I have watched the 52-minute transfer three times. It is not pristine. The kinescope is soft, riddled with reel-change cues, and the audio warbles during the second act. But by the gods of the jungle, it is alive .
The archive provides access to numerous episodes, such as those listed on archive.org's Tarzan page, allowing fans to stream or download adventures like "The Figurehead" (1966) and "End of the River" (1966).
The 1966 Tarzan television series starring Ron Ely remains a high point for fans of classic adventure television. Filmed on location in Brazil and Mexico, this adaptation brought Edgar Rice Burroughs’ legendary hero to life with unprecedented realism, ditching the monosyllabic "Tarzan yell" stereotypes of earlier film eras for a sophisticated, educated character.
Swing Into the Past: The 1966 Tarzan Series Finds a Home on Internet Archive tarzan 1966 internet archive exclusive
: Unlike many studio-bound shows of the era, this series was filmed on location in Brazil and later Mexico , giving it a visual grit that holds up today. What to Find on Internet Archive
To help you get the most out of your research into retro television preservation,I can:
: The archive also holds single episodes of Tarzan radio dramas that maintain the "exclusive" feel of mid-century jungle adventure storytelling. The Story of the "Real" Tarzan (Ron Ely) I have watched the 52-minute transfer three times
The "Tarzan 1966 Internet Archive Exclusive" primarily features a curated collection of Old-Time Radio (OTRR) episodes, rare comic strips from 1960–1969, and public domain films related to the character. While often associated with the 1966–1968 Ron Ely TV series, these archival, often user-curated, materials provide access to media not easily found on mainstream streaming platforms. Explore these historical materials and collections on the Internet Archive .
: A major repository labeled " Tarzan page 1 " contains numerous full-length episodes from the 1966 series.
In September 1966, a new vision of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ legendary hero swung onto television screens. The NBC series Tarzan , produced by Sy Weintraub, introduced a generation to a more nuanced and articulate version of the Ape Man. But by the gods of the jungle, it is alive
A significant part of the 1966 story is the physical toll on actor . Unlike other versions, he performed his own stunts, resulting in over two dozen major injuries during the series' run, including: Two broken shoulders from vine-swinging accidents.
VIII. Reception and legacy
While the series was popular enough to run for two seasons (57 episodes), its legacy was often overshadowed by the films. However, for those watching on the Internet Archive, it remains a time capsule of 1960s television—a bridge between the classic adventure serials and the more character-driven action shows that followed. Summary of the Series Description Ron Ely (Tarzan/Lord Greystoke) Running Time 1966–1968 (2 Seasons, 57 Episodes) Setting African Jungle (Filmed on location) Key Characters Jai (Manuel Padilla) and Cheetah Primary Digital Home Internet Archive (archive.org)
