Tarzan and His Mate (1934)
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100% of critics liked it
(14 reviews) -
75% of users liked it
(389 ratings)
Most Tarzan enthusiasts consider 1934's Tarzan and His Mate to be the best of the Johnny Weissmuller-Maureen O'Sullivan Tarzan efforts. Certainly it is the sexiest, with Weissmuller and especially O'Sullivan wearing next to nothing for most of the film's running time. Picking up… More Most Tarzan enthusiasts consider 1934's Tarzan and His Mate to be the best of the Johnny Weissmuller-Maureen O'Sullivan Tarzan efforts. Certainly it is the sexiest, with Weissmuller and especially O'Sullivan wearing next to nothing for most of the film's running time. Picking up where 1932's Tarzan the Ape Man left off, the film's plot is set in motion by avaricious ivory hunter Paul Cavanaugh, who arrives in the African jungle in search of the fabled Elephant's Graveyard. Accompanying Cavanaugh is Neil Hamilton the former fiance of Jane Porter (Maureen O'Sullivan), who for the past two years has been living with jungle lord Tarzan (Johnny Weissmuller) without benefit of clergy (this is strictly a pre-code effort, as evidenced by Jane's bikini-like attire and the now-famous skinny-dipping sequence). Jane briefly entertains notions of returning to civilization, but opts for her blissful outdoor existence with Tarzan. The plot rears its ugly head again when Cavanaugh shoots Tarzan and leaves him for dead, the better to seek out the precious ivory unimpeded. Rescued by his simian friends, Tarzan races towards the elephant's burial site, where Cavanaugh and Hamilton have been eaten by lions and Jane is next on the menu. A convenient elephant stampede--heralded by that classic Tarzan ahh-ee-yahhhh-ee-yahhhh--saves Jane from the lion's fangs in the nick of time. Tarzan and His Mate was the last of MGM's "Tarzan" series to be targeted for a strictly adult audience: the remaining MGM Tarzans, made under stricter censorship guidelines, were geared for the whole family. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Cedric Gibbons
- Genres
- Classics, Action & Adventure
PG,
- In Theaters
- Apr 20, 1934 Wide
- On DVD
- Jul 25, 1991
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
The picture has a strange sort of power that overcomes the total lack of logic.
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Mordaunt Hall, New York Times
Aside from the wild tale, this film is a marvel from a photographic standpoint.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The most interesting aspect of this Tarzan installment is its adult appeal: Weissmuller and O'Sullivan's Tarzan and Jane are obviously living in sexual freedom as they swing through the trees.
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Kim Newman, Empire Magazine
Engaging and surprisingly sexy and raw for its time with luscious production values.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The best film in the Tarzan series.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Johnny Weissmuller
as Tarzan
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Maureen O'Sullivan
as Jane Parker
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Paul Cavanagh
as Martin Arlington
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Forrester Harvey
as Beamish
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Nathan Curry
as Saidi
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Paul Porcasi
as Mons. Gironde
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Des Roberts
as Van Ness
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William Stack
as Pierce
