Tarzan, My Father

by Johnny Weissmuller Jr., William Reed, W. Craig Reed

A portrait of the most beloved Tarzan and a tale of Hollywood at its legendary peak. An authoritative insight into the life of the man most film fans consider the "one and only" Tarzan ? Olympic swimming champion Johnny Weissmuller ? this book offers an intimate look at Weissmuller's early life, middle years, and later decline, through swimming training, Olympic triumphs, failed marriages, a Hollywood life as Tarzan of the Apes, and subsequent career as Jungle Jim. Written by his only son, this biography is a sensitive yet unsentimental portrayal of the man who was Tarzan to movie fans around the world. Johnny Junior's inside perspective on his father's life and career includes interviews with his father's celebrity friends and former wives, recollections of conversations with his father over the years, and family stories involving international icons such as Humphrey Bogart, Errol Flynn, Robert Mitchum, Joe Louis, and many others. There are "surprises" in the text and many photos from private collections that have never before been printed or seen by the general public.

Genres: Biography

230 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2002

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was a kid, every Sunday afternoon the local independent television station played old Tarzan movies. I loved watching Johnny Weissmuller wrestle lions, crocodiles and whatever other beasties or evildoers were after Jane or Boy. I knew Weissmuller was an Olympic swimmer before he became an actor, but other than that, I didn't know much about his personal life before I read this book.

Johnny Weissmuller, Jr wrote this book to honor his father and to clear up a lot of incorrect information reported about his dad over the years. Apparently, Weissmuller's last wife was bankrupt towards the end of her life, and according to the author would make up dramatic stories to get tabloids and writers to pay her money. Those incorrect tales have caused many biographies of Weissmuller to be filled with inaccurate information.

His son tells a lot of anecdotes he remembers from conversations with his father, and his own personal experiences with his dad. He talks about Weissmuller's Hollywood friends, and what his life was like before and after the Olympics and his film career.

As with many classic era Hollywood actors, Weissmuller made bad decisions and married the wrong women for much of his life. Sadly enough, as he aged, his health deteriorated, leading to several strokes in the early 80's. In the book, his son relates the days leading up to his father's death in Acapulco, and his unceremonious burial there. So many Hollywood icons have self-destructed due to bad people in their lives....and so many of their life stories end similarly. It made me sad. But I would rather remember Weissmuller as one of the best male swimmers who ever competed at the Olympic level, and as one of the most reconizable actors of the 1930's and 40's. Who hasn't heard Weissmuller's Tarzan call?? I think everyone has.

Overall the book was a great read. I learned a lot about Weissmuller that I never knew. For example, he was friends with the chimp who first played Cheeta. He saved the chimp from drowning once when it fell out of a boat and sank in the water. After that, the chimp was fast friends with the actor. After that chimp retired from playing Cheeta, he was sent to the Los Angeles Zoo to live out the rest of his life. Weissmuller mourned when the chimp died, saying that the loss was like losing a son. Johnny Weissmuller was also one of the first athletes to be featured on a Wheaties cereal box.

There are many more interesting anecdotes about Weissmuller in the pages of his son's books. It's a great read for any Olympic fan, or Tarzan fan!

[Michael P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book answers the quiestion few people have asked, "What was it like to grow up with Johnny Weissmuller as your father?" Though billed at a biography of the swimmer turned actor, it is just as much, or more, the autobiography of his son and how he has come to terms with being Weissmuller’s son. It seems that it hasn’t always been easy, but then love wins out. In other words, this is exactly what you would expect.

I completely get why Weissmuller, Jr. needed to write this book. I’m not sure why anybody needs to read it. Having said that, and despite some very awkward writing, it is very readable and may be cat-nip to those of us who grew up with Weissmuller’s Tarzan on TV. The book delivers in its limited ambition and is more fun to read than I expected it to be.

[Mick Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read.the book partly written by his son.it reveals how a good man was used and discarded by hollywood,a tale that still resonates today.if he had met the right woman from the beginning things might have turned out differently.he did enjoy the high life trusting in those around him but it is a tale as old as hollywood itself hangers on and leeches willing to make a quick book on the back of someone who has made it big.his son does put the record straight plus an interesting appendix at the end.a bit like not walking out of the cinema before the end titles have run.

[Helensink · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting life Johnny Weismuller had. Who knew? Very interesting, quick read and a pleasure for anyone who follows old classic films.

[Mark Cheviron · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is more about his unhappy son

I found Johnny Jr. to be an unhappy and jealous storyteller. He was critical of everyone in his father' s life but him

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Open, revealing, and fair-minded. He gives his side on several stories and offers the opposing point of view. (Such as whether Johnny Sr's manager cheated him.)

notes:
Intro: the hard times made Tarzan popular...."Tarzan is a survivor...T is a winner....every generation has, and needs, a Tarzan image"
16...family story, not a bio
33...good health and hard work were almost gospel to JW
127..always put on a good face and tried to present himself to the world as a man without a care, but to tell the truth, he was having personal and financial problems
204..he was a big, happy, laughing giant of a man

[sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

I loved this book cause it was written by his son. There are other books but this is the truth. There will never be another Tarzan book is funny sad and very heartwarming I recommend this highly if you are a fan

[Fishsanwitt]

stamped

[Paula Broad · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was really good to read.