Betsy J. Green

Nighttime Robberies Mystery – Solved!

Here's another December happening way back when in the silent movie world of Santa Barbara.

"Capture of a night prowler in the grounds of the American Film Company's studio was accomplished last week as the climax to a mystery . . . Thefts of a peculiar nature puzzled the amateur criminologists whose attention was attracted to the . . . goldfish pond in the center of the court within the studio grounds. Each morning, there would be one or two [fewer] goldfish than on the preceding day.

"The trap was simple in its operation. Lampblack [soot], unnoticeable in the dark, was sifted over the cement around the pond, and the studio sleuths hoped by that means to obtain a trace of the prowler. They were successful, but followed the footprints in shocked surprise. The trail led directly and significantly to the dressing room of Miss Mary Miles Minter . . . the tracks were those of a cat, and when the dressing room was searched, telltale signs of a feast of the stolen fish were found." – Santa Barbara Morning Press, December 24, 1916

In the Days of Trajan

One of the reasons why early filmmakers settled in California was the ability to film outside in the winter. This month, I'm featuring news about happenings during silent movie filming in December.

Santa Barbara's "Flying A" filmed a movie about Ancient Rome in the fall of 1913. Many of the scenes with men in sandals and skirts for In the Days of Trajan were set outdoors on several of the million-dollar mansions in Montecito. Trajan [TRAY-juhn] is the emperor of Rome, and he feels that if you aren't with him, you are against him.

One of the estates used for filming was "El Fureidîs," the James Waldron Gillespie property in Montecito. (This estate still exists, although it has been altered over the years.) It sounds like a number of area residents were recruited for crowd scenes. "Nearly 100 people will be used with the Gillespie place as the principal setting." – Santa Barbara Morning Press, December 15, 1912

Oops! Bear Trap Stunt Goes Wrong

It could have been a lot worse, but it still sounded like it was pretty painful. The scene began with a "Flying A" actor's foot caught in a bear trap, while filming in Santa Barbara, CA. That was supposed to happen. Then, another actor was supposed to release the trap.

But, oops! Something went awry, and the trap snapped close again and trapped the rescuer's hand. It then took four cowboy-actors to release his hand. Fortunately, no broken bones resulted. – Santa Barbara Morning Press, May 8, 1913

Robbers on a Train

In 1910, the Essanay movie studio spent several months filming in Santa Barbara, CA. A number of misunderstandings startled local residents who were not used to such goings on. The first incident occurred during the filming of The Mexican's Faith.

"The Essanay company boldly held up the Southern Pacific train at Miramar this morning, tumbled out a few of the passengers who happened to be in the company's pay, enacted a most blood-curdling and realistic scene, much to the wide-eyed curiosity of such passengers who had not been let in on the deal." – Santa Barbara Independent, January 5, 1910.

The Youngest Star?

This sounds like it was one of the tiniest actors at Santa Barbara's "Flying A." An actor's son made his film debut at a very young age. The baby, "Breezy Eason" "scored an 'emotional triumph.' He was playing the part of an infant, and at the right time injected the proper punch by yelling lustily. And he is only two months old." – Motography, January 30, 1915

The baby was so popular that "he has registered his antics in pictures at the rate of one film a week since he was born." – Reel Life, February 6, 1915

A Cowboy Bites the Dust

An accident occurred while Santa Barbara's "Flying A" was filming a horse chase for the 1912 silent film The Law of God. The posse was chasing the bad guys in this scene. The cowboy actor leading the posse fell down and was lucky that he didn't get trampled.

"His horse stumbled and fell, pinning his rider's leg underneath, and slid about 15 feet on the down grade, dragging [the actor] with him. The other cowboys following had the presence of mind to guide their mounts to one side . . . [one] was so close behind that he was compelled to leap his horse over the forms of the fallen horse and [the actor]." – Motography, November 9, 1912

The actor had severe bruises on his face and head, but no bones were broken. The horse was tended to by a veterinarian.

Watch My Lips!

Ever wonder what the actors in silent films were really saying? Sometimes people who could read lips reported that the actors' conversations did not match the story at all. In 1910, the Essanay Film Company spent several months in Santa Barbara filming cowboy movies. Here's a rare example of the real dialog that a local reporter heard as the actors were filming a scene for The Mexican's Faith in 1910.

Smith: "Hello, Stick in the Mud. How're ye coming?"
Mexican: "Nix on the frijoles. Do you own this cheese-ranch around here?"
Smith: "Sure thing. Made it myself."
Mexican: "I want some work."
Smith: "The deuce you do. What'll you take?"
Mexican: "Thirty dollars."
Smith: "Too much."
Mexican: "Well, anything you give me then, you old tight."

– Santa Barbara Independent, January 5, 1910

Baby Peggy Films in Santa Barbara

Although the "Flying A" studio had folded in the early 1920s, filmmakers were still coming to Santa Barbara to use the studio's facilities or to take advantage of our city's picturesque locales.

In 1922, Baby Peggy, one of the most famous kid-stars, was here filming. "Baby Peggy to Work at Santa Barbara. As soon as Baby Peggy returns from San Diego . . . she will go to Santa Barbara, where additional shots will be made." – Motion Picture News, November 18, 1922

This movie, Carmen, Jr., was released in 1923.

An Authentic Stagecoach in the Movies

Shortly after the "Flying A" folks moved to Santa Barbara in 1912, they were able to use the old Lompoc stagecoach in their films. One of the first films that the studio created here was The Jack of Diamonds. Some of the scenes were filmed on the stagecoach.

"The exteriors were taken in the vicinity of the Hollister Road [upper State Street], about a mile from the studio. The old stagecoach which was used in early days out of Lompoc was called into play for the first time. It will add considerable color to the story." – Santa Barbara Morning Press, August 16, 1912

Later in 1912, the stagecoach was used again in the film Intrusion at Lompoc, which was filmed in Lompoc.

Just Horsing Around

"Flying A" actor Jack Richardson had a horse that he was very fond of. "That Jack loves his steed, is eloquently attested by the glossy coat and well-groomed hoofs which 'Chief' presents . . . as well as by the fact that Jack spends considerable leisure in the saddle, when not being filmed in 'Flying A' dramas."

However, one afternoon, 'Chief' majorly embarrassed his owner. The two were at a garden party at a Santa Barbara mansion. It started well. 'Chief' wandered casually across the beautiful lawn, nibbling the grass here and there, while Jack chatted pleasantly with the guests on the spacious veranda.

"Suddenly a scream from the hostess curdled the blood of her guests . . . Eternal disgraces!"

'Chief' had decided that the garden of carefully cultivated tropical plants would be an ideal spot to roll around in. Oops! The horse and his owner apologized and made a hasty exit. – Motography, September 9, 1916