In the spring of 1917, filmmakers from Hollywood ventured far from California to find a location that matched the "moss-laden" jungle described in Edgar Rice Burroughs' original novel, Tarzan of the Apes . They decided that the lush vegetation, intricate waterways, and thick bayous of , offered the perfect, authentic, yet cost-effective backdrop for the African jungle.
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.
If you want to explore more about classic cinema production, where was the first tarzan movie filmed top
: The dense, exotic-looking swampland served as the primary backdrop for the jungle scenes. Lake End Park
As technology improved, many "jungle" scenes were moved directly onto indoor Hollywood soundstages filled with artificial plants. The Legacy of Morgan City's Tarzan In the spring of 1917, filmmakers from Hollywood
Producers chose this specific Louisiana town for several practical and aesthetic reasons:
The producer, William Selig, ran the Selig Zoo in Los Angeles, which provided the exotic animals needed for scenes featuring Tarzan’s ape family and other African wildlife. Key Details About the First Tarzan Film Release Date: The film premiered on January 27, 1918. The Actor: Elmo Lincoln was the first actor to play Tarzan. He brought a rugged charm to the role,
While Morgan City holds the title for the first film, subsequent early Tarzan movies explored other "jungles":
Because real apes were difficult to manage on set, several actors (including local acrobat dancers) wore heavy, chimpanzee-like skins and costumes to portray Tarzan's adoptive ape family. Hollywood Secondary Locations
While the fictional story takes place deep in the African jungle, Hollywood filmmakers found the dense, moss-draped cypress swamps of southern Louisiana to be the perfect cinematic double for Africa.
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.