Michael_Elliott Tarzan and the Valley of Gold (1966) * (out of 4) Horrendously bad entry in the long-running series has former NFL lineman Mike Henry playing Tarzan. This time out Tarzan is called to Mexico where a young boy has come out of a jungle and apparently he's from a lost city where there's an endless amount of gold. The young boy is eventually kidnapped by the evil Augustus Vinero (David Opatoshu) so Tarzan must of course save the day. I'm sure there are some who are going to get a kick out of this entry in the series but every inch of this film just got under my skin. It's obvious that the producers were out of ideas in Africa so for this film and the past few they had him going around the globe doing various battles. It's also quite clear that the producer's of this film were familiar with the success of James Bond and that they wanted Tarzan to be another 007 but the end results are just embarrassing. You can see the Bond connection right during the opening credits as they're quite flashy and we get a "large" music score going with them. From this point we see Tarzan landing via helicopter in Mexico where he eventually gets into a major shoot-out and in one of the most jaw-dropping funny moments he kills a man with a large bottle of coke. From here we see our hero going around learning about the deadly wristwatches our villain sends to his enemies, the boy who came from the jungle and eventually he picks up some jungle animals do help him do battle. The entire thing with the Bond stuff is just so incredibly stupid that you can't help but get annoyed at it. I was hoping the film would at least get campy enough to where you could laugh at it but sadly this film never reaches the "so bad it's good" level. The story is just downright weak and we get way too much time where we see the villains doing their dumb things but most of it is just dialogue. Even worse is what they've done to Tarzan because he's pretty much unrecognizable. Henry doesn't make for a very good Tarzan. Yes, he has the body and can handle the action but he's just not believable as an ape man. The supporting cast isn't much better. I can understand the producer's trying to do something new and different but at the same time I think this here is just too much. It also doesn't help that it was probably best to realize that the series was simply running out of gas.

poe426 I've gotta admit that I've always liked the high tech Tarzan, as personified by Mike Henry, better than any of the others (although Gordon Scott comes in a close second). Henry could've (and should've) played Batman or Superman: he had the "built-in body armor" that any good superhero worth his tights should have- and he could act well enough to pull it off, too (despite what some critics seem to think, he comes across as a cerebral savage who vacillates between the contemporary, "civilized" man and the cave man). A buddy of mine tells me that Henry wanted to play Doc Savage; in my opinion, it would've been a perfect fit. (The soon-to-be-doomed) Dinky never really comes close to stealing the show in TARZAN AND THE VALLEY OF GOLD, but he does a commendable job in what turns out to have been his swan song. All things considered, TARZAN AND THE VALLEY OF GOLD is a lot of fun and the one Tarzan movie I can recommend without reservations.

bkoganbing David Opatoshu one of the most distinguished actors of the Yiddish Theater back in the day came to Hollywood rather late in his career. In doing so however he created a series of varied and distinguished roles. But none I liked better than his playing of international criminal David Vinaro in Tarzan and the Valley of Gold.Tarzan's been sent for by the Guatamalen government because a mysterious young boy played by Manuel Padilla, Jr. emerges from the jungle saying he's from a lost city that has vast uncounted gold. Of course that interests Opatoshu and he kidnaps the kid and forces him to lead a well armed expedition back to the lost city.Of course they're no match for Tarzan as played in this film by Mike Henry. In addition to his jungle skills, Henry has a good command of both the Queen's English and of modern weaponry which he demonstrates during the film. He also in the end gets Nancy Kovack who is Opatoshu's mistress out of harm's way. Naturally she likes the idea after one look at Henry in a loin cloth.Still Tarzan and the Valley of Gold belongs to David Opatoshu. He clearly loves the part he has and the end he meets in the Lost City is a poetical one to beat all.

Albert Ohayon Ex-L.A. Rams linebacker Mike Henry makes his debut as Tarzan in this 1960s adventure. His arrival in Mexico wearing a suit and tie and carrying a briefcase is quite jarring, as is his subsequent "James Bond style" gunfight. But, not to fear, this is just to show us that this Tarzan is handy with modern weapons and is at ease in any environment. He does go into the jungle(in his loincloth)accompanied by a couple of wild animals and this is where the film gets interesting. He has to find the legendary Valley of Gold and protect its citizens from greedy villain Vinaro(David Opatashu) and his well organized(not to mention armed-to-the-teeth) army. The story is a little hokey at times, and seeing Tarzan use guns, grenades and a tank is a little hard to take, but overall the characterizations are good and the Mexican scenery is nothing short of spectacular(especially the Aztec pyramid city).Opetashu is perfect as the smooth, slick villain who sends his enemies exploding wristwatches. Henry is a little serious as Tarzan but he does excel in the action sequences. On the whole a groovy movie experience( jazzy musical score and all).