The Son of Tarzan

Plot

Jack Clayton, the son of Tarzan and Jane, is living a civilized life in England when he is kidnapped by his father's old enemy, the villainous Russian Paulovich. Transported to Africa, young Jack escapes into the jungle where he discovers his innate jungle abilities and encounters Meriem, a European girl held captive by Arab traders. Jack frees Meriem and the two fall in love while surviving in the wilderness together, but Paulovich relentlessly pursues them with his criminal cohorts. As the adventure unfolds across multiple chapters, Jack proves himself worthy of his Tarzan heritage through numerous daring rescues and jungle battles. Eventually, Tarzan and Jane learn of their son's plight and travel to Africa, leading to an epic confrontation where the family reunites to defeat Paulovich and his criminal organization once and for all.

Historical Background

The Son of Tarzan was produced during the golden age of silent film serials, a period when movie theaters would show one chapter per week to encourage repeat attendance. 1920 was a significant year in cinema as the industry was transitioning from short films to feature-length productions. The film emerged just after World War I, when audiences were eager for escapist entertainment and adventure stories. Tarzan as a character had already become a cultural phenomenon through Edgar Rice Burroughs' novels and the successful 1918 film adaptation. This film capitalized on that popularity while expanding the Tarzan mythology to include family themes, reflecting post-war values of family unity and the passing of virtues to the next generation.

Making Of

The production of 'The Son of Tarzan' was an ambitious undertaking for 1920, requiring extensive location shooting and elaborate set construction. Director Harry Revier faced the challenge of filming in California while making it appear convincingly like Africa. The cast underwent physical training to perform the numerous action sequences, with young Gordon Griffith proving particularly adept at the demanding role. The film's animal scenes required specialized handlers, and safety was a constant concern during the filming of sequences with lions and other wild animals. The production utilized innovative camera techniques for the time, including early forms of tracking shots to follow the characters through the jungle. The serial format meant that each chapter had to end with a cliffhanger, requiring careful planning of the entire story arc before filming began.

Visual Style

The cinematography by John W. Brown utilized the visual language of the silent era to create dramatic tension and action. The film employed numerous close-ups to capture emotional moments, particularly in the romantic scenes between Jack and Meriem. Long shots were used to establish the jungle settings and emphasize the isolation of the characters. The camera work included innovative tracking shots for the time, following characters through the dense jungle sets. Lighting techniques were used to create contrast between the civilized world of England and the wild African setting, with harsher shadows and more dramatic lighting in the jungle sequences.

Innovations

The film featured several technical innovations for its time, including the use of matte paintings to extend jungle sets beyond their physical boundaries. The production employed early forms of stunt coordination for the numerous action sequences, particularly the tree-climbing scenes. The animal sequences required careful planning and the development of techniques for filming safely with wild animals. The serial format necessitated sophisticated continuity management across 15 chapters, requiring detailed storyboarding and planning. The film also utilized early special effects techniques, including rear projection for certain jungle scenes and careful editing to create the illusion of dangerous animal encounters.

Music

As a silent film, 'The Son of Tarzan' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its original theatrical run. The score would typically have been provided by a theater organist or small orchestra, using compiled classical pieces and popular songs of the era. The music would have been synchronized to the on-screen action, with dramatic themes for the villain Paulovich, romantic motifs for Jack and Meriem, and adventurous music for the jungle sequences. No original composed score survives, and modern screenings typically use appropriate period music compiled by silent film accompanists.

Memorable Scenes

• Jack's first escape into the jungle where he discovers his natural abilities
• The dramatic rescue of Meriem from the Arab traders' camp
• Jack's tree-climbing chase sequence demonstrating his jungle prowess
• The emotional reunion between Jack and his parents Tarzan and Jane
• The final confrontation with Paulovich on the jungle cliffs

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics in 1920 praised the film's action sequences and the performance of young Gordon Griffith, with Motion Picture News calling it 'a thrilling adventure that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.' The serial format was well-received by theater owners who appreciated its ability to ensure weekly attendance. Modern film historians recognize the film as an important example of early serial filmmaking, though they note that many of its techniques appear dated by today's standards. The surviving chapters are valued by silent film enthusiasts for their preservation of early 20th century filmmaking techniques and their role in the development of the adventure genre.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1920 enthusiastically received the film, with theaters reporting high attendance for each chapter's release. The serial format created anticipation and discussion among moviegoers, who would speculate about how the heroes would escape each week's cliffhanger. The character of Jack Clayton resonated with younger audiences, who saw him as a relatable hero discovering his own strength and abilities. The film's success led to increased demand for Tarzan stories and jungle adventures throughout the 1920s. Contemporary audience reactions, as recorded in trade publications, emphasized the excitement of the action sequences and the romantic subplot between Jack and Meriem.

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