Charlie Chaplin's San Francisco Bay Area / Niles movie locations

Jeff and Sarah find locations in the Bay Area where Charlie Chaplin filmed some of his first classic silent movies that launch him into Hollywood immortality.
#filmecharliechaplin #charliechaplin #nilescanyon #broncobilly #historyhunters

[@greggwatkinsjr.4308]

Love any history on silent film, Charlie Chaplain was definitely top 3 greatest comedians in that era, along with Buster Keaton & Harold Lloyd. It's amazing to see some few buildings he filmed are still standing today! 😀

[@johnnyquest3707]

Great video and production. I was raised on the Castro Valley/Hayward border and went to Nile’s a lot. As a teenager in the 70s I knew the Chaplin history there but there was no historical references there then that I recall. The town WAS “sleepy” then compared to what you showed here. There’s tons more history of that exact area. In John Boessenecker’s book about the first sheriff of Oakland, “Lawman: The Life And Times Of Harry Morse” in the late 1860s onward he tracks horse thieves and Californio bandits up and down Niles canyon and, what was it, Alameda Creek. Lots of very violent old west history right there in the hills around Niles.

[@vasquezthegreat]

Ahh.. in my hometown of Fremont. Niles is one of our lovely historical districts.. excited to learn some history on this episode. Thanks Jeff and Sarah

[@dusty5598]

That is cool how you superimposed the movie clip over the actual real time place where the movie was filmed. That puts it into perspective. Its a trip to think that such a historical movie icon like Chaplin was setting on those steps. Wow how the world has changed sense then.

[@jbenziggy]

Dusty absolutely! I go places and think about how human history occurs on that same spot. I hope to be doing more videos like this! Thanks for watching! Please share!

[@oliviaedralin1436]

Real interesting!! Wow I learned something new from you guys !

[@jbenziggy]

So glad! Thanks Olivia!

[@marcieconant5559]

Thank you again for all the wonderful photos, especially the ones that contrast a location back in the day to what it looks like today. I like all of Charlie Chaplins movies but ironically my favorites are two talkies: "City Lights" and " Monseur Verdoux". In the latter one he plays a real Blue Beard who kills his wives for their fortunes. He definitely had what we actors call "range". 🙂💕

[@jasonfrew2394]

A greatly detailed account of Chaplin's filmaking work and off time in Niles...bravo! My grandparents lived a couple of miles from Niles on Canyon Heights drive near the western entrance to the canyon back in the 60's and 70's. It was a great place to frequently visit as a kid back then as now. What an amazing experience it would be to explore that whole area back in the day, say around the early part of the 20th century.

[@fountainbiker]

Awesome History tour Jeff!

[@shawnhanns4893]

It’s awesome that you bring back the forgotten pass Learned a lot watching your videos

[@raymondhummel5211]

Simply fascinating being able to relive where scenes were shot of such wonderful movies of Charlie Chaplin's. Niles, California such an historic city. You must have a lot of Charlie Chaplin fans visit your city! See some of the actual building and locations of scenes shot is mind blowing! Truly reliving the past with Charlie Chaplin! Thank you for sharing this wonderful video with all of us!

[@jbenziggy]

Glad you liked it, Raymond. We don't live in Niles but it would be a nice community to live in, if you had to live in the Bay Area!

[@daveweber5334]

I love how you nerd out over locations. I do the same thing. I want to stand where they stood, sit where they sat. And I especially love it when pictures or film is overlaid with modern pictures.

[@jbenziggy]

Then we’re both historical nerds! LOL! Thanks for watching!

[@calken546]

I'm the same way seeing a famous landmark like the Stairs in The Music Box or someone famous. If I ever saw John Wayne or Elvis in person I would of lost it and Bowed to them.

[@chrismonahan9988]

This video is the best my wife and I have seen about Niles. Great work. So much rich history that we didn't learn about until we viewed, and we have been Fremont residents for 20+ years. Thank you for putting the work in!

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you very much. This is one of the first videos that we did so it’s a little rough but we had fun on our visit to Niles!

