bjgreen
By Betsy J. Green
The “Flying A” silent-movie villain Jack Richardson’s acting was so real, he scared one of the child actors in a scene in The Law of the Wilds.
“The famous villain made a lunge at the youngster, letting out a fine line of choice expletives. The startled child gazed, paralyzed for a moment, into the sinister face of his pseudo parent. Then he gave vent to a terrified shriek, and to another, and yet another, wailing hysterically and refusing to be comforted . . . The small actor had to be returned to headquarters and another less sensitive child taken out to the location.” – Reel Life, January 16, 1915
BTW – I am super excited! I just got a booking to speak about my new book, “Behind the Scenes at the Flying A – the highlights, hijinks, and hazards! of silent-era filming in Santa Barbara,” at the SB Historical Museum on September 27, which is two days before National Silent Movie Day.
Betsy’s Way Back When book — Movies & Million-Dollar Mansions — is now available in local bookstores and at Amazon.com. This is the seventh book in her series on the history of Santa Barbara. Learn more at .
