Tarzan, My Father

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

Book Overview

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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 155022834X
• ISBN13: 9781550228342
• Release Date: February 2008
• Publisher: ECW Press
• Length: 232 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

MGM -You made a Big Mistake !

My daughter gave me a copy of this book for Father's Day this year along with the last MGM Tarzan movie that I was missing " Tarzan Escapes". This book is loaded with all kinds of good stuff written by Weissmullers son, Johnny Jr..It has some great pictures in it too. For Folks like myself who grew up watching (or just wanting to watch) Johnny Weissmuller as Tarzan and knowing that nothing either before or after his movies was worth it's weight in Dog Dung then you also will really enjoy this book! My kids were raised hearing phrases like "That used to be a full grown man" or "Ma-ha-wani Sleep,Ma-ha-wani Sleep" or better yet "That was a close one, we almost lost the rifles". Yes there was only one REAL Tarzan and folks from my generation know that his name was Johnny Weissmuller. Boy did MGM screw up when they stopped making Tarzan Movies and let Johnny go to RKO, If only they knew how big his movies would become in the future! When Tarzan answered Jane as he was feeding a bottle to Boy and said "Him no choke",I'm certain MGM did a lot of choking in years to come. It was kind-a like SUN RECORDS selling Elvis Presly's contract to RCA for 50 grand a real no-brainer. This book tells the whole Hollywood story and how so many stars of that day really turned Hollywood into "SIN CITY" but Johnny was one of very few who kept to clean living and avoided all the garbage! This book is a real good deal! "ENJOY"

Read this Sports and Tarzan Fans

Any fan of sports, especially the olympics will love this wonderful book. If you liked Johnny Weissmuller as Tarzan, you will definitely find this an interesting read. The writing draws you into the book and entertains you with the details of how sports figures, movie stars, and average people were influenced by Johnny and how they affected his outlook. A positive and different perspective than has often been written about movie stars, it leaves a warm feeling when you lay it down. I certainly hope this book receives the notoriety it deserves. One can only hope it will influence them to put all the great Johnny Weissmuller Tarzan movies on DVD. It astounds me they are only available on VHS when some poor quality non-Weissmuller Tarzans are on DVD. I highly recommend this book.

A Wonderfully Written & Researched Book. First Rate.

Most books are mediocre. And I say this based upon a lifetime of reading everything. This book is wonderful, well-written, well-researched, well-published. I simply could not stop reading it, and when I'd finished, I really truly felt I knew the great Johnny Weissmuller, my childhood idol. I also came to know Johnny, Jr., and have enormous empathy for this fellow, who has managed to carve a successful life for himself, against large odds, it would seem, and with little guidance. The book is amazingly candid and very moving, and virtually un-put-down-able. If you have even the slightest interest in humanity, Tarzan, or John Weissmuller, buy this excellent book. RM

TARZAN'S BIGGEST TREE

Johnny Weissmuller by far was the best of all the Tarzans ever filmed for movies or television and "Tarzan, My Father" written by his son, is by far the best of many dozens of biographies written about Johnny.His swimming achivements are unmatched and he was not only a friend of everyone in the jungle, but of everyone he meet.This is a must read, if you want to know the real Johnny Weissmuller. Mike Oliver

Simply the best Weissmuller bio yet!

As a film buff and life-long Johnny Weissmuller fan, I thought I knew all there was to know about the Olympic swimming champion who became the most beloved of all movie Tarzans. I was wrong. TARZAN, MY FATHER is the inside story of Johnny Weissmuller, told from the point-of-view of the ultimate insider - his son and namesake, Johnny Jr. This incredible book is neither a scandalous tell-all nor hero-worshipping hagiography, but rather a respectful and honest account of the life of the legendary actor/athlete. With many facts revealed for the first time, and hypocryphal stories refuted once and for all, this book is the definitive account of the life of Johnny Weissmuller, from his humble origins to his Olympic victories to his sad and tragic end. Though written without cloying sentiment, the book is still moving and heartfelt. It's the ideal book for sports fans, movie buffs or anyone interested in reading a fascinating biography of a remarkable man. Highly recommended!