Running from September 1966 to April 1968, Tarzan was a prime-time adventure series aired on NBC. Produced by Banister Productions, it departed from the traditional film portrayals by focusing on a more cerebral, intelligent Tarzan, rather than the monosyllabic "Me Tarzan, You Jane" stereotype. Key Aspects of the Ron Ely Era (1966–1968)

While Warner Bros. holds the underlying distribution rights to the television series, official physical releases have been sparse. The Warner Archive Collection previously released the series on manufacture-on-demand DVDs, but these sets frequently go out of print, making them expensive or difficult to acquire for casual viewers.

: He was portrayed as Lord Greystoke , a man who had seen civilization and chose to return to nature.

Thanks to the community of archivists on the Internet Archive, the thunderous roar of Ron Ely’s Tarzan, the playful antics of Cheetah, and the vibrant landscapes of the mid-century jungle continue to live on for future generations to discover and enjoy.

serves as a digital library for this classic show, offering various ways to experience its legacy: Video Episodes : Users can find several episodes of the 1966 series

The 1966 Ron Ely Tarzan TV series is one of the many gems preserved on the Internet Archive. Here, you can often find many of the 57 original episodes, the feature film compilations, and related promotional materials, all available to . Additionally, fans can also find the older Tarzan radio serials , such as "Tarzan and the Fires of Tohr," which were produced under the personal direction of Edgar Rice Burroughs himself. The platform is a true treasure trove for fans of the Lord of the Jungle.

For fans of classic adventure television, the 1966–1968 Tarzan series starring Ron Ely represents a high-water mark in the character's long history. Unlike many depictions that relied heavily on stock footage, this NBC series brought a modern, athletic, and thoughtful Tarzan to the small screen. Today, the provides a vital repository for preserving this era of television history, including related materials like comic strips.

Ron Ely famously insisted on performing the vast majority of his own stunts. This dedication came at a literal cost; during the two-season run, Ely suffered numerous injuries, including broken bones, animal bites, and concussions, adding a palpable sense of real danger to the action sequences. Why Turn to the Internet Archive?

In the golden age of television, few characters swung as mightily—or changed as dramatically—as the Lord of the Apes. While audiences fondly remember Johnny Weissmuller’s cinematic yodels or the Saturday morning cartoons of the 1970s, a fascinating transitional relic often gets lost in the underbrush:

: For those interested in the broader history of the character, the Old Time Radio Researchers Group

The Internet Archive operates under a digital library framework. While many older films and television shows from the early 20th century have entered the public domain, mid-60s network television series like Tarzan are often still under active corporate copyright (typically held by Warner Bros. or the Edgar Rice Burroughs estate).

The 1966 Tarzan television series remains a fascinating chapter in the history of Edgar Rice Burroughs' legendary character. Unlike the monosyllabic versions seen in earlier films, this iteration featured an educated, articulate Lord of the Jungle returning to his roots. For fans and media historians, the Internet Archive has become the premier destination for preserving and viewing this cult classic.