Starring: Ron Ely, Manuel Padilla Jr.
Distributed by: Warner Archive
Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 1500 minutes
Season One: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: N/A
Warner Archive is responsible for bringing this classic 60’s TV series to DVD for the first time. Season one is split into two parts. The first part consists of a 4-disc collection and contains 15 episodes. The secon part also consists of a 4-disc collection and contains the remaining 16 episodes in the first season. Warner Bros did a great job of restoring this TV show and it is presented in full frame. For a show that has never been on DVD before and is nearing 40 years old, it looks really sharp.
I really enjoyed watching the first season of “Tarzan”. It is a fun show that doesn’t expect too much. It also includes some awesome guest stars as well such as Nichelle Nicholas from “Star Trek”, Woody Strode, Russ Tamblyn and even the former Tarzan Jock Mahoney. If you are a fan of this series, you are going to really enjoy the 25 hours of vine swinging adventures of our animal loving friend. My only major complaint about watching this series has nothing to do with Warner’s release or restoration but the terrible stock footage used in some scenes. I hope Warner Archive is planning on release further seasons of this as well.
You can purchase these DVDs at WarnerArchive.com – http://bit.ly/WAC_TarzanTV
Part One Synopsis:Premiering on NBC in 1966, Edgar Rice Burroughs’ immortal creation, Tarzan, took to the nation’s TV screens for the first time. Still in the capable hands of producer Sy Weintraub, the TV Tarzan (Ron Ely) continued the more recent (and more authentic) interpretation of Lord Greystoke as a sophisticated, articulate jungle adventurer as seen in the Tarzan films of Gordon Scott, Jock Mahoney and Mike Henry. Also carried over from the big screen was young actor Manuel Padilla (Tarzan and the Valley of Gold, Tarzan and the Great River), now playing the jungle lord’s kid sidekick alongside Cheetah, the simian one. The first half of his inaugural season finds Tarzan rescuing seeing-eye lions, endangered leopards, and pampered princes while battling man-eaters, despots and deadly arachnids in this 4-Disc, 15-Episode collection. Guest stars include former Tarzan Jock Mahoney, Star Trek’s Nichelle Nichols, Woody Strode, and Russ Tamblyn.
Part Two Synopsis:Ron Ely continues his memorable run as Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan in the second half of his first season. This 16-Episode, 4-Disc collection sees the Lord of the Jungle and his stalwart second bananas, Jai the jungle boy (Manuel Padilla) and Cheetah the chimp, facing off against some of their most formidable challenges alongside a bevy of powerhouse performer guest stars. Stage and screen legend Julie Harris makes her first appearance as the imperiled, imperious missionary Charity Jones and Maurice Evans makes his memorable debut as Sir Basil Bertram. And the action continues to heat up with volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, phantom dinosaurs and more fantastic jungle menaces. Adding their talents to the drama and the dangers are Susan Oliver, Chips Rafferty, Gia Scala, Sally Kellerman and Jack Elam.
