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Volume 4581


Serial Script ~ Chapter One

SOL LESSER Presents TARZAN THE FEARLESS A Chapter Play Based on the Characters Created by Edgar Rice Burroughs Screen Play and Supervision by: WILLIAM LORD WRIGHT Continuity by: BASIL DICKEY and GEORGE M. PLYMPTON Directed by: ROBERT F. HILL GRIPS H. Burroughs Ralph Johnson Geo. Robertson Harry Horning Ernie Smith (props) Mike Gordon  Bert King

Tarzan, wild white man of the jungle, who consorts and wars with the beasts and birds, rescues the doctor and takes a message from him to Mary, Brooks' daughter. Meanwhile, hoever, Mary has become alarmed at the failure of her father to meet her and with the aid of Bob Hall, an adm mirer, organizes a safari and starts into the jungle in search of Brooks. The expedition is guided by a pair of adventurers, Jeff Herbert and Nick Moran. While the safari marches, Brooks is recaptured by the people of Zar.

Deep in the jungle, as the safari is about to go into camp, the cry of a strange creature is heard which the frightened black bearers name Tarzan. A short time  later Mary leaves the camp and coming to a jungle pool, determines to bathe.

Tarzan, swinging throigh the trees is on his way bearing Brooks' message and a picture of Mary by which he will identify. From the top of a treehe sees and recognizes the girl in the water. As he watches her, she is attacked by crocodiles. Tarzan dives to her rescue and fights the crocodiles as the chapter closes. 

FADE IN
1. EX. LONG SHOT - STOCK
A comprehensivde , wide shot of African veldt with game, antelopes or giraffes running through

2. EXT. JUNGLE - MED. SHOT - STOCK
A flight of startled birds.

5. EXT. JUNGLE - LONG SHOT
Of Tarzan in series of swings that bring him into the foreground of scene, landing in limb of tree. He looks about as though in search of fruit. A coco-nut is hurled into the scne and hits him and at the same time the shrill chatter of a chimp comes in. Tarzan turns to look off and upward at. . .

8. EXT. TREE - MED SHOT
The chimp looking off and chattering. In sudden alarm he starts to run along limb. Tarzan comes into scene at the top of his swing catches the chimp in curve of his arm and swings back out of scene.

10. EXT. TREE - SEMICLOSE
On Tarzan and the chimp. He holds it in his arm and raises other hand as though to slap it. The chimp chatters in terror. Tarzan laughs -- breaks off in the midst of his laugh as the terrified bleat of fawn comes in . . .

11. EXT. JUNGLE - LONG SHOT
Of fawn caught in native trap. It struggles desperately. Cries out.

15. EXT. JUNGLE - CLOSE SHOT
Of the fawn struggling derperately.

16. EXT. ANOTHER TREE  MED. SHOT
Tarzan drops into tree from above. He grabs a hanging vine, breaks off a length and starets to fashion a noose. He bends to look downward, his hands working rapidly.

17. EXT. JUNGLE - STOCK SHOT
Of stalking lioness.

18. EXT TREE - MED. SHOT
 Of Tarzan. Noose completed, he watches downward tensely. Makes quick cast with his noose. . .

19. EXT. JUNGOLE - MED. ON THE LIONESS
She has crouched for death spring. As she starts leap, the noose drops over her head. The line jerks taut and the beast is pulled up into the air, spitting and snarling.

20. EXT. TREE - MED. SHOT
Tarzan pulls stronly on the taut, jerking vine. He fastens it to branchand leaps out and downward from tree.

21. EXT. JUNGLE - MED. SHOT
On the struggling fawn. Tarzan drops into the scene, goes quickly to the little beast and frees it. He lifts it in his arms, pats and caresses it, tickling it under chin and back of the ears, aoughing as he does so. He speaks in muttered syllables and it becomes quiet as though realizing he is a friend. He sets it down and as it starts away . . .

