Tarzan and the Valley of Gold (1966)

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

American International Pictures,the studio founded in the mid-1950's by Samuel Z. Arkoff and his business partner James H. Nicholson were known for there style of "B" movie pictures,mostly the occasional genre of films that they released which were "teenage juvenile","horror and monster flicks",and the "beach movies",not to mention the movies that featured the works of Edgar Allan Poe that were produced by Roger Corman(the studio that launched the careers of unknowns Jack Nicholson and Bruce Dern not to mention reinvented Annette Funicello's career after her stint with Disney,and made Vincent Price its top box office star,and also launched the careers of Pam Grier and Fred Williamson too).By 1966,American International Pictures took on a new venture..this time around the first-ever "Tarzan" motion picture that was filmed on location and brought with it a new style of high adventure and excitement. That picture was titled "Tarzan And The Valley of Gold",the 34th entry into the "Tarzan" franchise,and the first to star former NFL-great Mike Henry(who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Rams)in his theatrical debut as the "Lord Of The Jungle". Mike Henry replaces Jock Mahoney in the series. Mike Henry gets to do more things as Tarzan in "The Valley of Gold" than any other Tarzan that came before or after him. Not to mention this version is the more exciting of the series,and not since Johnny Weissmuller or Gordon Scott you have never seen "Tarzan" like this before,and more,all at a running time of 92 minutes tops. The movie begins with Tarzan(Mike Henry)arriving in Mexico wearing a custom-made suit and tie and carrying a briefcase as he is ambush in a stadium by assassins out to kill him in the style of the "James Bond" films. Second in the most exciting and incredible scenes in the film Mike Henry's character hurls a gigantic Coca-Cola bottle onto a sniper that is trying to kill him. Later on after he disses the suit and tie for loincloth accompanied by a chimp and a his pet lion,our hero goes into the hostile jungle where he slings a rope with two hand grenades attached to that land onto the rotor blades of a helicopter(in one of the most astounding action scenes ever filmed),and later on Tarzan gets behind the wheel of a tank and blasts away the villains.Tarzan must also rescue a little boy named Ramel(Manuel Padilla, Jr.,who would also appear as Jai in the "Tarzan" television series starring Ron Ely during the mid-1960's and was a versatile child actor throughout) from a thoroughly evil but sadistic wealthy international criminal,Augustus Vinero(David Opatoshu),who likes to surprise his adversaries by installing small explosive charges into wristwatches,rings,and necklaces to blow up people. Not to mention has to rescue that damsel in distress(Nancy Kovack) from the evil villain and not to mention Tarzan has a dual to the death with a fight against the villain's hencemen,an Odd-Job type character. The death scene of the hencemen and the villain is fitting,but Mike Henry makes a great Tarzan character in a franchise that desperately needed to shot in the arm after the last Tarzan venture came out some three years before with Jock Mahoney in the title role."Tarzan And The Valley of Gold" was action-packed with non stop excitement and high adventure,and director Robert Day along with producer Sy Weintraub kept the action sequences at a good pace. The locations where the movie was filmed included were not far from scenic Acapulco,at Plaza de Toros in Mexico City,and at the Chapultepec Castle,and the Teotihuacan ruins,and the in the caves at Guerro. The screenplay by Clair Huffaker was an above-average and a change of pace for the franchise not to mention the film was given the full widescreen "Panavision" treatment. Despite mixed reviews when this movie came out on July 8,1966, "Tarzan And The Valley of Gold" did tremendous business at the box office,becoming American International's first and only attempt at a "Tarzan" movie and their highest grossing picture in the history of the studio. Robert Day would direct the next two to the last "Tarzan" films in the franchise both starring Mike Henry. Those would include "Tarzan And The Great River"(1967),and the last "Tarzan" theatrical feature "Tarzan And The Jungle Boy" (1968),both would be released by Paramount Pictures.

Doing a suave impersonation of 007 agent James Bond, muscular Mike Henry (as Tarzan) arrives in Mexico for his latest mission (and his first appearance as Edgar Rice Burroughs' jungle hero). After starting an unusually high body count, for the animal-loving tree-hugger, Mr. Henry dons the familiar "Tarzan" loincloth. "The outfit is casual but practical," he explains. Henry acquires a lion, leopard, and beefed-up "Dinky" - a chimp about double the size of "Cheeta". They go off to rescue kidnapped boy Manuel Padilla Jr. (as Ramel) and have shoot-outs with a gang led by David Opatoshu (as Augustus Vinero) in the jungles of Mexico. Beautiful blonde Nancy Kovack (as Sophie Renault) adds a fine female figure to the film. The film peaks early, with someone getting killed by a Coca-Cola bottle. Other than that, it's just weird to see Tarzan shooting people like he's "Rambo" while lounge music plays.**** Tarzan and the Valley of Gold (6/8/66) Robert Day ~ Mike Henry, Manuel Padilla Jr., David Opatoshu, Nancy Kovack

The movie is enjoyable in a Saturday-matinee sort of way. What makes it notable, however, is the appearance of Mike Henry in his first Tarzan role. Henry's personality is hardly charismatic and his acting ability is, at best, limited, but in terms of sheer physicality, he's probably the best Tarzan the movies have ever seen. (And what "Jane" wouldn't love to run barefoot over those pecs!).

Ex-L.A. Rams linebacker Mike Henry makes his debut as Tarzan in this 1960s adventure. His arrival in Mexico wearing a suit and tie and carrying a briefcase is quite jarring, as is his subsequent "James Bond style" gunfight. But, not to fear, this is just to show us that this Tarzan is handy with modern weapons and is at ease in any environment. He does go into the jungle(in his loincloth)accompanied by a couple of wild animals and this is where the film gets interesting. He has to find the legendary Valley of Gold and protect its citizens from greedy villain Vinaro(David Opatashu) and his well organized(not to mention armed-to-the-teeth) army. The story is a little hokey at times, and seeing Tarzan use guns, grenades and a tank is a little hard to take, but overall the characterizations are good and the Mexican scenery is nothing short of spectacular(especially the Aztec pyramid city).Opetashu is perfect as the smooth, slick villain who sends his enemies exploding wristwatches. Henry is a little serious as Tarzan but he does excel in the action sequences. On the whole a groovy movie experience( jazzy musical score and all).