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Issue 0581
Presents a Combined Feature Compendium
with
ERBzine of the Silver Screen
and
ERB Emporium: Trading Cards & Comics
TARZAN'S SAVAGE FURY
A 1952 Film Starring Lex Barker

Lex Barker (1919-1973) was born Alexander Crichlow Barker, Jr. in Rye, New York on May 8, 1919.  He was a direct descendant of the founder of Rhode Island, Roger Williams, and of Sir Henry Crichlow, historical governor-general of Barbados. Barker excelled in football and track at Fessenden School and the prestigious Phillips-Exeter Academy. Lex attended Princeton University but left to pursue acting in summer stock which led him to Broadway.  His education and acting were put on hold with America's entry into World War II when he enlisted as a buck private in the US Army. At the time of his discharge in 1945 he had risen to the rank of major and had served honourably in North Africa and Italy where he had been badly wounded.

After the war he was signed by 20th Century Fox and then by Warner but he was too tall for supporting parts and too unknown for leads.  As a result he appeared in a series of bit parts. He made his screen debut in Lewis Seiler’s Doll Face, starring Vivian Blaine as a burlesque dancer, in a story written by Gypsy Rose Lee. Other small parts followed in numerous outstanding films: The Farmer’s Daughter (1947 Best Actress Academy Award for Loretta Young), and Crossfire (Edward Dmytryk’s 1947 milestone film noir), and in the Cary Grant comedy classic Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House.  His big break came when Lex, a six-foot, four-inch athlete with stunning good looks, was picked from a crowd of several hundred aspiring Tarzans by producer Sol Lesser. Edgar Rice Burroughs commented that Lex perfectly suited his original concept of a savage jungle character who was also an English blueblood. Between 1949 and 1953 he appeared in a total of five Tarzan films for RKO: Tarzan's Magic Fountain, Tarzan and the Slave Girl, Tarzan's Peril, Tarzan's Savage Fury, and Tarzan and the She-Devil.

His first jungle adventure was Tarzan’s Magic Fountain (1949). Lex’s jungle lord came closer than Weissmuller’s to the original Edgar Rice Burroughs concept. Both press and audiences reacted positively and the film was a hit. Tarzan and the Slave Girl (1950), and Tarzan’s Peril (1951), followed and helped sustain the popularity of the series. Interestingly, Tarzan’s Peril was the first Tarzan film that was partly shot in Africa and not relying on African footage taken from other films (i.e. Trader Horn).

Exploiting Tarzan’s continuing popularity, Sol Lesser continued to produce one Tarzan film per year.  Tarzan’s Savage Fury (1952) was another commercial success but there was increasing strain on the Barker/Lesser relationship. Lex was determined to put his own stamp on the Tarzan character and break from the Weissmuller mold. His vision of Tarzan was one closer to that of the intelligent English lord created by Burroughs. He also feared that he would become typecast as Tarzan and that he would never be given a chance to expand into other acting roles. This fear of typecasting even led him to turn down an offer to play the man of steel in the Superman television series. Finally, he was given the lead in Battles of Chief Pontiac - a film taking an intelligent view of American Indians - but it was not a box office success.

Tarzan and the She-Devil (1953), although another success, saw the amount of Barker dialogue cut in half --  a result of his constant arguing about his acting ambitions with producer Sol Lesser. This would be Barker's last Tarzan film, despite its success and its intriguing supporting cast: Raymond Burr (later Perry Mason) played the villain and 17-year-old Monique Van Vooren made her American film debut.

