The Adventures of Tarzan (Silent)

Tarzan's ladylove, Jane Porter, has been kidnapped. Unbeknownst to all until now, the prim Englishwoman has the map to the ancient city of Opar tattooed on her shapely back. The Lord of the Jungle tracks her to the lost city, where Jane is held captive by the exotic "high priestess of Opar" -- who wants Tarzan all to herself!

Originally a 15-chapter silent serial, The Adventures of Tarzan melds the Edgar Rice Burroughs books The Return of Tarzan and Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar into one story. For this production, supervised by Burroughs himself, Elmo Lincoln, the first actor to portray the Lord of the Apes, returned as Tarzan. A new Jane was cast in the form of 16-year-old Louise Lorraine (she later married cowboy actor Art Acord.) According to the film's publicity, "Joe Martin, famous screen ape, plays a leading part." (This credit raises more questions than it answers.) Sadly, all fifteen chapters are no longer extant. Fortunately, this edited movie-length version compiled years later does survive, and features many of the most exciting scenes!

• silent