Greystoked

Michael and Noel kick off the 1950s era of Tarzan movies with Lex Barker's second appearance as the ape man. Lee Sholem is back in the director's chair, but there's a new Jane as Vanessa Brown becomes the first of many actors to rotate through the role for the rest of Barker's run.

Michael, Noel, and guest David May review the decade in which Tarzan fully became king not only of the jungle, but also all of pop culture. We re-discuss the move of the film series from MGM to RKO under Sol Lesser's leadership while also covering the many comics and film imitators like Nyoka the Jungle Girl and Jo-Jo the Congo King. Opening music from Terry and the Pirates by Lee Zahler Closing music from Bomba the Jungle Boy by Edward J Kay

Noel and Michael watch the last Tarzan movie of the 1940s, in which Johnny Weissmuller has been replaced as the ape man by Lex Barker. They discuss Barker's alarming post-Tarzan behavior and how knowing that affects viewing his work, including Tarzan's Magic Fountain. And they also bid farewell to Brenda Joyce in her last appearance as Jane.

Michael and Noel wrap up the Johnny Weissmuller era the same way they began it, with guest Ron Marz (Batman/Tarzan: Claws of the Catwoman, Korak the Killer), who'd just returned from South Africa with stories of an actual safari . It's mermaids in Mexico and memoirs about mammals in this very special episode.

Noel and Michael are joined by Tim from the CinemaSpection podcast to discuss Johnny Sheffield's last film as Boy. In many ways, Tarzan and the Huntress is a return to form for the series. Noel, Michael, and Tim talk about whether or not that's a good thing.