[@butkuss]

I love your channel! Don’t change a damn thing. Your channel is as good or greater than a history channel production. I retired from LAPD in 2012, but I remember the nostalgic feeling I’d feel in my gut when I came historic old laurel n hardly sites. Thank you for keeping history alive in a time when everyone is trying to erase it.

[@oldermusiclover]

you would like the Daze With Jordan The Lion vlogs as well

[@thebronzetoo]

Very cool!! Niles looks like a great little town!!

[@jbenziggy]

It is! I wouldn't mind living there!

[@thebronzetoo]

@@jbenziggy Where are you guys, Sac?

[@mrs.g.9816]

Just watched this video on my Smart TV. Makes me want to rediscover the early Chaplin comedies. Also - I heard "April Showers" playing in the background of part of the video. I own a 78 of this exact same recording (inherited from my great-grandparents) and I played it a few times when I was a kid. So I knew from the first few bars what it was! I love it when anything nice made 100+ years ago survives and is taken care of.

[@califtom]

I'm a huge Chaplin fan so I really enjoyed this. I had thought Sunnyside was filmed in Niles too but apparently not. I lived in the Bay Area on the other side of the bay for 15 years but never made it to Niles before. Those early films with the gorgeous Edna Purviance are fantastic. Fun fact, Edna had purchased her father Madison Gates Purviance a home in Biggs, California very near my hometown of Oroville, CA. He died in that house in 1932.

[@jbenziggy]

Thomas, Edna was a beauty. Please check out of video on Lovelock, Nevada because Edna was from there and I talk about her growing up there!

[@RabidSnot]

Awesome video of Niles,CA rich Movie history. my old stomping grounds and home away from my home in Dublin/P-Town growing up there for 50yrs. I'm well aware of the legends of silent movie making history there at Broncho Billy's (Essanay) studios. But did you know, that Charlie was an avid gambler and would often ride the train thru Niles canyon into Pleasanton from Niles to see and bet on the horse racing track at the Alameda county fairgrounds and would stay at a old hunting lodge on Rose ave behind the back straightway of the racing track. Mary Pickford also used to stay in this location and even made a movie partially in that lodges front yard called 'Rebecca of Sunny brook farm' Lots of movie making history there in that area and was often refereed to as the 1st 'Hollywood' area in Calif before even L.A got that sign on the hills above it. Thanks for taking this trip to Niles,CA and taking us all along. Also he (Charles) did end up hanging out with that millionaire eventually, William Randolph Hearst up in his Castle at San Simeon, with other famous people, Mary Pickford Douglas Fairbanks etc. so that part of the story did come true for ol' Charlie... and some of most scandalous history of early Hollywood. Fatty Arbuckle ring a bell ?

[@alh9750]

What an enjoyable super professional job in the Niles vlog the matching up was extraordinary Vlogging. Ty

[@TheGraveyardChannel]

I REALLY enjoyed this trip! I had no idea he filmed there. Never even heard of Niles. Love learning about new places like this. Hope to get up there one day. Thanks, once again, for the preview, Jeff!

[@jbenziggy]

Something magical about that place! You might check it out someday! Of course we went when we all had freedom. LOL

[@melissajensen3166]

Loved this. I just saw this one. I used to drive out to Niles with a buddy, just for a drive. Welcome to my home town of Oakland. Huge changes since I left in 1998 and even more since you filmed this. Great vlog. I really miss Oakland when it was in its prime. From what I hear from friends who still live there, it’s a trash heap. Very sad. My grandma moved to Oakland when she was 9 in 1918. My grandpa was about maybe 10-11 when his family came to Oakland.

[@nyc783]

Melissa - you are SO right - Oakland is a dump and a dangerous one at that!

[@shelliebrowning960]

Soo amazing to see these places or have even been to them at one time or another , to find out that entertainers or people of importance had been there . Your videos are , AMAZING ! Thank YOU !

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks so much Shellie! We certainly try to make history interesting! We thank you for enjoying out work and letting us know you like it! Much appreciated!

