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

Summary

Tarzan Presides over Apes: A Detailed Summary of "Tarzan 32-10-07 (20)"

Released on July 11, 2025, "Tarzan Presides over Apes" is the twentieth episode of Harold's Old Time Radio's Tarzan series. This episode transports listeners back to the Golden Age of Radio, immersing them in an adventurous tale of jungle intrigue, treasure hunts, and the timeless clash between Tarzan and cunning antagonists.

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1. Setting the Scene

The episode opens with Tarzan, the iconic Lord of the Jungle, introducing himself in his characteristic rugged manner:

• [00:01] Tarzan: "Tarzan of the Apes. Brought to you from out the pages of Edgar Rice Burroughs amazing book."

Listeners are immediately drawn into the lush jungle environment as Tarzan and his companions acclimate to their new surroundings.

2. Unearthing the Past

Tarzan's friend, Professor Porter, plays a pivotal role in the unfolding narrative. The trio discovers remnants of past inhabitants in their new hut, leading to a suspenseful conversation:

• [00:10] Jane: "What are you two whispering about?"

• [00:18] Professor Porter: "I expected to find in this by Joe. Professor, Take Jane outside the moss. What's the matter, skeleton?"

The discovery of two skeletons and a crib raises immediate concerns about the hut's history.

• [00:46] Jane: "What you are trying to say is that there are two skeletons."

• [00:49] Professor Porter: "Agree to be precise. There's a baby in this crib."

Jane expresses her distress over the somber find:

• [00:53] Jane: "Oh, how terrible. Oh, the pa. To think of them all alone."

3. Preparing the New Home

As Jane takes charge of organizing the hut, the conversation shifts to practical matters, subtly hinting at underlying tensions.

• [01:05] Jane: "I'm not squeamish, not after our experiences the past few days."

• [01:13] Jane: "I understand. Get ready to start housekeeping in our new home."

Professor Porter discusses the placement of items, blending the mundane with the mysterious:

• [02:15] Professor Porter: "Oh, yes, yes. I think this cupboard is as good a place as in it."

4. The Emergence of Threats

The tranquility of the jungle is disrupted when Tarzan observes suspicious activities by a group of pirates unloading their boat.

• [02:32] Tarzan: "Does anyone know where that pressure lamp was put? It's getting dark while we haven't an inexhaustible supply of fuel."

Professor Porter dismisses the findings, revealing their nefarious intentions:

• [05:03] Professor Porter: "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."

The presence of the pirates sets the stage for impending conflict, as they discuss uncovering a treasure chest before a French cruiser arrives.

• [05:31] Professor Porter: "Look there through the trees there's a light. Strike me pink appetite. That balmy old professor and his gang, eh?"

5. Tarzan Takes Action

Tarzan's vigilance is unwavering as he monitors the pirates' movements. His keen senses detect the pirates' activities, prompting him to intervene.

• [06:04] Tarzan: "Running lights with that lantern of the professor's gang up shore there shining plain."

Professor Porter urgently instructs Tarzan to neutralize the threat:

• [06:09] Professor Porter: "You take your rifle and put out the professor's light. I don't care how you done it. Put out that light."

Embarking on a stealth mission, Tarzan showcases his unparalleled agility and strategic prowess as he navigates the dense foliage to confront the pirates.

6. The Confrontation

In a dramatic encounter, Tarzan captures a pirate named King, demonstrating his dominance and resolve to protect his domain.

• [06:54] Tarzan: "Swiftly, Tarzan swings his lithe body along from tree to tree with scarcely the rippling of a leaf."

Tarzan leverages his strength and combat skills to subdue King, threatening him to ensure the pirates retreat:

• [07:10] Tarzan: "He points to the cabin and threateningly, significantly, draws the knife across his throat."

King, visibly terrified, understands the gravity of the situation:

• [07:25] Tarzan: "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."

7. The Race Against Time

As the pirates hastily attempt to secure their treasure, the impending arrival of a French cruiser adds urgency to their mission.

• [09:17] Professor Porter: "And leave the treasure? Yes, if that cruiser overhauls us and purchased it's goodbye treasure and the yard arm for all of us."

The episode crescendos with the tension of whether the pirates will succeed in their quest or be thwarted by Tarzan's intervention.

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Key Themes and Insights

• The Clash Between Civilization and Nature: The interaction between Professor Porter and Tarzan highlights the tension between human greed and the natural order Tarzan upholds.

• Heroism and Vigilance: Tarzan embodies the archetypal hero, constantly vigilant and ready to defend his territory against encroaching threats.

• Moral Ambiguities: Professor Porter, despite his scholarly facade, reveals a ruthless pursuit of treasure, challenging the perception of intellect aligning with morality.

