Jana of the Jungle

Jana of the Jungle is an American animated adventure television series produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions for NBC's Saturday morning children's programming. It ran in 1978, airing a total of 13 episodes that spanned one season.

As a child, Jana and her father become the victims of a boating accident while traveling the Great River of South America. She is saved from being drowned by Montaro, the last of a warrior tribe (who can speak perfect English), while her father survives, but is not found. His survival is only revealed to the audience, while she believes that he has survived based solely on no evidence, and it's barely on her mind (as if that wouldn't have made an interesting side plot). She grows up into a formidable protector and defender of the jungle since being raised by Montaro and has befriended many of the local animals, including a white tiger named Ghost, and a parrot named Picchu. By the start of the series, she has already been joined by Doctor Ben Cooper, a veterinarian who happens to be there (and would've clearly made an interesting love interest, but alas, he is not).

Most episodes revolve around Jana dealing with the numerous indigenous tribes who are superstitious and uneducated.

Development
Jana of the Jungle may have been Hanna-Barbera's response to Filmation's Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle. Like Jana, he was well-spoken and intelligent, opposed to being simple-minded.

Music
The music was composed by Hoyt Curtin, credited as musical director, with musical supervision from Paul DeKorte.

Cast

 * B.J. Ward as Jana
 * Michael Bell as Doctor Ben Cooper
 * Ted Cassidy as Montaro

Legacy
In the same year, Jana also made a hilariously misplaced guest appearance on Yogi's Space Race.