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The Son of Tarzan

Serial and Feature Film

National Film Corporation renewed their contract with Burroughs after Bill Parsons' death in 1919. Tarzan was now considered a valuable property and Burroughs was paid a whopping $20,000 plus a percentage for The Son of Tarzan. Veterans of earlier Tarzan films, Karla Schramm and Gordon Griffith, were hired to play Jane and Tarzan's son, Jack. Since Lincoln and Pollar were still under contract to Universal they made a surprising choice for the new Tarzan. The role went to Perce Dempsey Tabler (a.k.a. Percy Dempsey Tabler or P. Dempsey Tabler), a middle-aged actor whose feeble physique and poorly designed toupee failed to convince anyone that he was the Lord of the Jungle. Luckily the role of Tarzan was secondary in the film and their choice for the starring role of Tarzan's son Jack (his ape name was Korak),  went first to western star Jack Hoxie who was replaced before production began by an exotic young actor from Hawaii, Kamuela Searle.

Searle was widely touted as a rising star. His first name was Samuel, but he used the Hawaiian equivalent of that name, Kamuela, as his professional name. Like the Tarzans before him Searle insisted on performing his own stunts. The unathletic Tabler also did his own stunt work but suffered broken ribs and other injuries during the filming. Before shooting began, Searle took his upcoming role very seriously. He spent a month in the desert to toughen himself up for the demanding role of Tarzan's son. A legendary Hollywood rumour has it that his insistence on putting himself at risk resulted in a near tragedy. His final stunt called for him to be tied to a wooden stake and carried off by an elephant in its trunk. The scene went as planned in rehearsals but once the cameras rolled, the elephant became frightened by the crowds and flames, and slammed Searle to the ground, severely injuring him. Searle was hospitalized while a double stood in for him in the last scene.

The storyline of the film has Jack (ape name: Korak the Killer) kidnapped from England by one of Tarzan's old enemies, Paulvitch, and taken to Africa. He escapes to grow up in the jungle with the help of Paulvitch's trained ape, Akut. Director Revier used a well-executed triple exposure effect to show Jack's transformation from a studious normal boy into a combative jungle boy -- a scene that impressed Burroughs. He befriends Meriem, a girl from an Arab tribe. He soon falls in love with the girl, who later turns out to be a kidnapped  heiress who is sought by Paulvitch. Tarzan's son Jack (ape name: Korak the Killer)  is kidnapped from England by Tarzan's old enemy Paulvitch.  Tarzan and Jane arrive at their African estate to save the day.

The Son of Tarzan was released as a 15-chapter serial in 1921. The realistic scene of Searle's near fatal accident remained in the picture and proved an irresistible draw. For years it has been reported that Searle was killed during the making of this film, but this myth was debunked in the Burroughs Bulletin after Searle's brother wrote a letter to the editor explaining that Kamuela had been diagnosed with cancer in 1919 and died of it on February 14, 1924, in a Los Angeles hospital. Of special interest to fans (as well as to censorship boards) was the marriage of Tarzan and Jane in the opening chapters.

The serial footage was adapted into a six-reel feature -- much of the editing done by Edgar Rice Burroughs himself in his projection room at Tarzana Ranch. It was released as Jungle Trail of the Son of Tarzan on October 20, 1923. This version is lost.

The film was another box office and critical success, but producers now faced a major problem: they had no one in the wings to play future Tarzans. Pollar, disillusioned by the contract haggling between studios that had pushed him out of the role, had quit acting and returned to firefighting, Everyone realized that Tabler was totally ill-suited for the role and Searle was injured or sick and dying. They realized that the one actor who had been totally successful in the role was Elmo Lincoln, but even he was not the type of Tarzan Burroughs had in mind. Elmo Lincoln was still at Universal, where he was having a successful run of serials and adventure films. Numa Pictures who still had the rights to one more Tarzan film entered into a deal with another company, Great Western, who leased the production rights and were able to negotiate with Universal to get Lincoln back for the role. In the process, Burroughs was sued but won the court case in New York in February 1923. The way was clear for Weiss Brothers' Numa Pictures and Great Western to produce a Tarzan serial starring Elmo Lincoln.

Glass slides of The Son of Tarzan 1920: 2 Title Stock Glass slides and one of each of the first 4 episodes.
From the Ron de Laat collection

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CREDITS

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Directors: Arthur J. Flaven ~ Harry Revier
Producers: David P. Howells ~ Harry M. Rubey
Production Companies: National Film Corporation
Writers: Edgar Rice Burroughs (novel: Son of Tarzan) ~ Roy Somerville
CAST
P. Dempsey Tabler: Tarzan
Karla Schramm: Jane
Gordon Griffith: Son of Tarzan
Kamuela C. Searle: Korak, Son of Tarzan grown up
Eugene Burr: Ivan Paulovich
Mae Giraci: Meriem as a girl
Manilla Martan: Meriem as a young woman
Saville De Sacia
Frank Earle
Kathleen May
Frank Morrell
Lucille Rubey
Ray Thompson
Black and White, spherical, 35mm,
Silent serial in 15 episodes with aspect ratio of 1.33:1

