 From the heart of the jungle comes a savage cry of victory. This is Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle. From the black core of dark Africa, land of enchantment, mystery and violence, comes one of the most colorful figures of all time, transcribed from the immortal pen of Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan, the bronzed white son of the jungle. And now in the very words of Mr. Burroughs, the story of the American family Robinson. Born and raised in the heart of New York's teaming Manhattan, George Robinson had always rebelled against the confinement of city life. He wanted to be able to see the open sky at night, feel the earth beneath his feet, find adventure, thrilled at the excitement of travel. But marriage and a couple of youngsters had managed to clip his wings. And it was 20 years before George Robinson managed to travel at all. When he did, he found scant satisfaction. No kidding. Well, I'm exhausted taking that subway every night as plain murder. Maybe we made a mistake moving to Jersey. He wants spaghetti tonight, macaroni tomorrow night, or macaroni tonight and spaghetti tomorrow night. Could we have a steak or some chops one night? I wake pretty darn hard and I'm getting sick. We can't say for that trip we're going to take some day if we put every cent you earn in our stomachs. Yeah, yeah, I know. But no matter what we do, we never seem to be able to save enough to go anyplace really exciting. Two weeks vacation in Atlantic City once a year. The kids don't mind, George. I don't mind. You don't? Well, I do. A guy has to have some incentive to keep him waking from nine to five, six days a week, summer, winter, spring, fall, whether he's feeling good or bad, taking a crowded subway. I know it's no fun working as hard as you do. I feel the same way. Being cooked, laundressed, chained the maid and waitress for a family of four isn't any picnic. Sometimes I think that if I have to face another fried egg before I'm half awake in the morning or wash another load of clothes, I'll scream, Billy, this week he's tarsen. Wouldn't you think somebody could invent a nice, quiet hero? Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! You're dead! Hi, Billy. You shooting strangers or friends? They had Arabs. They came into the jungle of steel ivory. But I killed them. I'm tarsen. Shouldn't you be using a bow and arrow? Yeah, they don't make enough noise. You see, George? Well, how about swinging into the upper level and calling your sister for dinner, Tarsen? She can hear me upstairs from here. Probably uncouth, Billy. Besides, I was only in the living room. Well, I thought you were... or I told you to call me Marilyn. That's my name now. Since when? Since somebody told her she looked like Marilyn Monroe. Oh, don't be funny. It's just that I think the name is prettier. Marion. Well, does Tom think it's prettier? Tom. I don't care what he thinks. I don't care if I never see him again. I'd like to get as far away from New Jersey as I could. India or Africa even. Oh, yeah. Africa's the place. My God, dinner's started. Just a minute, Will. Yeah? No, no, no, look. Now, don't jump off the handle when I suggest this, because it's not as far-fetched as it sounds. You see, we do have some money in the bank, and if we booked passage on a freighter, we'd still have enough left to buy supplies. And once we got there, I could shoot enough games to provide food. You've seen that sharp shooter's medal I got in the ROTC in high school, and, well, what do you think, Pearl? The whole idea sounds sensational. What are you talking about? Gosh, I thought you knew. I'm suggesting that we move to Africa. Golly! Double golly in spades. But think of it for a minute, Pearl. A tract as big as Van Cortland Park, where we could raise vegetables and pick wild fruit right off the trees while we'd dress in animal hides and sleep on pels and spring vows. Oh, no more dishwashing or laundry or bed-making foil. Africa, where men are men and... And women wear rings through their noses. Look, I'm serious. More serious than I've ever been in my whole life. You know, I'm not getting any younger, and this may be my last chance to escape the life sentence of nine to five drudgery. It could be your last chance to escape drudgery, too, Pearl. Well, I'd go to Timbuktu to get away from the pile of mending I've accumulated in my fucking baskets. Timbuktu happens to be in Africa, so I'll put you down for an aye vote. Everyone would say we're out of our minds. We care what people say. What do you say, Marion? Uh, Marilyn? Well, it suits me. Maybe when I'm a billion miles away, Tom will realize what we might have met to each other. Well, Billy, we wouldn't take such a step without a unanimous vote, so it's up to you. What do you say, boy? I'm a surplus store. I outfit a lot of campers, and I guess camping out just about the same in the Congo as it is in the Carolinas. Yeah, I suppose it is, in a way. Now, how about this here stove, boy? What do you think? If I never see a stove again, the rest of my life I won't complain. Yeah, I guess I could always build one out of stone or