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4.5
Warner Archive has done it again with another great collection of b-movies featuring the fast-paced jungle adventures of Bomba, the Jungle Boy portrayed by the wonderful Johnny Sheffield. This set collects the first six Monogram films, and, hopefully, there will be a Volume Two collecting the final six Bomba films.These low-budget, but very cool, jungle films are based on the popular young people's "Bomba, the Jungle Boy" books by Roy Rockwood that were published from 1926 to 1938. There were 20 books in all. The first series of 10 books had Bomba in South American settings, and the second series of 10 books placed Bomba in Africa.Johnny Sheffield was from a show business family and he began his acting career as soon as he could walk. His big break as a child actor came when he was selected from hundreds of candidates to play "Boy" along with Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan in "Tarzan Finds a Son" (1939). He played Boy until her outgrew the role and was released from his contract in 1947.Eighteen-year-old Sheffield was perfect for the role of Bomba, and Monogram Studios was more than happy to sign him to star in its series of Bomba pictures that would span 1949 to 1955.This collection does not have any added features, but it does boast excellent picture quality and sound. These films have not been seen in many years on television, so being able to enjoy them now is a real treat for b-movie fans, and especially fans of the jungle film genre. Aside from a few scenes of jungle violence, these films are basically family entertainment. They are as follows:1. Bomba, the Jungle Boy (1949, 70 min.): This film introduces the viewers to Bomba and gives a few details about his origin. A photographer and his perky, blonde daughter come to Africa to film jungle wildlife. The daughter is played by 17-year-old Peggy Ann Garner. She wanders off from camp one day and gets lost in the jungle. Bomba saves her from a killer lion and takes her to his secret mountain paradise located in a hidden part of the jungle. Peggy soon becomes a little too fond of Bomba and his home.2. Bomba on Panther Island (1949, 76 min.): Bomba befriends the sister of a headstrong contractor who has come to the jungle to build a large plantation. There's a rogue panther on the loose that is terrorizing area villages, and Bomba is determined to find him before he kills again.3. The Lost Volcano (1950, 67 min.): Bomba becomes friends with a young boy and is giving him lessons about jungle life. The boy's father is in the jungle to conduct some scientific research. Meanwhile, some greedy jungle guides kidnap the boy and try to force him to lead them to a treasure in a legendary lost city near an active volcano. Cult favorite Elena Verdugo is the boy's beautiful and courageous companion who, with the help of Bomba, leads the boy's parents to their son and the lost city.4. The Hidden City (1950, 71 min.): Bomba helps a beautiful young woman who has lost her memory. It is later revealed that she is the daughter of a territorial governor who was assassinated by an evil Emir who is now overseeing her father's jungle territory with an iron hand.5. The Lion Hunters (1951, 75 min.): A lion trapper and his daughter come to the jungle to track down lions so they can be sold to zoos. Bomba uses his wits to save his lion friends and to disrupt the hunters' plans. Eventually, Bomba wins over the cute, petite daughter by showing her that lions are social animals and that it's inhumane to separate them from their own family groups or "prides." She then works with Bomba to save the lions.6. Elephant Stampede (1951, 71 min.): Bomba and some villagers are being taught to read by a devoted, older teacher and her lovely, young assistant (who happens to have a crush on Bomba). Later, some bloodthirsty ivory poachers arrive. They intend to force Bomba to help them find a cache of ivory that is said to be hidden deep in the jungle. This Bomba series entry has a lot of fast-paced action, and there is an interesting focus on the importance of education. This is my favorite Bomba film in the collection.Thanks, Warner Archive, for making Bomba, the Jungle Boy available once again. Let's hope Volume Two will not be far behind.
