Comments on: Behold Johnny Weissmuller

By: Tracy

Tracy — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 15:06:23 +0000

Walter Seltzer, movie producer and longtime member of the MPTF’s board of directors, tells the saga of Johnny Weissmuller, greatest of the Tarzans:
“When Weissmuller was in the hospital, other patients complained because he was yelling (the Tarzan yell) in the hallways. It got so bad that we had to remove him. We found a place for him and his wife in Mexico near Acapulco, which was where Johnny wanted to be. We sent people down there several times a year to make sure he was all right.”

By: Petra

Petra — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:32:21 +0000

You’re absolutely right. Johnny Weissmuller was the best, and best looking Tarzan. He had a natural and lean muscled physique which established his physical command. And his lack of a ripped bodybuilder physique gave him a vulnerability that made him believable in the role. His vulnerability was also enhanced by the sexy, skimpy loincloth he wore, especially in the first three MGM films. And most vividly, he had the most perfectly sculpted breathtaking chest any man could have – truly pleasing to the eyes.

By: bOb

bOb — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:32:28 +0000

Johnny Weissmuller was not only an Olympic hero and a reel hero (as Tarzan), but he was a real hero, too. While in training for the Olympics, he was swimming in Lake Michigan with his brother, Peter, rowing a boat alongside of him. Nearby a touring boat with about 80 people capsized and Johnny, swimming, and Peter, rowing, hurried to the scene to help. Johnny was hauling people up from the depths and Peter was trying to revive them in the boat. Diving until he was totally exhausted, Johnny pulled 20 people out of the water. But of the 20, 12 survived.
My childhood idol, seemingly the personification of the fictional ape man, was a real-life hero.

By: mrsardonicus

mrsardonicus — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 21:26:44 +0000

j.w. learned to swim so fast by jumping into cold waters in his home town of windber, pa for more info ck picture book tarzan of the movies by gabe essoe.i had often wondered how he felt about maureen leaving the series when he moved to rko without her/ also any info on deleted scenes from tarzan escapes i.e. up river shots/cave shots w/giant bat[s] dwarf guide\ would be much appreciated

By: Patricia

Patricia — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:25:17 +0000

Ah, that Johnny was a wonder to behold. I have always been
partial to George O'Brien so I want to express my deepest gratitude
for that second last photo. My deepest, deepest gratitude.

By: john

john — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:22:10 +0000

you should have shown the original choice for tarzan-bruce bennett,i.e.
herman brix. he had the body type that the author describes in his
books. brix was injured in his first film, touchdown, and lost the
opportunity of a lifetime. ester williams in her bio states that
johnny was always pinching her rear. he was no actor and he knew it,
while brix went on to play many roles and did them well, mildred pierce
and treasure of sierra madre!