Notable Quotes

• Tarzan: "Tarzan of the Apes. Brought to you from out the pages of Edgar Rice Burroughs amazing book." [00:01]

• Jane: "What are you two whispering about?" [00:10]

• Professor Porter: "You killed him, Snipes. I meant to." [05:03]

• Professor Porter: "Look there through the trees there's a light. Strike me pink appetite." [05:31]

• Tarzan: "Swiftly, Tarzan swings his lithe body along from tree to tree with scarcely the rippling of a leaf." [06:54]

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Conclusion

"Tarzan Presides over Apes" masterfully blends adventure, suspense, and classic radio drama elements to deliver an engaging episode. Through vivid storytelling and dynamic character interactions, Harold's Old Time Radio brings Tarzan's timeless battles to life, reminding listeners why these tales remain cherished classics.

Transcript

[Tarzan]

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

[Professor Porter]

I expected to find in this by Joe. Professor, Take Jane outside the moss. What's the matter, skeleton?

[Jane]

What are you two whispering about?

[Professor Porter]

Oh, nothing, my dear. Just a moment.

[Tarzan]

You see, Jane, we.

[Professor Porter]

That is in simple language, my dear. The previous inhabitants of this hut, poor souls, evidently met their end together with the inevitable result that.

[Jane]

That their bodies are still here.

[Professor Porter]

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

[Jane]

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

[Professor Porter]

Agree to be precise. There's a baby in this crib.

[Jane]

Oh, how terrible. Oh, the pa. To think of them all alone.

[Tarzan]

Well, now, don't be upset.

[Professor Porter]

It happened a long time ago. You just sit down outside. It'll only take a few minutes.

[Jane]

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

[Tarzan]

All right, you can put things in order.

[Professor Porter]

That is, if you don't mind. Just put them where you want them.

[Jane]

I understand. Get ready to start housekeeping in our new home.

[Professor Porter]

That's the idea.

[Tarzan]

As long as you can see the.

[Professor Porter]

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

[Tarzan]

What?

[Professor Porter]

Your attention and your advice.

[Tarzan]

Delighted.

[Professor Porter]

Take a look at this baby skeleton. Ah, Extremely short tibia and an elongated radius.

[Jane]

A skull.

[Professor Porter]

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

[Jane]

You don't suppose you can hear there?

[Professor Porter]

You want your mucky old book coming, my dear? Say nothing to the others. Philander. We don't want. All right, all right. Now, what is it, dear? You said something about.

[Jane]

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

[Professor Porter]

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

[Jane]

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

[Professor Porter]

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

[Tarzan]

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.

[Professor Porter]

In fact, I'm sure it's in the same box as the canned sausage.

[Tarzan]

At least that'd account for the remarkably.

[Professor Porter]

Strange taste of the sausage.

[Tarzan]

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

[Jane]

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 settle. I'd Feel much safer with the door closed.

[Tarzan]

Oh, what cool. 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 plot. 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 telling 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 yacht. 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 crashes the big man to the ground. You.

[Professor Porter]

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. The word about sailing a blooming ship. Well, never mind. Let's get this treasure up. This place gives me the creeps. Blooming hard ground. Awful.

[Tarzan]

What?

[Professor Porter]

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? A ship see a light bearing down on our port bow, King? Yeah. 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 say he does in the.

[Tarzan]

Running lights with that lantern of the professor's gang up shore there shining plain.

[Professor Porter]

As day for them frogs to see. You're right, King here taint Zafar. You take your rifle and put out the professor's light. I don't care how you done it. Put out that light.

[Tarzan]

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.

[Professor Porter]

The meaning is that she is in danger.

[Tarzan]

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, roofed at the end. King is coming. What a contrast. The clumsy sailor stumbling, splashing through the brush, while Tarzan, graceful, sleek, Lord of the Jungle, waits. The pirate is nearly under the tree, while 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 side. He struggles, kicks, curses. Tarzan shakes him like a terrier shaped rat. Back and forth, back and forth. King 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 deaths 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.

[Professor Porter]

Diving might. The map's all right. Here's our ruddy treasure chest. Bright enough. Good size, too. Get fever up. Get hold of that end, Chunky Steve. Now you build the other corner Lively now She won't move Wish team was back There must be a million quid enough take four of Mr. Budger hurry mate, that French cruise is getting closer we better dig another hole dump the chest in, get aboard and blow before the cruiser leaves too and leave the treasure? Yes, if that cruiser overhauls us and purchased it's goodbye treasure and the yard arm for all of us Then why move the box? That cruiser's getting too close don't forget mighty this professor bloke might have another map no, we got time she can't be without light now him on Yes.