Tarzan 32-10-07 (20) Tarzan Presides over Apes

Summary

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Podcast Summary:

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Tarzan 32-10-07 (20) Tarzan Presides over Apes
Release Date: January 29, 2026

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Episode Overview

This classic Golden Age radio drama brings to life an episode from Edgar Rice Burroughs’ iconic Tarzan series. The story unfolds as Tarzan observes a group of castaways settling into his territory, uncovering remnants of a mysterious past, while nearby a group of pirates scheme violently over a hidden treasure. Tensions rise with impending danger, showcasing both the dangers of the jungle and human greed, while Tarzan’s presence and actions serve as a swift—and sometimes brutal—force of justice.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Developments

1. Discovery of the Hut’s Grim Past

• [00:31–03:02]
  • The group (including Jane, Professor, and Philander) notices the hut is more than they expected and begin to set up “housekeeping.”
  • They find skeletons inside—including a baby’s—hinting at a tragic story of previous occupants.
  • Notable Quote:
    • D (Jane): “Oh, how terrible. Oh, the pain to think of them all alone.” ([01:24])
  • Professor and Philander quietly inspect the remains, hinting at possible anthropoidal (ape-like) characteristics, adding to the mystery.
  • A touch of gallows humor appears as they justify mixing books and canned goods, keeping spirits cautiously light amid the grisly find.

2. Setting Up and Sensing Danger

• [03:03–03:35]
  • The party settles in, searching for a pressure lamp as night falls.
  • They relish momentary safety and comfort in the hut despite recent hardships.

3. Tarzan’s Observational Tension

• [03:35–05:33]

  • The narrative shifts to Tarzan, who stealthily observes the newcomers and worries about their intentions.

  • Tarzan’s movement through the jungle is vividly described, highlighting his superhuman agility and the contrast between him and the human interlopers.

  • He approaches the pirates, who are just outside his territory and plotting amongst themselves.

  • Notable Quote:

    • Narrator (B): “Though Tarzan's body moves leisurely, his mind races. ... Instinct, reason tell him that these men are dangerous.” ([03:35])

4. Pirate Infighting and Tense Escalation

• [05:33–07:04]
  • Among the pirates, tempers flare; Snipes kills a crewmate to show dominance and determination regarding the treasure.
  • They catch sight of lights from the hut and a ship approaching, causing panic about being discovered by a cruiser (presumed hostile or law enforcement).
  • Orders are given to extinguish the hut’s lamp by force.
  • Notable Quote:
    • C (Snipes): “You killed him, Snipes. … I meant to. What's the use of the likes of him? All he could do was holler. … Well, never mind. Let's get this treasure up. This place gives me the creeps.” ([05:33])

5. Tarzan’s Intervention & Show of Strength

• [07:04–09:48]
  • King (pirate) stumbles toward the hut to extinguish the light as ordered.
  • Tarzan is described as moving with animal stealth, positioning himself to intercept the threat.
  • In a dramatic, wordless confrontation, Tarzan renders King helpless with a grass rope, shakes him to subdue him, and threatens him with a knife to ensure he leaves the hut alone.
  • Tarzan then carries King away through the trees, using his immense strength and agility, finally dropping him near the pirate camp as a warning.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Narrator (B): “Tarzan shakes him like a terrier shakes a rat. Back and forth, back and forth. He is terrified. Is Tarzan going to kill him?” ([08:08])

6. Pirates Unearth the Treasure—But Threat Looms

• [09:48–11:07]
  • The pirates dig up a treasure chest, but its weight and the urgency of an approaching cruiser cause internal debate.
  • They hurriedly consider re-hiding the treasure and making a quick escape, fearing discovery.
  • Notable Quote:
    • C: “That cruiser’s getting too close. Don’t forget, matey, this professor bloke might have another map. ... She can’t see without light now.” ([10:33])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tragedy Revealed:
  • Jane: “Oh, how terrible. Oh, the pain to think of them all alone.” ([01:24])
• Tarzan’s Instinctive Suspicion:
  • Narrator: “Instinct, reason tell him that these men are dangerous.” ([03:35])
• Pirate Ruthlessness:
  • Snipes: “You killed him, Snipes. I meant to. What's the use of the likes of him? All he could do was holler.” ([05:33])
• Tarzan’s Dominance:
  • Narrator: “Tarzan shakes him like a terrier shakes a rat. ... He is terrified. Is Tarzan going to kill him?” ([08:08])
• Pirate Paranoia:
  • C: "That cruiser's getting too close. ... She can't see without light now." ([10:33])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:31–03:02]: Discovery and discussion of the skeletons in the hut
• [03:35–05:33]: Tarzan observing the newcomers and the pirates' arrival
• [05:33–07:04]: Pirate infighting and plans to put out the hut's light
• [07:04–09:48]: Tarzan intercepts King and demonstrates his jungle prowess
• [09:48–11:07]: Pirates unearth the treasure chest and debate next moves

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Tone and Style

This episode blends suspense with touches of dark humor, moving briskly between the domestic attempts at comfort by the castaways and the brutal criminal antics of the pirates. Tarzan’s silent strength is contrasted with the chaos and bumbling violence of the outsiders, building tension and excitement in true pulp-adventure style.

