Radio
Legends:
Tarzan and the Diamond of Asher
Liner notes written by Ivan G. Shreve, Jr.
“…and through the intrigue and mystery and the danger moves the majestic figure
of Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle…"
September 12, 1932 marked the auspicious radio debut of "Tarzan of the Apes",
the famed literary creation of Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose 1914 novel introduced
the child raised among apes after his parents, Lord and Lady Greystoke, were
marooned off the African coast and later killed. Produced by Frederick C.
Dahlquist of American Radio Syndicate, "Tarzan" is considered to be the first
major syndicated radio serial, released as a three-day-a-week quarter-hour and
running for two hundred and eighty six installments, ending in 1934 when
Burroughs himself put an end to the ape man’s proceedings, unhappy with the way
the serial’s story had deviated from his original work.
Later that year, Burroughs changed his mind regarding Tarzan’s radio future and
agreed to two more serial adaptations of thirty-nine installments each: "Tarzan
and the Diamond of Asher" (1934) and "Tarzan and the Fires of Tohr" (1936). With
"Asher", Burroughs took a more active role in the series’ production, working in
tandem with his son Hulbert and Ralph Rothmund. Truth be told, the first Tarzan
continuity already had the aura of nepotism; Burroughs’ daughter Joan essayed
the part of the ape man’s girlfriend, Jane, and her husband, James Pierce, was
fortunate to land the titular role.
But the character of Jane disappeared from both the second and third serials,
with the official explanation that Jane had returned to New York to contemplate
marriage and a future with Tarzan; apparently she had none of the pluck and
yearning to “go native” as did Maureen O’Sullivan did in the M-G-M Tarzan movie
series. But the real reason Jane took a powder was that, in real life, Joan
Burroughs became great with child and, naturally, husband Pierce declined to
return as well.
So in "Diamond of Asher", the coveted role of Tarzan went to Carlton KaDell, who
would later achieve radio fame as the voice of Red Ryder. KaDell was joined by
an excellent supporting cast that included Jeanette Nolan (Magra), Ralph Scott
(D’Arnot), Victor Rodman (Wolf), Cy Kendall (Atan Thome), Korena Shields
(Helen), George Turner (Gregory), Don Wilson (Lal Taask), Fred Harrington
(Mitchell), and Victor Potel (Larson). Nolan’s husband, John McIntire, served as
Diamond’s narrator, though director-producer Fred Shields pinch-hit for him on
occasional broadcasts.
Written by Rob Thompson, "Tarzan and the Diamond of Asher" shows off a crackling
good storyline, adapted from Burroughs’ novel "Tarzan and the Forbidden City",
and top-notch sound effects, courtesy of Jack Brundage and E. Dummel, in a tale
that finds two parties in search of the Forbidden City of Asher — one determined
to rescue the son of its leader and another heck-bent on obtaining “the Father
of Diamonds.”
Even among long-time radio enthusiasts, "Tarzan and the Diamond of Asher" is a
fairly rare series and one which many of our members have frequently requested
that we release. Having recently found excellent source recordings upon which to
base our restorations, Radio Archives is pleased to now offer this action-packed
and suspenseful adventure series, ready to be heard and enjoyed by a whole new
generation of fans. The series - complete in thirty-nine installments - is a
Radio Legends release that we promise you won’t soon forget.
Here is the complete content of this exciting new 10-CD Radio Legends
collection:
Mistaken Identity (#1)
Lord Greystoke is mistaken for an American named Brian Gregory by Gregory’s
father and sister Helen. Later, a mysterious woman known as Magra makes the same
error, and along with Magra and her companion Lal Taask, he is brought before
the mysterious Atan Thome.
1934 - 15:00 - Syndicated
The Map (#2)
Magra and Lal Taask discuss the need to obtain the Asher map from the individual
they think is Brian Gregory. Lord Greystoke decides to join the Gregory
expedition to search for Brian.
1934 - 15:00 - Syndicated
A Wolf Among the Sheep (#3)
D’Arnot questions Tarzan about the existence of talking apes and the mystery of
Asher. Thome and Lal Taask meet with their confederate, Wolf, who has signed
onto the Gregory expedition as a spy.
