Sheena, Queen of the Jungle (TV series)

Last updated
Sheena, Queen of the Jungle
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes26
Production
ProducerDon Sharpe
Original release
Release1956 (1956) –
1957 (1957)

Sheena, Queen of the Jungle is a syndicated American television adventure series that was broadcast in 1956-1957. [1] The title character was "the female counterpart of Tarzan." [2]

Contents

Background

The series was based on the Sheena, Queen of the Jungle comic book character. An initial attempt at a Sheena-based TV series occurred with the writing of a script proposal in 1952. A second attempt at such a series in 1955 resulted in a pilot with Anita Ekberg as Sheena, but the pilot was never broadcast. [1] Ekberg "failed to show up for location shooting in the jungles of Mexico", and Irish McCalla replaced her in the title role of the series. [3]

Premise

An African chief discovered a young girl who survived a plane crash [1] in which her parents were killed. [4] As she grew up she was taught to "respect good men and hate bad ones." [1] The series featured activities of Sheena as a grown woman who fought evil. Bob, a white trader (portrayed by Christian Drake), and Chim, a chimpanzee, helped her. [1] Sheena's ability to control animals was useful in her efforts. [4] Bob was often captured, leading to his being rescued by Sheena. [5]

Production

Sheena was filmed in Mexico, and 26 half-hour episodes were produced. [5] Don Sharpe was the producer. [6] The show was a property of ABC Film Syndication Inc. [7] Nassour Brothers produced the series. [8]

Critical response

Media critic John Crosby wrote, ". . . when the decision is made on the worst show on the air this will be well up among the finalists." [9] He noted that Chim accompanied Sheena everywhere and sometimes rescued her when she was in distress. He called Sheena's "chimpanzee talk" with Chim, "easily the most intelligent dialogue in the show." [9]

Ed Olly, writing in The Central New Jersey Home News , pointed out that the show was seen differently by children than by adults (especially critics). He wrote that his two little girls wanted to watch Sheena rather than Disneyland . "I will admit that Sheena, Queen of the Jungle is pretty terrible when viewed with grown-up eyes', he said, "but kids do not see things the same way as a dramatic critic. They do not demand that the characters be 'motivated' or that the dialogue be realistic, for instance. All they want is action." [10]

Jack Gould wrote about Sheena in The New York Times , "It is so bad it is completely fascinating." [11] He described the Sheena character as "a blond derivative of Jane Russell", the dialogue as "basic Tarzan", and the acting as "elementary Ramar". [11]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Terrace, Vincent (October 21, 2022). From Radio to Television: Programs That Made the Transition, 1929-2021. McFarland. p. 204. ISBN   978-1-4766-4693-0 . Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  2. ↑ McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television: the Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present (4th ed.). New York, New York: Penguin Books USA, Inc. p. 743. ISBN   0-14-02-4916-8.
  3. ↑ Erickson, Hal (1989). Syndicated Television: The First Forty Years, 1947-1987'. McFarland & Company, Inc. pp. 42–43. ISBN   0-7864-1198-8.
  4. 1 2 Terrace, Vincent (May 21, 2020). The Television Treasury: Onscreen Details from Sitcoms, Dramas and Other Scripted Series, 1947-2019. McFarland. p. 211. ISBN   978-1-4766-4032-7 . Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  5. 1 2 Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (June 24, 2009). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Random House Publishing Group. p. 1227. ISBN   978-0-307-48320-1 . Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Sheena, Queen of the Jungle" (PDF). Broadcasting. July 11, 1955. p. 29. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  7. ↑ Hawes, William (December 26, 2001). Filmed Television Drama, 1952-1958. McFarland. p. 245. ISBN   978-0-7864-1132-0 . Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  8. ↑ Rich, Allen (June 21, 1955). "Listening Post and TV Review". Valley Times. California, North Hollywood. p. 24. Retrieved June 26, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  9. 1 2 Crosby, John (May 5, 1956). "Blood and Greasepaint". Los Angeles Mirror. p. 22. Retrieved June 28, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ Olly, Ed (May 6, 1956). "Video Views". The Central New Jersey Home News. New Jersey, New Brunswick. p. 8. Retrieved June 28, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  11. 1 2 Gould, Jack (February 23, 1956). "TV: Barefoot in Africa: 'Sheena, Queen of Jungle,' a New Series, Is Avoided Even by Chimpanzee" . The New York Times. p. 55. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
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