The serial was produced by Louis Weiss, written by Robert F. Hill and Lillian Valentine (partially based on the novels The Return of Tarzan and Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar by Edgar Rice Burroughs), and directed by Robert F. Hill and Scott Sidney.

Nikolas Rokoff and William Cecil Clayton, the usurper to Tarzan's title of Lord Greystoke, learn that Jane has a map to the city (which contains fabulous riches in exotic jewels), tattooed onto her back.

Tarzan braves many perils, finally rescues Jane, defeats the villains and escapes La's amorous clutches.

"[2] Nevertheless, censorship forced the previously bare-chested Lincoln to cover up and wear an over-the-shoulder-styled costume for this production.

Film Fun Magazine wrote, "There are enough wild animals introduced in each episode to keep the younger generation, which has shown a predilection for the serial form of entertainment, whooping her up.

"[3] The success of the serial inspired a Broadway show, Tarzan of the Apes, but critics attacked it as fit only for film and unsuitable for the stage.

[citation needed] The UCLA Film and Television Archive has restored chapter 11: "The Hidden Foe".

[8] Originally written as a 15-part serial for newspapers in 1921, it was collected and published as a released as a trade paperback (ISBN 978-1-4357-4973-3) by ERBville Press in January 2006.