Where Was The First Tarzan Movie Filmed Top Exclusive

The first Tarzan feature film is generally considered to be The Romance of Tarzan (1918). It was filmed primarily in Huntington, Long Island, New York (studio/exterior work) and on location in Cuba for jungle scenes.

(If you meant the first widely known Tarzan film starring Elmo Lincoln, 1918's Tarzan of the Apes was shot similarly in California/New York studios with some Florida/Cuba location work.)

The Origins of Tarzan on the Big Screen: Uncovering the Location of the First Film

The iconic character of Tarzan, created by Edgar Rice Burroughs, has been a staple of popular culture for over a century. The first Tarzan movie, released in 1918, marked the beginning of a cinematic journey that would captivate audiences worldwide. But have you ever wondered where was the first Tarzan movie filmed top? Let's embark on a journey to uncover the origins of this cinematic phenomenon.

The First Tarzan Movie: A Brief History

The first Tarzan movie, titled "Tarzan of the Apes," was a silent film directed by William A. Seiter and produced by the Screen Development Company. The movie premiered on June 18, 1918, at the Rialto Theater in New York City. The film starred Elmo Lincoln as Tarzan and Enid Markey as Jane Porter.

The movie was a groundbreaking production, bringing to life the story of a man raised by gorillas in the African jungle. The film's success was a testament to the enduring appeal of Burroughs' character, and it paved the way for numerous sequels, remakes, and adaptations.

Filming Locations: The Search Begins

So, where was the first Tarzan movie filmed top? After extensive research, it appears that the film was shot on location in Southern California, USA. The production team chose the Los Angeles area for its diverse landscapes, which offered the perfect backdrop for the African jungle.

The Top Film Location: Lake Piru, California

The primary filming location for the first Tarzan movie was Lake Piru, a large reservoir located in Ventura County, California. The lake's serene surroundings and lush vegetation provided an ideal setting for the film's jungle scenes. The production team took advantage of the lake's proximity to Los Angeles, which made it an accessible location for filming.

Additional Filming Locations

In addition to Lake Piru, other locations in Southern California were used for filming. These included:

  1. The Paramount Ranch, a popular film location in Agoura Hills, California. The ranch offered a variety of landscapes, including rolling hills, forests, and a lake, which were used to create the film's jungle scenery.
  2. The Warner Bros. Studio, where interior scenes were filmed. The studio, located in Burbank, California, provided a controlled environment for filming scenes such as Tarzan's treehouse and the jungle village.

The Challenges of Filming on Location

Filming on location in the early 20th century presented several challenges. The production team faced difficulties such as:

  1. Logistical challenges: Transporting equipment and personnel to remote locations was a significant undertaking, especially given the limited infrastructure available at the time.
  2. Weather conditions: The team had to contend with unpredictable weather, including heat, rain, and dust, which could damage equipment and disrupt filming.
  3. Safety concerns: The cast and crew faced risks associated with filming in the wilderness, including encounters with wild animals and treacherous terrain.

The Legacy of the First Tarzan Movie

The first Tarzan movie marked the beginning of a cinematic phenomenon that would span over a century. The film's success paved the way for numerous adaptations, sequels, and spin-offs, cementing Tarzan's place in popular culture.

The film's impact extends beyond the screen, influencing the development of the adventure genre and inspiring countless filmmakers, including the renowned director, Werner Herzog, who cited the film as an influence on his work.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the first Tarzan movie was filmed top in Southern California, with Lake Piru serving as the primary filming location. The production team's choice of location provided the perfect backdrop for the film's jungle scenes, and the movie's success marked the beginning of a cinematic journey that continues to captivate audiences today.

The story of the first Tarzan movie serves as a testament to the power of cinema to transport audiences to new worlds and to the enduring appeal of iconic characters like Tarzan. As we look back on the film's history, we are reminded of the importance of preserving our cinematic heritage and the need to continue exploring new ways to bring these timeless stories to life.

FAQs

Q: Where was the first Tarzan movie filmed? A: The first Tarzan movie was filmed in Southern California, USA, with Lake Piru serving as the primary filming location.

Q: Who played Tarzan in the first movie? A: Elmo Lincoln played Tarzan in the first movie, released in 1918.

Q: What was the title of the first Tarzan movie? A: The first Tarzan movie was titled "Tarzan of the Apes," released in 1918.

Q: When was the first Tarzan movie released? A: The first Tarzan movie was released on June 18, 1918, at the Rialto Theater in New York City.

