Movies Way Back When: A Grandstand Spectacle

By Betsy J. Green

Presumably the folks in the stands were told in advance about this “Flying A” activity, but it was never clear how much bystanders knew about filming activities in the silent-movie years.

“Riding a horse at breakneck speed down the main aisle of a grandstand with hundreds of spectators, startled at the sight, making a mad dash to get out of the way,” took place during a rodeo in Santa Barbara while the “Flying A” was filming.

“Behind him, pressing hard, was the stern hand of the law. Then, to the amazement of the spectators, the fleeing man turned his horse down a treacherous flight of steps at full gallop. At the bottom of the steps was a railing, and over it, a 15-foot leap to safety.” – Motography, May 8, 1915

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 betsyjgreen.com​.