bjgreen
By Betsy J. Green
The American Film Manufacturing Company, nicknamed the “Flying A,” was in Santa Barbara from 1912 to 1921, but it was not the first to locate here. In January 1910, another film company stayed here for several months and filmed more than a dozen movies. The company was the Essanay Film Manufacturing Company. It was headed by a man who called himself Broncho Billy.
On January 2, 1910, the Santa Barbara “Morning Press” proudly announced, “Local Setting Chosen for Motion Pictures. Essanay Film Manufacturing Co. Establishes Headquarters Here . . . That the scenic surroundings of Santa Barbara are known far and wide is proven by the advent of a company of 14 people representing the Essanay Film Manufacturing Company, which will make this city its headquarters for the next two months in taking motion pictures.”
