bjgreen
By Betsy J. Green
The Flying “A” two-reel (20-minute) silent movie “A Modern Rip Van Winkle,” was a 1914 version of the old Washington Irving story. The movie follows a fictional man who has been released from prison after 25 years (since 1889) and discovers that the world of 1914 is light years ahead of the world he remembers.
One of the scenes in the movie was filmed at the Hope Ranch Club House. (This is now a private home.) According to the local paper, San Francisco Mayor James Rolph and his wife were extras in this scene. They are seated at the table on the left. Rolph later served as governor.
Happy anniversary to columnist Betsy J. Green for her seventh year providing historical stories on edhat!
Betsy’s Way Back When book — 1919 — is now available in local bookstores and at Amazon.com. This is the sixth book in her series of the history of Santa Barbara, one year at a time. Learn more at .