24. EXT. JUNGLE - MED. ON TARZAN
He stands in listening pose, the far off beat of the drum coming in then faint and distant  Tantor's answer.
Tarzan springs straight forward out of the scene over the camera.

24a. DOWN ON TANTOR FOLLOWING TARZAN

LAP DISSOLVE TO:
26. INT. CEILING OF ALTAR ROOM
This is a shadowy, fantastic place of indistinguishable outlines with thick, rope-like vines hanging from above and down out of the scene over edge of ledge. Tarzan swings into scene and drops to edge of ledge . . . The drum, close by and beating rapidly, is heard.

CUT TO:
30. INT. ALTAR ROOM - EMICLOSE
On Brooks and the priest. Brooks is clad in garb of explorer and has a bloody streak across his forehead. He is weak and anxious but game as the priest looks him over with threatening manner. He fidgets with his nose glasses, settles them firmly on nose.

31. INT. MED SHOT OF GOD, OVER THE HEADS OF THE DANCING GIRLS

32. INT. ALTAR ROOM - SEMICLOSE
Of Brooks and the priest.

33. INT. SEMICLOSE
On people of the tribe.

34. INT. -SEMICLOSE
Of Brooks and Priest. Brooks continues.

35. INT. CEILING - SEMICLOSE
Of Tarzan on ledge looking downward. He raises his eyes and grasps a vine above him.

36. INT. ALTAR ROOM - MED. SHOT
On Brooks and thepriest, with guards and people tipped int the scene. The priest makes a sign to the guards.

37. INT. CEILING - SEMICLOSE
Of Tarzan watching downward grasping vine. He swings out of scene, shouting his war cry as he goes

40. INT. ALTAR ROOM - SEMICLOSE
On Tarzan as he grabs the second guard, lifts him above his head and hurls him out of the scene. H shouts his war cry , springs out of scene in direction of Brooks.

41. INT. ALTAR ROOM - SEMICLOSE
On th epriest, with dance girls and others tipped in behind him all showing growing terror as the priest cries:

43. INT. ALTAR ROOM - MED. SHOT
On the milling crowd falling back in terror.

44. INT. ALTAR ROOM - MED. SHOT
On Tarzan half carrying the doctor through the arched entrance and out of the scene.

45. INT. ALTAR ROOM - MED. SHOT
On fallen guard as some of the dance girls run to him and lift him to his feet.

46. EXT. CAVE ENTRANCE - MED SHOT
Of Tarzan and Brooks as they run from cave entrance. Tarzan cries. He hurries forward helping Brooks.

47. EXT. JUNGLE
Tantor, gets the call. Tantor lifts trumpet to answer as he wheels and runs out of scene.

49. EXT JUNGLE - MED. SHOT
Tantor lumbers into scene and stops as Tarzan comes on, half carrying Brooks. Tarzan shouts:

50. INT. ALTAR ROOM - MED. SHOT
On the priest before the frightened crowd as he lifts his hand to silence them. As the room stills a spearman runs in and up to the priest, makes bow and says:

51. EXT. JUNGLE - MED. SHOT
On Tantor racing through with Tarzan and Brooks upon his head.

52. EXT. JUNGLE - FULL SHOT
On marching safari of Mary Brooks and party coming in from b.g. Jeff and Nick are ahead of  the line, gun-bearers behind them. Bob and Mary walk together, followed by the black bearers. Abdul, the Arab, walks behind the bearers, whip in hand. Sari, Mary's maid, follows him.

53. EXT. JUNGLE - MED. MOVING SHOW
With loose-swinging down the line from the guides in fron, past Abdul and Sari as they exchange a knowing glance. The march is slowing down.

54. EXT. JUNGLE - CLOSE MOVING SHOT
On Mary and Bob. She is looking eagerly ahead. Bob puts out a hand to support her and says:

CUT TO:
54-A. EXT. JUNGLE - MED. CLOSE SHOT
Unga, a giant first boy, stops, looks forward, realizes this is a delay. He is covered with charms and trinkets -- partly civilized in dress. He hastily discards his pack dropping to the ground to sleep.

