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emberology 's review for:
Me Cheeta: The Autobiography
by James Lever
When I was little and old movies weren't mainly restricted to one channel, I used to spend afternoons watching Johnny Weissmuller's Tarzan movies. Naturally, Cheeta's "autobiography" seemed fun and nostalgic, when I spotted it in the library.
Now, Cheeta ended up in the Guinness Book of World Records due to his age, and Tony Gentry, the co-owner of the original Cheeta (real name Jiggs), claimed that one of his other chimpanzees appeared in all Tarzan movies and lied about its age. In October 2008, Me Cheeta was published, and two months later an article revealed the truth: Cheeta was actually a composite of several chimpanzees, who took turns to play the character.
Considering this, Me Cheeta shouldn't be read as fact, but merely as an entertaining game of fiction mixed with some facts. Because it really is entertaining, that much is true, and I enjoyed spending a few days with the old Hollywood crowd, no matter how many of the stories of stars are actually false.
Cheeta's observations about humans and his surroundings from a chimpanzee's point of view are in turn sarcastic (animals are needed for show business, so they're "rescued" from the cruel life of the jungle and "rehabilitated") or enthusiastic (for Cheeta, it's great to be in New York as a youngster, because it's suitable for climbing). On the other hand, some of the human habits just seem weird to him, like the white "homeopathic medicine" that Gilbert Roland and Constance Bennett enjoy snorting.
To Cheeta, animals in the jungle and humans have both similarities and differences. The mating in parties is wild, and the studio bosses act like kings of the jungle. It could be said that attention is purposefully drawn to animals being treated like property (there have been many instances in movie history where animals have died during production), which could be one of the points in writing the book in the first place.
Despite the fictional aspect, Me Cheeta was still a somewhat enjoyable and a light start for the year, and I did get a bit teary-eyed when Weissmuller and Cheeta met once more, although that was probably utter rubbish as well. This might feel like a big sham to some, but what I can say? I'm partial when it comes to animals.
Now, Cheeta ended up in the Guinness Book of World Records due to his age, and Tony Gentry, the co-owner of the original Cheeta (real name Jiggs), claimed that one of his other chimpanzees appeared in all Tarzan movies and lied about its age. In October 2008, Me Cheeta was published, and two months later an article revealed the truth: Cheeta was actually a composite of several chimpanzees, who took turns to play the character.
Considering this, Me Cheeta shouldn't be read as fact, but merely as an entertaining game of fiction mixed with some facts. Because it really is entertaining, that much is true, and I enjoyed spending a few days with the old Hollywood crowd, no matter how many of the stories of stars are actually false.
Cheeta's observations about humans and his surroundings from a chimpanzee's point of view are in turn sarcastic (animals are needed for show business, so they're "rescued" from the cruel life of the jungle and "rehabilitated") or enthusiastic (for Cheeta, it's great to be in New York as a youngster, because it's suitable for climbing). On the other hand, some of the human habits just seem weird to him, like the white "homeopathic medicine" that Gilbert Roland and Constance Bennett enjoy snorting.
To Cheeta, animals in the jungle and humans have both similarities and differences. The mating in parties is wild, and the studio bosses act like kings of the jungle. It could be said that attention is purposefully drawn to animals being treated like property (there have been many instances in movie history where animals have died during production), which could be one of the points in writing the book in the first place.
Despite the fictional aspect, Me Cheeta was still a somewhat enjoyable and a light start for the year, and I did get a bit teary-eyed when Weissmuller and Cheeta met once more, although that was probably utter rubbish as well. This might feel like a big sham to some, but what I can say? I'm partial when it comes to animals.