[@paulkalff6408]

BB's is the best! We live on Overacker, just 1/2 mile from "downtown."

[@wet8457]

Thank you guys for doing this

[@reneeamerson1754]

Awesome Jeff!! He's was one of my favorites, besides Laurel and Hardy ☺

[@rustyshackleford7536]

Another awesome video

[@rosemarywaldie4958]

Great video Thank you ❤️

[@robroiboi]

A visual Masterpiece created to not only entertain, but also to educate us in one tiny facet of California's vast and diverse history. And you are correct Jeff; history is not boring with you on the right trail.

[@01sapphireGTS]

Cool post. To be captured on film is in some ways to be immortalized. I think of, and remember my favorite movie stars/actors as the age that I saw them on film.

[@lavery1965]

My husband and I are from Kansas City, we really enjoy watching your video's. Thanks so much.

[@jbenziggy]

That is awesome! Hearing that encourages us amid some of the detractors. We appreciate you giving us this comment!

[@michellewhitaker8669]

This was a very interesting video!

[@maryirdenieks9515]

My parents lived on Second St. in Niles in the mid 1970's As per the comment below Niles was very sleepy. Not much going on for the keeping alive the history of movie making. Except once a year a weekend in Niles would celebrate a street fair. That was about it. I just purchased the book "Brocho Billy and the Essanay Film Company" by David Kiehn. Thank you for getting me interested in the area where my parents lived. Looks like this should be good book. Outstanding video!

[@jbenziggy]

Awesome! I need to get my hands on that book too!

[@steve94044]

All your episodes are really great! This one is a favorite because I live near Niles and have enjoyed walking through Niles and having pizza at Bronco Billy’s. I travel through Niles Canyon Road to work many days. Some people say it’s haunted. I’ve never seen any ghosts there.

[@jbenziggy]

Glad you like them! And for the record I think all ghost stories are more rooted in the imagination of folks rather than reality. I appreciate you watching!

[@Steveleanr]

Nice video, I lived in Niles about 50 years ago...

[@jbenziggy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kathleenhorner9296]

This was very well produced! We are silent film fans and really appreciated all the creative work you have done on this vlog. We are binging on your vlogs tonight. Thanks to you and Sarah!

[@jbenziggy]

Kathleen Horner thank you very much. This was done kind of early in our KZbin experience so please forgive us of any sound quality issues or rough editing. We’re trying to improve as we go along and appreciate great fans like you.

[@martindriver6026]

Some friends took us there to Nile. We walked on the main street. I had no idea of the significance or I would of paid closer attention. My wife says they told us about Charlie Chaplin, I didnt remember. They also took us to some old house that had a public garden it was like a park like public place now. Nice job.

[@allanrandall52]

thank u guys,,,,another fun video

[@jbenziggy]

Glad you enjoyed it!! We have fun shooting these!

[@mikerobinson2021]

This was a Great episode!

[@Lindleyferchel]

The Niles sign is where in 1956 a Navy DC 4 crashed killing all 40 service men. Here are some other interesting things near niles. A little further through Niles Canyon is Sunol is where there is the Sunol water temple build by the famous designer William Polk. Designed after the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, Italy . A classical pavilion with 12 Corinthian columns. A beautiful spot check for open times. The same be found in San Mateo county at the Crystal Springs reservoir. What a beautiful place with a huge reflection pool and no people. The Germans and Italians would take the train from Oakland to Niles Canyon and would have beer halls there. There is a historical train that runs from Niles to Sunol still. Niles was also the place where Spanish tiles where produced for much of California Spanish style houses. Sadly it closed in 1990s. Across the creek from where Charlie was standing are some old kilns history unknown to me. A little further down the road is Mission San Jose and the old Starr ranch what a story about the Starr family. Their son wrote the Famous guide “ guide to the John Muir Trail and the High Sierra Region. He is buried in the highest grave in Calif. had the first aerial search Ever. What a climber he was with Norman Clyde they did more first accents then anyone!! Bare hands and hemp rope. Great adventure book Missing in the Minarets. The search for Walter a. Starr, Jr. By William Alsup. By the Yosemite Association.