The first Tarzan movie ever made, the 1918 silent classic Tarzan of the Apes, was primarily filmed in the lush bayous and swamps of Morgan City, Louisiana. While the story is set in the African jungle, producers chose this South Louisiana location because its thick vegetation and vine-draped trees closely mimicked the environment described in Edgar Rice Burroughs' original novel. Primary Filming Location: Morgan City, Louisiana

Filmed in 1917 and released in early 1918, the production was a landmark event for both the film industry and the state of Louisiana.

The Atchafalaya Basin: The dark bayous and waterways of the Atchafalaya Swamp served as the backdrop for most of the jungle scenes.

Lake End Park: This waterfront area in Morgan City, known for its iconic moss-covered trees, was the specific site for many "hut scenes," including the construction of palmetto huts used by the film’s characters.

Logistics & Casting: The city was selected not only for its scenery but also for its practical infrastructure, such as a railway-serviced wharf and local hotels for the crew. The production also utilized the large local Black population to cast extras, marking one of the first times Black actors played Black characters rather than using white actors in blackface. Secondary and Studio Locations

While the majority of the "jungle" was found in Louisiana, certain scenes were shot in California to round out the production:

Griffith Park, Los Angeles: Some additional outdoor sequences were filmed here.

Selig Zoo, Hollywood: Used for scenes involving specific animals and controlled environments.

E&R Jungle Film Company: A studio facility in Hollywood used for interior or technical shots. A Cinematic Milestone

The 1918 film, starring Elmo Lincoln as the first cinematic Tarzan, was the first feature-length motion picture shot on location in Louisiana and the first major U.S. feature filmed outside of New York or California. It was an instant blockbuster, becoming one of the first silent movies to gross over $1 million at the box office. Tarzan of the Apes - 64 Parishes

The first-ever Tarzan movie, the 1918 silent classic Tarzan of the Apes , was primarily filmed in Morgan City, Louisiana

. This location served as a stand-in for the African jungle due to its lush vegetation, bayous, and moss-draped cypress trees. Key Filming Locations in Morgan City

While much of the original set was temporary or has since changed, several specific sites in the area were instrumental to the production: Lake End Park where was the first tarzan movie filmed top

: This waterfront area served as the backdrop for many of the film's "jungle" scenes. The production team built native palmetto huts here, some of which were dramatically burned for the movie's climax. Avoca Island : Located south of Morgan City

, this private island was used for various jungle and wilderness sequences. Atchafalaya Basin

: Aerial shots and wider landscapes were filmed across this massive swamp basin, which is the largest in North America. Shannon Hardware (Front Street)

: Now a local landmark, this downtown hardware store functioned as the film's prop shop and production office. Atchafalaya River Banks

: The untamed riverbanks were used to simulate the African coastline and waterways. Secondary Locations

After five weeks of location shooting in Louisiana, the production moved to California

for the remaining nine weeks to complete the film. These scenes were "stitched together" so seamlessly that audiences of the era reportedly could not distinguish between the two states. Why Morgan City ?

Producers chose this specific Louisiana town for several practical and aesthetic reasons:

Exotic Appearance: The moss-covered trees closely matched the "moss-covered branches" described in Edgar Rice Burroughs' original novel.

Infrastructure: The town offered necessary amenities for a large film crew, including hotels, a railway-serviced wharf, and local storage warehouses.

Casting: Producers recruited hundreds of local residents as extras, including members of the local Black population to portray natives—marking one of the first times Black actors played Black characters in a major film instead of using blackface. Visiting Today

If you're looking to explore this cinematic history, you can visit the Cajun Coast

, where self-guided movie location driving tours are occasionally organized. While the original sets are gone, Lake End Park

remains open to the public, offering the same mossy vistas seen in the 1918 blockbuster. Expand map Outdoor Filming Sites Production History

Did you know the first Tarzan movie was filmed in Morgan City?

Conclusion: The “Top” Answer You Were Looking For

To summarize the keyword “where was the first tarzan movie filmed top” :

The top filming location was Morgan City, Louisiana, along the Bayou Teche and Avery Island. The film was Tarzan of the Apes (1918), starring Elmo Lincoln.

This location remains the “top” answer because it was the first successful attempt to bring Burroughs’ jungle to life. Without the swamps of Louisiana and the ingenuity of a 1918 film crew, the iconic yell of Tarzan (which, ironically, wouldn’t be added until the talkies) might never have echoed through cinema history.

So, the next time you watch a jungle movie, remember: the true “Tarzan’s Africa” was actually the deep, moss-draped heart of the American South.

