(1935), a rare straight-shooting take on the legendary character. Shot right in Guatemala, this public-domain serial stars Bruce Bennett as a literate, poised Tarzan. Watch or grab a copy anytime.
Tarzan’s Most Faithful Screen Adaptation?
The New Adventures of Tarzan (1935) slices through the early screen versions of Burroughs’ hero and lands closer to the man he actually wrote. Instead of the grunting, half-wild figure Hollywood kept recycling, this Tarzan shows up articulate, calm, even noble in a way that feels almost startling if you’ve only seen the usual portrayals. Bruce Bennett — credited then as Herman Brix — gives the character this steady, thoughtful presence that sticks with you. The 12-part serial, filmed on location in Guatemala’s rough heat, moves with sharp energy and offers enough action to keep classic-film fans locked in.
A Story Set Deep in the Jungle
The plot circles around a race to grab a sacred idol called the Green Goddess, said to carry archaeological importance and a recipe for a nasty explosive. Tarzan heads into Guatemala to track down his friend Lt. D’Arnot after a crash landing in barely mapped territory. Major Martling’s group hunts the idol for research, while Raglan’s crew eyes it for quick wealth and whatever power comes with it.
You get hidden tribes, backstabbing, tight escapes, and the kind of jungle trouble that keeps everyone sweating. The serial jumps between thick forest, sea voyages, and even a hurricane finale that hits harder than you’d expect. The last chapter lands back at Tarzan’s English estate, wrapping the adventure with a dramatic rundown that ties the threads and settles the score.
Who’s Who in the Jungle
Bruce Bennett as Tarzan / Lord Greystoke – More gentleman than brute, guiding the action with muscle and sharp thinking.
Frank Baker as Major Francis Martling – An archaeologist slogging after the idol.
Dale Walsh as Alice Martling – The Major’s daughter, right in the mix.
Lewis Sargent as George – Comic relief and Martling’s go-to helper.
Merrill McCormick as Bouchart/Pedro – Switching roles through the story.
Jiggs the Chimpanzee as Nkima – Tarzan’s animal partner, straight from the novels.
Why This Film Still Swings High
It never pulled in the kind of attention the MGM Weissmuller films grabbed, but The New Adventures of Tarzan carries its own odd strength in the way it sticks tight to Burroughs’ original vision. Burroughs-Tarzan Enterprises ran the production, and Burroughs watched over it himself, which probably explains why the tone feels so sharp and sure of itself. Real jungle settings, sharp action, and a dignified Tarzan help the serial stand out for fans who want the book version brought to life instead of the Hollywood caricature.
Bennett’s Tarzan doesn’t just wrestle creatures for show. He speaks several languages, deals with moral pressure, and makes choices that feel measured. That alone sets this adaptation apart from nearly everything that followed in those early decades.
Watch or Download the Film
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Internet Archive – The New Adventures of Tarzan (1935)
📂 Download from Archive.org (Public Domain)
Tags:
Tarzan, Public Domain Movies, 1930s Serials, Bruce Bennett, Jungle Adventure, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Classic Films, Free Movies, Serial Films, Guatemala Locations
