 | |
| Author | Roy Rockwood |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Stratemeyer Syndicate |
Publication date | 1926–1938 |
| Publication place | North America |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 210 |
Bomba, the Jungle Boy is a series of American boys' adventure books produced by the Stratemeyer Syndicate under the pseudonym Roy Rockwood. and published by Cupples and Leon in the first half of the 20th century, in imitation of the successful Tarzan series.[ citation needed ]
Twenty books are in the series. The first 10 (published from 1926–1930) are set in South America, where Bomba, a white boy who grew up in the jungle, tries to discover his origin. The second set of 10 books (published from 1931–1938) shift the scene to Africa, where a slightly older Bomba has jungle adventures. The first editions all used the same cover illustration on their dust jackets; only the title would differ from book to book.
A common theme of the Bomba books is stated in the first volume of the series, when Bomba concludes that: "The native's souls were asleep. The white men's souls were awake. And he was white!" [1] Richard A. Lupoff, in his book Master of Adventure, a study of the works of Tarzan creator Edgar Rice Burroughs, describes the Bomba tales as more blatantly racist than the often-criticized Tarzan books. [2]
From 1949 through 1955, Monogram Pictures brought the character to the motion-picture screen in 12 Bomba films, starring Johnny Sheffield. [3] Sheffield was already established as an outdoor star; he had portrayed the character Boy in the Tarzan movies with Johnny Weissmuller. The Bomba films were all set in Africa.
When the Bomba films proved popular with young audiences, the first ten Bomba books were reprinted in the 1950s with all-new cover illustrations by Grosset & Dunlap, a publisher of many popular series books such as the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. These same books were reprinted again later by Clover Books, a short-lived publisher that also reprinted the Grosset and Dunlap series Tom Quest. Although the Clover editions had no dustjackets, they retained the Grosset & Dunlap cover art.
In 1962, WGN-TV repackaged the Bomba films as a primetime summertime series called Zim Bomba that became a local ratings sensation. WGN executive Fred Silverman stated that "Zim" meant "Son of" in Swahili. [4]
In 1967–1968, DC Comics published a Bomba comic book series. It ran for seven issues and included scripts by Denny O'Neil and artwork by Jack Sparling. Stories from this series later were reprinted in DC's Tarzan title, but the character was re-named Simba, as DC no longer held the license.
All of the first editions had the same picture on the dust jacket; only the title was different. The Grosset and Dunlap books had different cover art on the dust jacket of each title. The Clover editions had no dustjackets, but had picture covers reprinting the Grosset and Dunlap art.
Walter Mirisch had been general manager of Monogram Pictures since 1945. They specialized in low-budget movies, including series of regular characters such as Charlie Chan, Joe Palooka, and the Bowery Boys. Mirisch looked at the success of the Tarzan films and remembered the Bomba novels; he thought they might translate well into movies.
In November 1947, Monogram announced it had bought the rights to all 20 of the novels. The studio assigned Walter Mirisch to oversee their production, with the intention of making three Bomba films per year, in color. [5] They were seeking a male actor aged 18 to 20 to star. [6]
In September 1948, Monogram's president, Steve Broidy, announced that the studio would make two Bomba films over the following year, and the films would be in black and white. [7] The decision to film in black-and-white was based on economics and efficiency: the studio could insert authentic, black-and-white jungle footage into the new productions. Veteran action director Ford Beebe directed all of the films and scripted most of them. Only two actors appeared regularly as Bomba's companions: Leonard Mudie as deputy commissioner Andy Barnes, and Smoki Whitfield as friendly native Eli. African-American actor James Adamson made occasional appearances in various roles.
Mirisch later claimed he was paid $2,500 per film, and the success of the series launched him as a producer.; [8] he later became a senior executive at Monogram's successor, Allied Artists Pictures Corporation.
Johnny Sheffield retired at age 24 after completing the twelfth Bomba film, "Lord of the Jungle".
(Note* - Johnny Sheffield plays Bomba in all 12 films)
Johnny Sheffield was an American child actor who, between 1939 and 1947, portrayed Boy in the Tarzan film series and, between 1949 and 1955, played Bomba, the Jungle Boy.
Monogram Pictures Corporation was an American film studio that produced mostly low-budget films between 1931 and 1953, when the firm completed a transition to the name Allied Artists Pictures Corporation. Monogram was among the smaller studios in the golden age of Hollywood, generally referred to collectively as Poverty Row. Lacking the financial resources to deliver the lavish sets, production values, and star power of the larger studios, Monogram sought to attract its audiences with the promise of action and adventure.
Tom Quest is the central character in a series of eight adventure novels for adolescent boys written by Lone Ranger series author Fran Striker. The first six novels were published by Grosset & Dunlap between 1947 and 1952. The series was later reprinted by Clover Books, when #7-8 were published. The six Grosset & Dunlap titles were issued in dust jacket; the Clover Books reprints and their two original titles have picture covers and no dust jackets. The plot of volume #8 was lifted from Striker's Gene Autry and the Redwood Pirates.
