Tarzan Producer Sol Lessor died 41 years ago today.

 

September 19, 2021 and on this day in 41 years ago in 1980, movie producer Sol Lesser died at age 90 in Hollywood California. In 1933, Lessor bought the film rights to Tarzan and produced “Tarzan the Fearless” with Buster Crabbe. ERB refused to deal with Lessor and attempted to make his own films. This was short lived and the rights passed to MGM, who relingquished the rights in 1943, when Lessor regained them.

Lesser produced 14 Tarzan films with Johnny Weissmuller, Lex Barker and Gordon Scott, including the TV pilot, “Tarzan and the Trappers. I always considered Lessor and his successor, Sy Weintraub as bad guys because they controlled the film rights for so long and when they weren’t making Tarzan films, none else was allowed to do so. In retrospect, Lesser’s persistence was responsible for several Tarzan films. He wanted to make Tarzan pictures and he didn’t let anything stop him.

The drabble for today is “Love Tarzan,” and it’s a 100 word compilation of comments by Sol Lesser and Edgar Rice Burroughs. Evidently, the two decided to get along. ERB’s comments are in the first two paragraphs and appeared in “The Film Weekly,” an Australian Variety magazine on January 7, 1943.

Burroughs said Sol Lesser would make two Tarzan films this season, these being "Tarzan Triumphs," which is already finished, and "Tarzan and the Sheik," which is being prepared for production. 

"I've great faith in Sol and feel very happy about this new deal." 

Tarzan is pure escapist entertainment. He’s the original superman, fighting for the rights of the downtrodden and persecuted against all villains, be they human or beast. He rules with a minimum of words - hence he’s understood by all. Rarely does Tarzan get gooey with Jane. Thus the kids love him and so do the old folks.