This list contains the titles of films which were shot entirely or partially in Santa Cruz County, California. The year in front of the film title is the release date. If that date was not found, then the shoot date is given, designated by an "s."
Each title is followed by a listing of local newspaper articles, with links to the full texts of many of the articles from the 1910's and 1920's. The Santa Cruz Public Libraries Central Branch has the majority of these articles on microfilm. The remainder can be found in the library's newspaper clipping file.
Note: "The Magic Life" was the working title. The film was shot in 1920 but released in 1921.
"House Peters Films Along San Lorenzo." Santa Cruz Evening News, September 9, 1920, p.5 [full text]
"House Peters Of Movie Fame At The Big Trees." Santa Cruz Evening News, September 10, 1920, p.5 [full text]
"Movie Stars Take Scenes At Big Trees." Santa Cruz Evening News, September 11, 1920, p.1 [full text]
Note: The film is based on the story by Winifred Kimball
"Prize Film Story Being Enacted In Boulder Creek Locale." Santa Cruz Evening News, July 14, 1922, p.4 [full text]
"A New Dog Star, in Film Firmament." Santa Cruz Evening News, March 20, 1923, p.6 [full text]
"Colleen Moore Wins Laurels in 'Broken Chains'." Santa Cruz Evening News, March 20, 1923, p.4 [full text]
Sawyer, Preston. "Santa Cruz Yesterdays." Santa Cruz Sentinel, September 6, 1953, p.16
"Two-Reel Comedy Made Here Given Eastern Bookings." Santa Cruz Evening News, December 28, 1922, p.8 [full text]
"Film Stars Shoot Scenes In Settings Near Santa Cruz." Santa Cruz Evening News, September 9, 1922, p.1 [full text]
"'Kingdom Within,' Filmed in Santa Cruz, to be Shown." Santa Cruz Evening News, May 4, 1923, p.3 [full text]
The Internet Movie Database (IMDb)
"Movie Players Arrive At Felton." Santa Cruz Evening News, April 28, 1922, p.4 [full text]
Sawyer, Preston. "Santa Cruz Yesterdays." Santa Cruz Sentinel, June 17, 1956, p.16
Note: The film was sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.
Sawyer, Preston. "Santa Cruz Film Attracts Huge Audiences At Both Movie Houses; Work Of Chamber Emphasized." Santa Cruz Evening News, October 24, 1922, p.1 [full text]
"Paramount Stars In Ben Lomond; Filming Salomy Jane." Santa Cruz Evening News, April 6, 1923, p.1 [full text]
"Tom Mix Hurt in Blast." Santa Cruz Evening News, October 10, 1923, p.1 [full text]
"Plane Does Thriller Over Bonny Doon; Pilots in Tom Mix Sky Boat Escape in Bad Smash." Santa Cruz Evening News, October 23, 1923, p.6 [full text]
Jensen, Lisa. "On Location In Santa Cruz." Good Times, July 9, 1981, pp.14-15 [full text]
Christie, Dana. "Lights! Camera! Santa Cruz!" Visitors Guide, July 23-August 5, 1982, p.10
Note: The film was adapted from the story of the same name by William Dudley Pelley.
"Movie People 'Shoot' At Aptos." Santa Cruz Evening News, April 5, 1923, p.6 [full text]
"Old Time Technical Director Joins Locals; Myrtle Lind is Lead." Santa Cruz Evening News, January 15, 1923, p.4 [full text]
"South Sea Village at Moore's Beach Ready for Film Work; Bruce's Actors in San Francisco." Santa Cruz Evening News, February 5, 1923, p.8 [full text]
"Santa Cruz Film Nearing Completion; Sea Stuff Great." Santa Cruz Evening News, February 17, 1923, p.10 [full text]
"Bruce Players Leaving; Local Film Finished." Santa Cruz Evening News, March 5, 1923, p.5 [full text]
"Wind Further Damages South Sea Village." Santa Cruz Evening News, March 10, 1923, p.4 [full text]
Sawyer, Preston. "Santa Cruz Yesterdays." Santa Cruz Sentinel, April 17, 1949, p.6
Gibson, Ross Eric. "Hollywood Came To Santa Cruz: Huge Redwoods Seen As Western Backdrops." San Jose Mercury News, February 1, 1994, p.1B
"First Tracy Film Given Pre-Review; Plenty of Laughs." Santa Cruz Evening News, August 14, 1923, p.2 [full text]
Sawyer, Preston. "Santa Cruz Yesterdays." Santa Cruz Sentinel, April 17, 1949, p.6
Swift, Carolyn. "Dreams Of Stardom In Early Santa Cruz County." The Mid-County Post, January 7, 1992, pp.9-10
Note: This was the "brand name" under which a series of comedies was produced. See also the listings under "His Weekend."
Sawyer, Preston. "Capable Staff Producing Movie Comedies Here." Santa Cruz Evening News, August 25, 1923, p.2 [full text]
Note: The film is based on the story "Salomy Jane's Kiss" by Bret Harte and the play by Paul Armstrong.
"Paramount Stars In Ben Lomond; Filming Salomy Jane." Santa Cruz Evening News, April 6, 1923, p.1 [full text]
"Movie Work Delayed; Injured Man Improving." Santa Cruz Evening News, April 10, 1923, p.4 [full text]
"'Salomy' Starting; More Movie Men Heading This Way." Santa Cruz Evening News, April 10, 1923, p.6 [full text]
"Movie Men Enjoy Holiday Yesterday." Santa Cruz Evening News, April 16, 1923, p.6 [full text]
"Filming of 'Salomy Jane' Nears End; Scenes Look Good." Santa Cruz Evening News, May 4, 1923, p.6 [full text]
Sawyer, Preston. "Inside Workings Of Movie Making Told By Technical Director." Santa Cruz Evening News, June 6, 1923, p.3 [full text]
Jensen, Lisa. "On Location In Santa Cruz." Good Times, July 9, 1981, pp.14-15 [full text]
Note: The film is based on "The Miracle of Hate" by William Blake and James Shelley Hamilton.
