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Tarzan of the Apes (film)
Encyclopedia
Tarzan of the Apes is a 1918
American action/adventure
silent film
directed by Scott Sidney
starring Elmo Lincoln
, Enid Markey
, George B. French
and Gordon Griffith
. The movie was the first Tarzan
movie ever made, and is based on Edgar Rice Burroughs
' original novel Tarzan of the Apes
. The movie adapts only the first part of the novel, the remainder becoming the basis for the sequel, The Romance of Tarzan
. The film is considered the most faithful to the novel of all the film adaptations. Its most notable plot change being the introduction of the character Binns and his role in bringing the Porters to Africa; the novel brought them there through the improbable coincidence of a second mutiny.
and Kathleen Kirkham
), are passengers on the Fuwalda, a ship bound for Africa. When the vessel is taken over by mutineers the sailor Binns (George B. French
) saves them from being murdered, but they are marooned on the tropical coast. After their deaths their infant son is adopted by Kala, an ape, who raises him as her own. The young Tarzan (Gordon Griffith
) grows to maturity among the apes, becoming their king. Binns, returning to find the Claytons after ten years’ captivity among the Arabs, discovers the ape man and travels to England to report his survival to his family. An expedition led by scientist Professor Porter (Thomas Jefferson) is launched to investigate. Meanwhile, Kala has been killed by a native, who is killed in turn by the now-adult Tarzan (Elmo Lincoln
). The villagers kidnap Porter’s daughter Jane (Enid Markey
); Tarzan rescues and romances her, and she comes to accept his love.
utilizing Louisiana swamps as stand ins for African jungles.
1918 in film
The year 1918 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*Following litigation for anti-trust activities, the US Supreme Court orders the Motion Picture Patents Company to disband....
American action/adventure
Adventure (genre)
The adventure genre, in the context of a narrative, is typically applied to works in which the protagonist or other major characters are consistently placed in dangerous situations...
silent film
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
directed by Scott Sidney
Scott Sidney
Scott Sidney , was an American film director. He directed 117 films between 1913 and 1927.He died in London, England, United Kingdom.-External links:...
starring Elmo Lincoln
Elmo Lincoln
Elmo Lincoln was an American film actor.Born Otto Elmo Linkenhelt, the barrel-chested actor is best known in his silent movie role as the first Tarzan in 1918's Tarzan of the Apes as an adult --...
, Enid Markey
Enid Markey
Enid Markey was an American actress of stage, film and television. She originated the role of Jane in films, playing the character twice - in 1918 .Her first film role was in The Fortunes of War...
, George B. French
George B. French
George B. French was an American film actor. He appeared in 92 films between 1915 and 1943.He was born in Storm Lake, Iowa and died in Hollywood, California from a heart attack.-Selected filmography:...
and Gordon Griffith
Gordon Griffith
Gordon S. Griffith was an American assistant director, film producer, and one of the first child actors in the American movie industry. Griffith worked in the film industry for five decades, acting in over 60 films, and surviving the transition from silent films to talkies—films with...
. The movie was the first Tarzan
Tarzan
Tarzan is a fictional character, an archetypal feral child raised in the African jungles by the Mangani "great apes"; he later experiences civilization only to largely reject it and return to the wild as a heroic adventurer...
movie ever made, and is based on Edgar Rice Burroughs
Edgar Rice Burroughs
Edgar Rice Burroughs was an American author, best known for his creation of the jungle hero Tarzan and the heroic Mars adventurer John Carter, although he produced works in many genres.-Biography:...
' original novel Tarzan of the Apes
Tarzan of the Apes
Tarzan of the Apes is a novel written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the first in a series of books about the title character Tarzan. It was first published in the pulp magazine All-Story Magazine in October, 1912; the first book edition was published in 1914. The character was so popular that Burroughs...
. The movie adapts only the first part of the novel, the remainder becoming the basis for the sequel, The Romance of Tarzan
The Romance of Tarzan
The Romance of Tarzan is a silent, black and white action adventure film directed by Wilfred Lucas starring Elmo Lincoln, Enid Markey, Thomas Jefferson and Cleo Madison. The movie was the second Tarzan movie ever made, and is based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' original novel Tarzan of the Apes...
. The film is considered the most faithful to the novel of all the film adaptations. Its most notable plot change being the introduction of the character Binns and his role in bringing the Porters to Africa; the novel brought them there through the improbable coincidence of a second mutiny.
Cast
- Elmo LincolnElmo LincolnElmo Lincoln was an American film actor.Born Otto Elmo Linkenhelt, the barrel-chested actor is best known in his silent movie role as the first Tarzan in 1918's Tarzan of the Apes as an adult --...
