Texas Star
US Veteran
I liked the Tarzan books, but the movies were usually lacking in his portrayal.
I think the best was Christopher Lambert in, "Greystoke: the Legend of Tarzan of the Apes." (But the girl who played Jane was a total loss in that role.)
Johnny Weissmuller was an irritant. I didn't like his hoarse voice or his pidgin English or general lack of culture. The Tarzan of the books spoke perfect French, later English. He was, after, Lord Greystoke, a wealthy nobleman! He would have been that man, with the savage nature beneath. Burroughs was very clear about that, and about his physique, wiry and strong, not musclebound like a bodybuilder.
His knife intrigued me, especially after I studied English knives that his marooned father might have had. Based on the books, I settled on a dagger with stag handle and about an eight-inch blade, by I*XL or Joseph Rodgers. Nickle guard. Keep in mind that his parents were marooned in French West Africa or nearby in the 1880's. I once published an article on the probable Tarzan knife, so some good came of my speculation.
I think Tarzan (if real) would probably have had that knife of his father's restored by the maker and surely bought others. But none would have resembled those in the movies.
Herman Brix was a pretty good Tarzan in the 1939 film, "The Green Goddess." Lex Barker was okay, but blond and obviously American. The same for Buster Crabbe, who I otherwise liked in the role.
I never saw a Jane that I really liked.
I think the best was Christopher Lambert in, "Greystoke: the Legend of Tarzan of the Apes." (But the girl who played Jane was a total loss in that role.)
Johnny Weissmuller was an irritant. I didn't like his hoarse voice or his pidgin English or general lack of culture. The Tarzan of the books spoke perfect French, later English. He was, after, Lord Greystoke, a wealthy nobleman! He would have been that man, with the savage nature beneath. Burroughs was very clear about that, and about his physique, wiry and strong, not musclebound like a bodybuilder.
His knife intrigued me, especially after I studied English knives that his marooned father might have had. Based on the books, I settled on a dagger with stag handle and about an eight-inch blade, by I*XL or Joseph Rodgers. Nickle guard. Keep in mind that his parents were marooned in French West Africa or nearby in the 1880's. I once published an article on the probable Tarzan knife, so some good came of my speculation.
I think Tarzan (if real) would probably have had that knife of his father's restored by the maker and surely bought others. But none would have resembled those in the movies.
Herman Brix was a pretty good Tarzan in the 1939 film, "The Green Goddess." Lex Barker was okay, but blond and obviously American. The same for Buster Crabbe, who I otherwise liked in the role.
I never saw a Jane that I really liked.
Last edited:
