Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle is a 1951-1952 radio series created by Commodore Productions and based on the iconic character by Edgar Rice Burroughs. The show aired on the Mutual-Don Lee West Coast Network, the CBS network, and in syndication. Featuring 75 episodes, the series starred Lamont Johnson as Tarzan, who is brought to life through exciting and detailed stories that take him across Africa.
Unlike other depictions, this Tarzan is more articulate and prefers the jungle to civilization, functioning more like a Robin Hood of the jungle. Rather than directly adapting Burroughs' stories, this series features unique narratives with Tarzan solving various mysteries involving slave traders, uranium hunters, gold thieves, ivory poachers, and cannibals.
Despite being no. 8 in the Nielsen ratings and airing 64 shows, CBS ultimately took Tarzan off the air permanently after a summer hiatus in 1953. Nonetheless, the show remains an entertaining and captivating part of radio history that explored Africa's enchantments, mysteries, and violence through its legendary protagonist.