Jungle Jim (film): Difference between revisions
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| screenplay = Carroll Young |
| screenplay = Carroll Young |
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| story = Carroll Young |
| story = Carroll Young |
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|based on = comic strip ''[[Jungle Jim]]'' |
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| starring = [[Johnny Weissmuller]] |
| starring = [[Johnny Weissmuller]] |
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* [[Rick Vallin]] as Kolu - Chief of the Masai |
* [[Rick Vallin]] as Kolu - Chief of the Masai |
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* [[Holmes Herbert]] as Commissioner Geoffrey Marsden |
* [[Holmes Herbert]] as Commissioner Geoffrey Marsden |
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==Production== |
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The ''Jungle Jim'' comics had already been turned into a film serial in 1936 and a radio show. |
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Weismuller had appeared in Tarzan movies since 1932 but in the late 1940s his contract with producer [[Sol Lesser]] was about to expire. In February 1948 producer [[Sam Katzman]] had signed a five year deal with Johnny Weismuller to make "jungle movies" starting with two films a year for two years where the budgets would be at least $350,000.<ref>SELZNICK TO MOVE OFFICES TO COAST: New York Times 16 Feb 1948: 17. </ref> [[Hedda Hopper]] reported that these would be an adaptation of the ''[[Jungle Jim]]'' or ''[[King of the Jungle]]'' comic strips. [[William Berke]] would direct the films.<ref>Hedda Hopper--LOOKING AT HOLLYWOOD |
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Los Angeles Times 14 Feb 1948: 6.</ref> |
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Initially it was thought there was still a chance Weismuller might continue as Tarzan as well, but by April 1948 [[Lex Barker]] had signed to take over that role and Katzman announced Weismuller would make ''Jungle Jim''.<ref>METRO WILL FILM NEW SLATER NOVEL: Studio Buys the Screen Rights to 'Conspirator' for $40,000 -- Story of Russian Spy |
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By THOMAS F. BRADYSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES. New York Times 27 Apr 1948: 29. </ref> |
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Filming started on August 3. Weismuller would make two films a year for five years.<ref>NEWS OF THE SCREEN: Rathvon Submits Resignation as Head of RKO -Will Stay With Firm a 'Reasonable Time' |
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By THOMAS M. PRYORSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES. New York Times (1923-Current file); New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]24 July 1948: 8. </ref> Virginia Grey was cast as female lead shortly before filming commenced.<ref>Metro Offers Milland Lead in 'Conspirator' |
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Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 3 Aug 1948: B5. </ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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Revision as of 07:59, 23 February 2020
| Jungle Jim | |
|---|---|
 Film Poster | |
| Directed by | William Berke |
| Screenplay by | Carroll Young |
| Story by | Carroll Young |
| Produced by | Sam Katzman |
| Starring | Johnny Weissmuller |
| Cinematography | Lester White |
| Edited by | Aaron Stell |
Production company | Esskay Pictures Corporation |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date | December 15, 1948 |
Running time | 72 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Jungle Jim is a 1948 black and white adventure film directed by William Berke and starring Johnny Weissmuller. It is based on Alex Raymond's Jungle Jim comic strip and was distributed by Columbia Pictures. It is the first picture in the Jungle Jim series that consists of 16 films originally released between 1948 and 1955.
In 1954, Columbia turned over its Jungle Jim rights to its television subsidiary, and in the last three films of the series Weissmuller's character is named "Johnny Weissmuller" instead of Jungle Jim. Devil Goddess (1955) was the last entry in the series, as well as being Weissmuller's last feature film.[1]
Plot
![[icon]](./wiki.php?slug=File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2012) |
After attempting in vain to save a man from being mauled to death by a leopard, Jungle Jim discovers a vial containing an unknown potion. He takes it to district commissioner Marsden, who identifies it as being from the hidden temple of Zimbalu and brings in Dr. Hilary Parker to head up an expedition with Jim as her guide.
An opportunistic photographer, Bruce Edwards, follows as Dr. Parker seeks what she believes could be a miraculous breakthrough in medicine. Jim is more concerned that witch doctors use what's in the vial as a deadly poison. His trusty ally Kolu comes along and saves Jim when he is pushed off a cliff by Edwards. The favor is returned when Jim rescues Kolu from an attacking lion.
Accidents befall the expedition along the way, as Edwards ingratiates himself with the "devil doctors," only to later incur their wrath. The potion isn't the polio vaccine Hilary hoped it would be, but she expresses a willingness to work again with Jim in future adventures in the jungle.
Cast
- Johnny Weissmuller as Jungle Jim
- Virginia Grey as Dr. Hilary Parker
- George Reeves as Bruce Edwards
- Lita Baron as Zia
- Rick Vallin as Kolu - Chief of the Masai
- Holmes Herbert as Commissioner Geoffrey Marsden
Production
The Jungle Jim comics had already been turned into a film serial in 1936 and a radio show.
Weismuller had appeared in Tarzan movies since 1932 but in the late 1940s his contract with producer Sol Lesser was about to expire. In February 1948 producer Sam Katzman had signed a five year deal with Johnny Weismuller to make "jungle movies" starting with two films a year for two years where the budgets would be at least $350,000.[2] Hedda Hopper reported that these would be an adaptation of the Jungle Jim or King of the Jungle comic strips. William Berke would direct the films.[3]
Initially it was thought there was still a chance Weismuller might continue as Tarzan as well, but by April 1948 Lex Barker had signed to take over that role and Katzman announced Weismuller would make Jungle Jim.[4]
Filming started on August 3. Weismuller would make two films a year for five years.[5] Virginia Grey was cast as female lead shortly before filming commenced.[6]
References
- ^ http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/79999/Jungle-Jim/notes.html
- ^ SELZNICK TO MOVE OFFICES TO COAST: New York Times 16 Feb 1948: 17.
- ^ Hedda Hopper--LOOKING AT HOLLYWOOD Los Angeles Times 14 Feb 1948: 6.
- ^ METRO WILL FILM NEW SLATER NOVEL: Studio Buys the Screen Rights to 'Conspirator' for $40,000 -- Story of Russian Spy By THOMAS F. BRADYSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES. New York Times 27 Apr 1948: 29.
- ^ NEWS OF THE SCREEN: Rathvon Submits Resignation as Head of RKO -Will Stay With Firm a 'Reasonable Time' By THOMAS M. PRYORSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES. New York Times (1923-Current file); New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]24 July 1948: 8.
- ^ Metro Offers Milland Lead in 'Conspirator' Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 3 Aug 1948: B5.
See also
External links
- Jungle Jim at IMDb
- Jungle Jim at AllMovie
- Jungle Jim at the TCM Movie Database
- Review of film at Variety
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