Headhunters of Yambesi: Tarzan (August 9, 1951)

Tarzan, old-time radio on Stupid Potato

“Headhunters of Yambesi” is an episode of Tarzan, the old-time radio show, first broadcast August 9, 1951. Listen free on Stupid Potato: no sign-up, no app.

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What happens

Tarzan guides American photographer Red Hale through the Congo jungle to gather material for a magazine article about modern Africa. Red Hale, convinced the region is tame, insists on bringing a hammock chair and treats the native porters with scorn. After a stampede of elephants nearly kills him, the porters desert the safari. Tarzan agrees to take Hale and his headman Mickey to the village of the Yambezi, where the expedition is welcomed with a ceremonial meal. Hale, unaware of the trail's taboo, takes a forbidden path that breaks local law, and Tarzan must decide how far to let experience teach him a lesson.

The Belgian Congo, Africa, including the port city of Lagos, the jungle trails, and the Yambezi village

Characters: Tarzan, Red Hale, Mickey, Mr. Bridges, Governor General Jean-O'Bare

Listen for: The Yambezi village scenes and the forbidden trail, where Hale's attitude toward the native people and their customs becomes clear

Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.