Tarzan and the Golden Lion

About the production

This was the second Tarzan film adaptation and the first to feature James Pierce in the title role. Pierce was actually Edgar Rice Burroughs' son-in-law, having married his daughter Joan. The production used real lions for many scenes, though safety measures were primitive by modern standards. The film was shot during the transition from silent to sound cinema, but was released as a silent film with musical accompaniment.

Themes

Themes & topics

Historical background

Made in its country of production around 1927, Tarzan and the Golden Lion belongs to the late silent period. Its story of flora hawks is in love with the overseer of tarzan's african estate spoke to audiences of the day through familiar genres and topical settings.

Why this film matters

Archivists and historians still cite Tarzan and the Golden Lion when tracing how the late silent period filmmakers staged flora and hawks on screen.

Making of

The production of 'Tarzan and the Golden Lion' faced numerous challenges typical of jungle adventure films in the silent era. Director J.P. McGowan had to work with live lions on set, creating dangerous situations for the cast and crew. James Pierce performed many of his own stunts, including scenes with the lions, which required extensive training and trust building with the animals. The film's jungle sets were constructed on studio backlots and in Griffith Park, where artificial vegetation was combined with existing landscape to create the African setting. The production team used innovative camera techniques for the time, including tracking shots through the jungle sets to create a sense of movement and adventure. The film was shot during the transition period to sound cinema, but the producers decided to complete it as a silent feature with a synchronized musical score rather than attempt to add sound elements.

What critics said

Reviews from 1927 weighed Tarzan and the Golden Lion on pacing, performance, and novelty. Later criticism reads its emphasis on flora, hawks, love through modern standards of craft and representation.

Did you know?

• James Pierce, who played Tarzan, was a former football player at Indiana University and served in World War I before turning to acting.
• Pierce married Joan Burroughs, daughter of Tarzan creator Edgar Rice Burroughs, making him the author's son-in-law.
• This was the first Tarzan film to feature the character Jad-bal-ja, the golden lion, who was a companion in Burroughs' novels.
• The film's lion scenes were shot with minimal safety equipment, making it extremely dangerous for cast and crew.
• Edgar Rice Burroughs himself was heavily involved in the production and visited the set frequently.
• This was one of the last major silent Tarzan films before the transition to sound cinema.
• The film was released by Film Booking Offices of America (FBO), which would later become part of RKO Pictures.
• Many of the African scenes were filmed in Griffith Park in Los Angeles, a common practice for jungle films of the era.
• The character of Flora Hawks was created specifically for the film and does not appear in Burroughs' original novels.
• The film's production coincided with the peak of the jungle adventure genre's popularity in late 1920s cinema.

Visual style

The cinematography by Ira H. Morgan employed the visual techniques common to late silent-era adventure films, including extensive use of matte paintings and process shots to create jungle environments. Morgan utilized moving camera shots to enhance the action sequences, particularly in scenes involving Tarzan's interactions with lions. The film featured dramatic lighting contrasts to emphasize the mysterious jungle atmosphere, with deep shadows in temple scenes and bright sunlight for outdoor sequences. The camera work often employed low angles to make Tarzan appear more heroic and imposing, while high angles were used to establish the vastness of the jungle settings. The cinematography also incorporated several innovative techniques for animal photography, including the use of hidden cameras and protective barriers to capture close-ups of the lions.

Innovations

The film pioneered several techniques for filming with live animals, particularly lions, which were considered groundbreaking for the time. The production team developed special camera housing and barriers that allowed for closer shots of the animals while ensuring crew safety. The jungle sets incorporated innovative irrigation systems to maintain the appearance of lush vegetation throughout filming. The film also utilized early forms of matte painting to extend the jungle settings beyond the physical sets, creating the illusion of vast African landscapes. The stunt work, particularly James Pierce's interactions with the lions, represented some of the most dangerous animal-human sequences filmed up to that point, requiring careful choreography and timing.

Music

As a silent film, 'Tarzan and the Golden Lion' was accompanied by a musical score performed live in theaters during its original release. The score was composed to match the film's action and emotional beats, with dramatic orchestral pieces during adventure sequences and romantic themes for the character interactions. The musical accompaniment typically included percussion elements to emphasize the jungle setting, with drums and other exotic instruments creating atmospheric effects. Some larger theaters employed full orchestras, while smaller venues used piano or organ accompaniment. The film's original cue sheets suggested specific musical pieces for various scenes, though individual theaters often adapted the music to their available resources and audience preferences.

Famous quotes

(Intertitle) 'In the heart of the African jungle, where civilization ends and adventure begins...'

(Intertitle) 'Tarzan, lord of the jungle, protector of the innocent!'

(Intertitle) 'The golden lion, Jad-bal-ja, faithful companion to the king of the apes!'

Memorable scenes

• The climactic temple sacrifice sequence where Tarzan battles the lion-worshipping cultists to save Flora
• The introduction of Jad-bal-ja, the golden lion, as he first encounters Tarzan
• The jungle chase scene where Tarzan pursues the villains through treetops and across ravines
• The final confrontation in the lost city of Opar with its treasure-filled chambers
• The dramatic rescue scene where Tarzan wrestles a lion to protect Flora

What audiences thought

Audiences in 1927 responded positively to the film's adventure elements and spectacular animal scenes, making it a moderate box office success for Film Booking Offices of America. The film appealed particularly to young audiences and adventure film enthusiasts who were drawn to Tarzan's jungle exploits. The presence of real lions and dangerous stunts generated significant word-of-mouth publicity, though some theater owners expressed concern about the safety aspects of showing such scenes. Contemporary audience members often commented on James Pierce's impressive physique and athletic performance, which they felt suited the Tarzan character well. The film's release during the holiday season of 1927 helped boost its attendance, as families sought entertainment options during the festive period.

Film connections

Influenced by

• Tarzan of the Apes (1918 film)
• The Lost World (1925 film)
• Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan novels
• Beau Geste (1926 film)
• The Sheik (1921 film)

This film influenced

• Tarzan the Tiger (1929)
• Tarzan the Ape Man (1932)
• MGM's Tarzan series
• Jungle adventure films of the 1930s
• Modern Tarzan adaptations

Film restoration

The film exists in various archives and private collections, though some scenes may be incomplete or deteriorated. The Library of Congress holds a copy, and it has been preserved as part of America's film heritage. The film has been released on DVD by several specialty labels, though the quality varies depending on the source material used. Some original nitrate prints have been lost to decomposition over the decades, but sufficient material survives to present a coherent version of the film.

Where to watch

• Available on DVD from various public domain distributors
• Streaming on some classic film subscription services
• Occasionally screened at silent film festivals and special events
• Available through some online archives and classic film platforms
• Can be found on YouTube and other free streaming sites in various quality versions