Jungle Jim is a 1948 black and whiteadventure film directed by William Berke and starring Johnny Weissmuller. It is based on Alex Raymond's Jungle Jimcomic strip and was distributed by Columbia Pictures. It is the first picture in the Jungle Jim series that consists of 16 films originally released between 1948 and 1955. In 1954, Columbia turned over its Jungle Jim rights to its television subsidiary, and in the last three films of the motion picture series Weissmuller's character was referred to as "Johnny Weissmuller" instead of Jungle Jim. Devil Goddess was the last entry in the series, as well as being Weissmuller's last feature film.
Plot
After attempting in vain to save a man from being mauled to death by a leopard, Jungle Jim discovers a vial containing an unknown potion. He takes it to district commissioner Marsden, who identifies it as being from the hidden temple of Zimbalu and brings in Dr. Hilary Parker to head up an expedition with Jim as her guide. An opportunistic photographer, Bruce Edwards, follows as Dr. Parker seeks what she believes could be a miraculous breakthrough in medicine. Jim is more concerned that witch doctors use what's in the vial as a deadly poison. His trusty ally Kolu comes along and saves Jim when he is pushed off a cliff by Edwards. The favor is returned when Jim rescues Kolu from an attacking lion. Accidents befall the expedition along the way, as Edwards ingratiates himself with the "devil doctors", only to later incur their wrath. The potion isn't the polio vaccine Hilary hoped it would be, but she expresses a willingness to work again with Jim in future adventures in the jungle.
The Jungle Jim comics had already been turned into a film serial in 1936 and a radio show. Weissmuller had appeared in Tarzan movies since 1932 but in the late 1940s his contract with producer Sol Lesser was about to expire. In February 1948 producer Sam Katzman had signed a five-year deal with Johnny Weissmuller to make "jungle movies" starting with two films a year for two years where the budgets would be at least $350,000. Hedda Hopper reported that these would be an adaptation of the Jungle Jim or King ofthe Jungle comic strips. William Berke would direct the films. Initially it was thought there was still a chance Weissmuller might continue as Tarzan as well, but by April 1948Lex Barker had signed to take over that role and Katzman announced Weissmuller would make Jungle Jim. Weissmuller dropped out of Tarzan in part because he had been putting on too much weight. Katzman had a penalty clause in his contract with the actor that insisted Weissmuller had to weigh in at 190 pounds or less, or be penalised $5,000 a pound up to ten pounds, or $50,000. The actor's fee was $75,000. "If he can't take it off by exercise he takes it off by worry", said Katzman. Filming started on August 3. Weissmuller would make two films a year for five years. Virginia Grey was cast as female lead shortly before filming commenced.
Reception
The Los Angeles Times called it "pretty much formula stuff but most kids and some grownups will like it." The New York Times said Weissmuller played "a fat, but physically fearless, and miraculously clever jungle guide... foiling witch doctors and white villains much as he's done of old" but added "it's not quite the same old Johnny. And that perceptible rubber tire which shows around his middle when he goes in swimming is not the only evidence of age. A heavy accretion of boredom is in his attitude... maybe it's too much dialogue." Variety said "while filling its purpose satisfactorily for the kiddie field producers might have attracted a broader market had they given it more adult intent."
