Tarzan and the Valley of Gold

Last updated

Tarzan and the Valley of Gold
TarzanValleyGold-film.jpg
Original film poster by Reynold Brown
Directed by Robert Day
Written by Clair Huffaker
Based onCharacters created
by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Produced by Sy Weintraub
Starring Mike Henry
Nancy Kovack
David Opatoshu
Manuel Padilla Jr.
Don Megowan
Cinematography Irving Lippman
Edited by Frank P. Keller
Music by Van Alexander
Production
company
Banner Productions
Distributed by American International Pictures
Release date
  • 1 July 1966 (1966-07-01)
Running time
90 minutes
CountriesSwitzerland
United States
LanguageEnglish

Tarzan and the Valley of Gold is a 1966 Eastmancolor adventure film starring Mike Henry in his debut as Tarzan. [1] The Panavision film, the twenty-sixth film of the Tarzan film series that began with 1932's Tarzan the Ape Man , produced by Sy Weintraub, written by Clair Huffaker, and directed by Robert Day, is remembered for its very James Bond-like portrayal of a tropical-suited, globetrotting Tarzan. [2] Released on July 1, 1966, it was followed by Tarzan and the Great River in 1967.

Contents

The novelization by Fritz Leiber was the first authorised Tarzan novel by an author other than Edgar Rice Burroughs, and was officially the 25th book in the series.

Plot

Augustus Vinero is a wealthy international criminal known for his habit of sending explosive wristwatches or necklaces to those not in his favor. When he hears of Ramel, a small boy who may know the location of the fabled Valley of Gold in Mexico, he sends a death squad of plainclothes mercenaries which destroys the farmhouse (and its inhabitants) where Ramel is being sheltered.

Prior to his murder, the head of the farmhouse summoned his old friend Tarzan to track the kidnappers and rescue the boy. Aware of Tarzan's arrival, Vinero uses one of his assassins to impersonate a taxi driver to meet Tarzan at the airport. Tarzan is driven to an ambush in an empty stadium. After the driver is killed, Tarzan kills the sniper by crushing him with a giant Coca-Cola bottle used in the stadium for advertising.

The local authorities take Tarzan to the boy's wrecked compound and offer Tarzan troops, technology and weapons for his mission. Tarzan turns them down in favor of his own equipment: a chimpanzee scout called Dinky, a lion named Major, Ramel's pet leopard, his hunting knife and his uniform of a loincloth.

Meanwhile, Vinero and his private army are heading for the lost city in two separate parties, one led by Vinero and the other party has Ramel. Vinero's uniformed private army is well equipped with American World War II small arms, an M5A1 Stuart light tank, an M3 Half-track and a Bell 47 helicopter. Tarzan catches up with Ramel's party, the leopard is killed and Tarzan kills Vinero's thugs. Tarzan calls Vinero on a walkie-talkie and tells him what has happened and warns Vinero not to continue, Vinero sends a helicopter which Tarzan, using a captured M1919 Browning machine gun (that he fires from the hip but misses) and then a bolus of Mk 2 grenades, brings down.

Vinero had forced Sophia Renault, his mistress, to stay with him, but now he no longer needs her and leaves her in the bush with an explosive pendant round her neck. Tarzan finds her and removes the pendant. Ramel tells Tarzan that Sophia helped him escape. Tarzan, Sophia, Ramel, Major and Dinky head for the City of Gold.

Ignoring Tarzan's warning, Vinero's army have discovered the entrance to the Valley of Gold through a cave, previously described by Ramel. Tarzan's party arrives at the same cave. Tarzan sends the others on to warn the city's inhabitants, tracks Vinero's men in the cave entrance to the lost city and further demonstrates his expertise in weaponry by wiping out Vinero's rear guard ambush party by crushing them with stalactites hanging over them which he shoots down with a captured M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle. Vinero retreats to the cave entrance.

Tarzan goes into the city and finds that the city people are proposing to do nothing because they are too peaceful. Vinero meantime blasts a wider path through the cave and brings their vehicles to the valley. The chief says he will give away all the gold rather than lose a single life and then locks Tarzan in a room to stop him fighting. Upon arrival in the peaceful city (Tukamay), Vinero demands all the gold in the city and provides motivation by having his tank shell the buildings which kills several of the city's inhabitants. Vinero says he will return for all the gold and to meet the chief's other guest 'from Africa'.

Tarzan, now released, persuades the chief to give up all the gold and get everyone out of the city. All the gold is put in a pile in the center of the now deserted city. However, the Chief (Manco) lets slip that there is only one more piece of gold left. Vinero has his troops start to load the halftrack up with the gold and orders the chief to take him to the last piece of gold or else more lives will be lost. From a room full of junk, Vinero goes through a door, apparently made of solid gold, and starts to inspect the room which has gold dust on the floor.

Meanwhile, Tarzan gets into the tank. The loaded halftrack is being driven away but Tarzan eliminates the remainder of the army (except for the main henchman, Mr. Train), by expertly using the cannon of the tank on the halftrack and the army. As Vinero eagerly attempts to pull a golden ornament off the wall, the ceiling releases enough gold dust to fill the room and smother him, at the same time as Tarzan fights and defeats Vinero's hulking Oddjob-type henchman, Mr. Train.

