Moviecut—Tarzan and the Jungle Queen

After the silliness of the previous movie of the series ('Tarzan and the Slave Girl'), 'Tarzan's Peril' attempts to go back to serious jungle adventures. Tougher action, more realistic fight scenes, not as much comic relief (by the monkeys). Tarzan tries to stop an arms dealer this time. In opposite to the usual American parks and studio sets, a lot was actually shot in Africa this time. Due to this effort, 'Tarzan's Peril' is probably the best of the 5 Tarzan movies with Lex Barker. On the downside: one ridiculous fight with a man-eating (huh?) plant, and very little to do for Jane except to sit home and wait for Tarzan's return. Director Byron Haskin went on successfully to shoot H.G. Wells' 'War of the Worlds', among others.

Strangely the RKO's producers provide a new Jane in an each Lex Barker's Tarzan, I really want to know such discrepancy, Virginia Huston is redhead, thus unable for the role, due all previous were black hair, but speaking the truth who cares anyway, she is sexy, the summarized plot is about a smugglers who intent selling fire guns to an ambitious native's King, the strong presence of George Macready spoke for himself, he fits prefect as evil man, the nearest Ashuba tribe's Queen played by the gorgeous Dorothy Dandridge is another high point, the King Bulam wants marry Queen Melmendi to rules the whole territory, shot in Africa many sequences blended later with the soundstage studio is easily noticed and improve the production, a slight accent of humor from the usual Cheetah, fine Sunday matinee!!! Resume: First watch: 1978 / How many: 4 / Source: TV-VHS-DVD / Rating: 6.5

Melmendi (Dorothy Dandridge) is the peaceful Queen of the Ashuba, loyal to retiring Commissioner Peters. He's showing his replacement Conners around. They meet up with Tarzan and Chita. Later, they encounter a smuggling operation and gunrunner Radijeck kills them. Radijeck supplies guns to King Bulam of the Yorango tribe and suggests attacking the Ashubs tribe. Tarzan has been domesticated and is more white bread than ever. The light-skinned Dandridge is somehow an African queen but she could never be Jane. It does have some location shots of wildlife and a stuntman swinging in the trees which is worth something. There seems to be quite a bit of African locations. Mostly, it's Tarzan in the California backlot. The giant snake is very fake. It's an old Hollywood Tarzan which has been tamed. Lex Barker is a blonde-haired muscle-bounded model type who has a middle America personality. It's surprisingly watchable with a dash of camp.

Lord of the jungle Lex Barker (as Tarzan) battles gunrunner George Macready (as Radijeck) and assorted cohorts. This film seems a little foreign when compared to recent entries in the series. First, more of it was shot in Africa than had become the norm. Additionally, shapely Virginia Huston (as Jane) appears with a much shorter haircut than usual for the character, and her clothing has become a form-flattering white dress. Unfortunately ineligible as Tarzan's mate, the beautifully mixed Dorothy Dandridge plays an African queen. To prevent "Tarzan's Peril" from becoming too serious in tone, a certain chimpanzee gets the last laugh when swallowing a watch gives "Cheeta" musical indigestion. **** Tarzan's Peril (3/13/51) Byron Haskin ~ Lex Barker, Virginia Huston, George Macready, Dorothy Dandridge