interested in – it’s fascinating to see the progression!

Top 10 TARZAN actors GAY MEN love

Curious about the actors who brought Tarzan to life on screen, like the star of this film? This video ranks some of the most beloved portrayals; it’s cool to see which ones made the cut!

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