[@ontomm2009]

subscribed. Another very well made video. Love the super imposed shots. Great job!

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you so much! We appreciate your comments and for following us! Long live Charlie!

[@rparret]

Very interesting. I enjoyed this.

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks Roy! Happy to hear you liked it!

[@seanbarragan2942]

Great video, I'm so glad I found this. You guys did great. I'd love to watch more of these films.

[@jbenziggy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@seanbarragan2942]

@@jbenziggy I don't know if you guys do social media at all. But we are on Facebook and Instagram under Gilroy Gold. I'll be doing a photo shoot out in niles soon and posting our pics online. I'd love to have you guys come follow us!. Just look for the gold garlic clove and the name Gilroy Gold. 14087628317 is my contact. We also stated a CA group for photos and video. Id love to share what you guys do. Give me ring or text please. Thanks, Sean R Barragan

[@everycrayfish1657]

I'm so happy I lived there

[@GreeneEntertainment]

I know Niles Canyon really well. However, I never knew Niles the city. I always turn left toward San Jose and 680 to head home. I will make a point of turning right next time. I wish I was surprised about Charlie Chaplin’s behavior. I was surprised to learn that several of his most notable films were shot up there. Wonderful to learn.

[@linapagliari8003]

Love Charlie ty for sharing history hunters ur great😂🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@jbenziggy]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@zackdaniels6858]

OUTSTANDING!!! Thankyou!~

[@almulton7763]

Just came across your vids; you are exploring everything I used to when I grew up in Calif. GREAT STUFF !!

[@jbenziggy]

Al Multon welcome to our channel! Niles is such a quaint town! I hope you’ll subscribe as we explore even more!

[@ronaldgreen9520]

Luv The videos

[@nathanshimizu8691]

I went to school in Niles elementary school and the museum was just a couple blocks away. In third grade, we even went on a "field trip" to the museum.

[@edmonddantes5104]

That's cool , I live a block away from the studio . My gramps used to run and own the auto parts store in town , next to the Florence Bar and on the same block as the studio.

[@161papa]

Great job.

[@lindsaymacpherson8782]

Great Video

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks for the visit again! You just might be our biggest fan commenting!

[@TheSeanm102]

well done great video

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you for the very nice compliments! We hope you keep watching because more videos are coming!

[@rustyruss2962]

Chaplin was before my time always know of him from what I’ve seen an Learned Man before his time Brilliant

[@larrymiller8210]

I never knew! What a treat! Thanks Larry Miller

[@jbenziggy]

Our pleasure! Thanks for watching! We hope you have subscribed!

[@msleilanianne]

Fantastic 👏🏼

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@JamesCrane]

Grew up in the Fremont area, spent many summer afternoons in Alameda Creek and walking around Niles.

[@bsteele5287]

Man, you are one hard working KZbinr! Extremely interesting. Love the old to new photos of film locations. Like I have said before, you deserve more subscribers.

[@jbenziggy]

I appreciate that! We are gaining subscribers every day! In fact, we gained 3,100 new subscribers in the last 28 days. It just takes a lot of hard work and a lot of patience! Thanks for your encouragement!

[@HollywoodGraham]

I have watched every one of your videos and must say they are full of information that is being forgotten by most people today. The professionalism in presenting this information is top notch. Even mentioning the odd habits, sexual and political leanings were enlightening. Thanks. June 3rd, 2020.

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you very much Hollywood! By the way, is that really your name? LOL

[@HollywoodGraham]

@@jbenziggy No it is the car in the avatar....

[@lindsaymacpherson8782]

enjoyed Thankyou

[@jbenziggy]

Our pleasure!

[@barbaraaustin3633]

I appreciate the time you take to research, edit and produce such interesting and enjoyable videos. You have a very professional and positive presence on camera that is pure pleasure to watch. Thank you! Colorado fan and subscriber.👍

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks very much Barbara! I certainly appreciate your support! Glad you like our channel!!!

