TARZAN AND THE SHE-DEVIL

Q: What is Tarzan and the She-Devil about?

Tarzan and the She-Devil is about Tarzan confronting a ruthless ivory poacher, Lyra, who enslaves a native tribe to steal elephant ivory in Africa.

1953 · 1h 15m · NR · Action / Adventure · IMDB TMDB

Ivory poachers, headed by Lyra the She-Devil, Vargo and Fidel, capture a native tribe to carry their loot. Tarzan intervenes and is captured. Jane is also captured and believed killed, so the despairing Tarzan endures endless torture until he learns she is alive. He rises to the occasion and leads his elephants in the usual victory stampede. When hunters discover several large herds of elephants, they realize there is a fortune to be made in ivory. The poachers - Varga, Lyra and Fidel - take tribesmen captive in their plan to harvest the ivory. The tribe's women ask Jane for help but when their jungle home is burned down, Tarzan believes she is dead. She has survived however and when Tarzan learns she is well, he turns the poachers prey upon them.

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Quick Answer

What is Tarzan and the She-Devil about?

Tarzan and the She-Devil is a 1953 American action-adventure film directed by Kurt Neumann about Tarzan confronting a ruthless ivory poacher named Lyra, who enslaves a native tribe to steal elephant ivory in Africa.

Programmer's Pick

Villainous poachers, a whip-smart She-Devil, and a stampede or two—Tarzan and the She-Devil tosses everyone into the deep end of jungle mayhem. Monique van Vooren brings just the right edge to Lyra, turning ivory fever into a battle royale with the king of the vines.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

In the heart of Africa, Lyra the She-Devil and her band of ivory-hungry hunters set their sights on a massive herd of bull elephants, plotting to capture the animals by forcing an East African tribe into servitude. Their ruthless scheme puts them on a collision course with Tarzan, who becomes the jungle's last line of defense. When the poachers' ambitions threaten both man and beast, Tarzan's legendary cry summons unexpected allies and sends shockwaves through the wilderness. This is a classic jungle adventure where brutality meets resistance, wild nature is weaponized, and every character's loyalty is tested under the blazing African sun.

Details & Specs

Director: Kurt Neumann
Writers: Carroll Young, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Karl Kamb
Release: 1953
Runtime: 1h 15m
Country: United States of America
Language: English
Genres: Action, Adventure

Why This Matters

This film marks Lex Barker's fifth and final performance as Tarzan, concluding his run before Gordon Scott took over the iconic role in the long-running series.

— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Kurt Neumann Writers: Carroll Young +2 more

Lex Barker Tarzan

Joyce Mackenzie Jane

Raymond Burr Vargo

Monique van Vooren Lyra, the She-Devil

Tom Conway Fidel

Michael Granger Philippe Lavarre

Henry Brandon M'Tara, Lycopo Chief

Mara Corday Locopo Woman

Explore More

Jungle Adventure Torture Fire Rescue Villainess Jungle 1950s Africa Jungle Adventure Knife Fight Elephant Chimpanzee Native Tribe Poacher Treehouse Tarzan Character Stampede

Why Cult

Queen of Poachers

Monique van Vooren's Lyra stands out as a commanding and ruthless antagonist, setting this Tarzan tale apart with a memorable villainess.

Ivory Hunt Gone Wild

The plot centers on a high-stakes quest for elephant ivory, complete with forced labor, burning homes, and the exploitation of a native tribe.

Jungle Rescue Stakes

Tarzan’s intervention against the poachers escalates into a fight for survival, with burning houses, stampedes, and knife fights in true adventure fashion.

Animal Allies

Elephants and chimpanzees join the fray, turning the natural world into Tarzan’s best weapon against invading hunters.