1934 - 15:00 - Syndicated
Riverboat of Danger (#4)
D’Arnot is able to get enough leave to join the Gregory expedition, but he’s
also hoping to spend time with Helen as well. Magra approaches Helen about
joining the search party also, concealing her plans of stealing the Asher map
with Wolf.
1934 - 15:00 - Syndicated
The Gregory Expedition Begins (#5)
Suspected of being a spy by the apprehensive Larson, Wolf congregates with
Magra
to discuss the best way of obtaining Helen’s map. Thome and Taask depart from
Luango in a second riverboat, and agree that the man they suspect to be Brian
Gregory (Tarzan) must remain unharmed until they are able to overtake the
Gregory expedition.
1934 - 15:00 - Syndicated
The Ape Man Returns (#6)
Attacked with a spear by one of the native dancers, Tarzan converses in the
native’s language until he is satisfied that the native means no harm. The rest
of the search party is confused by “Brian Gregory” and his return to his native
origins.
1934 - 15:00 - Syndicated
Legend of the “Father of Diamonds” (#7)
Tarzan saves Magra’s life by disarming Wolf of his pistol, but spares his life
upon learning of his attempt to blackmail Magra until he is more certain of
their plans. On the other boat, Thome tells Taask the legend of the “Father of
Diamonds” — an enormous gem that possesses the power to turn those who touch it
into mummy-like automatons.
1934 - 15:00 - Syndicated
Magra’s Story (#8)
Tarzan saves Magra from Numa the lion, and she finally suspects that the ape man
is not Brian Gregory. She provides information about his last expedition to find
the “talking apes”...and his disappearance.
1934 - 15:00 - Syndicated
Stampeding Thunder (#9)
The Gregory expedition is facing an elephant stampede approaching their
encampment, but the charge of the mammoths is stopped by Tarzan. Word gets to
Taask that Wolf and Magra have made little progress in obtaining the map, and he
decides to use more desperate means to get it.
1934 - 15:00 - Syndicated
Reptile Death (#10)
Magra warns Helen that she must give the map to Tarzan for safekeeping. Thwarted
by Magra, Wolf is startled by the arrival of Atan Thome, who suggests an
alliance with the local witch doctor as means for obtaining the precious
document.
1934 - 15:00 - Syndicated
Voodoo Medicine (#11)
Tarzan rescues Larson from the deadly jaws of a crocodile just in the nick of
time. Wolf strikes a bargain with the witch doctor to obtain some of the
medicine man’s deadly potent brew and dopes the canteen of Mr. Gregory with the
potion.
1934 - 15:00 - Syndicated
Sting of the Black Snake Whip (#12)
Magra manages to save Gregory by switching his canteen with Wolf’s…which puts
the villainous creep into a deep coma-like sleep. Revived by an antidote
administered by Tarzan, Wolf is unaware of Magra’s duplicity and approaches the
witch doctor with a black snake whip.
1934 - 15:00 - Syndicated
Jungle Fury (#13)
Tarzan grabs the whip from Wolf and orders him to never beat a native again.
Wolf apologizes to the witch doctor in the hopes that he will still continue
with the plans to get the bearers to desert the Gregory party.
1934 - 15:00 - Syndicated
Desertion (#14)
The members of the Gregory expedition find themselves trapped under a collapsed
tent in the aftermath of a tornado that has ripped through the jungle. Tarzan
and Wolf work together to free the others, then the ape man directs them to
higher ground to escape the flooding river.
1934 - 15:00 - Syndicated
Night Attack (#15)
Helen has been abducted by a party of apes and Tarzan races to her rescue. Back
at the Thome camp, Thome and Taask celebrate the treachery of the native
bearers…and Thome offers the witch doctor a bribe of firewater if he will direct
the natives to attack the Gregory camp at moonrise.
1934 - 15:00 - Syndicated
Captives of Atan Thome (#16)
Attacked by the native bearers, Tarzan bravely puts up a defense - even to the
point of killing the treacherous Lal Taask. Realizing that the women are in
danger - especially after Gregory is killed - Tarzan agrees with Larson that
they must surrender to Thome…who demands that the party hand over the map.
