Maps of Movies

Tell It to the Marines (1926)

Where Tell It to the Marines says it takes place, and where it was really shot.

The China adventure was filmed in California: no Hangzhou, no Shanghai, just a San Diego base, a battleship and a movie ranch.

Scenes and places

Skeet is handed to Sergeant O'Hara (1924)

Skeet, who applied only for a free ride to San Diego, slips away from Sergeant O'Hara, then enlists after all. He lands under the same sergeant's charge.

Set in San Diego Marine base — The base where Skeet, who joined only for a free train ride, ends up in O'Hara's charge.

Filmed at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego — The studio was allowed to shoot on the depot grounds; the exact spots on the base are not recorded. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The detour to the Mexican racetrack (1924)

Skeet escapes O'Hara and boards a train to Tijuana for the horse races. He comes back and enlists.

Set in Tia Juana (Tijuana), Mexico — The border town racetrack Skeet escapes to before enlisting. Google Maps · Apple Maps

The sea training cruise (1924)

Norma asks O'Hara to take Skeet along on a sea training cruise; Skeet already has. On board, Skeet picks a fight with a sailor who turns out to be the Navy heavyweight champion.

Set in At sea (Navy training cruise) — A sea training cruise with no fixed location. The scenes at sea were shot aboard the battleship USS California.

Tondo Island, six miles from Hell (1924)

O'Hara and his men are posted to Tondo Island, where Zaya tempts O'Hara. A brawl with the locals follows and O'Hara has to rescue Skeet. Norma hears the gossip and writes Skeet a letter breaking things off.

Set in Tondo Island naval station, Philippines — A dreary naval station described as "six miles this side of Hell". The film's Tondo Island is not matched to a mapped place in the sources.

Reunion with Norma in Shanghai (1924)

At Shanghai, O'Hara and Skeet find Norma on a Navy hospital ship. She greets the sergeant warmly but refuses to give Skeet a second chance.

Set in Shanghai, China — The port where the Asiatic Squadron is stationed and Norma serves on a Navy hospital ship. Google Maps · Apple Maps

The bridge on the road out of Hangchow (1924)

Norma and the nurses are sent to Hangchow for an epidemic, and a bandit army threatens the city. The Marines are ordered to the rescue, and O'Hara and his men hold a bridge as rear guard with Skeet refusing to leave his side.

Set in Hangchow (Hangzhou), China — The city where Norma and the other nurses fight an epidemic as a bandit army closes in. Google Maps · Apple Maps

Characters

• Skeet Burns — A cocky recruit who joined the Marines for a free train ride.
• Sergeant O'Hara — The veteran sergeant who trains Skeet.
• Norma Dale — A Navy nurse both men are drawn to.

Questions answered on the map

• The Marines' China rescue: where was it really filmed?