Buster Keaton - The High Sign (1921) - Filming Locations
Buster Keaton's Los Angeles Filming Locations
Buster Keaton, much like his contemporaries Harold Lloyd and Charlie Chaplin, utilized the diverse landscape of Los Angeles as a backdrop for his iconic comedies. Viewing these films today offers more than just laughs; they serve as a fascinating historical record of Southern California's early 20th-century development.
Filming Along the Santa Monica Bay
Keaton's 1921 short, The High Sign, was filmed on location across three historic "beach towns" along Santa Monica Bay:
- Redondo Beach
- Long Beach
- Venice Beach
Of these three locations, Venice Beach became the most enduringly popular filming destination, appearing in dozens of movies and television episodes over the last century.
Then and Now: 1811 Ocean Front Walk
The filming location photo featured above captures Buster Keaton standing in front of 1811 Ocean Front Walk in Venice Beach.
- Then: When The High Sign was filmed in 1921, the area was still in the early stages of development, with much of the surrounding neighborhood yet to be built up.
- Now: The structure at 1811 Ocean Front Walk (built in 1916) still stands today. While it has been extensively remodeled, it remains a tangible piece of cinematic history that fans can visit in person.
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Charlie Chaplin - A Woman (1915) - Filming Locations
How Charlie Chaplin's Movie A Woman Captured Early 1900s Los Angeles History
Like many silent film pioneers of the 1910s, Charlie Chaplin frequently used the public parks of Los Angeles as open-air movie sets, turning a simple afternoon visit into cinematic comedy. In his classic 1915 short film A Woman, Chaplin did exactly that - and inadvertently preserved a perfect, historic time capsule of Lincoln Park as it looked over a century ago.
The History Of The Lincoln Park Boathouse And Plaza de la Raza
Beyond its expansive, iconic lake, the most notable architectural feature of the park is the historic Lincoln Park Boathouse.
- 1912: The boathouse was originally constructed during an era when the grounds were still known as Eastlake Park.
- 1969: Following decades of neglect, the city scheduled the historic structure for demolition.
- The Turning Point: Fortunately, the community intervened. The building was saved, beautifully restored, and leased to a vital civic organization: Plaza de la Raza Cultural Center for the Arts and Education.
Today, the landmark serves as a legendary cultural hub, providing multidisciplinary arts education and enrichment programs to the Eastside neighborhoods of Los Angeles.
The Boathouse Film Location: 1915 vs. Today
In A Woman, audiences are treated to a remarkably clear, unobstructed view of the waterfront structure.
The then and now filming location photo above shows a direct comparison of the building as it stood in 1915 versus how it appears today. Thanks to decades of preservation efforts, the historic boathouse remains beautifully restored, in excellent condition, and stands as a living testament to early Hollywood history.
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Charlie Chaplin - By The Sea (1915) - Filming Locations
By The Sea (1915): The Oldest Filming Location Then And Now On This Site
By The Sea holds a special place as the oldest film covered on this website. This classic silent short features the legendary Charlie Chaplin encountering a young woman in the iconic Palisades Park in Santa Monica, California.
Then and Now: Palisades Park
While the foliage has changed significantly over the last century, the park's layout remains remarkably consistent. Comparing scenes from 1915 to today offers a fascinating look at how this coastal landmark has been preserved over the past 100+ years.
A Historic Hub for Classic Comedy
Palisades Park’s cinematic history extends well beyond Chaplin. It was also famously used by the legendary duo Laurel and Hardy in 1932 for the opening scene of their feature film Pack Up Your Troubles.
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Charlie Chaplin - The Idle Class (1921) - Filming Locations
The Idle Class (1921): Charlie Chaplin Filming Locations
In the classic 1921 comedy The Idle Class, Charlie Chaplin sneaks into an upscale golf resort, and as expected, slapstick havoc ensues! As with many of Chaplin's legendary short films, The Idle Class makes ample use of on-location filming, providing a unique look at the Los Angeles landscape of the early 20th century.
Then and Now: The Los Angeles River "Golf Course"
The then and now filming location photo featured above highlights one of the iconic "golf course" scenes:
- Then: The scene was shot on the banks of the Los Angeles River prior to the installation of the concrete flood control channels that define the river today. The footage offers a rare, unobstructed view of the river in its natural, wild state.
- Now: Today, this historic location is known as the Rio de Porciuncula Picnic Area, located at 3207 Los Feliz Blvd on the east bank of the Los Angeles River. The camera view in the film looks north, providing a stark contrast to the paved, urbanized riverfront we see today.
A Film History Time Capsule
For fans of Chaplin and early Hollywood history, this site serves as a vital time capsule. It captures a version of Los Angeles that has been fundamentally reshaped by modern infrastructure, offering a tangible connection to the creative process behind The Idle Class.
Additional Filming Locations From The Idle Class
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Harold Lloyd - Get Out And Get Under (1920) - Filming Locations
Get Out and Get Under (1920): Harold Lloyd Filming Locations
In the classic 1920 comedy Get Out and Get Under, Harold Lloyd takes audiences on a wild ride as he frantically rushes to reach his amateur theatre group’s performance. Filmed almost entirely on location, this short is a remarkable time capsule of the Los Angeles area as it appeared over 100 years ago.
Then and Now: National Blvd at Manning Avenue
The then and now filming location photo featured above is a striking illustration of the transformation of the Los Angeles Westside. The scene is captured looking north up National Blvd at the intersection of Manning Avenue in the Palms neighborhood of Los Angeles.
- The 1920 Landscape: The original footage reveals a rural setting defined by wooded areas, open fields, and telegraph poles.
- The Modern Day: The present-day view showcases the extensive urban development and "progress" that has reshaped this landscape over the past century.
Why This Location Matters for Film Historians
For fans of silent comedy and Hollywood history, these on-location shots are invaluable. They provide a rare, authentic look at the geographic evolution of Los Angeles, contrasting the open terrain of the early 20th century with the bustling metropolitan environment we see today.
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