Johnny Weissmuller as Jungle Jim in "The Lost Tribe" (1949) - feat. Ray "Crash" Corrigan

The fabled city of Dzamm in Africa is rumoured to be a land of wealth. Looking to exploit its rich resources, Captain Rawlings (Ralph "Eddie" Dunn) dispatches two of his henchmen (Wally West and George DeNomand) to find the hidden trail to the city. After killing a few natives of Dzamm along the way, the inept servants of Rawlings are eaten alive by a large pride of wild lions. Nearby, jungle roamer Jungle Jim (Johnny Weissmuller) receives Li Wanna (Elena Verdugo), the daughter of Dzamm's chief religious official Zoron (Nelson Leigh). Li Wanna seeks Jungle Jim's help in fighting the mercenaries led by Rawlings. It is revealed that the rumour is indeed true—stashed in the temple of Dzamm are crates of precious stones. After hearing news of the murdered Dzamm natives, Jungle Jim and Li Wanna hurry to the scene, just to find the henchmen's corpses. Seeing the lions, the agile adventurer and Li Wanna climb up a tree to safety. An African elephant approaches, scaring the beastly cats away. Jungle Jim and Li Wanna return to Zoron's residence, where they strategically discuss a peaceful resolution to get rid of Rawlings and his team. They come to the conclusion that giving Rawlings a few diamonds is the best idea. Meanwhile, Wanna's brother Chot (Paul Marion) is hypnotized by businessman Calhoun's (Joseph Vitale) niece Norina (Myrna Dell). Chot falls in love with Norina. She and Calhoun are on Rawling's payroll. Jungle Jim befriends a gorilla (Ray Corrigan) after rescuing it and its offspring from a ferocious lion. He names it Zimba, then prevents Calhoun from getting to know the trail to Dzamm. But, he gets captured by Rawling's followers. An empathetic Norina is in the midst of setting him free when she gets killed by Calhoun. Luckily, Jim's pet fowl Caw Caw unties his ropes and with that, the voyager breaks loose and knocks out some of Rawlings' men. However, he is left with no choice but to tell Rawlings the way to Dzamm when Li Wanna, who was finding Jim, gets captured. They make it to the temple of Dzamm. While the criminals are busy raiding the priceless relics and other treasures, Zimba and his fellow gorillas attack the temple robbers, most of whom are killed. Captain Rawlings and his accomplice Wilson (George J. Lewis) manage to escape, holding Jungle Jim captive, but are killed by Zimba. Chot, who has been shot and mortally wounded, asks for forgiveness before he dies. With Rawlings and his fellow looters dead for good, order in Dzamm is restored. A 1949 American Black & White adventure film (aka "Jungle Jim's Adventure") directed by William Berke, produced by Sam Katzman, screenplay by Don Martin and Arthur Hoerl, story by Arthur Hoerl, based on the Famous King Features Syndicated Newspaper Comic Strip, cinematography by Ira Morgan, starring Johnny Weissmuller, Myrna Dell, Elena Verdugo, Joseph Vitale, Ralph Dunn, Paul Marion, Nelson Leigh, and George J. Lewis. Released by Columbia Pictures. Mischa Bakaleinikoff headed the musical direction. The second Jungle Jim film produced. Johnny Weissmuller appears in his second performance as the adventurer Jungle Jim. The film features an array of animal actors, including a crow and a dog. Ray Corrigan portrays Zimba, Jungle Jim's gorilla friend, with the film being shot at his Corriganville Movie Ranch. Ray "Crash" Corrigan (1902-1976), born Raymond Benitz, was an American actor most famous for appearing in many B-Western movies (among these the Three Mesquiteers and The Range Busters film series). He also was a stuntman and frequently acted as silver screen gorillas using his own gorilla costumes. Corrigan's Hollywood career began as a physical fitness instructor and physical culture trainer to the stars. In the early 1930s he did stunts and bit parts in several films, billed as Ray Benard. Many of his early roles were in ape costumes. n 1936, Corrigan had his screen breakthrough with the starring role in a Republic serial, The Undersea Kingdom, which evoked memories of Universal's first "Flash Gordon" serial. His character was known as Ray "Crash" Corrigan. The origin of the "Crash" nickname is from his football-playing days. In 1937, he was on a hunting trip with Clark Gable when he had an idea to purchase land in the Santa Susana Mountains foothills in Simi Valley and develop it into a Western-themed movie ranch, "Corriganville". It was used for location filming in film serials, feature films, and television shows, as well as for the performance of live western shows for tourists. In 1966 Bob Hope bought the ranch and renamed it "Hopetown". It's now a Regional Park and nature preserve. The Los Angeles Times called it "a veritable riot of unwitting comedy. It is probably one of the most ridiculous jungle features ever shown", adding that Weissmuller "needs to watch his waistline." If you enjoy a good healthy dose of goofiness with your jungle flicks, this one will be right up your alley. Far from the best jungle movie but entertaining nonetheless.