Johnny Weissmuller as Jungle Jim in "Captive Girl" (1950) - feat.Buster Crabbe

In the African jungle, a white missionary and a village Chief, Mahala (Rick Vallin), who has just arrived from abroad, where he was studying, ask Jungle Jim (Johnny Weissmuller) to track down a mysterious white woman, the rumored Wild Girl of Lake Pakongee, raised in the jungle and accompanied by a tiger. The woman has been responsible for attacks on the witchmen of the tribe, particularly Hakim (John Dehner), the chief medicine man. The missionary speculates that the woman might be the grown child of Mr. and Mrs. John Martindale, archeologists who were murdered while searching for the ancient sacrificial lake of the witch doctors known as the Lagoon of the Dead. Hakim, who has been acting as the chief during Mahala's absence, is not pleased to learn that he is returning. Before Jim and Mahala reach the village, some of Hakim's men start a rock slide, intending to kill them, but Jim and Mahala escape with minor injuries. Mahala's people welcome him back and report that Hakim is hunting for the white woman, whom he has vowed to kill. Jim then decides to find her before Hakim can carry out his evil plan. Before he finds the mysterious woman, Jim encounters Barton (Buster Crabbe), a treasure hunter who is seeking the Lagoon of the Dead, where he hopes to find gold and jade sacrificial relics. Later, Jim kills a crocodile that attacks him and foils several of Hakim's murder attempts. Eventually, Jim and Mahala trail the woman to a cave that is hidden behind a waterfall. There they discover photographs of the Martindales, confirming the theory that she is their daughter, Joan (Anita Lhoest). They also find a letter revealing that Hakim intended to sacrifice the Martindales. Barton joins them in the cave, and they all follow a hidden passage to the lagoon. While Barton and his men dive for treasure, Jim rescues Joan from quicksand. Meanwhile, Hakim discovers Barton at the Lagoon of the Dead, and Barton exhorts him to kill Joan, the only witness to her parents' murder, as well as Jim and Mahala. After Jim is knocked unconscious when he falls off a cliff, Hakim leaves him for dead and brings Joan and Mahala to the lagoon, intending to sacrifice them. In the meantime, Jim regains consciousness and rouses the jungle animals. Barton and Hakim are killed during the ensuing struggle, and Mahala returns to his village with the treasure, which will be used to benefit everyone. A 1950 American Black & White action adventure film directed by William Berke, produced by Sam Katzman, written by Carroll Young, based on the comic strip "Jungle Jim" (1934-1954) by Don Moore and Alex Raymond, cinematography by Ira H. Morgan, starring Johnny Weissmuller, Buster Crabbe, Anita Lhoest, Rick Vallin, John Dehner, Rusty Wescoatt, Frank Lackteen, and Nelson Leigh. Released by Columbia Pictures. This film was the only feature film appearance of Anita Lhoest (1931–2000). A 1940s' swimming champion from California and cellist, who, like many other athletes, got a one-time shot at the movies. Although she won the role of Daisy Mae for a projected film on Lil Abner (beating out Marilyn Monroe), the film was never made, and her only claim to cinematic fame was this film. Nevertheless, the attitude her character displays towards animals in the film was genuine, and much of her spare time in later years was spent coming to the aid of animals in distress. Indeed, at her death, the family asked that instead of flowers, donations be forwarded to the National Humane Society. This is the fourth Jungle Jim film produced by Columbia Pictures. This was Weissmuller's second teaming with his fellow former Tarzan and Olympic Gold Medal swimming champion Buster Crabbe after "Swamp Fire" (1946). Buster Crabbe also played Tarzan in the 1930s. In the latter part of the story, listen closely and you'll hear a faint Tarzan yell during the panther/tiger scuffle. That was Weismuller's classic signature that he invented for his earlier Tarzan role. William A. Berke (1903-1958), born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was an American film director, film producer, actor and screenwriter. He wrote, directed, and/or produced some 200 films over a three-decade career. Berke broke into motion pictures in 1922 as a writer for silent westerns using the pseudonym William Lester. In the early 1930s, he formed a partnership with independent producer Bernard B. Ray to make feature films at Ray's Reliable Pictures studio, next door to Columbia Pictures. In 1942, he joined Columbia, initially directing that studio's westerns. In 1944, he moved to RKO Radio Pictures, handling a variety of movies, including detective fiction musical comedies, and Zane Grey westerns. Like many seasoned directors, Berke moved into television in the 1950s. Saturday matinée fodder with a standard formula. As in all the Jungle Jim films, wild animals take center stage from time to time in this pulp adventure story. Campy but entertaining. Fun escapism that brings back fond memories for Baby Boomers.