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This episode perfectly encapsulates the classic jungle adventure—mystery, peril, and the looming presence of Tarzan as guardian and judge in his wild domain.

Transcript

[A]

Los abec enecitas pinturas de calidad. Ah, unprecio quesa justa tu presupuesto porreso miembros de my los pro rewards ahoran painte porciento encompras de pinturas tintesi primers cuando el gasto annual encompras calificadas empinturas alcanza tres mil dolares aprobecha. Oy marcas como Valspar Cabot e pro block and loges.

[B]

Tarzan of the Apes. Brought to you from out the pages of Edgar Rice Burroughs amazing book. Well, a hut is certainly more than.

[C]

I expected to find in this. Hi, Jo.

[B]

Professor.

[C]

Walk in outside the moss. What's the matter, skeleton?

[D]

What are you two whispering about?

[C]

Oh, nothing, my dear, just a moment.

[B]

You see, Jane, we.

[C]

That is in simple language, my dear. The previous inhabitants of this hut, poor.

[B]

Souls, evidently met their end together with.

[C]

The inevitable result that.

[D]

That their bodies are still here.

[C]

Oh, no, no, no. It must have been years ago then.

[D]

What you are trying to say is that there are two skeletons.

[C]

Three, to be precise.

[B]

There's a baby in this crib.

[D]

Oh, how terrible. Oh, the pain to think of them all alone.

[B]

Well, now, don't be upset. It happened a long time ago. You just sit down outside. It'll only take a few minutes.

[D]

I'm not squeamish, not after our experiences of the past few days.

[B]

All right. You can put things in order if.

[C]

That is, if you don't mind.

[B]

Just put them where you want them.

[C]

I understand.

[D]

Get ready to start housekeeping in our new home.

[C]

That's the idea.

[B]

As long as you can see the.

[C]

Humorous side of things, well, I'll have no fear. Ah, Philander.

[B]

What? Your attention and your advice. Delighted.

[C]

Take a look at this baby skeleton.

[B]

Ah, extremely short tibia and elongated radius.

[D]

A skull.

[C]

Philander. Don't be so obtuse. And I see decidedly anthropoidal characteristics. Amazing.

[B]

You don't suppose.

[D]

Hey, will you come here? Where do you want your mucky old book?

[C]

Coming, my dear? Say nothing to the others.

[B]

Philander. We don't want. All right, all right.

[C]

Now what is it, dear? You said something about books.

[D]

Yes, here they are. Where do you want me to put them?

[C]

Oh, yes, yes. I think this cupboard is as good a place as any.

[D]

Well, that's where I'm going to put the canned goods and I don't.

[C]

Well, my dear, I don't think either the canned goods or the books will suffer if they are placed together.

[B]

Does anyone know where that pressure lamp was put. It's getting dark. While we haven't an inexhaustible supply of fuel. Still, we might as well use it tonight, I think. In fact, I'm sure it's in the same box as the canned sausage. At least that'd account for the remarkably.

[C]

Strange taste of the sausage.

[B]

Well, apparently you're right. Here it is.

[D]

Oh, that's much better. Well, it's certainly going to be a treat to sleep for once in something like a house again. And Cecil, I'd feel much safer with the door closed.

[B]

Oh, of course. Tarzan swings himself leisurely along the upper jungle terrace. A pale moon sends streaks of shimmering silver across the waters of the bay. The swaying trees cut fantastic shadows on the spongy moss a hundred feet below. Though Tarzan's body moves leisurely, his mind races. He's watched Clayton and the party unload their boat and move their gear to his Tarzan flood and strangest of all, these men have not fought. Tarzan stops. He leans forward, listening. The sounds are coming from the beach. He glances toward the hut. The lamp glows dimly in the distance. He pulls himself higher, branch by branch to the crest of Acacia. Now he can see down on the fringe of the jungle, close by the sea. A light beams. And a light means m e n instinct, reason tell him that these men are dangerous. Are from the thing that floats upon the water. With lightning speed. He drops limb by limb down, down into the inky blackness of the denser foliage. His body swaying, his strong fingers steel like certain of their hold. Grasping the branches with ape like accuracy. His feet touch the leafy carpet and skirting the treacherous gnarled branches of a wait a bit. Thorn bush. He glides through the clump of bamboo. Tarzan stops. He sees the pirate crew gathered about yont a big man with heavy beetling eyebrows. The big man waves his arms and points angrily at the ground. A little man detaches himself from the group, picks up a thing like a club. The big man doubles up his fist, shakes it in the little man's face. The little man swings. The big man steps back. Or too late. The club light thing crushes the big man to the ground. You.