With the threat from Vinero's army ended, Tarzan and Sophia leave the Valley of Gold and return to the outside civilization.

Cast

Production notes

This was filmed entirely on location in Mexico – near Acapulco, at Mexico City's Plaza de Toros, at the Chapultepec Castle, the Teotihuacan ruins, and in the caves at Guerrero. [3]

Nancy Kovack replaced Sharon Tate in the role of Sophia Renault just before filming began in 1965. Tate can be seen with Henry in publicity stills that were published in newspapers when the film was announced.

Early drafts of the script were entitled, Tarzan and the Treasure of Tucumai and Tarzan '66. [4]

Home media

Tarzan and the Valley of Gold was released by Warner Home Video on DVD on 20 April 2010, as part of their Warner Archives DVD-on-demand collection.

Novel

Tarzan and the Valley of Gold
TarzanValleyGold.jpg
Author Fritz Leiber
Series Tarzan (book series)
Publisher Ballantine Books
Publication date
April 1966
Media typePrint (paperback)
Pages317
ISBN 90-01-73325-5
OCLC 4154942
Preceded by Tarzan and the Castaways (1965) 
Followed by Tarzan: The Lost Adventure (1995) 

The Edgar Rice Burroughs estate chose Fritz Leiber to write an authorised novel based on Huffaker's screenplay. Leiber's novel was released in paperback by Ballantine Books in April 1966, [5] and features an expanded version of the film's story with footnotes detailing connections to Tarzan's past adventures as chronicled by Burroughs. [2] An ebook edition was issued by Gateway/Orion in August 2013, and a hardcover edition illustrated by Richard Hescox by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. in August 2019. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edgar Rice Burroughs</span> American writer (1875–1950)

Edgar Rice Burroughs was an American writer, best known for his prolific output in the adventure, science fiction, and fantasy genres. Best known for creating the characters Tarzan and John Carter, he also wrote the Pellucidar series, the Amtor series, and the Caspak trilogy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russ Manning</span> American cartoonist

Russell George Manning was an American comic book artist who created the series Magnus, Robot Fighter and illustrated such newspaper comic strips as Tarzan and Star Wars. He was inducted into the Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame in 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nancy Kovack</span> American actress

Nancy Kovack is a retired American film and television actress.

Opar is a fictional lost city in the Tarzan novels of Edgar Rice Burroughs and later the Khokarsa novels of Philip José Farmer and Christopher Paul Carey, as well as various derivative works in other media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Pierce</span> American actor, football player and coach (1900–1983)

James Hubert Pierce was an American actor and the fourth actor to portray Tarzan on film. He appeared in films from 1924 to 1951.

<i>Tarzan of the Apes</i> (1918 film) 1918 film directed by Scott Sidney

Tarzan of the Apes is a 1918 American action/adventure silent film directed by Scott Sidney starring Elmo Lincoln, Enid Markey, George B. French and Gordon Griffith.

<i>The Return of Tarzan</i> 1913 novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs

The Return of Tarzan is a novel by American writer Edgar Rice Burroughs, the second in his series of twenty-four books about the title character Tarzan. It was first published in the pulp magazine New Story Magazine in the issues for June through December 1913; the first book edition was published in 1915 by A. C. McClurg.

<i>Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar</i> 1916 novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar is a novel by American writer Edgar Rice Burroughs, the fifth in his series of twenty-four books about the title character Tarzan. It first appeared in the November and December issues of All-Story Cavalier Weekly in 1916, and the first book publication was by McClurg in 1918.

<i>Tarzan the Terrible</i> 1921 novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Tarzan the Terrible is a novel by American writer Edgar Rice Burroughs, the eighth in his series of twenty-four books about the title character Tarzan. It was first published as a serial in the pulp magazine Argosy All-Story Weekly in the issues for February 12, 19, and 26 and March 5, 12, 19, and 26, 1921; the first book edition was published in June 1921 by A. C. McClurg. Its setting, Pal-ul-don, is one of the more thoroughly realized "lost civilizations" in Burroughs' Tarzan stories. The novel contains a map of the place as well as a glossary of its inhabitants' language.

<i>Tarzan at the Earths Core</i> 1930 novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Tarzan at the Earth's Core is a novel by American writer Edgar Rice Burroughs, serialized in September 1929 to March 1930, the thirteenth in his series of twenty-four books about the title character Tarzan and the fourth in his series set in the interior world of Pellucidar.

<i>Tarzan and the City of Gold</i> 1932 novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Tarzan and the City of Gold is a novel by American writer Edgar Rice Burroughs, the sixteenth in his series of twenty-four books about the title character Tarzan. The novel was originally serialized in the magazine Argosy from March through April 1932.

