This still is from the 1932 film classic, Tarzan the Ape Man. The actor getting squished by the giant ape was not credited as far as I can tell. The only lines he had were, "Paysay! Paysay!" and "Aaaaiiieeeee!" His last as it turned out.
The headgear does seem to have the shape of a fez but then, that could have been the result of getting ape-handled. A couple of times I was sure I saw a tassel but couldn't find a still that showed it. I pulled a three minute clip from the film that you might enjoy.
Having spent many Saturday afternoons watching Tarzan movies on Channel 3, I can say with authority that one often sees the noble fez surmounting an askari (MGM Tarzan-speak for gun-bearer). Its presence lets one know that he is observing an exotic locale. The fez may not give much sunshade, but the solar topee (pith helmet) is reserved for the visiting hunters. Perhaps the natives (as they are known in these films) don't need sunscreen. Ladies wear a lovely long ribbon on their sun helmets. Not particularly practical in the jungle, but it enables us to identify the damsel in distress when the camera pulls back for a long shot.
Posted by: Doc | April 13, 2008 at 08:28 PM