The first-ever Tarzan movie, Tarzan of the Apes (1918) , was primarily filmed in Morgan City, Louisiana

. This silent film used the lush, moss-covered vegetation of the South Louisiana bayous as a stand-in for the African jungle. Primary Filming Locations in Morgan City

The production spent about five weeks on location in 1917, utilizing several specific areas in and around the city: Atchafalaya Basin Swamps

: The dense, exotic-looking swampland served as the primary backdrop for the jungle scenes. Lake End Park

: A waterfront area with numerous moss-covered trees where many of the "jungle" sequences were shot. Avoca Island

: One of the specific island locations used for filming within the surrounding waterways. Local Hardware Store : A building in downtown Morgan City

served as the production's prop shop for building sets and costumes Supplemental Filming Locations Morgan City

was the main location, additional scenes were completed elsewhere Griffith Park, Los Angeles

: Used for additional filming after the crew returned to California. E&R Jungle Film Company

: Studios in Hollywood used for supplemental production work. Morgan City Producers chose this location for its lush vegetation convenient logistics

, such as railway-serviced wharves and nearby hotels like the Costello Hotel

, which housed the cast and crew. The area also provided a large number of local residents who were hired as extras. Expand map Louisiana Locations California Locations local legends

involving monkeys left behind in the Louisiana swamps after filming wrapped?

Did you know the first Tarzan movie was filmed in Morgan City?

The first Tarzan movie, "Tarzan of the Apes," was released in 1918, directed by William A. Seiter and starring Gordon Griffith as Tarzan. The film was a silent movie, and it's considered a lost film, as no complete copies have survived to the present day.

However, I can take you on a journey to explore the possible filming locations of this pioneering movie.

The Quest for the Authentic Jungle

In the early 1910s, the filmmakers behind "Tarzan of the Apes" sought to create an authentic jungle experience for their audience. They scouted various locations, finally settling on the tropical regions of Florida, USA.

Escondido, Florida: The Birthplace of Tarzan The first Tarzan feature film is generally considered

The primary filming location was Escondido, a small town in central Florida, about 30 miles northwest of Orlando. At the time, Escondido was a rural area with abundant tropical vegetation, making it an ideal substitute for the African jungle.

The film's production team set up a makeshift studio in Escondido, constructing a jungle set, complete with trees, vines, and exotic plants. The area's mild climate and natural scenery provided an authentic backdrop for the film's jungle scenes.

The St. Johns River: A Majestic Waterway

Some scenes were also filmed along the St. Johns River, which flows through Escondido and nearby cities. The river's tranquil waters and lush surroundings doubled as the African jungle's majestic waterways.

The Story Behind the Film

The movie "Tarzan of the Apes" was based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' novel of the same name, published in 1914. The story follows John Clayton, a British nobleman who grows up in the African jungle, raised by gorillas after his parents' death. He becomes Tarzan, a wild but kind-hearted hero who ultimately returns to civilization.

The Cinematic Pioneers

Gordon Griffith, the actor who played Tarzan, was a well-known performer of the silent film era. He brought a rugged charm to the role, which helped establish the character's enduring appeal. The film's director, William A. Seiter, was a veteran of the early film industry, having worked on numerous productions since 1912.

The Lost Film

Despite its significance, "Tarzan of the Apes" is now considered a lost film, meaning that no complete copies have survived to the present day. However, still images and promotional materials from the film have been preserved, offering a glimpse into the early days of cinema and the birth of the Tarzan legend.

A Legacy Revived

The 1918 film "Tarzan of the Apes" laid the groundwork for future Tarzan movies, including the 1932 sound film starring Johnny Weissmuller, which catapulted the character to international stardom. Today, Tarzan remains an iconic figure in popular culture, inspiring countless adaptations, sequels, and reinterpretations.

The story of the first Tarzan movie serves as a testament to the early days of cinema, when filmmakers bravely ventured into the unknown to create something truly magical. The mystique of the jungle, combined with the allure of a wild, yet relatable hero, has captivated audiences for generations, ensuring Tarzan's place in the annals of cinematic history.

Title: Location as Character: The Filming Sites of the First Tarzan Movie (1918)

Abstract The first cinematic adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan of the Apes was a silent film released in 1918. While the fictional jungle of “West Africa” serves as the story’s setting, the actual filming locations were confined to the United States. This paper identifies the primary filming site as Morgan City, Louisiana, with additional sequences shot in Chicago, Illinois.

