ALL SCI-FI

[Bud Brewster]

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A new cast is used in this sequel to "Jungle Woman", which in turn was a sequel to "Captive Wild Woman".

This time Vicki Lane is the Ape Woman brought back to life by scientist Otto Kruger (formerly played by John Carradine in the first film, J. Carrol Naish in second).

Kruger's assistant is played by Rondo Hatton (the actor whose face was horribly deformed by a disease known as acromegaly). Hatton is best known as "The Creeper", a homicidal maniac in 1946's "House of Horrors". Otto Kruger's long career included "The Colossus of New York" in 1958. Directed by Harold Young.
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Casey62]

My first recollection of JUNGLE CAPTIVE is a Famous Monsters issue from 1970 that featured a terrific cover painting of the Ape Woman strangling Otto Kruger.

I was in 3rd grade and a kid brought it to class one day. It was the first time I'd seen a monster magazine, and of course I was drooling with delight as I leafed through the pages. In those days, just seeing the moody black and white photos of all the classic horrors was enough to satisfy a budding monsterkid's appetite. It was akin to seeing the actual films.

Believe it or not, it wasn't until about 45 years later that I finally saw JUNGLE CAPTIVE for the first time. This was the only entry in the Ape Woman trilogy (and the only Universal horror I never saw) that was never shown on Chicago's late-night staple,"Creature Features", and it was never released officially on DVD — which I think is still the case.

Anyway, I finally tracked down a decent DVD-R on iOffer and upon seeing the film, I could evaluate how it stacks up to my childhood imaginings that those FM photos inspired.

Obviously those memories make me partial to this one in the trilogy, but then how can I not like a movie that showcases Rondo Hatton and features one of my favorite character actors Otto Kruger as a mad doctor?

So, yeah, I'd say overall the film lived up to my expectations — that is, reasonable expectations for a fun, 40's B monster flick. In fact, I liked it well enough to check e-bay and pick up that copy of FM so I could come full circle on JUNGLE CAPTIVE.

[Bud Brewster]

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Casy, for giving us such a great story from the days of your youth (right out of the memories we all have of Monsterkid stuff like this), you deserve a reward!

I found a reasonably good jpeg on eBay of the FM issue you mentioned, and I worked my magic enhancements on it to make it look like this.

Does it bring back good memories? I sure hope so! It's available on eBay for $9.95.



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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Casey62]

Love it — thanks, Bud! That's about what I paid for it about six months ago. My classmate only paid 60 cents for his!

[Bud Brewster]

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YouTube used to have the full movie, and the picture was reasonably good, but it's gone now. However, here's the film to which Jungle Captive is the sequel. I watched a little of it and was impressed!

Enjoy, jungle movie fans!
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__________________ Jungle Woman (1944)


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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Bud Brewster]

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Just for fun, here's the trailer for Jungle Captive.
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_____________ Jungle Captive (1945) - trailer


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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)