MovieChat Forums > Tarzan the Ape Man (1932) Discussion > Pigmies vs. Dwarfs and Barbarism

Pigmies vs. Dwarfs and Barbarism

posted 15 years ago by kbarada
15 replies | jump to latest

The most bizarre scenes from any movie is the way the dwarfs seem to enjoy all the ways they have dreamed up to kill thier captives. Check out that giant gorilla in the pit! What is their motivation for these cruel, barbaric rituals? Also, I don't think there were any female dwarfs in any of the scenes. How then does the tribe perpetuate itself? Why are these these dwarfs so angry?

They seem to be enjoying violence for violence sake. Check out some of the expressions of glee on their faces as the captives are being killed in horrible ways all to the insane beat of drums. This really strikes me as one of the sickest moments in film history.

By the way, who do you think would win in a battle of pigmies vs. these depraved dwarfs?

[–] bcrumpacker 15 years ago

what's more offensive than white performers in black face? Dwarves in black face, wearing loincloths and chucking spears, pretending to be pygmies. Just imagine the make up dept. smearing shoe polish on dozens of dwarves before the day's filming could start. Their story would be way more entertaining than the creaky movie plot. By the way, they were fighting asian elephants with fake ears attached to make them look african.

[–] gayspiritwarrior 13 years ago

They were not "imitating pygmies." Jane specifically asks if they're pygmies, and is told by one of the men, "no, they're dwarves."

"The value of an idea has nothing to do with the honesty of the man expressing it."--Oscar Wilde

[–] albertfoster 14 years ago

"I don't think there were any female dwarfs in any of the scenes."
"Why are these these dwarfs so angry?"

Do have a habit of answereing your questions before you ask them?

[–] bradford-1 13 years ago

If I'm not mistaken, THE SIGN OF THE CROSS also uses white dwarves in blackface. I guess the studios didn't want to go to the trouble of finding real black dwarves.

"We're fighting for this woman's honor, which is more than she ever did."

[–] lastmidnite2 13 years ago

I love all that politically incorrect sh-t in old movies. It drives so many uptight a--holes crazy today!

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] lastmidnite2 13 years ago

Yes like Gidget. It stands for girl midget. Next thing we know, those movies will be banned because the title is un PC!

[–] Skye_Reynolds 12 years ago

I don't agree with what they did, but in their defense, it would have been a Herculian task to find that many qualified individuals without having to resort to wearing makeup. We're talking about finding more than twenty individuals with a relatively rare condition, they have to be able to act, and they all have to be members of the same ethnic minority. If those individuals could be found, then by all means, MGM should have hired them and not resorted to "darkening up" white dwarves.

But when casting specifications are that precise, a studio could hypothetically be faced with hiring someone to play a member of another race or writing a character out altogether. Today, those scenes would be modified to accomodate different actors. Back then, however, they were going to have a tribe of black dwarves or they were going to have a tribe of white dwarves in black makeup.

I don't like it, but the early Tarzan films weren't exactly progressive.

[–] Skye_Reynolds 12 years ago

On the other hand, roles are typically scarce for dwarves of any size. I can't say it was a flattering role, but at least somebody got a paycheck who normally wouldn't have.

[–] RandyHickey 10 years ago

Little people in blackface. C'mon. Now it's wrong two ways.

[–] mlee1919 12 years ago

Oh Albert, that post was hysterical!

[–] RichN36 12 years ago

I know they were uncredited for the most part. I wonder how many of those Dwarfs ended up in Flying Monkey and Munchkin suits a few years down the road? Was my only thought. But like has been said it was a strange sequence in the movie. I know it is a classic but Don't remember ever seeing it before. Was more of a fan of Tarzan in New York as a kid.

There is more Gravy about you then the Grave. Scrooge.

[–] bradford-1 11 years ago

What's even crazier was Tarzan's fight with the giant gorilla. He slings his knife and it lands right in the gorilla's face! Then Tarzan climbs on its back, pulls out the blade and slices the ape's throat complete with gushing blood. Talk about pre-Code!
"May I bone your kipper, Mademoiselle?"

[–] hutch97405 11 years ago

All down through history some people kill barbaric joy. Why? Because it's a kind of sick entertainment, like pulling the legs and wings off bugs.

[–] jdates60 8 years ago

"All down through history some people kill barbaric joy."

ISIS immediately comes to mind.
21st century barbarians.