1934 - 15:00 - Syndicated
The Pact (#17)
When Tarzan leaps into the air to stop the witch doctor’s spear from killing
Wolf, Atan Thome is thoroughly convinced the ape man is not Brian Gregory. He
proposes that the two groups join forces under Tarzan’s leadership in order to
locate the city of Asher.
1934 - 15:00 - Syndicated
Helen Vanishes (#18)
D’Arnot foolishly rushes into the jungle unarmed to search for Helen, but Tarzan
prevents him from going any further. Thome can’t help but be reminded that
Helen’s disappearance is uncannily similar to that of her brother’s in the
earlier expedition.
1934 - 15:00 - Syndicated
The Ancient Causeway (#19)
Larson has accidentally fallen into a hole and discovers a stone stairway that
leads to an ancient causeway. On a wall covered with hieroglyphics, the party is
stunned to see the words “Helen Captive” among the ancient writings.
1934 - 15:00 - Syndicated
Tuen Baka Beckons (#20)
Tarzan is convinced that Helen has been taken to the city of Asher, and Thome
explains that the city lies in a crater of an extinct volcano, Tuen Baka. Wolf
confides to Thome that he loathes Tarzan but carries a torch for Magra -
prompting a scuffle as to who will claim both the girl and the treasure.
1934 - 15:00 - Syndicated
The Death’s Head (#21)
Breaking up the fight between Wolf and Thome, Tarzan learns from Thome that
Magra is his ward. He then reveals the tale of the “Father of Diamonds” and how
the gem is guarded in a temple by the “talking apes.”
1934 - 15:00 – Syndicated
Cave of Dinosaurs (#22)
The Gregory-Thome expedition continues its way through the volcanic plain,
choosing to take a glass-smooth straight road that slopes upward toward the
volcano. Tarzan and Thome climb a cliff for further inspection, and the ape man
stumbles onto a cave that contains scraps of cooked meat...and fragments of
Helen’s clothing.
1934 - 15:00 – Syndicated
The Land of Tuen Baka (#23)
Tarzan takes on his greatest challenge when he defeats a dinosaur in mortal
combat, identified by Thome and D’Arnot as a beast from the Pleistocene age. As
the party continues to forage on, they pass a series of carved death-head
markers along the trail...and Thome confides in Magra that he’s deciphered what
the hieroglyphics mean.
1934 - 15:00 – Syndicated
Escort to Asher (#24)
The Gregory-Thome expedition comes face-to-face with Chief Akaru and his
warriors from the Land of the Hesiahar, who agree to escort the party to Asher.
When questioned about Helen, the Chief becomes evasive, frustrating D’Arnot when
he refuses to answer any more questions.
1934 - 15:00 – Syndicated
The City of Asher (#25)
Tarzan saves Chief Akaru from certain death by plunging an arrow into the eyes
of a giant serpent in the nick of time. Pledging to help the ape man if ever he
is in need, Akaru proves his word is his bond when he attempts to intercede on
Tarzan’s behalf about his reasons for being in the forbidden city.
1934 - 15:00 - Syndicated
The Guardian of the Diamond (#26)
Learning that the Gregory-Thome party is to be sacrificed, Akaru continues to
work on interceding on their behalf by speaking with King Soo Ten. His Majesty
is convinced that the expedition is out to steal the “Father of Diamonds” - and
in the case of Thome and Wolf, he’s right on the money.
1934 - 15:00 – Syndicated
Atan Thome’s New Alliance (#27)
In an attempt to steal the diamond, Wolf is brutally killed by a hideous, savage
ape...which, in turn, is quickly dispatched by Tarzan. Thome attempts to forge
an alliance with Queen Ti Ra by blaming the theft on Wolf, Tarzan and D’Arnot.
1934 - 15:00 – Syndicated
King Soo Ten’s New Prisoners (#28)
Tarzan and D’Arnot return to their quarters to discover that Magra has
disappeared, but learn from Larson that the Hesiaharians have captured both her
and the weapons. Escorted by a Hesiaharian guard to a secret room, Magra finds
Helen Gregory waiting within.
