Tarzan books were banned nationally, but it started in Downey, CA

The Tarzan book series were banned starting in Downey, California where I currently live. Hmmm strange coincidence? A teacher in 1962 claimed the books were immoral because Tarzan and Jane weren’t married. (Obviously she never read the books and only saw the movies freely adapted from them). Source: Tarzan: The Broadway Adventure by Michael Lassell. The first book, Tarzan of the Apes is still on the national banned books list because the books were also considered obscene and pornographic. WHOO-HOO! Now doesn’t that want to make you read it more? For the record I did not know that when I went to the Downey Public library to try and rent that book, and all the copies were “lost”. Funny huh? I resorted to Ebay to find a real copy and scored a first edition. No, it’s not valuable at all, it’s falling apart at the binding but it was a cool copy.

swimming stadium poster- LA

This is a poster I strolled by one random day after visiting the Natural History museum in exposition park in Los Angeles. The olympics here back in 1932 and the building beside the poster is the swimming stadium. It mentions several actors who were olympic athletes, mostly swimmers who went on to play Tarzan. I seriously do not go looking for this random stuff, but it does find me.

Book Show

I went to the Santa Monica book, paper and print show and found loads of neat stuff last Saturday, September 6th. I invited my entire meetup classics club to come along. 4 did and we had a blast! I scored a 1st edition real dust jacket copy of Tarzan and the Foreign Legion for only 60 dollars! I was very excited to add to my collection. These photos are from the book show display of Woodie's Collectibles of Moranga, CA. Special thanks to the store owner for letting me take a picture of his fantastic booth! I had so much fun looking at all his Burroughs, he even had the rarer non-Tarzan titles. ::sigh:: someday I will have them all! I also found at the show some autographed Tarzan novels by the author and sometimes actors who have played Tarzan on films. The early Tarzan novels in good conditon with dust jackets can fetch thousands of dollars easily!

1999 rolled around and of course saw the Disney version in all its huge screen animated glory. I had just graduated from high school and was reading for some high swinging Disney action. I spent most of the movie listening to my friends saying how rediculous the relationship between Tarzan and Jane was and how a civilized British girl would never run off into the wild with a guy she could barely talk to, although we all agreed he was pretty fine. That’s right, I said it! I know he’s a drawing but he’s hot!

Photo copyright Burroughs and Disney Not used with permission. Please do not sue.

Greetings! Welcome to my unique blog chronicling all the random Tarzan stuff found in California, movie reviews and random jungle fun. First let me start with a legal disclaimer- Tarzan ® and his posse are copyrighted Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc. This is an unofficial mega nerd site where I am not making any money, just showing random trivia, pictures and my romantic adventures. Please do not sue. I will give photo credits when possible.

This website is a metaphor for my single life. Every single girl dreams of meeting that so- called perfect guy, their mate, their BFF for life. Some dream of a handsome prince or a pop star, I always wanted to travel and have romantic adventures with a tall, hot nerdy in- shape guy. It’s hard these days to find someone who mates your “criteria”.

Here is little back history on my love affair with the Tarzan stories. When I was little I used to watch the old Tarzan TV show. I think it was the 60’s one with Ron Ely, I’m not totally sure. I just remember he could talk to animals and was married to Jane and lived in Africa in a tree house. I though this was cool. I never knew why he was living in the jungle per say or how he met Jane but I though they were a great couple. I strived to meet a man who can build a shelter, hunt food and cuddle at night. I manly-man but had a sensitive side.