Where Was The First Tarzan Movie Filmed Top Jun 2026

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

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. where was the first tarzan movie filmed top

Located in downtown Morgan City, this store was utilized by the crew to build costumes and sets. Behind-the-Scenes and Legend Louisiana Tarzan - Home to the First King

jungle call echo 🌿🐵 Ever wondered where the legend of Tarzan began on the silver screen? Behind-the-Scenes and Legend jungle call echo 🌿🐵 Ever

Before Tarzan of the Apes , no American film had successfully depicted a dense, treacherous jungle. The success of the Louisiana shoot proved that filmmakers could “fake” exotic locations with creative cinematography. This paved the way for later jungle epics like King Kong (1933), which also famously used rear-projection and studio swamps.

Local lore even suggests that during filming, monkeys escaped into the swamps; while there is no scientific evidence of a breeding population today, the story remains a popular part of Morgan City's "Tarzan" identity. Following nine weeks in Louisiana, the production shifted to California to complete filming at Griffith Park and the Selig Zoo in Los Angeles. Expand map

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.