something when we settle down for good. Are you figuring on going to Africa for good, Mr. Robinson? That's right, Woody. The American family, Robin. Not bad. You know, like the Swiss family, Robinson, that got shipwrecked on a desert isle. Maybe you better buy one of these here, life rafts. What we need is food, just in case the jungle animals haven't heard about George's sharpshooting metal. Sure, you would take along a few cartons of these baked beans, a real bargain. Yeah, beans are always good to have on a camping trip. And according to that article we read about prices in Africa, it wouldn't hurt to take a few bargains along. Boyle, do you think that Tarzan Billy keeps talking about is real or only in books and things? Well, so far as I know, he's only a fictional character. Why? Well, I was figuring maybe we ought to buy some glass beads and stuff like that for him. Just in case he does exist and we need his help. That thought isn't at all likely. Yeah, you said it, Mr. Robinson. All that stuff about dangers, animals and savages and that voodoo business has nothing but pure hulking that make movies about put on the radio. Yeah, you'll be as safe in the Congo as you are in New Jersey. Yes, sir. Buona Tarzan. Got a letter for me? Are you sure? It's a deal, Buona Tarzan. Baru is for you. I told no one I was coming to the section of the Congo. Runner, take Baru from Liagu to Becarrata. From Becarrata it's carried by safari to Tarzan Sikos' cabin. He's not there, so other runner, take to Punya Village. Man of Punya, give Baru to chief of Giora tribe. He hand to Tengiki. Tengiki, find Tarzan. Well, I'm glad it was as simple as all that. I would ever reach me in one week. I'll never know. All who have Baru will say it's much important to reach Lord of Jungle. I shall expect you. How you dislike me. I see. What Baru will say? It's from Captain Lawrence, who should know better than ask me to play a nurse made to a group of babes in the woods. Babes? Babes, Kitata. Kitata's coming to jungle? He's a grown-up one, Tengiki, a man, his Miki and his two children. Two children? One, well really, neither of them infants, but as ignorant of the jungle as though they were in swaddling clothes. Their parents, too. Captain Lawrence delayed their departure from Liago as long as he could, but they've left there by this time. He expects me to see that no harm comes to them. Tarzan, I'm angry. He not do, yes? I have never yet refused Captain Lawrence any request, nor have I ever knowingly permitted the innocent people to come to harm in the jungle. I shall not do so this time. But on this occasion, I shall handle things a little differently than I've done in the past. By the beginning of the following week, George Robinson and his family had covered many weary miles of jungle belt. It was a thrilling experience for all of them, and though no Ascari or gunbearers accompanied them, they were without fear. They did have two bearers, and George marched bravely ahead, randishing his rifle as he'd once seen Clyde Beatty do in a jungle picture. Behind him came the bearers carrying a tent, numerous cases of baked beans, and a miscellany of other supplies. In their wake, Tron Pearl and Marion and Billy brought up the weary, enthusiastically taking pot shots at cannibals with his calf pistol. Here, boy. Boss, that's Wahili. Yeah, sure, it's Wahili or something like that. But they understand English. Yeah, I know, but this lets them know that I'm an old timer that can't be taken in by any of their tricks. They've been trying to tell me they're supposed to get a dollar a day, but I know to go and rate six cents. I read it in a book. What year was the book published, George? Oh, mother, make him stop saying things like that. Stop saying things like that, Billy. Well, you enjoying our little hike, Marion? Oh, yeah, sure I am, Dad. It's only that when I used to go on Girl Scout hikes, we could always stop for a soda or something. Gee, I'm so thirsty I could... Talking at Marion. He just missed me. Guess a monkey must have thrown it down. It sounds as though it's got milk in it. Your order for a drink was fulfilled pretty quickly, I'd say, Marion. I'll smash it against this rock over here and then I'll... What happened? What happened, George? I was just leading over to smash the coconut on that rock when something stung me hard. George! George, don't move! Jake! Oh, sure, I saw it all the time, but perfectly harmless variety. But maybe we'd better get moving. Now we can have the coconut later. Never good to drink on an empty stomach. I think he cannot think. He thought those keep walks for many days. It seems as though we've been dogging their footsteps for years. It's most difficult to travel so slowly. I like to swing rapidly through the trees. Nadil, Tarzan is Manu. I may have been raised by apes and I may throw a coconut like a monkey, but that doesn't make me one. Tarzan almost hit girl with coconut. He didn't try to lord it over me just because you scored a bullseye with your blowgun. Matu yell much loud, yes, Tarzan? Much loud. He was lucky with a small pebble instead of a dart. We keep following