Tarzan and the Slave Girl ** (1950, Lex Barker, Vanessa Brown, Robert Alda, Hurd Hatfield, Robert Alda, Arthur Shields, Anthony Caruso, Denise Darcel) – Classic Movie Review 8044

Director Lee Sholem’s 1950 Tarzan and the Slave Girl is the second Tarzan movie starring Lex Barker, following his debut in Tarzan’s Magic Fountain (1949). It is the fourteenth in the series.

This time Tarzan battles with the lion-cultists headed by the Prince of the Lionians (Hurd Hatfield), who have spirited off his jungle girl Jane.

This kitsch and campy jungle adventure features a decent turn by Barker as the Ape Man and Vanessa Brown in her first appearance as Jane. Also in the cast are Robert Alda, Arthur Shields, Anthony Caruso and French-born star Denise Darcel.

Tarzan and the Slave Girl runs 74 minutes, is written by Hans Jacoby and Arnold Belgard, is made by Sol Lesser Productions, is released by RKO, and shot by Russell Harlan in black and white at the Iverson Ranch, Chatsworth, Los Angeles.

It is followed with Tarzan’s Peril (1951), Tarzan’s Savage Fury (1952) and Tarzan and the She-Devil (1953).

Barker had a full body wax to play the buffed version of Tarzan demanded by the producers.

Vanessa Brown originated the role of The Girl in the original stage production of The Seven Year Itch (played by Marilyn Monroe in the 1955 movie The Seven Year Itch).

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8044

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