The Legend of Tarzan
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| The Legend of Tarzan | |
|---|---|
Show logo |
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| Format | Animated series |
| Created by | Walt Disney Television |
| Starring | Michael T. Weiss Olivia d'Abo Jeff Bennett Jim Cummings April Winchell Susan Blakeslee Nicollette Sheridan |
| Country of origin | USA |
| No. of episodes | 39 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | The Disney Channel |
| Original run | September 1, 2001 – February 5, 2003 |
| External links | |
| IMDb profile | |
| TV.com summary | |
The Legend of Tarzan is an animated television series created by The Walt Disney Company in 2000, based on the Tarzan character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Initially meant as Toon Disney's first original series (though ultimately shunted to UPN's "Disney's One Too" lineup), it also appeared on Jetix in India. The Legend of Tarzan picks up where the 1999 feature film left off, with the title character adjusting to his new role as leader of the apes (following Kerchak's death), and Jane (whom he's since married) adjusting to life in the jungle.
Rounding out the cast are Jane's father, Professor Archimedes Q. Porter; Tantor, the germophobic elephant; and Terk, a wisecracking female ape and Tarzan's old wrestling buddy.
It Currently airs on Toon Disney 9:30/8:30 and 4:30/3:30 on weekdays. It also airs Back to back episodes from 2:00-3:00 Pm on weekends.
Contents |
[edit] Head characters:
Tarzan and Jane - While Tarzan helps Jane get over her more romantic ideas about jungle life, Jane acts as his guide to the duplicity in human nature -- and insists he eat his food from a plate. It is a never-ending growth process for both, with some startling insights into what "civilized" means, and some uproarious stumbling blocks along the way.
Terk - Terk loves the spotlight, and she's perfect "big sister" material for Tarzan -- protective, concerned, and absolutely convinced that Tarzan can't survive without her. Terk loves telling Tarzan what to do -- that is, until Tarzan's physical strength proves he can hold her in a headlock instead! Even though Terk is a bit bossy at times, Tarzan knows it's because Terk cares. Just don't try to get her to admit it. That's another story. Only two other Gorillas know she's a girl.
Tantor - "Someone's gonna get hurt, and it's always me!" That's Tantor's rallying cry. Despite his size and relative stature within the jungle kingdom, Tantor the elephant is a chicken. Bacteria, pond scum -- you name it, he's afraid of it. But when it comes to helping Tarzan in trouble, Tantor shows know-it-all Terk a thing or two in the bravery department and leads the way. Charge!
Kala - If his woes become too great or his thoughts too burdensome, Tarzan seeks seclusion and the calm council of his mother, Kala. A sympathetic ear when Tarzan needs someone wise to talk to, Kala acts as the voice of the apes, always reminding Tarzan of his unique obligations to the family. She is also Jane's closest confidant. The two share a warm, strong bond, and Jane regards her mother-in-law as her only kindred spirit in the jungle. From Kala's point of view, Jane is the human daughter she never had. Kala was Kercheck's mate, and perhaps the only one besides Tarzan that ever openly defied him without repercussions. Kala' s open mind is a well of great wisdom and she is almost always right. Even though Kercheck is gone, she is still highly respected.
Professor Archimedes Q. Porter - Father of Jane, Professor Porter is a noted scientist with years of expertise studying gorillas, though he's never seen one in the wild. Sometimes the kindhearted professor gets so absorbed in his thinking that he simply forgets what he's doing. Jane doesn't bat an eye at her father's eccentric antics -- she's used to them and shares his enthusiasm. When they both finally meet the gorillas, it's the fulfillment of a lifelong dream -- even if the professor does faint at the sight!
[edit] Recurring characters:
Flynt and Mungo - Clueless ape brothers Flynt and Mungo have grown up along with Tarzan, but they're still as dopey as ever. Maybe it's too much self-inflicted head trauma from playing their childhood game "Stop hitting yourself," but their IQ's don't seem to have improved with time. The brothers don't mean any harm, but likely as not their dumb behavior is bound to give Tarzan some serious headaches as he flies to save them -- and protect the family -- from danger. Since they spend all their time together, being separated will cause them to freak out.
Manu - A mischievous baby baboon, who is fascinated with humans, and when no one is looking he is irresistibly drawn to rummaging through their belongings and trying on their clothes. He may even run off with a shiny keepsake or two. Like an inquisitive kid, he leaves a mess behind, which means a red-faced Tarzan and the other family members are usually stuck with cleaning up after him. Although his mischief sometimes ends up doing more good than first assumed.
