Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle
Created by	Edgar Rice Burroughs (characters)
Directed by	Don Towsley
Starring	Robert Ridgely
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	36
Production
Executive producer(s)	Norm Prescott Lou Scheimer
Producer(s)	Don Christensen
Running time	Half-hour
Production company(s)	Filmation
Distributor	Warner Bros. Television Distribution
Release
Original network	CBS
Original release	September 11, 1976 (1976-09-11) – September 6, 1980 (1980-09-06)
Chronology
Followed by	The Batman/Tarzan Adventure Hour

Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle is an exciting animated TV show made by the Filmation studio for CBS. It first aired in 1976 and ran for four seasons. There are 36 episodes in total. The series tells the adventures of Tarzan, a hero who protects the jungle and its creatures.

About the Show's Story

This cartoon is known for being very true to the original Tarzan books by Edgar Rice Burroughs. It shows Tarzan as a smart and well-spoken hero, not like some movies where he might seem less intelligent. He often explores "lost cities" hidden in the jungle, just like in the books.

Tarzan's best friend in the show is a small monkey named N'kima. In many Tarzan movies, his companion is a chimpanzee named "Cheeta," but N'kima is the true friend from the original books. The show also uses words from the special "Mangani" language, which is the language of the great apes in Tarzan's world.

The cartoon's animation style, called rotoscoping, was inspired by the famous Tarzan artist Burne Hogarth. This technique makes the movements look very smooth and realistic.

Meet the Characters

Tarzan and N'kima, his monkey friend.

Here are some of the main characters you'll meet in Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle:

• Tarzan (voiced by Robert Ridgely) – The main hero of the jungle. He was raised by apes and protects all living things.
• N'kima (voiced by Lou Scheimer) – Tarzan's loyal monkey companion. They are always together on adventures.
• Jad-bal-ja – A magnificent lion with golden fur and a dark mane. Tarzan raised and trained him, and they are great friends.
• Tantor – These are friendly African Elephants. They are Tarzan's allies and will help him whenever he calls.
• Queen Nemone (voiced by Joan Gerber and Hettie Lynn Hurtes) – The powerful ruler of Zandor, a city Tarzan sometimes visits.
  • Tomas (voiced by Alan Oppenheimer) – Queen Nemone's main advisor, who follows her orders.
  • Belthar – Queen Nemone's pet lion.
• Phobeg (voiced by Ted Cassidy and Alan Oppenheimer) – A very strong man from Zandor's Royal Guard. He starts as an opponent but later becomes a secret friend to Tarzan.
• Jane Porter (voiced by Linda Gary) – Tarzan's love interest from the original books. She appears in one episode, "Tarzan and Jane," on an archaeological trip.

Fictional Jungle Races

The jungle is home to many unique groups of creatures:

• Mangani – These are intelligent great apes with their own language. Tarzan grew up with them and considers them family. They are always ready to help him.
• Bolmangani – A race of gorilla-like people. They often try to enslave animals and take over parts of the jungle, but Tarzan always stops them.
• Donlumangani – Short, ape-like humanoids who live in the cold, snowy mountains. They are sometimes called the Ice People.
• Monkey People – Creatures that are part human and part monkey.

Other Animals of the Jungle

Many animals in the show are called by their Mangani names, which Tarzan understands:

• Argus – A giant eagle.
• Bolgani – A Gorilla.
• Borta – A Common Warthog.
• Buto – A Black Rhinoceros.
• Dango – A Spotted Hyena.
• Duro – A Hippopotamus.
• Gimla – A Crocodile.
• Gordo – A large water creature that looks like a dinosaur.
• Gorgos – An African Buffalo.
• Histah – An African Rock Python.
• Lukota – A giant tortoise.
• Manu – A monkey (N'kima is a Manu).
• Numa – A Lion.
• Pacco - A Zebra.
• Sabor – A lioness.
• Sheeta – A large jungle cat.
• Tangani – A baboon.
• Tarbogani – A white gorilla.
• Tar-Sheeta – A large white tiger that lives in snowy mountains.
• Zupisa – A great whale.

Episode List Overview

There are 36 episodes of Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle, spread across four seasons. The show often aired as part of bigger cartoon blocks with other heroes.

• The first season (1976) had 16 episodes.
• The second season (1977) added 6 new episodes and was part of The Batman/Tarzan Adventure Hour.
• The third season (1978) added 6 new episodes and was part of Tarzan and the Super 7.
• The fourth season (1979) added 8 new episodes, also as part of Tarzan and the Super 7.

Later, reruns of Tarzan's adventures were shown in other cartoon blocks like The Tarzan/Lone Ranger Adventure Hour and The Tarzan/Lone Ranger/Zorro Adventure Hour.

Season 1: 1976 Episodes

Season 2: 1977 Episodes

Aired as part of The Batman/Tarzan Adventure Hour.

Season 3: 1978 Episodes

Aired as part of Tarzan and the Super 7, season one.

Season 4: 1979 Episodes

Aired as part of Tarzan and the Super 7, season two.

Voice Cast

The talented actors who brought the characters to life:

• Robert Ridgely – Tarzan
• Jack Bannon
• Erika Carroll
• Ted Cassidy – Phobeg (1st time)
• Robert Chapel
• Gerald Clark
• Linda Gary – Jane Porter, Dr. Jessica Randolph, Fana the Huntress, Rowanda, Queen Tara
• Joanie Gerber – Queen Nemone (1st Time)
• Barry Gordon – Bjorn
• Hettie Lynn Hurtes – Thia, Queen Nemone (3rd Time)
• Alan Oppenheimer – Tomos, Orbin, Phobeg (3rd Time)
• Jane Webb

Show Formats Over Time

The series aired under different names and as part of various cartoon blocks:

• Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle (September 11, 1976 – September 3, 1977, CBS)
• The Batman/Tarzan Adventure Hour (September 10, 1977 – September 2, 1978, CBS)
• Tarzan and the Super 7 (September 9, 1978 – September 6, 1980, CBS)
• The Tarzan/Lone Ranger Adventure Hour (September 13, 1980 – September 5, 1981, CBS)
• The Tarzan/Lone Ranger/Zorro Adventure Hour (September 12, 1981 – September 11, 1982, CBS)