Watch Tarzan's Desert Mystery

Tarzan's Desert Mystery is a 1943 adventure film directed by Wilhelm Thiele, starring Johnny Weissmuller, Nancy Kelly, and Johnny Sheffield. The film is the eighth in the Tarzan series and follows the titular character, Tarzan (Weissmuller), as he travels to the desert in search of the kidnapped daughter of a wealthy American businessman.

The film begins with a car chase in the desert involving a group of Arab horsemen and an American businessman named Sheik Abdul Hamid (Frank Puglia), who is on a mission to save his daughter. Tarzan and his young companion, Boy (Sheffield), are nearby and witness the chase.

After the chase ends, Tarzan and Boy discover a wounded man named Joe (Philip Van Zandt) who provides them with information about the kidnapping of the Sheik's daughter, Princess Melmendi (Nancy Kelly). Joe is later killed by the kidnappers, but not before revealing the location of the princess.

Tarzan, Boy, and the Sheik set out to find Princess Melmendi, but they are soon captured by a group of bandits led by a man named Achmed (Otto Kruger). Tarzan and Boy manage to escape captivity and continue their search for the princess.

Meanwhile, Princess Melmendi manages to escape from the bandits and meets Tarzan and Boy. Together, the three of them embark on an adventure in the desert, facing dangers such as sandstorms, quicksand pits, and a tribe of hostile tribesmen.

Throughout their journey, Tarzan and Princess Melmendi develop a romantic relationship, adding a romantic subplot to the film. The chemistry between Weissmuller and Kelly is palpable, and their scenes together provide a welcome contrast to the action-packed adventure.

Tarzan's Desert Mystery features all the familiar elements of the Tarzan series, including impressive stunts and action sequences, exotic locations, and jungle animals. However, the desert setting provides a refreshing change of pace, and the film's cinematography captures the beauty and mystery of the desert landscape.

The film's supporting cast includes several notable character actors, such as Otto Kruger as the villainous Achmed, and Philip Van Zandt as the doomed informant Joe. Nancy Kelly delivers a strong performance as the feisty Princess Melmendi, and Johnny Sheffield provides comic relief as Tarzan's loyal companion, Boy.

Overall, Tarzan's Desert Mystery is a thrilling adventure film that delivers everything fans of the Tarzan series have come to expect, along with a few surprises. The film's blend of action, romance, and exotic locales make it a standout entry in the series, and Johnny Weissmuller's performance as Tarzan remains iconic to this day.

Tarzan's Desert Mystery is a 1944 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 10 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.