He worked with Charlie Chaplin, and was the first actor to portray both Tom Sawyer and Tarzan on film. He played the role of Sam in the Penrod movie.

He worked with the big names of the day including Mary Picford in Little Annie Rooney (1925. Griffith later received the role of Tom Sawyer in the 1920 film version of Huckleberry Finn. Griffith appears before the actor portraying the adult Tarzan-Elmo Lincoln-making him the first actor to portray Tarzan in film. Griffith also has several nude scenes in the first half of the film, making him one of the first pre-teens to appear on screen naked. He was required to do his own stunts, such as climbing trees, swinging from vines, and interacting closely with a chimpanzee. His big break came with the role of young Tarzan, in the 1918 film Tarzan of the Apes. Mack Sennett of Keystone Studios cast Griffith in many of his slapstick features, where he eventually earned supporting roles in Charlie Chaplin films, including Tillie's Punctured Romance. Griffith was already an experienced actor when, at age seven, he got his first acting role as a regular character in the Little Billy serials.

Gordon Griffith (1907-1958) was big in his day and had been acting in short films for children. Only those that had read the book knew of the ape man prior to this film.Įven today every one knows of Tarzan but how many have read the book? This was the movie that brought Tarzan to the masses and set the ball rolling. A full clear version can be easily downloaded. The whole movie is now public domain and can be found in many Internet movie sites. Its a very pixilated copy of a historically important silent film. These are a few clips cut short to fit the 10 minute limit. Some scenes Of Tarzan of the Apes staring The child actor Gordon Griffith as the boy Tarzan. The very first Tarzan movie shot in 1918.

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