Barker now decided to sign only for one-film deals and Lesser signed Gordon Scott to star in Tarzan's Hidden Jungle (1955).  Following the end of the Tarzan series,  Barker made 16 films, mostly westerns, before major roles in Hollywood films dried up. With his career in trouble, he left Hollywood for Europe to star in "Kraut Westerns," a career move that pioneered Clint Eastwood's successful "spaghetti Westerns." His role in Fellini's La Dolce Vita in 1959 was a major career boost and, almost overnight, Lex became a European box office sensation  (he was fluent in German, French, Spanish, and  Italian). He then became better known in Germany than in the U.S. because of his role as "Old Shatterhand," "Kara Ben Nemsi" and "Dr. Karl Sternau" in 12 movies based on books written by Karl May, who is a very popular author for adventure literature in Germany. He won Germany's Bambi Award as Best Foreign Actor of 1966 and went on to make more than 70 films all over the world. His last two films, A Place Called Glory (1965) and Woman Times Seven (1967), were European productions.

By the 1970s, Lex had retired to his Costa Brava home on Spain’s Mediterranean coast but was anxious to return to work in Hollywood. His Hollywood comeback involved TV guest appearances, including The FBI and It Takes A Thief with plans for his own series and film projects. This promising return to America came to a sudden end, however, when Lex died of a heart attack on Lexington Avenune in New York City, on May 11, 1973. He was only 54 years old.

Lex was married five times and had two sons and a daughter. His wives included American actresses Arlene Dahl and Lana Turner, and Swiss actress Irene Labhardt.

Roger Williams - Founder of Rhode Island

Lex Barker and Arlene DahlArlene DahlLana Turner
Lex Barker and Elmo Lincoln
ERB with Vern Coriel ~ Michael Pierce ~ Lex Barker

3-D TRADING CARDS ~ Part II
Scenes 16-30
Copyright T.C.G  Ptd. in U.S.A.
Courtesy Sol Lesser Productions, Inc.

