—Big Reel #315 "Matinee at the Bookshelf" Reviewed by Paul Holbrook (August 2000)
Johnny Weissmuller: Twice the Hero. One of the opportunities
most coveted by film actors in the golden age of Hollywood was to be signed to an exclusive contract with MGM. It meant that the best
roles in the business would be handed to them. But only one actor on the lot was prohibited from appearing in any role other than
the one he was ideally suited to play. Johnny Weissmuller was so well known to moviegoers as the jungle lord Tarzan that any other
role would have lessened his credibility. Few people will give Weissmuller much credit for his acting skills. Yet his portrayal of
Tarzan remains one of the most memorable portrayals in movie history.
Weissmuller's entire life (1904-1984) was
just as unique. Despite some personal problems, he was easily on his way to becoming an American idol as soon as his athletic prowess
brought him to the public's attention. In August 1921, he officially debuted in competitive swimming in the 50-yard freestyle and
never lost a competition. He retired in 1929 after winning five Gold Medals in the Olympics (1924 and 1928). At 6' 3", his physique
and super-human swimming skills made him a natural for the 12 Tarzan films (1932-1948) and the 16 Jungle Jim movies (1948-1955) and
television series (1955-1956). Although the subtitle is Twice the Hero, he was actually [a hero] a third time. That happened in 1927
when he was credited with saving the lives of 11 people after a Lake Michigan excursion boat capsized.
Along the
way were several marriages, feuds with contemporaries, years of failing health and many private incidents no one has heard about until
now. David Fury's book is the first full-length biography. He had unprecedented access to Weissmuller's personal records and the help
of his survivors. The book reflects the author's love of his subject, yet he doesn't shy away from revealing the sad sides of Weissmuller's
private life. The photos are a rich treasure of scenes from his private moments to behind-the-scenes shots of his films during production.
The parts I enjoyed most were the stories behind the filming of all the Tarzan films. Johnny Sheffield's amusing
foreword should be read for further insights into the making of these films. Fury seems to have found every incident that's ever been
recorded. (That famous nude swim by Maureen O Sullivan in Tarzan and His Mate [1934]: It wasn't her. It was a petite Olympic swimmer
named Josephine McKim who doubled for her.)
An appendix lists all his movies with credits and the episode titles
and air dates of the Jungle Jim TV series. Another lists his records, medals and awards.
A special "Collector's
Edition" is available for $60 plus $6 shipping. It features 16 pages of color photos and a numbered certificate guaranteeing that
it is one of 500 copies. This edition will likely be inscribed to the buyer.
Fury's other books from Artist's Press
include Chuck Connors: The Man Behind the Rifle and The Cinema History of Burt Lancaster. He is at work on a biography of Maureen
O Sullivan, to be titled Maureen O Sullivan: A Remarkable Lady.