them, Tarzan. Long they keep going. Earlier this morning I crept close to their campfire. They were discussing how much further they should go. What they see? Their father is looking for a nice wide clearing in the heart of a jungle, one where he can plant crops without bothering to cut down any trees. His wife wants to keep going until they find already made a home, perhaps a cave with steam heat. The girl would like to continue until they stumble across a jungle ice cream parlor. And a small boy? He's got his heart set on capturing a tiger. And since there are no tigers in Africa, we may have to continue following them until they reach India. I say we're lost, George Robinson. How can we not be reasonable, Pael? How can we be lost when we wasn't going any particular place? If those bears hadn't left us, maybe we would be going to some particular place. Yeah, they were very unreasonable, too. Yeah, they wanted to get paid. And you would have had enough money to keep them on if you hadn't squandered that $120 for a hunting license. Squandered? I had to have it so I could shoot game. We had to have meat for our journey, didn't we? What meat, Dad? We didn't have anything but beans so far. Well, I just thought I'd better wait until we made a permanent camp before I did any serious hunting. If you ask me, you were taken for that $120, George. I bet they don't get $120 from everybody. Not with animals as plentiful as they are here. Why, they must be a lion or a panther behind practically every tree. I wish you wouldn't say things like that, Mother. You know, it's a funny thing. It sounds like they're going to attack us. We don't hear them anymore. Must be a father's sharpshooters' medal that's frightening them away. Are we going to stand here the rest of the day? Or are we going to push on? Oh, let's push on by all means. Billy, see if you can help your father with that buck shop or whatever he calls it. Buck board, and it's a lucky thing I'm clever with my hands. If I hadn't rigged this up, we never would have carried the supplies this farther. Now, come on, mush. Watch is a change after all those beans. Hide over there, just behind those trees. A brand new one that looks empty. Imagine anyone putting up a house around here. I wouldn't go inside if I was you, Billy. You never can tell what you like. Hey, there's no way in here. Come on, George. I guess that Billy can brave it. We can go inside. Oh, sure. I only meant to do it. Oh, well, it's real nice. Separate rooms and everything. Let's see. I could make a kitchen back there. Well, not that I intend to do much cooking. Now, just a minute, Boyle. Somebody must have built this house for somebody. Let's just say that Providence provided it for us. But we just can't appropriate it. The real owners might be moving in any day now. It might still be an escrow or something. I don't care what it's in. I'm not budging another step. Well... Mom, there's a river right near here. If I slip into my bathing suit, will you wash my clothes while I go in swimming? Everything else I own is in shreds. Mine, too. How about patching my denims, Mom? And if you get time, Boyle, see if you can fix up some sort of beds while I start collecting a little firewood. Tiktotos move into Hema, yes, Tarzan? Yes, the one that Providence provided. I'd say that young man feels very much at home in the way he's swinging on that door. He's a good thing we built Hema much strong. Tarzan, what girl do in strange costume of a native woman? Well, that's a bathing suit. And the little fool's going in swimming with a dozen crocodiles to keep her company. I'd better go back in a little while, Mom. I thought we were... I'd better follow him, then. You go down to the river and... Oh, now the boy's wandering off. And why women start to pick poison berries from bush? Can geeky, there ought to be six of us to keep the Robbins and family alive. Just through one day. Waving his arms ferociously and screaming like a banshee, leap from the bush near Billy. And while Pearl Robinson turned away from her berry picking to comfort her small son, Tarzan wrenched the poisonous bush from its roots. By this time, Tengiki had reached the river. Spanking the water with a large stick, he flushed out the half-submerged crocodiles and opened their cavernous mouths to sound an involuntary warning to the frightened marion. Meanwhile, Tarzan sped through the upper level until he was within sight of George Robinson, who walked blindly toward the alerted bush mark. The wild bush pig rushed toward him. Not until the advancing dreadnought was within a few yards of him he finally realized his peril. Just wanted to show you the wild boar I shot. Bill did promise to provide meat for his wife and children. About 170 pounds of it is a rough guess. Well, I wouldn't eat any of that fiendish-looking monster. Oh, well, it so happened, young lady, that wild pig is a great delicacy. And now we can have pork with our beans. Billy, will you leave that thing alone? Okay, Dad, I give in. But if it's all the same to you, I'll skip the beans for a few meals and go whole halls. That's my girl. Did you want to hear