bjgreen
By Betsy J. Green
WAY BACK WHEN in March 1919, Santa Barbara’s “Flying A” studio released their latest production called “Where the West Begins” starring the company’s hottest hunk Bill Russell.
The plot involves an Easterner who heads West to find adventure. The studio traveled out of Santa Barbara for the filming of this movie.
According to the local paper, “The action of the story transpires first in little ol’ Noo Yawk, and later in the great out-of-doors, the glorious West.” Filming actually took place in Los Angeles and Bakersfield.
(Image: Motion Picture News, March 1, 1919)
Betsy’s Way Back When book — 1918 — is now available in local bookstores and at Amazon.com. This is the fifth book in her series of the history of Santa Barbara, one year at a time. Learn more at
