A Bonanza for Fans of the King of the Jungle

Non-threatening male cheesecake may be a thing of the past, but it’s still fun to regress, and there may be no better way than cuddling up to the first all-talking Tarzan, a loin-clothed gentleman whose smooth, sleek body is a refreshing tonic to the muscle-bound Arnold Schwarzeneggers cluttering up today’s big screen.

Johnny Weissmuller, an ingratiating Olympic-champion swimmer, was the first sound and, for many of us, the only Tarzan--from 1932 to 1948 in a series of MGM films. Here was a mostly naked hero for any woman to cherish: strong and silent, yet awkward (nobody knew about vulnerable then) without a trace of male egotism; devoted and faithful, always trying to please his one-and-only love, Jane. His acting may have been stiff and his dialogue embarrassing, but once he was off in the jungle swinging through the air, fighting dangerous animals or humans or, better yet, swimming at ferocious speed, his athletic prowess conjured up polite dreams of safe and secure passion.

The first film, “Tarzan, the Ape Man” (1932), and the best of the series, “Tarzan and His Mate” (1934), have already been released on single MGM/UA laser discs. But just issued is a Tarzan bonanza--four films, each on a single disc complete with MGM short subjects (“The Tarzan Collection,” MGM/UA, four discs, CLV, $100).

“Tarzan Escapes” (1936) is not as good as “Tarzan and His Mate,” but it is one of the best of the series as Tarzan and his loyal, wild animals take charge when the going gets tough.

John Sheffield joins Maureen O’Sullivan (the lucky Jane) as Boy, the lone survivor of a plane wreck discovered by Cheetah, in “Tarzan Finds a Son” (1939). From here on the series starts to wind down with “Tarzan’s Secret Treasure” (1941) and “Tarzan’s New York Adventure” (1942) decidedly weaker than the earlier entries. Still, there’s Weissmuller running around in all of his glory and that’s more than enough for most of us.

Then there’s always the sexy Chistopher Lambert in 1984’s “Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes” (Warner, 130 minutes, CLV, widescreen, $40), simultaneously a more cerebral and ape-like ape man. Critics praised the astonishing jungle scenes and criticized the slower scenes in merrie olde England, but it’s a sumptuous visual feast and well-served in this crisp transfer.

If you want stronger stuff, “The Last of the Mohicans,” with sexy Daniel Day-Lewis, is now available in a wide-screen edition and digital sound that captures every gory, fierce, raw and electrifying moment of the 1992 remake of the classic James Fenimore Cooper novel (Fox Video/Image, special wide-screen edition, CLV, 113 minutes, $40). Director Michael Mann’s use of authentic period weapons, including knives and tomahawks shown in realistic combat, makes the R rating more for violence than anything else.

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And while you wait in vain for Billy Wilder to do a Criterion audio track for “Sunset Boulevard,” pick up the current edition of the New Yorker, where he discusses the film and its making. It may be the closest we ever get to his voice on that classic film.

New Movies Just Out

“The Lover” (widescreen, MGM, $35); the unrated “Body of Evidence” (MGM/UA, $35), starring Madonna; “Damage” (Criterion, $50).