Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze ** (1975, Ron Ely, Paul Gleason, William Lucking) – Classic Movie Review 8756

The 1966-68 TV Tarzan Ron Ely assumes another pulp fiction character, this one based on Kenneth Robeson [Lester Dent]’s Doc Savage stories.

Britain’s Michael Anderson directs the 1975 Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze, a spoof version of what was originally a straightforward adventure story about the Doc and his five Amazing Adventurers chums going to South America to investigate the murder of his father, battling the maniac Captain Seas (Paul Wexler) and finding Inca gold. It also stars Paul Gleason as Long Tom, William Lucking as Renny, and Michael Miller as Monk Mayfair,

Legendary sci-fi producer George Pal’s last film is pretty daft but acceptable stuff, with Ely suitably cast and equipped with torn shirt and deadpan delivery. Alas there are some feeble performances from the support cast, lame special effects and weak set designs.

Also in the cast are Eldon Quick, Darrell Zwerling, Janice Heiden, Pamela Hensley, Paul Wexler, Robyn Hilton, Bob Corso, Carlos Rivas, Chuy Franco, Alberto Morin and Victor Millan.

Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze is directed by Michael Anderson, runs 112 minutes, is made by George Pal Productions, is released by Warner Bros, is written by George Pal and Joe Morhaim, based on Kenneth Robeson [Lester Dent]’s Doc Savage stories, shot by Fred Koenekamp, produced by George Pal and scored by John Philip Sousa.

The 15th screen Tarzan, Ron Ely played the title role in the TV series Tarzan (1966-68), and in two movies made from that series in 1970.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8756

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