Where was A Jitney Elopement filmed?
1915
City Locations
San Francisco, Fremont, Niles (USA)
Location Types
Film Studio, Unusual
Location Styles
Classic Car, Retro
About A Jitney Elopement
Charlie Chaplin was known for his use of masquerading as the nobility in his early short comedies for the Essanay company. He reworked a premise he had previously done twice at Keystone and would continue to revisit in later works. His motivation often varied, but usually, it was to win the heart of Edna Purviance. In A Jitney Elopement, Charlie and Edna were secretly in love, however, her father wanted her to marry a Count whom he had never seen—giving our hero an opportunity to impersonate him and continue his relationship with Edna. When the real count arrives, complications ensue, leading Charlie and Edna to attempt an escape in the count's Ford automobile; or as it is commonly referred to—a "jitney."
Motion Picture World reviewed A Jitney Elopement (1915) stating that Chaplin's inimitable comedy combined with a vein of romance gives the picture a general appeal. To revive the film, Fondazione Cineteca di Bologna and Lobster Films joined forces in sourcing preserved nitrate fine grain from The Museum of Modern Art as well as a nitrate print from Cinemathèque Royale de Belgique. Through this combined effort, they have been able to successfully restore the movie and share it with audiences across the globe.
For the re-release of 1920's films, intertitles have been meticulously reconstructed from both 35mm and Kodascope 16mm original elements.
A Jitney Elopement Locations
The production of the film was mainly conducted in San Francisco, a city full of eclectic vibrancy and cultural richness. The backdrop of the majority of scenes used in this movie is found within Golden Gate Park, an expansive green space located just west of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. This park encompasses over 1,000 acres and features diverse landscapes ranging from picturesque meadows to charming waterways, majestic trees, lush gardens, and sunny pathways—all wonderful places to explore. Notable attractions such as the Conservatory of Flowers, Buffalo Paddock, de Young Museum, Stow Lake Boathouse, Japanese Tea Garden and Bison Paddock provide visitors with plenty of sights and activities to choose from.
With its natural beauty and variety of things to do, a visit to Golden Gate Park would make for a truly memorable trip! Additionally, the distinctive windmills that still stand today on the west side provide a stunning visual when watching this film or tv series. These remarkable structures add an extra layer of charm to this unique environment along with being historical landmarks that invite curious visitors from near and far away. With so much beautiful scenery available within this area alone it's easy to understand why filmmakers chose San Francisco as an ideal setting for their production.
Fun Fact
During the car chase featuring Charlie Chaplin, he dons his iconic hat for close-up shots but appears without it when viewed from a distance.
Charlie as the Count scene in A Jitney Elopement
37417 Niles Blvd, Fremont, CA
Charlie Chaplin (in the role of Charlie) visits Edna Purviance's home, pretending to be Count de Lime. Despite his humorous handling of the dinner table etiquette, he manages to keep up appearances long enough until the real Count de Lime makes an entrance—and then Charlie is removed as an impostor without ceremony.
This scene was most likely filmed in Essanay Studios in 1915, where Chaplin had a busy year creating these short films. Studios were in both Chicago and San Franciso, Niles being the San Francisco site. The Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum is the place to go to see exhibits about Charlie Chaplin and his Essanay Studio hits.
While there, visit San Francisco, which has served as the backdrop for many iconic films and television shows throughout the years. From the Golden Gate Bridge to Lombard Street, the city provides a unique cinematic setting with its variety of distinctive landmarks. Some of the most popular film locations in San Francisco include Victorian-style homes in Pacific Heights, the Palace of Fine Arts, Twin Peaks overlook and Fisherman's Wharf. Even if you don't recognize them from movies or television, these well-known places are sure to be memorable when you visit them.
But for the Charlie Chaplin trip, make your way to the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum to relive the days of The Jitney Elopement. You’ll find it on Niles Boulevard. Off Mission Boulevard southeast, take Sullivan and then you’ll see Niles Boulevard and the museum.
Edna and Count walk scene in A Jitney Elopement
Golden Gate Park, 2235 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA
After Charlie (Charles Chaplin) disappears, Count (Leo White) takes Edna (Edna Purviance) to the park to have a walk. They find a cozy bench, and while Count wipes it, Edna sees that his pants are filled with holes. She starts laughing, Count starts laughing too, not knowing Edna’s reason to laugh. Meanwhile, her father (Ernest Van Pelt) sees all of this and thinks that Edna finally likes Count.
Since its founding in 1870, Golden Gate Park has been a San Francisco staple, offering a unique mix of open spaces and attractions. Spanning three miles of lush parkland, the tourist destination features an array of activities for visitors to enjoy including stunning gardens, museums, playgrounds, lakes, trails and sporting fields. From outdoor concerts in Hellman Hollow Meadow to boat rentals at Stow Lake, Golden Gate Park offers something new to explore every time you visit.
Golden Gate Park is an iconic San Francisco attraction, and getting there can be a fun and relatively easy experience. Starting from downtown or from any of the neighborhoods close to the park, one can easily take public transportation such as the Muni bus system or the BART train. The highlights of a muni ride include taking in stunning views of the bayfront, Dolores Park, Twin Peaks, and other attractions on your way to Golden Gate Park. Depending on where you board, passengers may only have to take one train or bus to get there. After arriving at their destination station near the park entrance, visitors are treated to some of San Francisco's best sights!
Cops trying to catch Charlie and Edna scene in A Jitney Elopement
Niles, CA
Charlie (Charles Chaplin) and Edna (Edna Purviance) drive in a jitney as a way to escape from the police, Edna’s father (Ernest Van Pelt) and the Count (Leo White). The police decide to use a rope to catch the automobile, but of course, they can’t do it. Charlie continues to drive the vehicle with the rope on its bumper and 2 cops, who hold onto it.
Niles is a small town situated in the foothills of Fremont in the San Francisco Bay Area. This charming community offers plenty of entertainment opportunities, with its annual Niles Film Festival and monthly Art Walk, featuring local art and artisan varieties. Outdoor activities include hiking at Mission Peak Regional Preserve, kayaking along Alameda Creek or exploring the diverse wildlife found at Sunol Regional Wilderness. With its vintage vibe and picturesque surroundings, Niles offers something for all ages to enjoy.
Visiting Niles, California is a breeze! Depending on which part of the US you are traveling from, you can easily reach Niles via Interstate 880 North. Take State Route 238 West into Fremont. From there, drive north on Washington Boulevard for about a mile until you reach Mission Blvd. Niles Canyon Road is right there.
Conclusion
Edna Purviance's father has arranged for her to marry a wealthy Count, but Edna harbors an inner love for The Tramp (Charles Chaplin). She asks him to save her and he pretends to be the Count. As soon as the real Count de Lime (Leo White) appears with his extraordinary facial hair, The Tramp is thrown out. Later on, in a park, all four come back together. In a bold move, the two young lovers try to elope and this initiates a long car chase.
Despite the pressure to produce more films quickly from Essanay, Chaplin still manages to create great ideas and put them into motion in a limited time frame. A Jitney Elopement is proof of this as it is both witty and entertaining—and the locations are great fun to seek out.