Films and Clips Available to View
Here are a number of unique Flying A Studio stories.
An American Film Company (2003)
Written by Dana Driskel and narrated by Timothy Bottoms this is the most extensive story of the studio to date. The entire film is now available at the Museum’s YouTube channel.
View the film by clicking on the image at right.
The Battle Ground (1912)
The film The Battle Ground was the first film sent to the Library of Congress for copyright by the American. No prints are known to survive but this representation has been created from the copyright paper fragment collection.
View the film by clicking on the image at right.
Filmland Visits the Flying a Studio in Santa Barbara (1919)
The Stars As They Are and Little Journeys Through Filmland was conceived as a series of twelve one-reelers showing, “The Stars As They Are.” Photoplay magazine editor James R. Quirk announced that all profits would be given to the American Red Cross, although none of the shorts hit the screens until January 1919. These promotional films were distributed by Educational Films Corporation and released one film per month.
View the film by clicking on the image at right.
Damaged Goods (1914) — A Clip from An American Film Company
The film Damaged Goods was far ahead of its time and brought American significant recognition.
View the film by clicking on the image at right.
A Good Business Deal (1915) and Trapped in a Forest Fire (1913) — Two Clips from An American Film Company
The film A Good Business Deal makes good use of the Potter Country Club House and golf course, although a stiff breeze steals a couple of scenes.
The film Trapped in a Forest Fire used two local forest fires as a major story element. The wildfires occurred at the same time in September 1913; one in Hope Ranch and the other in Sycamore Canyon. Camera personnel were relayed in and out of the fire zone due to smoke inhalation.
View the film by clicking on the image at right.
Allan Dwan — A Clip from An American Film Company
Allan would lead the Flying A’s western company to national prominence in the early teens. He moved on to Universal in 1913 after bringing American to Santa Barbara in July of 1912.
View the film by clicking on the image at right.
Mary Miles Minter — A Clip from An American Film Company
Mary Miles Minter became an international star while working at American, but her success foretold the eventual collapse of the studio.
View the film by clicking on the image at right.
J. Warren Kerrigan — A Clip from An American Film Company
Warren, aka Jack, was American’s first true star.
View the film by clicking on the image at right.
Stephen Lawton Interview
Stephen Lawton, author of Santa Barbara’s Flying A Studio (1997) is interviewed about his book by Dana Driskel, production head of UCSB’s Film and Media Studies Department. The interview was conducted January 7, 2003 in the courtyard of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.
View the film by clicking on the image at right.
Behind the Scenes at the ‘Flying A’ with Betsy J. Green (2025)
Betsy J. Green, author of Behind the Scenes at the ‘Flying A’ (2023) presents a talk on the adventures – and misadventures – of the silent movie actors and film crews of the “Flying A” studio in Santa Barbara, then the largest film facility in the country, which produced over twelve hundred films.
View the film by clicking on the image at right.