- Tarzan - Enid MarkeyEnid MarkeyEnid Markey was an American actress of stage, film and television. She originated the role of Jane in films, playing the character twice - in 1918 .Her first film role was in The Fortunes of War...
- Jane Porter - True BoardmanTrue BoardmanTrue Boardman was an American film actor of the silent era. He appeared in 137 films between 1911 and 1919 before falling victim to the 1918 flu pandemic.-True Boardman:...
- John Clayton, Lord Greystoke - Kathleen KirkhamKathleen KirkhamKathleen Kirkham was a silent film actress from Menominee, Michigan.Her mother, Mrs. L.B. Kirkham, resided at 1135 Windsor Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. She was a stage actress prior to marriage.-Film actress:...
- Alice Clayton, Lady Greystoke - George B. FrenchGeorge B. FrenchGeorge B. French was an American film actor. He appeared in 92 films between 1915 and 1943.He was born in Storm Lake, Iowa and died in Hollywood, California from a heart attack.-Selected filmography:...
- Binns, a sailor - Gordon GriffithGordon GriffithGordon S. Griffith was an American assistant director, film producer, and one of the first child actors in the American movie industry. Griffith worked in the film industry for five decades, acting in over 60 films, and surviving the transition from silent films to talkies—films with...
- Tarzan, younger - Colin KennyColin Kenny (actor)Colin Kenny was an Irish film actor. He appeared in 167 films between 1918 and 1965. He was born in Dublin, Ireland and died in Los Angeles, California.- Selected filmography :* Tarzan of the Apes - Clayton...
- Greystoke's nephew - Thomas Jefferson - Professor Porter
- Bessie TonerBessie Toner-Theater:Toner was married to actor Harry Childs by 1904. They were in the play The Sign of the Cross which toured beginning in the fall of1904....
- Bar Maid - Jack Wilson - Captain of the Fuwalda
- Louis Morrison - Innkeeper
- Eugene PalletteEugene PalletteEugene William Pallette was an American actor. He appeared in over 240 silent era and sound era motion pictures between 1913 and 1946....
- - Fred L. Wilson -
Plot
John and Alice Clayton, Lord and Lady Greystoke (True BoardmanTrue Boardman
True Boardman was an American film actor of the silent era. He appeared in 137 films between 1911 and 1919 before falling victim to the 1918 flu pandemic.-True Boardman:...
and Kathleen Kirkham
Kathleen Kirkham
Kathleen Kirkham was a silent film actress from Menominee, Michigan.Her mother, Mrs. L.B. Kirkham, resided at 1135 Windsor Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. She was a stage actress prior to marriage.-Film actress:...
), are passengers on the Fuwalda, a ship bound for Africa. When the vessel is taken over by mutineers the sailor Binns (George B. French
George B. French
George B. French was an American film actor. He appeared in 92 films between 1915 and 1943.He was born in Storm Lake, Iowa and died in Hollywood, California from a heart attack.-Selected filmography:...
) saves them from being murdered, but they are marooned on the tropical coast. After their deaths their infant son is adopted by Kala, an ape, who raises him as her own. The young Tarzan (Gordon Griffith
Gordon Griffith
Gordon S. Griffith was an American assistant director, film producer, and one of the first child actors in the American movie industry. Griffith worked in the film industry for five decades, acting in over 60 films, and surviving the transition from silent films to talkies—films with...
) grows to maturity among the apes, becoming their king. Binns, returning to find the Claytons after ten years’ captivity among the Arabs, discovers the ape man and travels to England to report his survival to his family. An expedition led by scientist Professor Porter (Thomas Jefferson) is launched to investigate. Meanwhile, Kala has been killed by a native, who is killed in turn by the now-adult Tarzan (Elmo Lincoln
Elmo Lincoln
Elmo Lincoln was an American film actor.Born Otto Elmo Linkenhelt, the barrel-chested actor is best known in his silent movie role as the first Tarzan in 1918's Tarzan of the Apes as an adult --...
). The villagers kidnap Porter’s daughter Jane (Enid Markey
Enid Markey
Enid Markey was an American actress of stage, film and television. She originated the role of Jane in films, playing the character twice - in 1918 .Her first film role was in The Fortunes of War...
); Tarzan rescues and romances her, and she comes to accept his love.
Production notes
Tarzan of the Apes was filmed in 1917 in Morgan City, LouisianaMorgan City, Louisiana
Morgan City is a city in St. Martin and St. Mary parishes in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The population was 12,404 at the 2010 census....
utilizing Louisiana swamps as stand ins for African jungles.