[@vasquezthegreat]

Jeff.. my hometown of Irvington, which is a district of Fremont, if you can do an episode of that someday, that would be totally tubular, man. Lol, thanks Boss

[@paulaharrisbaca4851]

Every morning on the traffic report in the Bay Area, Niles Canyon Road gets mentioned. Nowadays it's because the damned thing is bumper to bumper to get onto the freeway (80, I think). I lived in Fremont for a while and I hated the area I was in because it was really flat. And hot. And dry. And in the summer, the wind off the salt flats by the Bay would smell awful. I like tall trees and curvaceous terrain, although for bike-riding and hiking, the flat terrain is much better. It's not often I learn something new about the Bay Area, but this was new to me. Thanks.

[@jbenziggy]

Traffic anywhere in California seems to be getting bad!

[@ceeb3192]

Love this!

[@26DeislerFCB]

brilliant stuff

[@foxmulder4269]

Awesome!

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you Fox!

[@thecaptain3773]

Through most parts of the canyon itself is a long patch of concrete, across the river from Niles Canyon Road which many local kids would use as a walkway to explore the river. In some places you can see spaces in the asphalt ridge, where many cars ended up in the river as it was a popular place to race.

[@HaroArtist]

That was cool.

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you!

[@oliviaxma]

YESSSS I LIVE IN THE BAY AREA!!!

[@GadgetReviewVideos]

I used to live in Niles across from the train station from one of his movies. Watching this video, it has change for the better and I guess they ruled it a historical site now. The building I live in was an old hotel and had a big Chaplin painted on the side. I think they painted over it now? The irony is my friend rented a house he did a film in and proposed their. Then moved back to Chicago a few years later that was the original town for SnA studios. I liked that town, looks like the fixed it more now. I’m not sure if I liked the older original look or the tourist fixed up look these days? I’ll should check google maps if the painting is still on the building? Manu day spent walking to the town store, The pizza place, locked myself out on thanksgiving and spent thanks giving at the Florence one year waiting for a neighbor to come home and let me in the front door. Well good trip down memory lane, it’s been 15 or 20 years since I’ve lived in Niles. Thnaks for the video. Wow, I just looked at google street view, it’s not the same painting but they still have one. My apartment was above those stores. But then their was not any stores below the apartments. The building is cleaned up, looks nice. It was an amazing place to live with original wood floors, crown molding and ironing board even built into the wall. I bet it cost a lot more to rent these days or have been turned into offices. I hope they didn’t covert the apartment.

[@daystar4909]

Did you ever goto the Secret Sidewalk in Niles?

[@camrondirossi3249]

This so Cool. Rip Sir Charlie chaplin kbe

[@myersonline]

Someone is trying really hard to do their best Morgan Freeman impression. Nevertheless, great narration!

[@shannahuffman4655]

I've watched h8s movies.. Too bad He was treated so poorly Rest in Peace, Charlie

[@jbenziggy]

Some say he was quite a turd himself. Lol

[@stevedawson378]

Really enjoy your videos-- what kind of drone do you use?

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks! I use a little DJI Spark that shoots 1080p. It does the job!

[@oldermusiclover]

wonder if you know that there were silents made in San Diego as well take care

[@paulkalff6408]

We live 1/2 mile to the S. East.....always a fun place to stroll and people watch.....Bronco Billy's is still the best pizza around and, it's family-owned. The Florence is no longer a true biker bar, and the real biker bar, The Spot, up the canyon on Hwy 84 was razed many years, ago. The RR passenger station is in its original location but is spun 180 degrees from its true position as built by the Southern Pacific. The area that is now the Veterans' Park was a railroad yard, and the area just West of the RR underpass at the beginning of the video is in the process of becoming........housing.

[@sthread9096]

Anyone else hearing a slight “Morgan Freeman” in the guys voice who is doing the narration? Nicely done.

[@jbenziggy]

Very observant! I purposely wanted someone who sounded like Mr. Freeman!

