TARZAN AND HIS MATE (1934) - Nudity, strong female role- outraged censors had enough!
What would make a stylish and sophisticated woman abandon all civilization for a man living in a dangerous part of the world? She did it for unbelievable sex.
Watch TARZAN AND HIS MATE by clicking here
In 1934 censors were furious about the nudity, violence and strong and powerful Jane- censorship would come and it would take decades for Hollywood to recover.
It is hard to believe at one time Tarzan was for adults, not children. This is to me, the most exciting, most violent and sexiest Tarzan film ever made. But it wasn't just the nude bathing scene that shocked police boards, local censors, PTA's and church groups. It was the portrayal of Jane as a strong figure. Censorship nationally followed quickly and it would take decades to show a strong woman again.
The film was chopped to pieces, and then edited again for TV. This is the original uncut version and not only is it the best Tarzan movie ever made, it is in the top 3 of best adventure/ action films I have ever seen. After the first 15 minutes the film astonishes and it never lets go.
In July of 1927, Johnny Weissmuller and his brother Peter hauled 20 people from the depths of Lake Michigan after an excursion boat keeled over during a sudden violent storm. Of the 20 people, 11 survived. Johnny was swimming, in training for the Chicago River Marathon, an annual 3-mile race, while Peter rowed a boat alongside him. He was half-way through his workout, which means he had just swum a mile and a half, when the storm struck and tipped over The Favorite, a sight-seeing boat with a capacity for 70 passengers. Johnny and Peter rushed to the scene and immediately started diving and carrying up bodies. After the 1st dive, Johnny told Peter to start pumping them out while he continued to dive, time after time, bringing up 1 or 2 bodies at a time. By the time help arrived, Johnny was just too exhausted to continue. This series of diving rescues, after his mile and a half swim, took its toll.
In 1962, Johnny received a letter from a woman he had saved that day, 35 years before. She had gone on to marry, had 7 children and thanked her hero, Johnny Weissmuller, for her life and those of her children and grandchildren. Johnny saved that letter for the rest of his life.
The hero of the 1924 and 1928 Olympics and a hero on the silver screen, was a real-life hero as well. This story is chronicled in David Fury's magnificent book, Johnny Weissmuller - Twice The Hero, Narda Onyx's bio, Water World And Weissmuller and Johnny Weissmuller Jr.'s bio Tarzan - My Father.
The Chicago Psychotronic Film Society is quite a party. From it's earliest days with guests JOHN CLEESE, ROBERT DeNIRO, BILL MURRAY (our first dues paid member), DAN AYKROYD, SYDNEY POLLACK, RUSS MEYER, CLIVE BARKER, JOHN DUGAN, PENN AND TELLER, KENNETH ANGER, DARIO ARGENTO and many more there was nothing like it on earth. People travelled from all over the world to attend our parties or host them and none of the celebrities were paid to be at the events.
We did shows at bars and clubs LIMELIGHT, KABOOM, THE LYRIC OPERA (!), THE BIOGRAPH THEATER, THE LIAR'S CLUB and many more places. This meant you had to be 21 to attend and there were no dealer tables.
We were the only fandom that had an equal number of women in the group at a time when women avoided fandom! Join us on Facebook here: The party starts now
For paid subscribers THE TIME ELEMENT, the seldom seen Twilight Zone pilot follows. By becoming a paid subscriber, you help us become a Global group with a podcast/vlogcast.
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