The Ship Leaves: Tarzan (October 18, 1932)

Tarzan, old-time radio on Stupid Potato

“The Ship Leaves” is an episode of Tarzan, the old-time radio show, first broadcast October 18, 1932. Listen free on Stupid Potato: no sign-up, no app.

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What happens

Tarzan and the expedition led by Philander Clayton and Professor Porter, with Jane Porter and Mr. Dando, push through dense jungle hunted by native warriors with bows and arrows. Clayton insists the party stay together and that no one fire without orders, while Tarzan, who alone speaks the local dialect, prepares to talk his way out of danger. The group also discusses how to recognise and treat a poisoned arrow wound. Later, Jane Porter, watching the steamer disappear over the horizon, finds the hut empty and realises she is left behind. Tarzan, struggling to express his feelings, carries her into the trees. Separately, Darnot and Monsieur Plato cut their way through tall grass as darkness falls and decide to make camp for the night.

The African jungle, including a hut near the coast, where a steamer has just departed, and dense jungle and tall grass as night approaches

Characters: Tarzan, Jane Porter, Philander Clayton, Professor Porter, Mr. Dando, Darnot, Monsieur Plato

Listen for: The arguments over the danger of poisoned arrows and the scene where Jane realises she has been left behind

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.