In Search of Tarzan with Jonathan Ross

The glorious and tragic story of American athlete and actor Johnny Weissmuller (1904-84), Olympic swimmer, water polo player and the only true Tarzan, an archetypal character and myth of cinema, that of the original Hollywood blockbusters (1932-48).

The history of the Tarzan films is presented through behind-the-scenes footage and scenes from the Jungle King’s many classic movies.

Tarzan: Silver Screen King of the Jungle is a documentary focusing on the first six sound Tarzan films produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer starring Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan. Written and directed by John Rust, the documentary features interviews with film historians Rudy Behlmer and Scott Tracy Griffin, who discuss the films' literary antecedents and behind-the-scenes production details.

A look at the history and cultural impact of Tarzan.

A serial in 12 chapters. Tarzan goes to Guatemala to find his lost friend, D'Arnot. On the way he helps Major Matling search Mayan ruins for hidden jewels and an idol containing the formula for a powerful explosive. D'Arnot and the idol are rescued, but the idol falls into the clutches of the explorer Raglan.

Prof. Ram Dayal, his assistant Johnny and daughter Leena go to the jungle in search of Cobra Tribe's treasure. Jojo and Bakona, a pair of crooks, follow them secretly. When the party enters the jungle, Tarzan, the king of the jungle, takes Leena away to his hideout. The Professor and his party search for her. Leena is treated well by Tarzan and they fall in love. When the party sees Tarzan they want to kill him, but Leena saves him. Later the party must deal with the two crooks, betrayal among them, and the Cobra Tribe.

A shipping disaster in the 19th Century has stranded a man and woman in the wilds of Africa. The lady is pregnant, and gives birth to a son in their tree house. Soon after, a family of apes stumble across the house and in the ensuing panic, both parents are killed. A female ape takes the tiny boy as a replacement for her own dead infant, and raises him as her son. Twenty years later, Captain Phillippe D'Arnot discovers the man who thinks he is an ape. Evidence in the tree house leads him to believe that he is the direct descendant of the Earl of Greystoke, and thus takes it upon himself to return the man to civilization.

After a ruler dies, tradition dictates the new ruler must accomplish a series of harrowing challenges whilst competing with other aspirants. One of them, Nasu a young prince, engages in the contest, but evildoers plan the young prince's demise. Tarzan protects him while ensuring he meets the tests

James Parker and Harry Holt are on an expedition in Africa in search of the elephant burial grounds that will provide enough ivory to make them rich. Parker's beautiful daughter Jane arrives unexpectedly to join them. Jane is terrified when Tarzan and his ape friends abduct her, but when she returns to her father's expedition she has second thoughts about leaving Tarzan.

Deep in the African jungle, a baby named George, the sole survivor of a plane crash, is raised by gorillas. George grows up to be a buff and lovable klutz who has a rainforest full of animal friends: Tookie, his big-beaked toucan messenger; Ape, a witty talking gorilla; and Shep, a peanut-loving pooch of an elephant. But when poachers mess with George's pals, the King of Swing swings into action.

Swing into action with the greatest jungle adventure of all as spectacular animation and dazzling original songs bring Edgar Rice Burroughs’ timeless fantasy to life.