hwg1957-102-265704 Singer Nona Brooks gets caught up in a murder at a nightclub in Rhodesia and flees into the jungle, re-encountering Larry Mason. Mason is a shy paleontologist looking for the "'missing link" accompanied by his gentleman's gentleman Jeff (from Brooklyn) and some native bearers. Nona is pursued by some Nazi agents seeking to stir up a rebellion against the British as she accidentally possesses a document that will lay bare their machinations. The police are also in pursuit. It's a typical low budget wartime jungle tale; walking round the same studio forest, stock footage of exotic animals, the sound of drumming in the background, an actor in a gorilla suit, lots of jabbering natives, wily Germans and heroic Americans. Not even Mantan Moreland, Arline Judge and Arthur O'Connell can bring life to the stilted and unoriginal story. And what the actually law of the jungle being invoked was, it was difficult to say. Arline Judge does have a lovely voice though with a pleasing Barbara Stanwyck kind of timbre. I noted she married and divorced eight husbands in her life. I hope they appreciated her appealing voice at the very least.

JohnHowardReid Arline Judge, John King, Mantan Moreland, Martin Wilkins, Arthur O'Connell, C. Montague Shaw, Guy Kingsford, Victor Kendal, Feodor Chaliapin, Lawrence Criner. Director: JEAN YARBROUGH. Screenplay: George Brick-er. Additional dialogue: Edmond Kelso. Photography: Mack Stengler. Film editor: Jack Ogilvie. Art director: David Milton. Music director: Edward J. Kay. Production manager: William Strohbach. Sound recording: William Fox: Producer: Lindsley Parsons.Copyright 6 February 1942 by Monogram Pictures Corporation. No New York opening. U.S. release: 6 February 1942. Australian release through British Empire Films: 2 July 1942. 6 reels. 5,824 feet. 64½ minutes.COMMENT: The most interesting thing about this wartime contribution is Arthur O'Connell's curious performance as a seedy innkeeper. Unfortunately, the O'Connell character gets himself killed soon after the action begins, leaving us to the mercy of George Bricker's cliché-ridden script — plus the inadequate acting of the rest of the players including Mantan Moreland, up to his usual eye-rolling antics, plus an unfortunate, if needy extra, dressed up in a very obvious monkey suit.

bkoganbing For a Monogram Picture that was obviously rushed out into production post Pearl Harbor, Law Of The Jungle does have some amusing moments in it, mostly provided by Mantan Moreland. Moreland plays a Rochester like character who is accompanying paleontologist Dusty King on a scientific expedition in Africa. Both of them get involved with Arline Judge, a stranded Maisie like showgirl and all of them get involved with some Nazi agents who are trying to foment trouble among the African tribes.As it is a Monogram it also has some extreme plot holes no doubt due to some injudicious editing by Sam Katzman's cutters. Just why is Judge's passport worth stealing so she can't leave Africa by our villains is really never explained. Unless of course they had other obvious designs upon her.Moreland has some funny moments however, but his Rochester like character is playing against Dusty King who is as stiff as those plywood jungle trees that Monogram was using as a set. No Jack Benny is movie cowboy Dusty King who is not as much home in the jungle as he is home on the range.Mantan Moreland is the reason to see this film.

dbborroughs Stranded at a jungle outpost a singer tries to make her way home. Through circumstances beyond her control she ends up in the jungle on the run from Nazi's and the police who think she maybe connected to a murder. Reluctantly coming to her aid is a scientist with Mantan Moreland as an aide de camp.Back lot bound with some twists that must have been put in let the audience know that none of this was to be taken seriously, Law of the Jungle is an imperfect but very funny jungle adventure/comedy. Our heroine for once seems to be what she claims, a tough broad from Brooklyn way over her head. Her whiskey barrel voice is a nice change from the typical female shriek. Mantan Moreland is, as always, a joy to watch and how he shoots dice has to go down as one of the worst, and funniest scams in B movies.Is this the greatest movie ever made? No, but its one you will be sorry to see end, especially when you see Moreland and the King interact.8 out of 10. This is one to look for, especially since its out on cheaply priced DVD.