[@oliviaxma]

my school is near niles i think

[@cathleensuan7845]

I lived in the Niles district in Fremont ca

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks for watching! Did you know about Chaplin filming there?

[@ernestpaniagua1210]

The train station is not in the original location it was located on mission Blvd going north the old location is still there from where they moved it from

[@Robert-zm5rx]

what camera are you using to film this?

[@jbenziggy]

GoPro

[@michaelgmoore5708]

Bronco Billy Anderson was in WW1 or a few of the silent era cowboys were. I think I read that some where. My grand father worked those movie sets bàck iñ the early 1900s no one is left who told me all that back in the 1950s and 60s.

[@bengtwahlstedt1021]

Charlie ❤ Meny laughs.

[@regcook4087]

How do you find these locations?

[@jbenziggy]

Just a lot of internet, library and museum research!

[@priestesspos6629]

Sorry, I am binge watching. This is my home town and I lived just a few blocks away from the downtown area.

[@jbenziggy]

Kelli Torres don’t apologize! LOL. Binge watch all you can!

[@priestesspos6629]

They didn't show you the duplex cottage that was used by Chaplin and Edna . It's by those small worker's cottages. In addition, the train station is not in it's original place. It was located in the downtown area. There used to be packing sheds in front of it. They were still using the packing sheds in the 60's.

[@gokussjbkaiokenx1006]

Yes

[@lorikuhnle5941]

Grew up in Hayward

[@toysofyourspecialtyt.o.y.s8718]

I've been to NILES..i live in SANTA CRUZ

[@jbenziggy]

It's a pretty cool little town!

[@GeorgeSawtooth]

Morgan Freeman was once your narrator?

[@jbenziggy]

No just somebody who sounded like him. LOL

[@paulaharrisbaca4851]

When my mom was a little girl, she learned a kid's bouncing ball game that I taught my daughter as well (we were all late moms) "Charlie Chaplin went to France To teach the ladies how to dance. Here is how he taught them First the heel, then the toe Round about and over you go Bow to the King' Curtsy to the Queen And turn your back on the Kaiser" Just thought I'd share. =D (my daughter's only 19)

[@jbenziggy]

That's a cute little ditty! LOL

[@tonysanchez9114]

Good Morgan Freeman impersonation

[@jbenziggy]

It was a narrator I hired! Thanks!

[@forresthumus]

Just watching one of your videos from two years ago, and I am glad you have abandoned the narrator, opening credits and music. Jeff, you carry this show by force of personality. Everything else is window dressing. But oh man, that music. My ears, my poor ears.

[@Fedora5957]

When (if) you return to Niles you should do a piece on the history of the Niles Canyon Railroad owned by the Pacific Locomotive Association.

[@alanatolstad4824]

I'm not a fan of slapstick. My only interest in CC is his daughter, cast in the movie Dr.Zhivago. ---What a difference in History Hunters style!---And as always, silent Sarah. I love seeing her, just wish she was more of an active participant!

[@michaelgmoore5708]

It's said that Chaplin copied his acting from Stan Laurel

[@THEWRENCH343]

The narrator sounds just like Morgan Freeman.

[@debraday9898]

I was raised in Niles and Chaplin hated Niles.

[@Toker510]

Niles Town

[@RANDY12764]

Ya know you should join ECV 58

[@SatineDali]

La Peralta

[@zelphx]

If Sarah said even one word, I didn't catch it. The wife and I are going to Jackson, to "antique" in the morning... As usual, I will probably do most of the talking.

[@lokesh9519]

SUBSCRIBERS :45900 LIKES :559 Why this contradiction.......?

[@eccentricsmithy2746]

His head was twice the size of his body.

[@jbenziggy]

Well, I don't know if it was twice the size of his body but get what you're saying!

[@snapjacksonphotography]

Is the narrator supposed to sound like Morgan Freeman, or is that just a coincidence?

[@jbenziggy]

It was intentional. I wanted to experiment. Lol

[@snapjacksonphotography]

History Hunters Sounds good :)