MovieChat Forums > Tarzan (1966) Discussion > Ron Ely's real-life fall?

Ron Ely's real-life fall?

posted 9 years ago by boinnng
2 replies | jump to latest

I've read that Ron Ely did his own stunts and twice fell from the vines, breaking opposite shoulders each time. I'm just now watching the 60s series on DVD and I'm up to the 5th episode, which starts off with Ron trying to change vines mid-air and falling. It looked very realistic and his arm is out of commission during the episode (at least up to where I am now in it). I was wondering if that was one of his actual falls, caught on film, and then had a story written (rewritten?) around it to incorporate the footage and the stars injured status of the moment. Does anyone know? Thanks!

[–] cclowell 9 years ago

Yes, it was one of his actual falls. He missed the vine (or failed to grip it properly) and fell, so they incorporated a shot of the villain shooting the vine out from under "Tarzan" to make it part of the story.

I remember seeing a newspaper photo online of Ely lying on the ground after the fall and being treated by medical personnel.

I was watching the DVD of the first episode and one of the first times "Tarzan" swings down from a vine you can clearly see silver bandages across both of his bare feet.

I think Mr. Ely deserved some sort of award for performing such dangerous and painful stunts!

[–] Tarzanfan2 8 years ago

He didn't miss the vine; the crew was done shooting for the day when the director decided he wanted some extra footage. Unbeknownst to Ron, they had secured the rope. When he grabbed it, it broke and he fell 28 feet, briefly knocking himself unconscious.