Introduction The 1918 film Tarzan of the Apes, directed by Scott Sidney and starring Elmo Lincoln as the titular character, holds the distinction of being the first Tarzan feature film. Determining its filming location is crucial for film historians, as it marks the beginning of a century-long tradition of using exotic locales (or their substitutes) to represent the African jungle.

Main Findings

  1. Primary Location: Morgan City, Louisiana The majority of jungle scenes were filmed along the Bayou Teche and in the swamps surrounding Morgan City. In 1918, this region was selected for its dense, overhanging moss, cypress trees, and murky waterways, which cinematographers framed to mimic a West African jungle. The humid, subtropical environment provided a practical substitute for Africa without the logistical expense of overseas travel.

  2. Secondary Location: Chicago, Illinois Interior scenes, including the cabin built by Tarzan’s parents and certain staged jungle sets, were filmed at the Universal Studios facility in Chicago. At the time, Universal had a major production hub there before shifting entirely to Universal City, California.

Production Context The choice of Louisiana over California or actual African locations was driven by early cinema’s logistical constraints. The filmmakers prioritized:

Conclusion To answer the query directly: The first Tarzan movie was filmed primarily in Morgan City, Louisiana (USA) , with studio interiors done in Chicago, Illinois (USA) . No footage was shot in Africa. This precedent established a trend for early Hollywood jungle films: substituting American Southern swamps or studio backlots for the African continent.

Keywords: Tarzan of the Apes (1918), Elmo Lincoln, silent film, filming location, Morgan City, Louisiana cinema history

The first Tarzan movie ever made, the 1918 silent film Tarzan of the Apes

, was primarily filmed in the lush swamps and bayous surrounding Morgan City, Louisiana

At a time when Hollywood was just beginning to explore location filming, producer William Parsons chose this area for its dense vegetation and moss-covered trees, which served as a convincing stand-in for the African jungle described in Edgar Rice Burroughs' novels. Key Filming Locations in Morgan City Lake End Park Morgan City, LA, United States

This waterfront area, known for its iconic moss-draped trees, was used to film many of the movie's hut scenes. Atchafalaya Basin Louisiana, USA

The surrounding swamps provided the wild, untamed backdrop for the jungle adventures. Production Stories & Local Lore The Original Tarzan Drafted Stellan Windrow

was originally cast as the lead and filmed several tree-swinging stunts in the Louisiana canopy. However, he was drafted for World War I shortly after production began and was replaced by Elmo Lincoln

, whose powerful physique became legendary. Much of Windrow's aerial footage was still used in the final film. Acrobats as Apes : Actors from the New Orleans Athletic Club

and circus acrobats were hired to portray the "apes". They reportedly struggled in the intense August heat of the Louisiana swamp while wearing thick, non-breathable primate costumes. Escaped Monkeys

: Local legend suggests that monkeys brought in for the production escaped into the Atchafalaya swamp, and some residents believe their descendants still live there today. Economic Impact : The production hired approximately 300 local residents

to play "natives," choosing a filming schedule that didn't conflict with the local sugarcane harvest.

Did you know the first Tarzan movie was filmed in Morgan City?

The first Tarzan movie, the 1918 silent film Tarzan of the Apes , was primarily filmed in and around Morgan City

. This production marked the birth of Louisiana's film industry and was the first major Hollywood feature shot on location outside of California or New York. Primary Filming Locations

The production spent nine weeks in Louisiana during the late summer of 1917, utilizing the local landscape as a stand-in for the African jungle: Lake End Park

: This waterfront site in Morgan City served as the main location for the hut scenes. The crew built many palmetto huts there, some of which were later burned for dramatic effect on camera. Atchafalaya Basin

: The film utilized the lush vegetation, waterways, and moss-draped cypress trees of the basin—the largest overflow swamp in America—to create a "jungle" atmosphere. Avoca Island The Paramount Ranch , a popular film location

: Another specific local site used for jungle and outdoor sequences. Shannon Hardware

: Located in downtown Morgan City, this hardware store functioned as the production's prop shop and studio for building costumes and sets. Costello Hotel

: The cast and crew stayed here during their time in Morgan City.

