Tarzan and the Leopard Woman

Tarzan and the Leopard Woman is a 1946 action film based on the Tarzan character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs and portrayed by Johnny Weissmuller. Directed by Kurt Neumann, film sees Tarzan encounter a tribe of leopard-worshippers. It was shot in the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden. Its plot has nothing in common with the 1935 novel Tarzan and the Leopard Men.

Tarzan and the Leopard Woman
Theatrical release poster
Directed byKurt Neumann
Produced bySol Lesser
Written byCarroll Young
Based onCharacters created
by Edgar Rice Burroughs
StarringJohnny Weissmuller
Brenda Joyce
Johnny Sheffield
Acquanetta
Music byPaul Sawtell
Distributed byRKO Pictures
Release date
  • February 18, 1946 (1946-02-18) (U.S.)[1]
Running time
72 min.
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

Travelers near Zambezi are being killed, apparently by leopards. The commissioner (Dennis Hoey) asks Tarzan to look into the matter. Tarzan immediately doubts that leopards are the problem. At the same time, Tarzan, Jane, and Boy take in Kimba, a boy who claims to have become lost in the jungle. Kimba (Tommy Cook) is the brother of Queen Lea, leader of a leopard cult. She has dispatched him to spy on Tarzan. Queen Lea also conspires with Ameer Lazar (Edgar Barrier), a Western-educated doctor who resents the West's domination of the area.

Kimba has a goal of his own: to take the heart of Jane (Brenda Joyce) a deed that would make him a warrior in the eyes of the cult. The Leopard Men wear leopard skins that form a cowl and cape, with iron claws attached to the back of each hand. Queen Lea (Acquanetta) wears a headband, wrist bands, ankle bands, halter top and miniskirt made of leopard skin. As "Variety" put it: "She displays plenty of what it takes to stir male interest and handles her acting chores adequately." She works her followers into a frenzy in an underground chamber, "These skins are your disguise. These claws are your weapons. Go not as men, but as leopards. Go swiftly, silently."

They attack a caravan bringing four teachers (Iris Flores, Lillian Molieri (Miss Central America of 1945), Helen Gerald and Kay Solinas) and bring the maidens back for sacrifice. They also capture Tarzan, Jane, and Boy. Tarzan brings down the roof of the cavern, destroying the cult and rescuing his friends.

The plot is summed up by these lines spoken by Tarzan (about Cheeta):

"If an animal can act like a man, why not a man like an animal?"

Cast

Tommy Cook is the last surviving primary cast member.

References
  1. "Tarzan and the Leopard Woman: Detail View". American Film Institute. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
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