Gene Pollar (September 16, 1892 - October 20, 1971) was the screen
name of New York City firefighter Joseph Pohler, who in his very brief
movie career played Tarzan.At age 28, the 6'2", 215-pound Joseph
Charles Pohler became the second actor to portray Tarzan in films.
Elmo Lincoln, the first actor in the role, had made two Tarzan movies
when Numa Pictures approached him about making a third. At the time,
Lincoln was not interested (though he would later return to the role
briefly). One of the Weiss Brothers, the low-budget filmmakers who
controlled Numa, was on a visit to New York when he signed Pohler to
play the apeman. Pohler was given the screen name Gene Pollar. The
film was called The Return of Tarzan, based on Edgar Rice Burroughs'
novel The Return of Tarzan.Pollar was paid $100 per week. The
production was sold to Goldwyn Distribution Corporation in April 1920.
As a precautionary measure, since it featured a new star, the film was
retitled The Revenge of Tarzan just two weeks prior to its opening on
July 20, 1920. The film was a success, but Numa refused to release
Pollar to accept a contract from Universal Pictures.The disgruntled
Pollar ended his acting career and returned to firefighting under his
original name, Joseph C. Pohler. In 1944, he became a purchasing agent
for a retail store chain, for which he worked until his retirement to
West Hollywood, Florida.
name of New York City firefighter Joseph Pohler, who in his very brief
movie career played Tarzan.At age 28, the 6'2", 215-pound Joseph
Charles Pohler became the second actor to portray Tarzan in films.
Elmo Lincoln, the first actor in the role, had made two Tarzan movies
when Numa Pictures approached him about making a third. At the time,
Lincoln was not interested (though he would later return to the role
briefly). One of the Weiss Brothers, the low-budget filmmakers who
controlled Numa, was on a visit to New York when he signed Pohler to
play the apeman. Pohler was given the screen name Gene Pollar. The
film was called The Return of Tarzan, based on Edgar Rice Burroughs'
novel The Return of Tarzan.Pollar was paid $100 per week. The
production was sold to Goldwyn Distribution Corporation in April 1920.
As a precautionary measure, since it featured a new star, the film was
retitled The Revenge of Tarzan just two weeks prior to its opening on
July 20, 1920. The film was a success, but Numa refused to release
Pollar to accept a contract from Universal Pictures.The disgruntled
Pollar ended his acting career and returned to firefighting under his
original name, Joseph C. Pohler. In 1944, he became a purchasing agent
for a retail store chain, for which he worked until his retirement to
West Hollywood, Florida.
Share this
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
Join us for free and get valuable content delivered right through your inbox.