Jungle Girl - Serial

Rating:
Summary: Republic shines again
Review: I was nine years old the first time I saw this superb serial in 1941. I fell in love for the first time with Francis Gifford. I can't say enough about this wonderful actress. Supporting her was Tom Neal who went on to fame as the guy who punched out Franchot Tone over a famous lady star. I really enjoyed the special effects and the great stunt people who added much to this, my favorite serial. I followed Francis' career till she was admitted to a California mental hospital where she died just a couple of years ago.

Rating:
Summary: The Best of the Jungle Serials
Review: This is another great Republic Serial and introduces us to Nyoka the Jungle Girl...The Story was actually based on one written by Tarzan scribe Edgar Rice Burroughs.

Dr. John Meredith (Trevor Bardette) has been driven from civilization by the criminal activities of his twin brother Bradley Meredith (also Trevor Bardette). With his infant daughter, he settles in the African jungle, where his ability to cure the native ills has resulted in his virtual control of the Masamba tribes, who possess vast diamond mines coveted by a gang of crooks. They use Shamba (Frank Lackteen), a witch doctor jealous of Dr. Meredith's influence over the tribe, to further their schemes. They lure Dr. Meredith away from the jungle, and he is murdered by "Slick" Latimer (Gerald Mohr). The natives believe that a sacred amulet is the secret of Dr. Meredith's power, and Shamba attempts to kill Nyoka (Frances Gifford), Meredith's now-grown-up daughter, to obtain the amulet(which actually contains the secret to the entrance of the Caves of Nakros). Jack Stanton (Tom Neal) rescues her and assists her in her efforts to recover the amulet.

This serial looks very good...easily as good as the larger-budgeted Tarzan serials that were being produced over at MGM. The serial is action-packed with excellent stunt sequences. Frances Gifford really shines in the title role as Nyoka. And while none of the cast would be household names, everyone does a good job.

Republic would produces a couple of sequels including Nyoka and the Tigerman and the Perils of Nyoka. WEll done!

Rating:
Summary: Bad Gorilla Great Film
Review: This serial scores in every way imaginable with
creative cliffhangers, quality production values
and fast paced action. The only weak points:
"white" african natives and the goofiest gorilla costume
ever seen in a film. You'll watch this one over and over again.
Freakin' amazing.

Rating:
Summary: Clean Print & Hiss-Free Audio Leave Me Swingin!
Review: VCI Video got ahold of a nice clean print from the UK/Irish distribution and really put together a crisp visual & no-hiss audio package here! One of the great Republic serials, Jungle Girl gets her due in this release... from the packaging to the super-affordable price (if you don't think so, shop around). Each episode is complete, from the opening music to the closing credits (and not abridged in from the "where we left off" recap at the beginnings). A nice job all the way from VCI. Time for me to go... now where'd I park my elephant??!! ;^)

Rating:
Summary: Clean Print & Hiss-Free Audio Leave Me Swingin!
Review: VCI Video got ahold of a nice clean print from the UK/Irish distribution and really put together a crisp visual & no-hiss audio package here! One of the great Republic serials, Jungle Girl gets her due in this release... from the packaging to the super-affordable price (if you don't think so, shop around). Each episode is complete, from the opening music to the closing credits (and not abridged in from the "where we left off" recap at the beginnings). A nice job all the way from VCI. Time for me to go... now where'd I park my elephant??!! ;^)