16. MAGIC TRICKS
16. MAGIC TRICKS
 The two villains, Rokoff and Edwards, are seated around the dinner table in Tarzan's tree-house with Tarzan, Jane, and Joe. Rokoff says he will entertain them by some magic tricks he knows.  He is very good at it, and does all kinds of tricks, including pulling a silver coin out of Joe's ear! But Tarzan is worried. He wants to know why these people came all the way here!
17. MEMORY OF THE PAST
17. MEMORY OF THE PAST
Edwards, pretending to be Tarzan's cousin, tells Tarzan that he has found a diary written by Tarzan's father. The diary tells that Tarzan's father had found a native called "The Wazuri" . . . a tribe that had thousands of valuable diamonds.   Edwards and Rokoff want Tarzan to lead them to the tribe. It is dangerous. Even the cannibals are afraid of the Wazuri!
18. JANE'S PLEA
18. JANE'S PLEA
Tarzan does not want to help Rokoff and Edwards find the Wazuri tribe and all their diamonds. Jane thinks he should. She tells him that the diamonds will be useful in industry, and they should get them for the sake of their country.  Tarzan is still not sure. "I not trust these men," he says. "Then trust me," answers Jane. "Do it for my sake." Tarzan cannot refuse.
19. ON THE TRAIL
19. ON THE TRAIL
Once the decision has been made, the safari starts out through the jungle, moving slowly towards the land where the Wazuri Tribe lives. It is a long journey, across high mountains and streaming deserts, and the natives are not friendly, but Tarzan is going to do his best to lead the safari to safety.  As they move through the dense forest a sudden snarl is heard. Overhead is a panther!
20. BLACK DEATH
20. BLACK DEATH
Tarzan stops the safari as he spots a black panther waiting in a tree overhead. Slowly, the ape-man pulls his knife from his belt and stares at the snarling animal. "I am master here," he says.   Then he motions for the safari to continue while he keeps watching the panther. They move forward, going under the tree, while Tarzan keeps the panther back. The danger is past now!
21. FACING A RHINO
21. FACING A RHINO
The safari continues towards the dangerous Wazuri territory through the jungle, until it reaches an open plain. Suddenly Tarzan stops them. "Look out! Dangerous rhinoceros ahead!"  He orders them to stand back while he faces the rhinoceros alone. He steps forward slowly, staring into the rhino's eyes. The great beast paws the ground and snorts. Then slowly turns and runs!
22. BUILDING A RAFT
22. BUILDING A RAFT
The safari reaches a swift-moving river, with the head of one hippopotamus after another dotting the surface. Rokoff says, "We cannot cross this river." Tarzan answers, "I build raft for you."  He grabs a long vine and swings across to the opposite side. Once there he calls for Tantor, the elephant. Soon, Tarzan and two elephants are hard at work, building rafts for the safari!
23. CROSSING THE RIVER
23. CROSSING THE RIVER
The safari splits into two parties, one on each of the rafts built by Tarzan. Then they start across the river. Rokoff notices that the hippos are getting closer, and he starts to worry.  Tarzan, on the other raft, notices this and calls out, "They will not harm you as long as you do not harm them. Leave them alone!" But Rokoff lifts his rifle and fires at one of the hippos!
24. THE HIPPO CHARGES
24. THE HIPPO CHARGES
Rokoff fires at one of the hippos and wounds it. With a roar of rage, the wounded animal turns towards the raft and charges it.  The river is churning with the fury of the animal as the hippo dives under the raft and comes up under it, tossing everyone on it into the river!   Edwards starts to scream, "Help me!" I can't swim! The crocodiles will get me!" Tarzan dives in!
25. RESCUE
25. RESCUE
Tarzan dives into the river to try to rescue Edwards from the approaching crocodile. He swims with strong regular strokes and reaches Edwards' side just seconds ahead of the gaping jaws of the killer. Gripping Edwards with one mighty arm, the ape-man moves quickly to the shore and safety!  "Now we rest," he says. "Later we move on to the dangerous Wazuri territory!"
26. MOUNTAIN TERRORS
26. MOUNTAIN TERRORS
The safari is on the move . . .  with Tarzan leading the way into the land of the dangerous Wazuri warriors. The trail leads high over a mountain, and dangers wait for them there, too. The climb is a terrifying one, and a point is reached where a great gorge must be crossed. One b one they jump over the cut, knowing if a step is missed, it will mean a fall of thousands of feet!
27. DESERT TORTURE
27. DESERT TORTURE
The path to the Wazuri territory is full of tortures, and now the safari reaches one of the worst. Tarzan has to lead them through a burning desert, across hot sands for day after day, until all their water is gone.  One by one, the men drop from exhaustion, until the safari is forced to stop. "I go ahead," says Tarzan. "I will try to find water." Without water, they will all die!
28. THE WATER-HOLE
28. THE WATER-HOLE
Tarzan races swiftly across the desert sands, knowing he must find water soon or all the members of the members of the safari will die. Then, in the distance, he sees trees! It's a water-hole!  He hurries back to the weary safari and tells them the good news. Then he leads them to the life-giving water. As soon as they have rested they must continue to push forward to the dangerous Wazuris! 
29. DESERTED VILLAGE
29. DESERTED VILLAGE
The safari, led by Tarzan, is now very close to Wazuri territory. But there are cannibals there, too. They see a jungle village and move towards it. Their surprise is great when they find that there is no one alive in the village . . . it is deserted.   Tarzan explains why. "Cannibals raid the village and take all the people away. They may be watching us from the jungle even now!"
31. CANNIBAL ATTACK
30. THE CANNIBALS
Tarzan, Jane, and the rest of the safari are moving slowly through the deserted jungle village, looking at the results of a cannibal raid.  All their attention is attracted to the ruins around them and they don't notice the slight movement of the trees around the edge of the village, or the brightly painted natives creeping closer to them. The cannibals are ready to attack!
JUNGLE LAND
A small illustrated feature found on the back of each of the
Tarzan's Savage Fury 3-D Trading Cards.
16. The Juju man is priest and doctor with great power and responsibility. If he fails to prevent drought or disease, he may pay with his life.

17. Some tribes jealously guard their hunting grounds. The stranger is never welcome and does well to avoid these places as he would a plague.

18. In parts of Africa there are no water holes for hundreds of miles and no animal life, only sandy wastes and dark canyons strewn with bones.

19. The African native knows, understands and sometimes worships animals. Here several live snakes are used by a dancer to help tell a story.