1934 - 15:00 – Syndicated
Another Try for the Diamond (#29)
King Soo Ten leads Helen and Magra to another prison chamber, where they
discover the body of Helen’s brother Brian in suspended animation. Meanwhile,
Tarzan and D’Arnot are summoned to an audience with Queen Ti Ra - and Thome
convinces Larson to take another stab at swiping the “Father of Diamonds.”
1934 - 15:00 – Syndicated
The Queen’s Offer (#30)
Helen learns to her dismay that King Soo Ten has plans to make her his new
bride, dispensing with Ti Ra. Ti Ra, impressed with Tarzan’s feat of killing the
guardian ape, agrees to let him and his party leave if he will personally bring
her the “Father of Diamonds” - which at this point in time is being sought after
by Thome and Larson.
1934 - 15:00 – Syndicated
The Diamond’s New Owner (#31)
Tarzan, D’Arnot, Thome, and Larson agree to work together to steal the “Father
of Diamonds” - particularly since two of the guardian apes are headed straight
towards the ape man. The imprisoned Helen and Magra agree to King Soo Ten’s
double wedding demands in order to stall for time.
1934 - 15:00 – Syndicated
Together Again (#32)
Tarzan and his friends have been tricked by Queen Ti Ra, who has placed them in
sulfur-laden peril, trapped in a secret passageway that supposedly leads to
Magra’s prison chamber. Helen and Magra learn that Brian will remain a captive
in the city of Asher, but Akaru assures them he will help with Brian’s rescue.
1934 - 15:00 – Syndicated
Help From a Friend (#33)
The members of the party are reunited in Helen and Magra’s prison chamber, but
first must deal with advancing Hesiaharian guards, whose esprit de corps results
in the death of Larson. Tarzan, D’Arnot, and Thome are captured and thrown into
a dungeon...but the ever loyal Akaru has shown them a way of escape.
1934 - 15:00 – Syndicated
Royal Wedding (#34)
Emerging from the secret tunnel, Tarzan finds himself face-to-face with a savage
saber-tooth tiger. After fighting the tiger, the ape man then attempts to stop
the double weddings of Helen and Magra...but there’s this matter of a
fight-to-the-death with the great simian leader of the “talking apes.”
1934 - 15:00 – Syndicated
The Tower of the Sun (#35)
Queen Ti Ra, now in possession of the “Father of Diamonds,” declares herself
ruler of the Land of the Hesiahar and husband Soo Ten is powerless to stop her.
Tarzan and his friends are escorted to the Tower of the Sun because the Queen
refuses to make good on her promise to free them.
1934 - 15:00 – Syndicated
Temple of Ma-Chu (#36)
Helen and Magra are attacked by pterodactyl-looking beasts known as the flying
Chous of Tuen Baka, but Tarzan
comes to their rescue by shooting an arrow into the breast of the Chou leader.
Before he can decide on a plan to keep the women from being attacked a second
time, Akaru reports that the only way to stop Queen Ti Ra’s treachery is to
retrieve the “Father of Diamonds” and return Soo Ten to his throne.
1934 - 15:00 – Syndicated
Escape Plans (#37)
While Tarzan make plans to rescue Helen and Magra from their tower prison, Thome
and D’Arnot make their way to Queen Ti Ra’s chambers - where they narrowly
escape being attacked by a giant cobra. Thome and D’Arnot are successful in
their quest, but Tarzan must face down a pair of Hesiaharian guards in order to
free the women.
1934 - 15:00 – Syndicated
Out Numbered (#38)
Escaping from the Queen’s chambers, Thome and D’Arnot meet up with Ne Shem, the
High Priest of the Council of 13. Meanwhile, Tarzan’s killing of the two
Hesiaharian guards holding Helen and Magra captive brings on more guards as he
and friends make their way to escape.
1934 - 15:00 – Syndicated
Victory and Death (#39)
Tarzan drags D’Arnot to safety and, as the party makes their getaway, Akaru
is able to administer a potion to Brian Gregory that brings him out of his
suspended-animation stupor. Unfortunately, the treacherous Thome is still
determined to keep the “Father of Diamonds” for himself.
1934 - 15:00 - Syndicated
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