The vast, prehistoric-looking swamps of the Atchafalaya Basin served as a convincing stand-in for the African jungle.
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.
The bayous served as excellent stand-ins for African rivers.
where the production built and eventually burned "cannibal village" hut sets Morgan City Downtown
The silent film starring Elmo Lincoln (the first official Tarzan) was produced by the National Film Corporation of America. To create the dense, untamed wilderness required for the story, the production team chose the areas surrounding , specifically: where was the first tarzan movie filmed top
jungle call echo 🌿🐵 Ever wondered where the legend of Tarzan began on the silver screen?
The vast swamp region served as the primary backdrop for the "wild" African landscape .
The absolute epicenter of the film's outdoor production was Lake End Park , a waterfront area nestled along the shores of .
(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.) To create the dense, untamed wilderness required for
Interior cabin scenes, close-up transitions, and specialized effects shots were filmed on studio soundstages in Los Angeles to save on production costs.
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.
: Approximately 20 gymnasts from the New Orleans Athletic Club were hired to portray Tarzan's adoptive ape family in costumes. The Legacy of the Shoot
This article will dive into the story of this groundbreaking film, exploring the unexpected location that brought Edgar Rice Burroughs' legendary character to life, and highlighting other key locations in the expansive Tarzan film franchise. hanging Spanish moss
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
: A specific location near Morgan City used for outdoor shooting. Lake End Park : A waterfront site in Morgan City
. The lush, untamed bayous of the Atchafalaya Basin served as a convincing stand-in for the African jungle. Top Filming Locations in Morgan City Atchafalaya Basin
The Cypress trees, hanging Spanish moss, and thick swamps mimicked the visual density of a jungle on black-and-white film.