20. In Central and Southern Africa, the native never knows when he may become the victim of an elephant stampede. Entire villages are flattened.

21. The fearful grass fire is the scourge of the plains and dry forest. Animal and man, friend and foe, flee the great destroyer side by side.

22. Hiding in the trail grass, the python whips its coils about its victim and squeezes. For its greatest effort, it must grasp something with its tail.

23. The lumbering hippopotamus is a fast swimmer and a savage fighter when aroused. Its great jaws can make kindling wood of even a big canoe.

24. Many of the water holes of Africa dry up completely. Then the tribes are in desperate trouble, for few can survive the withering African sun.

25. The leopard is fast and tricky and feared by beast and tribesman alike. It attacks without warning, often leaping form a rock or tree branch.

26. The tusk of the elephant is sought by both native and trader. It may weigh as much as a heavyweight prizefighter and be six feet long.

27. Cannibalism was practiced by many tribes, some with the belief that they inherited the strength and skill of the man who stayed for dinner.

28. The jungle man believes his ornaments not only help to camouflage him but endow him with the forest virtues of the beasts and birds.

29. Hideous and vicious as the alligator is, its tail is considered a great treat by the swamp hunters. He is lassoed and speared to death.

30. Some jungle dwellers so fear the great meat eaters, they build houses in the trees high above the ground where few creatures can reach them.

TARZAN'S SAVAGE FURY
COMPENDIUM CONTENTS
ERBzine SILVER SCREEN SERIES

ERBzine 0580
Film Credits
Lex Barker Tarzan Film Trivia
Pt. I: 3-D Cards 1-15
Jungle Land 1-15
Posters and Locations
ERBzine 0581
Lex Barker Biography
Lex Barker Photo Gallery
Pt: II: 3-D Cards 16-30
Jungle Land 16-30
ERBzine 0582
Pt III: 3-D Cards 31-45
Jungle Land 31-45
Lex Barker Filmography (IMDB)
Lex Barker Filmography & Links (E-Online)
Tarzan's Savage Fury gallery of Movie Stills
ERBzine 0583
Pt. IV: 3-D Cards 46-60
Jungle Land 46-60
Lex Barker Gallery of Comics Covers
Lex Barker Tarzan Film Reference Links
THE OTHER LEX BARKER TARZAN FILMS
Tarzan's Magic Fountain | Tarzan and the Slave Girl | Tarzan's Peril | Tarzan's Savage Fury | Tarzan and the She-Devil

TARZAN'S MAGIC FOUNTAIN TARZAN'S MAGIC FOUNTAIN ~ ERBzine 0629
(1949 ~ 73m ~ RKO)
LOCATIONS: CA: RKO Culver City 40 Acres backlot
CAST: Lex Barker ~ Brenda Joyce ~ Elmo Lincoln cameo
LOBBY DISPLAY: Posters ~ Lobby Cards ~ Stills
TARZAN AND THE SLAVE GIRL: ERBzine 1950
(1950 ~ 74m ~ RKO)
LOCATIONS: CA: Arboretum ~ Iverson Movie Ranch ~ 
RKO Culver City Studio 40 Acres backlot
CAST: Lex Barker ~ Vanessa Brown
TARZAN AND THE SLAVE GIRL

TARZAN'S PERIL
TARZAN'S PERIL ERBzine 1951
(1951 ~ 79m ~ RKO)
LOCATIONS: CA: Arboretum ~ Iverson Movie Ranch ~ 
RKO Culver City Studio 40 Acres backlot
CAST: Lex Barker ~ Virginia Houston

LOBBY DISPLAY 1
LOBBY DISPLAY 2

TARZAN AND THE SHE-DEVIL ERBzine 1952
(1953 ~ 76m ~ RKO)
LOCATIONS: RKO Culver City Studio 40 Acres backlot
CAST: Lex Barker ~ Joyce Mackenzie
LOBBY DISPLAY
TARZAN AND THE SHE-DEVIL



Volume 0581

BILL HILLMAN
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