bjgreen
By Betsy J. Green
The “Flying A” film studio made use of many places in our area for making their movies. One of the most unusual locations was the site of what we now call “Knapp’s Castle” that is high on a ridge with a fabulous view of the Santa Ynez mountains. George Owen Knapp bought the site in 1916.
There was a rustic cabin on the property when Knapp acquired it that the studio used for their 1916 film, “The Highest Bid.” Some of the photos from this movie are probably the only record we have of the property before Knapp built his castle.
Then and now, the views are spectacular. A movie magazine wrote that the film’s events “are pictured in surroundings remarkable for their beauty.” The actors and cameramen who filmed on this site “were perfectly amazed at the wonders about them.”