Grosset & Dunlap is a New York City-based publishing house founded in 1898.
Jungle Jim is the fictional hero of a series of jungle adventures in various media. The series began on January 7, 1934, as an American newspaper comic strip chronicling the adventures of Asia-based hunter Jim Bradley, who was nicknamed Jungle Jim. The character also trekked through radio, film, comic book and television adaptations. Notable was a series of films and television episodes in which Johnny Weissmuller portrayed the safari-suit wearing character, after hanging up his Tarzan loincloth. The strip concluded on August 8, 1954.
Tarzan Finds a Son! is a 1939 Tarzan film based on the character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs. It was the fourth in the MGM Tarzan series to feature Johnny Weissmuller as the "King of the Apes" and the fourth of six films in which he stars with Maureen O'Sullivan as Jane; following this pairing was Tarzan's Secret Treasure (1941) and Tarzan's New York Adventure (1942).
Tarzan's Secret Treasure is a 1941 American adventure film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Johnny Weissmuller, Maureen O'Sullivan and Johnny Sheffield. Based on the Tarzan character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs, it is the fifth in the MGM Tarzan series to feature Weissmuller and O'Sullivan. Original prints of the film were processed in sepiatone.
Cupples & Leon was an American publishing company founded in 1902 by Victor I. Cupples (1864–1941) and Arthur T. Leon (1867–1943). They published juvenile fiction and children's books but are mainly remembered today as the major publisher of books collecting comic strips during the early decades of the 20th century.
The Lost Volcano is a 1950 American adventure film. It was the third in the 12-film Bomba, the Jungle Boy series, based on the Bomba series of juvenile adventure books.
Bomba, the Jungle Boy is a 1949 American adventure film directed by Ford Beebe, based on the first of the Bomba series of juvenile adventure books. It was the first in a 12-film series featuring Bomba, a sort of teenage Tarzan, played by Johnny Sheffield, who as a child had played "Boy" in several previous Tarzan films.
Bomba on Panther Island is a 1949 American adventure film based on the Bomba series of juvenile adventure books. The film is directed by Ford Beebe and stars Johnny Sheffield. It is the second in the 12-film Bomba series following Bomba the Jungle Boy (1949).
Lord of the Jungle is a 1955 American adventure film directed by Ford Beebe and starring Johnny Sheffield. It is the 12th and final film in the Bomba, the Jungle Boy series, which were based on the Bomba series of juvenile adventure books. It was also Sheffield's final film. He died in 2010.
Killer Leopard is a 1954 American adventure film directed by Ford Beebe and starring Johnny Sheffield and Beverly Garland. It was the eleventh in the twelve-film Bomba, the Jungle Boy series made by Allied Artists, and based on the Bomba series of juvenile adventure books.
The Golden Idol is a 1954 American adventure film directed by Ford Beebe and starring Johnny Sheffield, Anne Kimbell and Paul Guilfoyle. It was the tenth in the 12-film Bomba, the Jungle Boy series, based on the Bomba series of juvenile adventure books. It was produced and distributed by Allied Artists
Safari Drums is a 1953 American adventure film and starring Johnny Sheffield as Bomba. It was the ninth in the 12-film Bomba, the Jungle Boy series, based on the Bomba series of juvenile adventure books.
Bomba and the Jungle Girl is a 1952 American adventure film directed by Ford Beebe and starring Johnny Sheffield. It is the eighth film in the Bomba, the Jungle Boy film series, based on the Bomba series of juvenile adventure books.
African Treasure is a 1952 American adventure film directed by Ford Beebe and starring Johnny Sheffield. It was the seventh in the 12-film Bomba, the Jungle Boy series, based on the Bomba series of juvenile adventure books.
Elephant Stampede is a 1951 American adventure film directed by Ford Beebe and starring Johnny Sheffield, Donna Martell and Edith Evanson. It was the sixth in the 12-film Bomba, the Jungle Boy series, based on the Bomba series of juvenile adventure books.The film's sets were designed by the art director, Vin Taylor.
The Lion Hunters is a 1951 American low-budget adventure film directed by Ford Beebe and starring Johnny Sheffield, Morris Ankrum, Ann Todd, Douglas Kennedy and Woody Strode, billed as "Woodrow Strode" in his first credited role. It was the fifth in the 12-film Bomba, the Jungle Boy series from poverty row Monogram Pictures, based on the Bomba series of juvenile adventure books. The film's sets were designed by the art directors Dave Milton and Vin Taylor.
Bomba and the Hidden City is a 1950 American adventure film based on the Bomba series of juvenile adventure books. It was the fourth film in the 12-film Bomba, the Jungle Boy series.
