Movies Way Back When: Dreamy Movie Scenes in Montecito

By Betsy J. Green

The “Flying A” released “The Dream Ship,” on June 16, 1914. This fantasy was inspired by a poem which says that in dreamland, a king and a pauper can change places. This silent movie is set in the time of Louis XIV, and was filmed at the million-dollar estates belonging to the Gillespie and Graham families in Montecito. The Gillespie mansion is named El Fureidîs and still exists. The Graham mansion was the original Bellosguardo, which has since been replaced by the present building.

One movie magazine exclaimed: “The scenes were taken at the residence and grounds of millionaire Gillespie of Montecito, and he generously suggested the use of his treasures. One rug alone was worth $10,000, and the chair used was once the property of a Spanish king. Two pillars were from Pompeii.” – Motion Picture News, June 27, 1914

There are no existing copies of this film.