how I bagged this animal? Tengiki. Come on, it's morning. Tengiki, much tired. Tarzan and Tengiki not to have enough sleep the last few weeks. Yes. They're almost a 24-hour-a-day job. And we have a new assignment this morning. More trouble. Which one this time? All of them. They've discovered that the village of the Hortusi tribe is not too far from here, and they're busy packing up a lot of glass, jewelry, and junk in anticipation of a visit there. Hortusi tribe much more people is? Yes. And I shall have to accompany them on their little outing, or without being seen, of course. But I'd like you to go ahead and warn the Hortusi chief that Tarzan shall hold him responsible for any harm that comes to these people. Then remain there and mingle with the crowd that greets their arrival. Close to them, Tengiki. They are kitotos, but nice ones. Oh, George, you don't have to talk to them that way. That's the only sort of thing they understand. See, one of them's coming towards us. We speak English, not others. Oh, well, can you make them understand about these jewels we brought? Just hold beads out in hand. Oh, all right. Probably some sort of an honorary title. Just like home, every time you went in to see the boss, he used to give you a new title instead of an increase. I don't see the natives offering us any presents in return for ours, like the book said. Well, they probably think it would be an insult. They think that I'm some sort of a white god. Well, great white father. I think we better collect our family and start home. I've got to make some dishes out of that clay that Billy found before it gets all dried up. Yeah, and I'll give you a hand after I finish digging up that tree stump. Boy, I worked until midnight last night, but no soap. Those roots must go clear to China. Hey, I hate to mention it, Boyle, but do you suppose there's anything you can do to that ham to make it edible? I've done everything but embalm it. But we won't starve to death for another few weeks unless the can opener gives up the ghost. The way those heart-to-sea warriors are hanging around, peering into the shack. I'm going to try to find out what they want and then go in and have a little talk with the Robinson's. Why Tarzan put brown dye on face and body? Because I'm not going to be Tarzan. As a native, I can deliver a threatening ultimatum. Let me a few of your tribal ornaments with you then, geeky. No deal. No one would ever recognize me this way. How did you know my name? How did you recognize me? Gosh, everybody knows about you. Why you got all that dark stuff smeared all over your fork? Billy, it's not nice to ask personal questions. Come on in, Mr. Tarzan. Oh, sure. Make yourself at home. That's a real honor. You make it difficult for me to tell you why I came to advise you to leave the jungle where you do not belong and where you're worse than helpless. Well, we've been doing all right. We found some strong grass for weeping. We located good drinking water and the natives in the village near here like me just fine. Why, they call me Majinga. I do not mean to be unkind, but Majinga means ignoramus. The weaving fiber was placed on your doorstep and I laid the trail to the drinking water so that not even an infant could have missed it. Yeah, I guess I must have known all along somebody was looking out for us. And frankly, I'm ready to land out of here. I complained about waking from nine to five back home, but here I wake 18 hours a day just to keep alive and I don't even get paid for it. And I have to make dishes out of clay instead of just washing them and weave cloth and make clothes instead of just having to launder them, not to mention everything else I have to do without any of those blessed conveniences I had back in New Jersey. And I know now that I want to go back to Tom. And you, Billy? Gosh, a guy can't do anything here without getting half-scared death. Not like listening to the jungle on the radio. I'm ready for home. Yeah, but there's only one rub. We ain't got any money left to get home on. Oh, but you do have a mountainous pile of empty bean cans stored in your kitchen. Well, there wasn't any rubbish barrel and I didn't know what to do with them, but what's that got to do with... The savages laughed at you when you gave them worthless pieces of glass when they possessed many precious jewels, but they've been peering in here admiring the shiny metal tins from which they can fashion many useful instruments and utensils. They're willing to trade this for the empty cans. A diamond! Golly Moses! She, even the movie stars don't have diamonds. That's... Come on, let's get packed. We gotta get going. A native friend of mine will escort you back to Leago and Captain Lawrence there will help you with the sale of the diamond. I'm happy you've decided to return home for good. For good? Are you kidding? I'm going back and buy up every case of baked beans in New Jersey. You're prepared for radio by Bud Lesser with original music by Albert Glasser. This is a Commodore production. Listen to our next story. Another thrilling episode of The Lord of the Jungle. Charles Arlington speaking.