A handsome, 6’4" former lifeguard and actor with a chiseled jaw and a surprisingly articulate delivery, Ely was cast as the new Tarzan. The 1966 series distinguished itself in three major ways:
Because of the high production values and Ron Ely's iconic performance, the series has maintained a dedicated fanbase that continues to enjoy it through archival efforts. Conclusion: A Digital Treasure Trove
Rediscovering the Jungle: Finding the 1966 Tarzan TV Series on the Internet Archive tarzan 1966 internet archive
Mike Henry's tenure as Tarzan was challenging. During the filming of Tarzan and the Great River , a chimpanzee bit him on the jaw, requiring twenty stitches to close the wound. Overwhelmed by the grueling nature of the productions, Henry ultimately left the role after just three films. He later found continued success in a very different genre, famously playing Sheriff "Junior" Justice in the Smokey and the Bandit trilogy.
This episode showcases the high-production values and beautiful location scouting that defined the second season. The Legal and Ethical Landscape of Digital Archiving A handsome, 6’4" former lifeguard and actor with
The rhythmic thumping of the ceiling fan was the only sound in the cluttered basement, a steady heartbeat against the oppressive summer heat. Elias squinted at the glowing monitor, his eyes gritty from hours of scrolling. He was deep in the digital stacks of the Internet Archive, hunting for a specific kind of gold: television history that had slipped through the cracks of corporate preservation.
"Cut! Get the wranglers!" the voice on the audio track shouted. "It's on the loose! Secure the perimeter!" During the filming of Tarzan and the Great
From there, the film moves into the lush Mexican jungle. The plot incorporates modern military technology in a way never before seen in a Tarzan film: at one point, Tarzan brings down a helicopter with a thrown bola and must disarm an explosive pendant from around the neck of the heroine, Sophia Renault (Nancy Kovack). The climax takes place at the awe-inspiring ruins of Teotihuacán in central Mexico, a truly epic setting that lends a mythical scale to the final confrontation.
If a legal streaming option ever emerges (e.g., a surprise deal on Amazon Prime or a Blu-ray release from Shout! Factory), you should support it. Until then, the Internet Archive is the sole guardian of this series.