• William Parsons the president of National Film Corporation died on September 28, 1919. He was succeeded by Harry Rubey
• On November 14, 1919, Burroughs was paid $20,000 cash and royalties for the rights to his book, The Son of Tarzan.
• The budget for the production was $106,000, the first Tarzan story to be made into a serial.
• Jack Hoxie was originally selected for the title role but was but was later moved to a starring role in a series of comedy westerns.
• The original plan was to film the production on a tropical island in the South Pacific where they would use the natives as extras.
• Harry Revier, who had just finished directing The Return of Tarzan for Numa Pictures, was selected to direct the serial
• Photodramatist (scriptwriter) Roy Somerville had written scripts for the top stars of the day: Fairbanks, the Gish sisters, Talmadges, etc.
• Filming lasted from late May 1920 through December 1920.
• Plans for filming on a tropical island were abandoned and large sets were built on and around the National lot.
• An international cast was hired: Karla Schramm from Scandinavia ~ Mae Giraci from Italy ~ Eugene Burr, Howard Johnstone and H.W. Kearly from New Zealand ~ the ape trainer actor from South Africa
• Hundreds of actresses auditioned for the part of Meriem which demanded a unique combination of beauty and jungle-ruggedness. Popular singer and dancer Manilla Martan was chosen for the role.
• Over the years there have been numerous rumours of a love triangle on the set between Searle, Martan, and Harry Revier.
• ERB was quite involved in the cutting, editing and titling of the serial and went on to edit the serial chapters into a feature version. (See Back to Tarzana Ranch 1921 ~ Part 3)
• P. Dempsey Tabler was miscast as Tarzan, Lord Greystone (sic) and fortunately his character remained in England for most of the movie.
• Tabler reportedly worked as an opera singer and travelling salesman before moving to Los Angeles.
• Lord Greystoke's name was misspelled as Greystone in most of the title cards in the serial. Paulvitch's name was spelled Paulovich.
• Former daring stuntman Kamuela Searle carried the bulk of the picture as Tarzan's son, Jack Clayton, aka Korak the Killer.
• Ocean scenes were filmed near Golden Gate bridge and two ships were burned for one of the big scenes.
• Many of the scenes were filmed on Burroughs' Tarzana Ranch in the San Fernando Valley.
• A memorable scene in the film featured ERB riding directly toward the audience to stop in a cloud of dust not far from the camera
• Through special  tinting, toning and lighting of the films National developed a faux colour effect for the film.
• A prologue summarizing the first three Tarzan films was added to the beginning of the serial.
• During the filming at Corona del Mar, the boats "Lady Alice" and "Comfort" replicas were stripped by pirates during the night and no trace of the stolen property was ever found.
• Tabler broke several ribs in a fight scene with Burr.
• Norman Tuckey (music) and Osborne Tedman (lyrics) were hired to write the first Tarzan song: "Tarzan, my Jungle King," sheet music "Written and composed especially for Son of Tarzan" (which was, ironically, a silent movie).
• The long-believed rumour of Searle's death following the infamous elephant rescue has been debunked by Burroughs enthusiasts. A letter from Searle's brother to fanzine "The Burroughs Bulletin," stated that though badly injured when the elephant slammed him to the ground still tied to a pole, Kamuela recovered, but died in 1924 of cancer.
• Burroughs was so pleased with Searle's work in the film that he presented him with a personally autographed copy of the book, "The Son of Tarzan."
• Searle was reported to have engaged in deadly combat with practically every animal in National's "Tarzan Zoo."
• The print of the feature edited from the serial still exists but missing frames, deteriorated stretches, sprocket jitters, and missing soundtrack segments make it impossible to follow. Some scenes fade to near black, others jump wildly.
• Dialogue and sound effects were dubbed into the serial for European release in the '30s but there appears to be no existing copy of this version with dialogue.
• ERB's November 28, 1921  response to a report that box office receipts had dropped off in Britain:  "I am sorry to hear that the Son of Tarzan has not proven successful in England. I fully agree with you that there have been too many Tarzan pictures on the market, and especially have the serials been harmful.  If I had had the experience that I have now, I should never have permitted one of my stories to be put in serial form; but what is done is done."
• A complete version of the original serial is preserved at UCLA.

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FILM LOCATIONS

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Film historian, Jerry Schneider, has determined that the locations in which the serial was shot. Locations include: the National Film Studio n Hollywood, the Burroughs Tarzana Ranch, the mountains of San Bernardino, the river bottom of Pico Rivera, including the current Woodland Park area, the San Francisco waterfront, and the coasts of San Francisco and Los Angeles, including the beach and palisades of Corona del Mar.