<i>Tarzan and the Forbidden City</i> 1938 novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Tarzan and the Forbidden City is a novel by American writer Edgar Rice Burroughs, the twentieth in his series of twenty-four books about the title character Tarzan.

<i>Tarzan the Magnificent</i> (novel) Novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Tarzan the Magnificent is a book by American writer Edgar Rice Burroughs, the twenty-first in his series of twenty-four books about the title character Tarzan. It was originally published as two separate stories serialized in different pulp magazines; "Tarzan and the Magic Men" in Argosy from September to October, 1936, and "Tarzan and the Elephant Men" in Blue Book from November 1937 to January 1938. The two stories were combined under the title Tarzan the Magnificent in the first book edition, published in 1939 by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. In order of writing, the book follows Tarzan's Quest and precedes Tarzan and the Forbidden City. In order of book publication it falls between the latter and Tarzan and the Foreign Legion. The novel's plot bears no relation to that of the 1960 film of the same title.

<i>Tarzan and the Jungle Boy</i> 1968 film by Robert Gordon

Tarzan and the Jungle Boy is a 1968 adventure film starring Mike Henry in his third and final appearance as Tarzan. Rafer Johnson and Aliza Gur co-star. The film was produced by Sy Weintraub and Robert Day, written by Stephen Lord and directed by Robert Gordon. Released on May 1, 1968, it is the twenty-eighth and final film in the Tarzan film series that began with 1932's Tarzan the Ape Man, and was followed by a self-titled remake film in 1981.

<i>Tarzan and the Trappers</i> 1966 American film

Tarzan and the Trappers is a 1966 action adventure film featuring Edgar Rice Burroughs' famous jungle hero Tarzan and starring Gordon Scott, Eve Brent, Rickie Sorensen and Lesley Bradley. The twentieth film of the Tarzan film series that began with 1932's Tarzan the Ape Man, it was filmed in 1958 as three pilot episodes for a television series which were edited into a feature film when the project was abandoned. As a television project, it was shot in black-and-white rather than color, like other contemporary Tarzan films, including Tarzan's Fight for Life, released later the same year. The film did finally appear on television, but only in 1966. It was shot in Chatsworth, California.

<i>Tarzan the Fearless</i> 1933 American film

Tarzan the Fearless is a 12 chapter American Pre-Code film serial starring Buster Crabbe in his only appearance as Tarzan. It was also released as a 61-minute feature film which consisted of the first four chapters edited together, and which was intended to be followed on a weekly basis by the last eight chapters in individual episode format, but which was often exhibited instead as a stand-alone feature film. Actress Jacqueline Wells co-starred; she later changed her name to Julie Bishop. The serial was produced by Sol Lesser, written by Basil Dickey, George Plympton and Walter Anthony, and directed by Robert F. Hill. The film was released in both formats on August 11, 1933.

<i>Tarzan and the Amazons</i> 1945 film by Kurt Neumann

Tarzan and the Amazons a 1945 American adventure film starring Johnny Weissmuller in his ninth outing as Tarzan. Brenda Joyce plays Jane, in the first of her five appearances in the role, and Johnny Sheffield makes his sixth appearance as Boy. Henry Stephenson and Maria Ouspenskaya co-star.

<i>Tarzan and the Huntress</i> 1947 film by Kurt Neumann

Tarzan and the Huntress is a 1947 American adventure film starring Johnny Weissmuller in his eleventh outing as Tarzan. Brenda Joyce makes the third of five appearances as Jane and Johnny Sheffield marks his eighth and final appearance as Boy. Patricia Morison and Barton MacLane co-star. The film was produced by Sol Lesser and Kurt Neumann, written by Jerry Gruskin and Rowland Leigh and directed by Kurt Neumann. It was released on April 5, 1947.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tarzan</span> Fictional character from Edgar Rice Burroughss Tarzan of the Apes

Tarzan is a fictional character, a feral child raised in the African jungle by the Mangani great apes; he later experiences civilization, only to reject it and return to the wild as a heroic adventurer.

<i>Tarzan</i> (book series) Books of the Tarzan series of Edgar Rice Burroughs

Tarzan is a series of 24 adventure novels written by Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875–1950) and published between 1912 and 1966, followed by several novels either co-written by Burroughs, or officially authorized by his estate. There are also two works written by Burroughs especially for children that are not considered part of the main series.

References

  1. ↑ Fury, David (1994). Kings of the Jungle: An Illustrated Reference to Tarzan on Screen and Television. McFarland & Co. pp. 192–195. ISBN   0-89950-771-9 . Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  2. 1 2 Hillman, William. "Tarzan and the Valley of Gold". ERB C.H.A.S.E.R Encyclopedia. ERBzine, Volume 0210.
  3. ↑ "Tarzan and the Valley of Gold (1966)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  4. ↑ https://www.erbzine.com/mag2/tzvalley3.jpg [ bare URL image file ]
  5. 1 2 Tarzan and the Valley of Gold title listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database

Sources

Preceded by
Tarzan and the Castaways 		Tarzan series
Tarzan and the Valley of Gold		Succeeded by
Tarzan: The Lost Adventure
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.