TARZANA'S LEGACY OF FILM PRODUCTION
The city of Tarzana and the San Fernando Valley has a rich cinematic history as a location for such classics as “Planet of the Apes“, “Boogie Nights“, “Terminator 2″, “Karate Kid“, “Casablanca“, “E.T.”, “Thelma and Louise” , “Valley Girl“, Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman” and “Its a Wonderful Life” to name just a few.
Tarzana is unique as its name is derived from the beloved character and action hero Tarzan, created by the world renowned author Edgar Rice Burroughs. Click on the YouTube video to watch a fascinating brief visual history of Edgar Rice Burroughs, or scroll down to read more about this legendary Author.
EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS PURCHASED A LARGE RANCH NORTH OF LOS ANGELES
After the 550 acre land purchase, Mr. Burroughs named his ranch “Tarzana”. The citizens of the community that sprang up around the ranch, later voted to adopt that name permanently when their community, Tarzana, California, was formed in 1927. The remaining portion of the Burroughs’ California ranch is still located in the center of the Tarzana neighborhood, home to the offices of Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc., which continue to publish books, comics and a number of theatrical and television studio projects under the Edgar Rice Burroughs name.
Tarzan was a cultural sensation when first introduced and Burroughs capitalized on it in every way possible, including a syndicated Tarzan comic strip, movies, and merchandise. Tarzan remains a cultural icon and is still one of the most successful and beloved fictional characters to this day.
EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS WAS AN AMERICAN AUTHOR
Best known for his prolific output in the adventure, science fiction, and fantasy genres. Most well-knownfor creating the characters Tarzan and John Carter of Mars. Burroughs early work “Under the Moons of Mars”, was serialized in 1912 earning him US $400 ($11,232 today). It was first published as a book entitled “A Princess of Mars”. Burroughs soon took up writing full-time, and by the time the run of “Under the Moons” of Mars had finished, he had completed two novels, including “Tarzan of the Apes”, one of his most successful series.
Burroughs also wrote popular science fiction and fantasy stories involving adventurers from Earth transported to various planets including Mars, Venus and even into the Center of the Earth. He also wrote Westerns and historical romances. Because of the part Burroughs’s science fiction played in inspiring real exploration of Mars, an impact crater on Mars was named in his honor after his death. Famed science fiction author Ray Bradbury was quoted as saying, “”Edgar Rice Burroughs is probably the most influential writer in the entire history of the world.” In 2003, Edgar Rice Burroughs was inducted into The Science Fiction Hall of Fame.
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