#edgarriceburroughs - Every Day with Edgar Rice Burroughs - August 10, 2025

 

August 10, 2025 and ninety-one years ago on this day in 1934, the concluding episode, # 39, Victory and Death, of the radio serial, Tarzan and the Diamond of Asher, was broadcast. The radio adventure drama featured Carlton KaDell as Tarzan and Ralph Scott as D’Arnot. Jane was nowhere to be found. Jennette Nolan and Don Wilson also made appearances.

All thirty-nine episodes are available at no charge: https://www.erbzine.com/mag31/3140.html

As the story line concludes, Tarzan offers the diamond to Akura in exchange for his freedom and the freedom of his companions, but Thome, a companion wants the diamond for himself and fires his weapon at Tarzan. He misses but hits Magra, a thinly disguised version of La. When Magra gains consciousness her first thoughts are for Tarzan’s safety. She dies happy in the ape-man’s arms while expressing her love for Tarzan of the Apes.

The drabble for today is “Diamonds,"

and it was inspired by the ending of the radio show and a song from GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES. By the way, I just published a new version of that novel and you can buy it at: https://www.lulu.com/shop/anita-loos/gentlemen-prefer-blondes/paperback/product-gjdje5y.html?q=gentlemen+prefer+blondes&page=1&pageSize=4

My tribesmen are brave

With no patience for fools

They’ll kill you in a minute

For stealing our jewels.

A rendezvous in the jungle

May be quite entertaining

But diamonds won’t leave while you sleep.

Tarzan’s kiss may be great

But it won’t please the masses

Who suspect all foreign men are asses

After the treasure we hide in underground

And diamonds won’t leave while you sleep.

Don’t make the mistake

They only want what they can take

And beware when they start to explain

It's then those hoarders

Will run for the borders

Diamonds won’t leave while you sleep.