TARZAN'S NEW YORK ADVENTURE

US, 1942, 71 minutes, Black and white.
Johnny Weismuller, Maureen O'Sullivan.
Directed by Richard Thorpe.

Tatzan's New York Adventure is one of the later Tarzan films with Johnny Weismuller and Maureen O'Sullivan. By the early '40s they had appeared in a number of films and established the characters, established the character of Boy as well as Cheetah. This film relies on audience acceptance of those conventions.

The film has its opening in Africa, the familiar territory - where we see Tarzan and his family at home in the jungle. There is delight in seeing the familiar characters in familiar surroundings living their blend of primitive and civilised life.

The second half of the film has Tarzan going to new York. The delight of this part of the film is seeing the primitive man coming from the jungle and having to cope with city life. Part of the enjoyment is the transforming of Tarzan into the urban gentleman - clothes, manners, meals. It is enjoyable to see him incongruous in New York, in the hotels. However, with the dangers and the usual plot of kidnapping for circus exploitation, we see Tarzan able to exhibit all his action prowess - but in the trappings of the city.

The film, once again, highlights the noble savage, the noble heart and his instincts for good and evil, right and wrong. Jane has the opportunity to be at home in the jungle as well as in the fashions of New York. There are some excellent set pieces showing Tarzan in the city as well as his rescue work and the circus.

One of several very enjoyable and finely-crafted Tarzan features from MGM of the '30s and '40s.