Tarzan the Fearless

Tarzan the Fearless
Poster for episode 12
Directed by	Robert F. Hill
Produced by	Sol Lesser
Written by	Basil Dickey George Plympton Walter Anthony based on the character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Starring	Buster Crabbe Jacqueline Wells E. Alyn Warren Mischa Auer
Cinematography	Harry Neumann
Distributed by	Principal Distributing Corporation
Release date	August 11, 1933 (1933-08-11)
Running time	71 minutes (feature), 12 chapters (serial)
Country	United States
Language	English

Tarzan the Fearless (1933) is a 12 chapter American Pre-Code film serial starring Buster Crabbe in his only appearance as Tarzan. It was also released as a 71-minute feature film which consisted of the first four chapters of the serial version. Actress Jacqueline Wells co-starred; she later changed her name to Julie Bishop. The serial was produced by Sol Lesser, written by Basil Dickey, George Plympton and Walter Anthony (based on the character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs), and directed by Robert F. Hill. The film was released in both formats on August 11, 1933.

Tarzan rescues Dr. Brooks, an elderly scientist, who is held by the followers of Zar, God of the Emerald Fingers, in their lost city. Mary Brooks, his daughter, and Bob Hall have also been searching for him, led by villainous safari guides, Jeff Herbert and Nick Moran.

Tarzan goes in search of Mary, and soon all are captured by the people of Zar and brought before Eltar, their high priest. Jeff and Nick are killed, but the others are free to go, provided they never return. Mary and her father decide to stay with Tarzan instead of returning to civilization with Bob Hall.

Producer Sol Lesser had acquired the rights to five Tarzan films that Edgar Rice Burroughs had optioned to an independent producer in 1928. That producer went bankrupt and the contract was thought to have lapsed. However, due to the wording of the contract the courts found in Lesser's favour and held that it was still valid. Lesser announced his own Tarzan production a few weeks into the filming of MGM's Tarzan the Ape Man. MGM paid Lesser to delay production until their film was released.Tarzan the Fearless was the first of Sol Lesser's Tarzan productions. Lesser never made another serial with his options, moving to feature films instead. Burroughs had assured MGM that their contract was exclusive, so the rival production was an embarrassment. However, despite their initial problems, Lesser and Burroughs became friends and later worked out a five-picture deal (at one per year).