I had seen this film perhaps 50 years ago, and remembered it fondly. Seeing it today, I realize just how good it is. The plot, acting, animal work, and cinematography are superior. It is the better than any Tarzan film with the possible exception of Tarzan and His Mate. Certainly Crabbe looks better than Weissmuller, is a far better actor, and takes more risks with the animals. There is some doubling, of course, but the stunt man is a much better match than in the Tarzans. The animal work is truly exciting, both in Africa and America. The climatic scenes of the animals and people interacting in the fire is astounding. Certainly, it couldn't be made today.
I appreciated that Crabbe's Casper is intelligent. In the first Tarzan book, Tarzan learns French, and in the second, English. MGM probably, wisely, decided Weissmuller wasn't up to the challenge. In sum, Crabbe is in every way superior: looks, acting, stunts. He is surrounded by an excellent cast, as strong as any A picture Paramount would mount. The locations are believable, and photographed to advantage. In all, this is an excellent production, one that deserves a much wider audience.
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