[C]

You killed him, Snipes. I meant to. What's the use of the likes of him? All he could do was holler. He couldn't work, but he could navigate so hard about s a blooming ship. Well, never mind.

[B]

Let's get this treasure up. This place gives me the creeps.

[C]

Blooming hard ground.

[B]

Awful. What?

[C]

I said it's nice look there, through the trees. There's a light. Strike me pink. Appetite. That balmy old professor and his gang, eh? Now what's the matter?

[B]

A ship.

[C]

See a light bearing down on our port bow, King?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Grabbed up their lamp. Give Harry the signal to douse our running light. That's that blooming cruiser what we sighted the other day. Now you sally dowsing the running lights.

[B]

With that lantern of the professor's gang up shore there, shining plain as day for them frogs to see.

[C]

You're right, King. Here taint Safar. You take your rifle and put out the professor's light. Don't argue. I don't care how you done it. Put out that light.

[B]

Crashing through the broken twigs, stumbling over roots and vines, cursing under his breath, King starts off through the underbrush. Tarzan follows. The ape man doesn't understand the words, but the meaning. The meaning is that she is in danger. Swiftly, Tarzan swings his lithe body along from tree to tree with scarcely the rippling of a leaf. He makes no sound that would betray his presence to the stumbling, cursing man below. Now he's between King the pirate and the little clearing where she is. He waits, tense. He crouches on a low hanging limb. From his right hand he dangles a length of brass rope, drooped at the end. King is coming. What a contrast. The clumsy sailor stumbling, splashing through the brush. While Tarzan, grateful sleek lord of the jungle, waits. The pirate is nearly under the tree, but Tarzan crouches, ready for instant action. Now King is under the tree. Tarzan throws his grass rope. He travels over the man's head and shoulders. The man yells with a mighty he. Tarzan yanks the mutiny in the air. King's arms are pinned to his sides. He struggles, kicks, curses. Tarzan shakes him like a terrier shaped rat. Back and forth, back and forth. He is terrified. Is Tarzan going to kill him? Tarzan gathers the sailor into his arms. Swiftly he winds the rope around the man's body. King cannot move hand or foot. Tarzan leans the sailor against the tree. King's eyes almost start from his head when he sees the brawny brown figure of the ape man. Slowly, deliberately, Tarzan draws his knife from its sheath. He points to the cabin and threateningly, significantly, draws the knife across his throat. King's teeth chatter. He cannot talk, but he understands and vigorously shakes his head. Tarzan, satisfied that the man will leave the hut alone, picks him up with a scruff of the neck and tosses him across his shoulder and without effort, grasps a vine and swings to a branch. He balances himself a mere fraction of a Second then leaps into space. To miss either footing or grip means that two bodies will go hurtling down through the crashing branches to certain death a hundred feet below. But with a skill surpassing that of the great apes. His practiced hand and sure foot carry him branch after branch, vine after vine, soundlessly, swiftly, closer and closer to the pirates. He stops. He hears the ring of metal on metal. A shovel striking the treasure chest.

[C]

Diving. Mate, the map's all right. Here's our ruddy treasure chest right enough.

[B]

A good size too.

[C]

It's evil.

[B]

Up.

[C]

Get hold of that end, Chunky Steve.

[B]

Now you build at the other corner.

[C]

Lively now.

[B]

She won't move.

[C]

Wish team was back. There must be a million quid. Enough.

[B]

Take four of Mr. Budger. Hurry, mate. That French cruise is getting closer.

[C]

We'd better dig another hole, dump the chest in, get aboard and blow before the cruiser leaves too.

[B]

And leave the treasure?

[C]

Yes. If that cruiser overhauls us and purchased, it's goodbye treasure and the yard arm.

[B]

For all of us. Then why move the box?

[C]

That cruiser's getting too close. Don't forget, matey, this professor bloke might have another map. No, we got time. She can't see without light now.

[B]

Hello.

[E]

I'm here during the lunch rush with Janice who owns her own food truck.

[C]

Best cheesesteaks in town.

[E]

Janice traded up to Geico Commercial Auto Insurance for her food truck business. We're here where she needs us most.

[B]

They sure are.

[E]

We make it so easy for her to save with customized coverage that grows with her business. Sorry, I just get so emotional talking about saving folks money.

[B]

Not this onion.

[D]

I'm chubby.

[E]

It's just so beautiful.

[B]

Oh yeah.

[E]

Nice.

[B]

The onion.

[A]

Get a commercial auto insurance quote [e-mail].

[B]

And see how much you could save. It feels good. To Geico.