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THE INVOLVEMENT OF ERB IN PRODUCTION

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Eugene Burr, ERB, ?, P. Dempsey Tabler, Karla Schramm, Arthur J Flaven

ERB visited the National studios almost every day during the filming. He followed the progress of the film from start to finish. The Exhibitor's Trade Review (August 21, 1920) quoted him as saying: Both Director Harry J. Revier and Roy Somervile, who adapted my book for the screen, have my absolute confidence. Mr. Revier has grasped my point of view very well, and I'm sure that he will handle the story in keeping with the general idea of the printed book. I am particularly gratified to find in this director a man who doesn't think he knows it all, and is willing to take suggestions from the author of the work he is placing before the public"

The magazine also reported that, "The handsome and interesting home of Edgar Rice Burroughs, the author will be the setting of a large number of scenes for The Son of Tarzan. Mr. Burroughs lives at Tarzana, a bit of jungle Africa situation in the wonderful San Fernando Valley, only a short distance from the National Studios."

An engraved certificate from the National Film Corporation issued in 1917.
It is hand signed by the Company’s President and Secretary.
The National Film Corporation began in the spring of 1915.
Needing additional studio space, in 1918 they purchased the former Oz Studio
at the northwest corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Gower Street, but the entrance was at 1116 Lodi Street.
It was at this site that portions of their three Tarzan films were lensed,
"Tarzan of the Apes", "The Romance of Tarzan", and "The Son of Tarzan". In 1923, the company ceased operation.

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PUBLICITY

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NATIONAL MAKES SON OF TARZAN SERIAL FOR DISTRIBUTION
by David P. Howells

Production has just started on the West coast on the serial picturization of "The Son of Tarzan," according to word received by David P. Howells from the studios of the National Film Corporation of America where the drama is being filmed. Harry Revier, director of the previous "Tarzan" pictures, is directing, assisted by Edgar Rice Burroughs, author. The picture will be made under the general supervision of Captain Harry M. Rubey, president of National.

"The Son of Tarzan" is the fourth of the series of "Tarzan" stories to be screened. "Tarzan of the Apes" and "The Romance of Tarzan," both from the studios of the National Film corporation, proved successful as dramatic productions and as box-office winners. the third, "The Return of Tarzan," has been completed and is now being released with a big publicity campaign back of it.

Director Revier has arranged for a pictorial prologue which will tell briefly the story of "Tarzan" and his "Romance." To carry out this idea two sets of players were secured, one to enact the roles of the previous stories and one to play the story of The Son of Tarzan.

There has been assembled at the National Studios a varied and large collection of jungle animals. It is said that Director Revier has planned the most spectacular of his jungle scenes for picturization during the visit to Los Angeles of a large circus in order that he might utilize the circus menagerie. Steam and sailing vessels have been assembled near Los Angeles for the ocean and deck scenes. Two vessels have been bought outright that they may be burned for one of the big scenes.

K.C. Searle will play the title role. Other players inclued P. Dempsey Tabler, who will impersonate Tarzan, DeSacia Saville, Karla Schramm, May Gratcia and Kathleen May.

Production of "The Son of Tarzan" will proceed rapidly now that it has started. The prologue and the first episode have been completed and it is expected that the first few episodes will be ready for screening within the next month. It is planned to have the picture ready for release before fall by David P. Howells.

 ~ THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD, May 29, 1920

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THE SERIAL VERSION

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Click for larger image Alternate Image

Serial Chapter Titles 1. The Call of the Jungle 2. Out of the Lion's Jaws 3. The Girl of the Jungle 4. The Sheik's Revenge 5. The Pirate's Prey 6. The Killer's Mate 7. The Quest of the Killer 8. The Coming of 'Tarzan 9. The Kiss of the Beast 10. Tarzan takes the Trail 11. Ashes of Love 12. Meriem's Ride in the Night 13. Double-Cross 14. Blazing Hearts 15. An Amazing Denouement

©1920 David P. Howells. This sheet music is for use with the 15-episode serial "The Son of Tarzan."
The sheet music was used during the film's showing/live in theaters.

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CLIPPINGS

Clipping from the Laurence Dunn Collection

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From the Brian Bohnett Collection
Pastel by Kamuela Searle

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Click for larger images
Submitted by Ron de Laat

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Son of Tarzan Mirror  and  Promotional Glass Slide

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CLICK FOR FULL SIZE PROMO SPLASH BARS

The long-believed rumour of Searle's death following the infamous elephant rescue
has been debunked by Burroughs enthusiasts.
A letter from Searle's brother to fanzine "The Burroughs Bulletin,"
stated that though badly injured when the elephant slammed him to the ground still tied to a pole,
Kamuela recovered, but died in 1924 of cancer.

See ERB Events for June 7 at
https://www.erbzine.com/mag63/6331.html#JUNE7
and July 4 at
https://www.erbzine.com/mag63/6335.html#JULY4
For more info and photos

ERBzine Silver Screen Series: An Online Resource Guide to the Movies of Edgar Rice Burroughs
Karla Schramm Gallery
Back to Tarzana Ranch 1921 ~ Part 3

ERB and the Silver Screen Volume I - The Silent Years by Jerry Schneider
Jerry Schneider's Movie Making Locations
http://www.members.shaw.ca/tarz01/momtarz.html
On the Silver Screen Part 1: ERBzine 0013
Classic Images: Five Tarzans

Volume 0589

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