CUT TO:
55. EXT. JUNGLE - MED. SHOT
On Jeff and Nick with blacks at head of the line. They are halted by dense jungle ahead. Jeff says . . .

56. EXT. JUNGLE SEMICLOSE
On Jeff and Nick. The latter wipes his brow, hitches up trousers. Blacks with chopping knives, pass in b.g. Sound of chopping begins.

57. EXT. - WIDER ANGLE
Mary comes on to the two men. Before she can speak, Jeff smiles at her and says:

58. EXT. JUNGLE - FULL SHOT
On tahe safari starting forward through the newly cut opening. Mary walking back to join Bob. . .

CUT TO:
58-A. EXT. JUNGLE - MED. SHOT
Unga, the giant first boy, hearing th esafari moving again awakens as the lst of the black bearers pass him. Fearful of being left behind, he gets on his fee, raises a magnifying glass he wears about his neck as a monocle to his eye, looks off after the receding safari and speaks in affected Oxford accent:

59. EXT. BROOKS HUT - MED. FULL
An establishing shot on good sized thatched and plce hut in jungle clearing.

LAP DISSOLVE TO:
60. INT. BROOKS HUT - FULL SHOT
A crudely, but well-furnished interior with skins and weapons upon walls -- books on shelf. Table, chairs, couches, etc. A small portable phonograph on a stand. Brooks, with bandaged head is seated at table writing a letter. Tarzan moves along wall, looking a various objects like a curious child.

61. INT. BROOKS HUT - SEMICLOSE
On Brooks writing. He looks up and smiles as he sees. . .

62. INT. BROOKS HUT - SEMICLOSE
Follow shot of Tarzan as he picks up a book, looks at it with frown shakes head and puts it down -- perhaps lets it drop carelessl, to floor. He looks a other objects -- goes on to where phonograph stands -- touches the release lever. The record begins to turn but the neddle bar is lifted so there is no music. Tarzan stares at it curiously.

63. INT. HUT - MED. SHOT
On Brooks and Tarzan .Brooks watching smiles as Tarzan advances a cautious finger toward the phonograph.

64. INT. BROOKS' HUT - CLOSEUP
On Brooks grinning. He looks toward photos of Mary on desk and has sudden idea. He reaches out and takes it up.

66. INT. BROOKS' HUT - SEMICLOSE
On Brooks and Tarzan, the latter looking at the picture intently. Brooks watches him and first indicating the letter and then the picture, speaks slowly, and though to a child.

67. EXT. JUNGLE - FULL SHOT
On the safari coming into th ebqackground through jungle and down toward the clearing in f.g.

68. EXT. JUNGLE - CLOSER ANGLE - MOVING SHOT
On the marching safari. The guides are a little ahead. Mary and Bob now walk together. Swing camera down lineto the black bearers -- they look about them with anxious glances, muttering fearfully to each otgher.

69. EX. - MOVING SHOT - SEMICLOSE
 On a coupld of blacks wih frightened eyes looking up toward trees. Unga enters to Blacks, and raising his magnifying glass, asks:

70. EXT. CLEARING - MED. SHOT
On the safari as it comes to a halt, some of the blacks drop their leads. Adul shouts at them and cracks whip. Bob turns and hurries toward him while from the head of the line, Nick and Jeff start back.

71. EXT. CLEARING - MED. SHOT
Bob hurries up as Abdul is about to use his whip. Bob stops him.

72. EXT. JUNGLE - MED SHOT
On Bob and Mary. She says:

'73. EXT. - CLOSEUP ON MARY AND JEFF
She speaks to him and for a moment he seems not to hear as he turns his eyes from tree to tree as though searching for something.

74.  EXT. CLEARING - FULL SHOT
On the halted safari. They break into groups, the blacks opening packs under the shouted directions of Nick and Abdul. Jeff and Nick move off to aid in making the camp. Mary stands alone in foreground of the shot. Above the noise of the camp there is a shrill chatter of monkeys. She looks off at . . .

