: Introduces the character "Boy" (Johnny Sheffield) after he is rescued from a plane crash. Early Silent and Serial Classics
Look for documentaries or collectors' sets that include screen tests of actors who never became Tarzan or early, lost footage of the 1918 film.
If you're interested in experiencing the Blue Film Tarzan series for yourself, here are some vintage movie recommendations:
As the franchise moved into the 1950s, the character shifted toward a more articulate and worldly hero. Tarzan's Magic Fountain Video Blue Film Tarzan X
The story of Tarzan X and the "Video Blue Film Tarzan X" series serves as a reminder of the power of media to inspire positive change and promote environmental awareness.
The mastermind behind Tarzan X was Aristide Massaccesi, better known to horror fans and exploitation aficionados as Joe D'Amato. D'Amato was an iconic figure in Italian cinema, famous for directing a wide array of genres including gory horror classics like Buio Omega (1979) and sleazy erotic thrillers. By the 1990s, D'Amato had fully transitioned into the world of hardcore pornography, churning out dozens of adult films at a rapid pace, with Tarzan X being one of his most notable and produced during this phase of his career.
The intersection of "Tarzan" and "Blue Film" is one of the most curious footnotes in cinematic history. For the uninitiated, the term "Blue Film" is vintage slang for early erotic or adult-oriented cinema—films made before the modern adult industry, often shot on grainy 16mm or 8mm reels with minimal budgets but maximum cultural transgression. : Introduces the character "Boy" (Johnny Sheffield) after
: Starring Buster Crabbe (famous for Flash Gordon), this was released around the same time as Weissmuller’s MGM films but was produced by Sol Lesser. It's a tighter, faster-paced action story that contrasts nicely with the romantic focus of the Weissmuller MGM films.
The legend of Tarzan of the Apes is one of the most enduring myths of the 20th century. Since Edgar Rice Burroughs first introduced the character in 1912, the King of the Jungle has leaped from the pages of pulp magazines to the silver screen, becoming a cornerstone of classic cinema and a staple of vintage film collecting.
Tarzan, the fictional character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs, first appeared in literature in 1912. The character's instant popularity led to numerous adaptations in film, radio, and television. The first Tarzan film, "Tarzan of the Apes," was released in 1918, starring Elmo Lincoln in the titular role. However, it was the 1930s-1950s era that cemented Tarzan's place in cinematic history, with the introduction of the "Blue Film Tarzan" series. Tarzan's Magic Fountain The story of Tarzan X
Whether you are a fan of the physical, silent-era giants or the charming, sophisticated Jungle King of the 30s, the classic cinema of Tarzan is a rewarding area of study and enjoyment.
If you are looking to explore the campy, provocative, and adventurous world of vintage jungle cinema, here is a curated watchlist spanning mainstream classics to rare exploitation history:
– A classic B-movie filled with mid-century camp, featuring a missing heiress who becomes a white queen of a hidden jungle tribe.
If you want vintage movies that deliver the energy of a “blue Tarzan” without the actual blue content, look to . Before the strict Hays Code enforcement in 1934, films were shockingly adult. Here are three classic-era recommendations for the adventurous viewer.