Released in 1938 by Principal Productions and distributed by Twentieth Century-Fox, Tarzan’s Revenge stands out as a unique entry in the long-running cinematic history of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ legendary jungle hero. Produced by Sol Lesser—who would later produce several Johnny Weissmuller Tarzan pictures—the film was conceived as a low-budget, fast-paced adventure vehicle designed to capitalize on the public’s appetite for jungle pulps and world-class Olympic stars.
Shot on location at the Arboretum in Arcadia, California, and utilizing vintage studio jungle sets, Tarzan’s Revenge offers a fascinating snapshot of late-1930s independent B-movie filmmaking.
1. Cast and Characters
- Glenn Morris as Tarzan – An American track and field athlete who won the gold medal in the decathlon at the 1936 Berlin Olympics (and won the James E. Sullivan Award as the nation’s top amateur athlete). Tarzan’s Revenge was his feature film acting debut and his only appearance as the ape-man.
- Eleanor Holm as Eleanor Reed – A world-record-holding Olympic swimmer who won gold in the 100-meter backstroke at the 1932 Los Angeles Games. Holm was famously dismissed from the 1936 Olympic team for drinking champagne on the transatlantic voyage to Germany. Her swimming prowess was directly written into the film’s climax.
- George Barbier as Ben Reed – Eleanor’s wealthy, blustering father, who organizes an African safari to capture live wild animals for international zoos.
- C. Henry Gordon as Ben Ali – A sinister, velvet-clad villain and local sultan who becomes obsessed with Eleanor and plots to force her into his harem.
- Hedda Hopper as Penny Reed – Eleanor’s high-society mother. Hopper—who would soon become one of Hollywood’s most feared and powerful gossip columnists—provides comic relief as a squeamish, fainting socialite out of her depth in the jungle.
- Joe Sawyer as Olaf Punch – The gruff safari guide hired to navigate the treacherous jungle terrain.
2. Detailed Plot Overview
A wealthy American safari led by Ben Reed, his wife Penny, their daughter Eleanor, and guide Olaf Punch treks deep into the African interior to capture exotic wildlife. Unbeknownst to the party, their expedition crosses into the territory of Ben Ali, a ruthless local ruler who operates out of a secret, opulent underground palace.
When Ben Ali spots Eleanor swimming in a jungle river, he decides to capture her for his private harem. Meanwhile, Tarzan—who has been silently observing the safari from the treetops—rescues Eleanor from an attacking lion. Though initially startled by the wild ape-man, Eleanor develops a swift attraction to her jungle savior.
Chaos erupts when Ben Ali’s mercenaries attack the expedition camp, capturing Eleanor and her parents and dragging them to his underground stronghold. Tarzan tracks the captives, battles fierce jungle predators, and infiltrates Ben Ali’s fortress. Utilizing his brute strength and an explosive final escape sequence featuring Eleanor’s swimming skills in an underwater tunnel, Tarzan rescues the party, defeats Ben Ali, and bids farewell to Eleanor as she chooses to remain in the jungle by his side.
3. Production, Aesthetics, and Cinematic Context
The Dual-Gold-Medalist Strategy
Producer Sol Lesser hit upon a unique marketing hook for Tarzan’s Revenge: pairing two real-life 1936 Olympic icons in a single film. By casting decathlon champion Glenn Morris alongside headline-making swimmer Eleanor Holm, the studio promised audiences unmatched physical athleticism on screen.
The Battle for Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Rights
During the 1930s, MGM held the main rights to the Tarzan franchise starring Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O’Sullivan. However, due to a previous contract loophole with author Edgar Rice Burroughs, producer Sol Lesser held the rights to produce an independent Tarzan feature. Tarzan’s Revenge was rushed into production to compete with MGM’s higher-budget offerings, resulting in a lighter, serial-style action movie.
Aquatic Climax & Pacing
Unlike traditional MGM Tarzan films that focused heavily on comedy routines with Numa the lion or Cheeta the chimpanzee (represented here by an early ape suit and native animals), director D. Ross Lederman leaned into swift action beats. The film’s highlight includes an extended underwater escape sequence designed specifically to display Eleanor Holm’s gold-medal backstroke and freestyle techniques.
4. Public Domain Status and Legacy
- Public Domain Status: Like many independent productions from the late 1930s, Tarzan’s Revenge fell into the public domain in the United States after its original 28-year copyright term expired without a formal renewal filing.
- Archival & Pop Culture Impact: Because it is freely available on open-access platforms like the Internet Archive and YouTube, Tarzan’s Revenge remains a staple for classic cinema lovers, jungle-pulp enthusiasts, and sports historians tracking the Hollywood careers of Olympic athletes.