75. EXT. - STOCK SHOT OF MONKEY IN TREES

76. EXT. CLEARING - SEMICLOSE
Of Mary looking off and listening. She smiles up toward the monkeys and moves forward out of scene, past camera.

WIPE OUT TO:
77. STOCK SHOT - LEOPARD

78. STOCK SHOT - HYENA

79. STOCK SHOT - JUNGLE

80. EXT - JUNGLE - MED. AKELEY
Of Tarzan in great swings through trees.

81. EXT. EDGE OF POOL - MED. SHOT
Mary comes in and stops beside screen of bushes, looking at the water. She has sudden daring thought -- looks back in direction from which she came and starts to strip.

82. EXT. JUNGLE MED. SHOT
Tarzan in a great swing, lands in trees in f.g. Crouches and springs out of scene.

83. EXT. BUSHES - MED. SHOT
 Shot through screen of bushes of Mary. She is running behind bushes, her bare shoulders and laughing face above the bushes. She wears white step-ins and low underwaist but through the bushes appears to be nude.

84. EXT. TREE TOP - SEMICLOSE
Of Tarzan, as he swings to position for spring and stops, looking off at . . .

85. EXT. JUNGLE POOL - VERY LONG
Of Mary running to the water. At the distnat range she appears to be entirely undressed.

86. EXT. JUNGLE TREE - SEMICLOSE
Of Tarzan looking off first in wonder and then with a smile. He swings out of the tree.

87. EXT. JUNGLE - AKELEY SHOT
On Tarzan in a series of long swings.

88. EXT. TREE - MED SHOT
Of Tarzan landing in tree and looking off and down at. . .

89. EX.. WATER - DEPTH SHOT
Ordinary swimming, her bare shoulders above water.

90. EXT. TREE  - CLOSEUP
Of Tarzan looking down in wonder. He fumbles at puch and takes out the picture.

INSERT OF PICTURE
Tarzan recognizing the girl and looking first down and then at picture.

91. EXT. - STOCK SHOT
A group of crocodiles at pool edge. Several slide into the water.

92. EXT. WATER - SEMICLOSE
Of Mary swimming in toward camera. Her eyes suddenly widen with terror as she sees. . .

93. EXT. WATER - MED. SHOT - STOCK
Of crocodiles coming fast through water.

94. EXT. WATER - SEMICLOSE
Of Mary as she turns about to swim back.

95. EXT. TREE TOP - SEMICIRCLE
On Tarzan as he looks down and goes out of trees in long dive.

96. EXT. WATER - MED. SHOT
On Tarzan as he goes into water, rises to surface and goes away at racing stroke.

97. EXT. WATER - SEMICLOSE
 Of Mary swimming, the noses of crocodiles coming in behind her, She looks back and screams.

98. EXT. CAMP - MED SHOT
The men busy about setting up the tents. Bob in f.g. hears the scream of Mary. He cries out. . .

99. EXT. WATER - MED. SHOT
Of Mary swimming fast in terror. The nose of a crocodile comes into the scene behind her. . .

100. EXT. WATER - SEMICLOSE
Of Tarzan swimming hard.

101. EXT. JUNGLE PATH - MED. FULL SHOT
Bob running in, jerks to a halt as a lion leaps form bushes and crouches in the path ahead of him.

102. EXT. WATER - MED. SHOT
On Mary swimming hard. The cdrocodile closes in behind her. Tarzan swims in fast between her and the cdrocodile. Mary turns to look back and sees. . .

103. EXT. WATER - SEMICLOSE
On Tarzan and the crocodile as he grabs the reptile's jaws. There is a great heave and they disappear beneath the surface.

Has mighty Tarzan met his  match in this slimy surian of the swamps?
Is Mary Brooks' quest for her father to end in another jungle tragedy?

See
Chapter Two
of
"TARZAN THE FEARLESS"
at this theatre
next week!
"THE STORMING STRIKES!"

Tarzan the Fearless Movie Compendium
ERBzine Silver Screen Series