Renard Dumont - Slick, opportunistic French proprietor of "Dumont's Trading Post" (est. 1912) whose lust for material gain is compromised only by his persistent attempts to, through oily charm and token gestures, lure Jane from her cozy life with Tarzan. Though somewhat of a nemesis in his first appearance, he later becomes a reluctant ally of Tarzan.
Hugo and Hooft - Loose caricatures (though not in appearance) of Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, circa the "Road to" series. Deserters of the French Foreign Legion, these Americans now work for Dumont, though they still have the occasional run-in with Lt. Colonel Staquait (their former superior), who considers their insubordination (refusal to raze a village of women and children) a capital offense. They also seem to owe money to Joey the Shark, A loan shark in Chicago, which is probably why they joined the Legion in the first place.
Samuel T. Philander - The Professor's academic rival who frequently attempts to steal his ideas or garner fame by turning Tarzan in as the "missing link". He is modeled on the British comedy actor Terry-Thomas; he is named after Professor Porter's bumbling assistant in the original Tarzan novel.
Jabari - Elephant offspring of Baruti and Jamila bearing an uncanny resemblance to the young Tantor. He and "Mr. Tantor" have bonded over their shared phobias and paranoia.
Chief Keewazi - Leader of the Waziri tribe, a group of natives who live deep in the jungle.
Basuli - Chief Keewazi's headstrong son and future leader of the Waziri tribe. He becomes good friends with Tarzan. Tarzan once aided Basuli in retrieving an eagle's feather, which he needed to marry. Though he and Tarzan are friends, they compete in many ways.
Dr. Robin Doyle - A female anthropologist who began her studies in the jungle and has the Professor smitten. The first time she came to Africa to study the Waziri people with Professor Porter , he was afraid he was too old for her and sought out a fountain that he thought would make the drinker young again. Another time, she brought her Nephew Ian.
Tublat - a former member of Tarzan's gorilla family. He challenged Kerchak for leadership but was defeated and cast out. He is considered dangerous by all the gorillas. He is based on Kala's husband (and Tarzan's foster father) in the original Tarzan novel, with his excessive hatred of Tarzan kept intact. His personality is also very much like the original Kerchak and/or Terkoz from the novel. He once took over another ape family that an ape Named Gobu belonged to. Gobu's family overthrew him and Gobu replaced him.
Queen La - In the original novels a high priestess of a blood cult who fell in love with Tarzan. In her adaption for the series, she is an utterly vicious sorceress who rules over the abandoned city of Opar, where she lords over the Leopard Men, leopards whom she has changed into humanoid form to serve her. She falls in love with Tarzan after he comes to rescue Jane's father from the Leopard Men, who were capturing males as potential husbands for La. Her attempts to seduce Tarzan fail every time, as his loyalty is firmly with Jane, and in almost every encounter, La is trying to kill Jane and take Tarzan for herself.
Sheeta and Noru - are two panthers that frequently find and battle Tarzan from time to time. They once hunted down Jane and her friends when they were lost in the jungle. though they often hunt with no one but each other, they have been seen with Leopards.
Mubaya - A rogue bull elephant who originally belonged to the same herd as Jabari and his parents. Mubaya, like all rogues, is almost constantly angry and tramples anything he sees for almost no apparent reason. He is easily recognized by his broken left tusk and bloodshot red eyes. Episodes featuring Mubaya usually require Tantor too overcome his fears and face down the renegade in an elephantine match of strength.
Moyo -Another Gorilla in Tarzan's family. He once believed Tarzan cared more about Jane than the Family. He challenged Tarzan for leadership after a Python attacked while Tarzan was with Jane. He defeated Tarzan in a challenge for leadership(Only because Tarzan Saved him from falling to his death) Moyo led the family away and by a error of judgment into a tar pit. Tarzan was able to save the family with Jane's help. When Hista went after her, Moyo went after Hista while Tarzan got the family out. Tarzan then lured Hista into that same pit, forever ending the python's reign of terror. Moyo finally saw that Jane was part of their family and stepped down as leader.
Hazel, Greenly, and Eleanor -Three of Jane's friends from England, who came to the jungle to "Save" Jane from Tarzan. They thought that Jane was unhappy here in the Jungle. When Jane tried to show them she was still the same polished girl they knew from London by throwing a picnic, Apparently, they were among the best in Britain. She asked Tarzan to wear his father's suit. Tarzan, thinking Jane was embarrassed by him, wasn't too thrilled on "being something he wasn't" But after a heart to heart talk with the Professor, he put on the suit. Meanwhile, Jane and her friends were being chased by the Panthers, Sheeta and Noru. Using the skills she learned in the Jungle, Jane was able to help her friends survive until Tarzan was able to save them.
