Starring: Herman Brix, Ula Holt, Frank Baker, Lew Sargent, and Ashton Dearholt
Director: Edward Kull
Rating: Two of Ten Stars
Tarzan (Brix) and his friends struggle to be the first to loot a Guatemalan idol from the natives of the Dead City, so the secret of ancient Mayan explosives don't fall into the wrong hands.
"Tarzan and the Green Goddess" is a condensed version of the second half of a serial titled "The New Adventures of Tarzan", and subsequently is a sequel to the condensed version of the serial's first half.
And it shows. Based on references characters make (along the lines of "let's hope the monsters of the Dead City aren't chasing us!") give the impression that a far more exciting adventure led up to the drab and boring events of this one.
This is perhaps the dullest Tarzan tale I've ever seen. Some excitement creeps in during the film's final third--when characters return to the Dead City and once again deal with the goofy cultists who live there--but it's too little, too late. A movie about the "gay gypsy party" that Lord Greystoke hosts to celebrate his return from Central America would probably have been more interesting.
The only positive thing I can find to say about this film is that Brix bears a close resemblance to one of my favorite Tarzan depictions in art--that from the pen of the great Russ Manning. He's also an okay actor, but he manages to ruin the performance by delivering a Tarzan "victory cry" that sounds like he's if he's taking part in a hog calling contest.
I think even the biggest fans of Tarzan can safely take a pass on this sorry effort.
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I'm kinder to this one that you, but your criticisms are well taken. Usually when they condense a serial, the movie gets friskier and full of action; that didn't happen here and it is a problem.
ReplyDeleteBrix is in my top list of Tarzans, and physically might the best I've seen. But this is a weak vehicle for him.
Rip Off
Holy. Crap. Where in god's name do you find these!!!? LOL You must be very well versed in (fortunately) forgotten films. Thanks for stoping by my place today!
ReplyDeleteRip: I think I might have been a little less harsh on the film is not for that exchange between characters that made it sounds like whatever happened BEFORE the movie was more interesting than what happens DURING the movie.
ReplyDeleteKatie: Where do I find them? Some get sent to me by kind-hearted souls, but the majority of them are "discovered" in those 10, 20 and 50 movie DVD mega-packs. I LOVE those. They're like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates!
Being well-versed in forgotten and crappy films is one of my many useless talents. And you're welcome... and I thank you for the return visit. :)