When Screen Gems' "Jungle Jim" television series made its initial appearance in 1955, I found it as enjoyable as other adventure programs of its era, but it otherwise made no strong impression. Today, I regard it as a thoroughly delightful, exceptionally entertaining package - and I am astonished that, although some industry publications in the 1950s alluded to a full 39-episode set of "Jungle Jim" half-hour programs being available, only 26 were released. It is remarkable that the series had a lively and profitable syndicated run, reintroduced several times, with such a small number of episodes - yet excellent episodes they indeed are.
Upon re-discovering "Jungle Jim," many years after its first run, I was immediately charmed by the performance of Johnny Weissmuller, so understated as to appear refreshingly artless. As a guide in the African jungle (and everywhere else on the globe where a script may take him), he is capable of surmounting all obstacles - as do all protagonists in 1950s adventure programs - but he does so in such a quiet, offhanded, poker-faced manner as to render even the most far-fetched plot development acceptable. As the jungle-savvy guide and advocate for fair play and integrity, Weissmuller is outstanding.
Norman Fredric (later performing as Dean Fredericks) is Jungle Jim's loyal friend and assistant, Kaseem, playing the role with quiet dignity and resolve. Martin Huston, formerly the title character in NBC's short-lived radio series, "My Son Jeep," is excellent as Jungle Jim's teenage son, and Paul Cavanagh is splendid as the British commissioner. Supporting casts are uniformly good and feature some fine character players.
What makes this such a satisfying series for those who either remember or have learned to love the Saturday Matinee-style entertainment of long ago? Good triumphs over evil, and even unacceptable plotlines are made believable through the earnest enactment of the well-directed cast. Jungle Jim - firm friend to the people of the jungle, compassionate handler of wild animals, loving and strict parent, and nemesis of all lawbreakers and mountebanks - is a memorable "good guy" from a time when people aspired to incarnate goodness and to heed their better angels. Unfortunate it is that only 26 episodes of this classic series were produced!