The Next time Jane's friends came, they Brought Greenly' s Boyfriend, Henry to the jungle to "Toughen him up" After a earthquake created a Tidal wave, They were lost in the Jungle with Henry. The Geologist showed exceptional ingenuity and resolve in helping the group survive until Tarzan could save them. He even wrestled a Crocodile and WON!
Hazel is Mentioned in Tarzan and the flying ace as being the biggest gossiper in the British Ilse's, which is how Robert knew where to find Jane.
Johannes Niels and Merkus: Two Miners who first came to the Jungle to mine Diamonds. Niels is the tall, blond haired and calmer of the two, while Merkus is the shorter, muscular, and more violent of the two. Tarzan agreed to guide them to a Volcano to dig for diamonds, on the condition that he get one to give to Jane. After a mishap, they lose their Diamonds and leave in chains. They Later return to retrieve the diamonds, which may not of survived the lava. They are attacked by Tublat, who they capture, and are about to take him around the world until Tarzan, along with a Protestant Terk, rescue him. Once again, Niels and Merkus leave the Jungle empty handed.
[edit] Minor Characters
Bob Markham: A logger, widower, and single father to his daughter Abby. After his wife died, he sunk everything he had into logging. However the way he was logging tore up so much soil, that a long dormant plague was released and threatened to kill his men, and Daughter. With help from Tarzan, Markham gathered all but one of the ingredients for the cure. The last one was a flower that was only found in one part of the Jungle, until Markham's Men bulldozed over them while logging. By some luck, Abby had picked one of them before, and Jane showed her how to press it, thus preserving it. Abby and Markham's men were cured, they then ceased logging and starting to plant the seeds saved from the flower.
Abigale "Abby" Markham: Abby Markham is the daughter of Bob Markham, she appears to be 5-9 years old, but may be older. Markham loves his daughter, and will do anything for her. When she falls ill with the same Plague that threatens his men, He asks for Tarzan's help. Together, they get all, but one ingredient for the cure, luckily Abby had picked one of the flowers. She is last seen Playing Tag with Jane and Terk, Who after learning Abby was sick agreed to help.
[edit] Episode list
- 2001-09-03 – “Race Against Time”
- 2001-09-04 – “Trading Post”
- 2001-09-05 – “Lost Cub”
- 2001-09-06 – “Lost City of Opar”
- 2001-09-07 – “The Fugitives”
- 2001-09-09 – “Rogue Elephant”
- 2001-09-10 – “Poisoned River, Part I”
- 2001-09-11 – “Poisoned River, Part II”
- 2001-09-12 – “Enemy Within”
- 2001-09-13 – “Fountain”
- 2001-09-14 – “Hidden World”
- 2001-09-16 – “Rift”
- 2001-09-17 – “Giant Beetles”
- 2001-09-18 – “Jungle Madness”
- 2001-09-19 – “Protege”
- 2001-09-20 – “Leopardmen Rebellion”
- 2001-09-21 – “Rough Rider”
- 2001-09-23 – “Seeds of Destruction”
- 2001-09-24 – “Silver Ape”
- 2001-09-25 – “Challenger”
- 2001-09-26 – “Outbreak”
- 2001-09-27 – “Silver Screen”
- 2001-09-28 – “Beast From Below”
- 2001-09-30 – “All-Seeing Elephant”
- 2001-10-01 – “New Wave”
- 2001-10-02 – “Lost Treasure”
- 2001-10-03 – “Return of La”
- 2001-10-04 – “One Punch Mullagan”
- 2001-10-05 – “Missing Link”
- 2001-10-07 – “Prison Break”
- 2001-10-08 – “The Eagle’s Feather”
- 2001-10-09 – “Face From the Past”
- 2001-10-10 – “Caged Fury”
- 2001-10-11 – “Gauntlet of Vengeance”
- 2001-10-12 – “Mysterious Visitor”
- 2001-10-14 – “Tublat’s Revenge”
- 2002-02-03 – “British Invasion”
- 2002-02-04 – “Volcanic Diamond Mine”
- 2002-02-05 – “Flying Ace”
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Tarzan: The Epic Adventures 1996–1997 |
Tarzan (TV series) The Legend of Tarzan 2001–2002 |
Succeeded by Tarzan (WB series) 2003 |
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