"TARZAN ESCAPES"

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23220, 18 June 1937, Page 5

"TARZAN ESCAPES"

A new Tarzan drama, "Tarzan Escapes," reuniting Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan in the third of the adventurous pictures based on the world-famed Edgar Rice Burroughs characters, will be commenced at the St. James Theatre to-day. Set in its weird background of jungle exoticism, with Tarzan, the superman, again making his breath-taking swings from tree to tree, fighting off hostile natives and the forces of civilisation alike, with the beasts of the jungle as his friends, the story of primitive existence should send a stirring appeal to all lovers of adventure and romance. The almost human activities of an amazing array of jungle beasts—battles between an army of elephants and hordes of savage warriors—a thrilling adventure in the deadly domain of giant vampire bats—these are but a few of the thrills in the latest adventure of the jungle king and his mate. Its romance surrounded with fantastic perils, its plot dealing with the treachery of a civilised friend of the primeval couple, the new story, aside from its romance and excitement, presents a powerful comparison of the morale of civilisation with the primitive honesty of Nature. In " Tarzan Escapes " Weissmuller and Miss O'Sullivan rescue a party of white hunters, including two cousins of the heroine. One, a white hunter, plots to capture Tarzan and take him to civilisation for exhibition purposes. But Tarzan's mate, a friendly chimpanzee, and the loyal friendship of the jungle beasts foil the plot, and the lovers return free to the wilderness they love. Gorgeous scenicdetails add beauty to the production. The new jungle adventure was filmed on location in the mountains near Ventura, where the entire company camped, worked under primitive conditions, and actually lived the outdoor Jife of the Edgar Rice Burroughs characters. An entertaining programme of short subjects will also be screened. Box plans for the season are at the D.1.C., Jacobs's. and the theatre.