VIDEOS 'Tarzan' movies swing onto DVD

One 'Tarzan' set features the first six films.
By DOUG NYE
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
The Lord of the Jungle swings back into action in a big way as Tarzan leaps onto DVD in three versions, all from Warner Home Video.
At the top of the list is "The Tarzan Collection" ($59.92), a four-disc set featuring the first six films starring Johnny Weismuller as the hero created by Edgar Rice Burroughs.
The author never really cared for the way Hollywood treated his ape man, although no one heard him complain about the money he got for selling the screen rights to his character.
As created, Tarzan had been educated at one of the finest universities in the world and spoke perfect English. There was none of the "Me Tarzan, you Jane" stuff.
But Hollywood never could resist putting its own stamp on a character. So when MGM hired former Olympic swimmer Weismuller, the scriptwriters decided to make Tarzan something of a childish oaf.
Considering Weismuller's limited thespian abilities, maybe that wasn't such a bad idea. Still, the movies continue to be fun to watch.
On the discs
The collection includes:
U"Tarzan, the Ape Man" (1932): This one shows its age, but devotees of the legend should enjoy seeing how MGM handled the first in the series. It also introduced the most famous Tarzan yell.
Raised by apes since a baby, Tarzan grows up in the jungle, where he learns to live with and command the animals. He encounters Jane Porter (Maureen O'Sullivan), who is accompanying an ivory expedition to Africa, and they soon fall in love.
U"Tarzan and His Mate" (1934): Many critics consider this the best of the Weismuller films. Certainly it is the most eye-catching. Filmed before the strict Hollywood production code was in force, it spotlights Jane (O'Sullivan) in an amazingly skimpy outfit. There is also a lengthy nude underwater sequence of Jane and Tarzan swimming together.
The story? Oh yeah. It has to do with the ivory hunters' returning and trying to persuade Jane to return to London. Unknown to her, they also want to get Tarzan out of the way permanently.
U"Tarzan Escapes" (1936): By the time this was filmed, the code had taken effect and O'Sullivan had to don a more ladylike costume. Another safari shows up. This time they're out to capture Tarzan and turn him into a carnival exhibit.
U"Tarzan Finds a Son" (1939): Johnny Sheffield is introduced as "Boy," whom Tarzan rescues from a plane wreck. Eventually he and Jane "adopt" the youngster. Five years later, a search party arrives in the jungle to look for Boy with the intention of eliminating him.
U"Tarzan's Secret Treasure" (1941): Tarzan battles gold hunters who hold Jane and Boy hostage.
U"Tarzan's New York Adventure" (1942): One of the most enjoyable films of the series. Animal trappers take Boy to New York with Tarzan and Jane in hot pursuit. There are many humorous scenes of the ape man trying to cope with life in the Big Apple. This marked O'Sullivan's last fling as Jane. Weismuller would carry on for six more films.
The DVD collection includes a new documentary, "Tarzan: Silver Screen King of the Jungle"; numerous trailers; and a variety of short subjects including "Scharzan the Conqueror," a spoof starring comic Jimmy Durante.
Other films
The other Tarzans:
U"Tarzan, the Ape Man" (1981; $19.97): Miles O'Keefe plays the title role and almost makes Weismuller seem Shakespearean. The film's main attraction is Bo Derek parading around sans wardrobe. Richard Harris gives a way-over-the-top performance as her father.
U"Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes" (1984; $19.97): A well- intentioned film bent on telling the "true" story becomes a bit stuffy when the scene shifts to civilization. Christopher Lambert is a credible Tarzan, and Andie McDowell makes for an effective Jane.