California Locations: After wrapping in Louisiana, the remainder of the filming was completed in Hollywood at Griffith Park , the E&R Jungle Film Company , and the old . Morgan City was Chosen

Producers selected the area for several practical and aesthetic reasons:

Louisiana Tarzan - Home to the First King of the Jungle Movie

movie, the silent film Tarzan of the Apes (1918), was primarily filmed in Morgan City, Louisiana

. Producers chose this location because the lush vegetation, bayous, and waterways served as a natural stand-in for the African jungle. Key Filming Locations in Morgan City Lake End Park

: A major shooting site used for many of the "palmetto hut" scenes. Avoca Island

: One of the specific areas where cameras were set up during the nine-week shoot. Downtown Morgan City

: A local hardware store served as the production's prop shop for building costumes and sets. Historical Significance First On-Location Blockbuster

: It was one of the first major motion pictures to film on location outside of the Los Angeles or New York areas. Casting Milestones

: It was the first film to cast Black actors to play Black characters, rather than using white actors in blackface. Box Office Success

: The film was a massive hit, becoming one of the first in history to earn $1 million at the box office. Other Notable "Firsts" in the Series

While the very first movie was in Louisiana, other "first" entries in later iterations of the franchise used different locations: Tarzan the Ape Man (1932)

: The first sound film starring Johnny Weissmuller was shot at Silver Springs, Florida Lake Sherwood, California Botanical Garden of Hamma in Algiers, Algeria. Tarzan’s Peril (1951)

: This was the first film in the series to actually film portions on location in (specifically Kenya). documentary

that explores the making of this film in the Louisiana swamps?

Did you know the first Tarzan movie was filmed in Morgan City?

The first Tarzan movie, the 1918 silent film titled Tarzan of the Apes, was primarily filmed in Morgan City, Louisiana .

The production chose this location in late 1917 because the moss-draped swamps of the Atchafalaya Basin provided a convincing stand-in for the African jungle described in Edgar Rice Burroughs' original novel . Key Filming Locations in Morgan City

Lake End Park: A waterfront area filled with moss-covered cypress trees used for many of the "jungle" and coastal scenes .

Atchafalaya Basin: The vast swamp region served as the primary backdrop for the "wild" African landscape .

Avoca Island: Another local swamp site used for location shooting .

Shannon Hardware: This downtown hardware store in Morgan City served as the production's prop shop and studio for building costumes and sets . Additional Filming Details

Cast & Crew: The production featured Elmo Lincoln as the adult Tarzan . Many of the "apes" were portrayed by gymnasts from the New Orleans Athletic Club wearing costumes .

Historical Significance: This was one of the first major Hollywood productions to film entirely on location outside of California or New York . It was also a massive commercial success, becoming one of the first films to gross over $1 million at the box office .

California Scenes: While the bulk of the "jungle" action was shot in Louisiana, some additional production work, including some stunt sequences and the filming of the sequel The Romance of Tarzan, took place in Hollywood at locations like Griffith Park and the Selig Zoo .

Later, more famous Tarzan films, such as those starring Johnny Weissmuller in the 1930s, were famously shot in locations like Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs, Florida .

Louisiana Tarzan - Home to the First King of the Jungle Movie

The story of where the first Tarzan movie was filmed is a fascinating journey through early Hollywood history, a time when the line between reality and the backlot was often blurred by the magic of cinema. To answer the question of "where" regarding the very first adaptation, we must look not to the jungles of Africa, but to the swamps and studios of the United States.

Here is a detailed look at the filming locations of the first Tarzan movie.

Legacy: Why This Matters

The decision to film the first Tarzan movie in Louisiana established a template that would be followed for decades. Subsequent silent Tarzan films, including The Romance of Tarzan (1918) and The Son of Tarzan (1920), also used Louisiana and other Southern locations (like Florida’s Silver Springs) as jungle stand-ins.

It wasn’t until the sound era, particularly the Johnny Weissmuller films of the 1930s and 40s, that Tarzan movies began using more exotic locations like Guatemala’s Lake Atitlán or California’s Sherwood Forest. And it took until the 1980s and 90s for major productions to occasionally film on actual African soil (e.g., Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan was shot in Cameroon and Kenya).

The Top Location: Morgan City, Louisiana – The “Hollywood of the Swamp”

Why did the filmmakers choose Morgan City, Louisiana, as the top filming location? Three reasons: Geography, Vegetation, and Water.

Morgan City, located about 80 miles west of New Orleans, sits in the heart of the Atchafalaya Swamp—the largest river swamp in North America. In 1918, this area was virtually untouched by modern development. The landscape featured:

The specific “top” spot within Morgan City was the Teche Bayou and the surrounding woodlands near Avery Island. Today, visitors can still take a “Tarzan Tour” through parts of the region, though much of it has been reclaimed by private land or conservation efforts.