"Moving Picture Men Are Coming To Boulder Creek; Picnic Parties." Santa Cruz Evening News, June 6, 1924, p.7 [full text]
"All Girls Of City Wanted For Motion Picture Tomorrow." Santa Cruz Evening News, June 6, 1924, p.3 [full text]
"Two Motion Picture Companies." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, June 8, 1924, p.4 [full text]
"Lasky Company Films Pictures At Big Trees." Santa Cruz Evening News, June 9, 1924, p.5 [full text]
Sawyer, Preston. "Santa Cruz Yesterdays." Santa Cruz Sentinel, June 17, 1956, p.16
Note: "Beyond The Law" was the working title. The film was shot and copyrighted in 1924 but released in 1925.
"Universal Pictures Concern Film Story Near Boulder Creek." Santa Cruz Evening News, June 10, 1924, p.4 [full text]
"Jack Hoxie, Film Cowboy, In Boulder Creek." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, June 10, 1924, p.4 [full text]
Note: The film is based on the play "Thunder" or "Howdy Folks" by Pearl Franklin, which was based on a story by Elia W. Peattie.
"Fox Crew In Mountaineer Garb Embark For Big Basin Work; Tummell Up Early." Santa Cruz Evening News, June 26, 1925, p.3 [full text]
"Schertzinger Company Working Above Golf Links; Larry Fisher, Too, Likes Climate; Miss Madge Bellamy Arrives." Santa Cruz Evening News, June 30, 1925, p.2 [full text]
"Fox Film Company Forced To Suspend Work To Battle Mountain Forest Fire." Santa Cruz Evening News, July 7, 1925, p.3 [full text]
"Madge Bellamy Saved From Deadly Rattler By Company Chauffeur." Santa Cruz Evening News, July 11, 1925, p.1 [full text]
"Delfino Discovers That Water May Be Taken From Watermelon; Geary Is Papa." Santa Cruz Evening News, July 17, 1925, p.8 [full text]
Sawyer, Preston. "Fox Players Depart With Makings Of Super-Film; Schertzinger Pays Tribute To Bob Jones." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, July 21, 1925, p.8 [full text]
Sawyer, Preston. "Santa Cruz Yesterdays." Santa Cruz Sentinel, May 17, 1953, p.20
Swift, Carolyn. "This Was A Favorite Filming Spot In The Early Days Of Movies." Cabrillo Times & Green Sheet, October 28, 1976, p.16
Jensen, Lisa. "On Location In Santa Cruz." Good Times, July 9, 1981, pp.14-15 [full text]
Christie, Dana. "Lights! Camera! Santa Cruz!" Visitors Guide, July 23-August 5, 1982, p.10
Swift, Carolyn. "Dreams Of Stardom In Early Santa Cruz County." The Mid-County Post, January 7, 1992, pp.9-10
"Hollywood Treks To Santa Cruz; Three Companies To Arrive; ZaSu Will Return." Santa Cruz Evening News, August 25, 1925, p.1 [full text]
Note: The film was adapted from "The Chicken-Wagon Family" by Barry Benefield.
"Big Fox Company Here; Horse Car To Again Operate In City." Santa Cruz Evening News, December 17, 1925, p.2 [full text]
"Mulhall Here; Human Story To Be Filmed." Santa Cruz Evening News, December 18, 1925, p.1 [full text]
Sawyer, Preston. "Santa Cruz Yesterdays." Santa Cruz Sentinel, June 17, 1956, p.16
"Technical Staff Of Big Fox Company Now Here On Location." Santa Cruz Evening News, November 7, 1925, p.1 [full text]
"Irving Cummings, Director Of "Johnstown Flood," Now Here; Company Comes In Morning." Santa Cruz Evening News, November 11, 1925, p.3 [full text]
"'Johnstown' Company Here; George O'Brien Returns To Scene Of Early Vacations." Santa Cruz Evening News, November 12, 1925, p.4 [full text]
"Fox Company Working; Miss Gilbert Talks." Santa Cruz Evening News, November 13, 1925, p.3 [full text]
"Soquel Treated To Lively Scenes As Fox Company Makes Picture." Santa Cruz Evening News, November 24, 1925, p.8 [full text]
Sawyer, Preston. "Santa Cruz Yesterdays." Santa Cruz Sentinel, June 17, 1956, p.16
Swift, Carolyn. "America's Cowboy Hero Had His Saddle Stolen While Filming In Felton." Cabrillo Times & Green Sheet, November 11, 1976, p.8
Jensen, Lisa. "On Location In Santa Cruz." Good Times, July 9, 1981, pp.14-15 [full text]
Christie, Dana. "Lights! Camera! Santa Cruz!" Visitors Guide, July 23-August 5, 1982, p.10
Swift, Carolyn. "Dreams Of Stardom In Early Santa Cruz County." The Mid-County Post, January 7, 1992, pp.9-10
"Storm Views Photographed." Santa Cruz Evening News, November 4, 1925, p.9 [full text]
Note: "Pigs" was the working title. The film is based on the play "Pigs" by Anne Morrison and Patterson McNut.
"Cummings Tells Details Of New Local Picture." Santa Cruz Evening News, March 31, 1926, p.7 [full text]
"Fox Manager Arrives At The St. George." Santa Cruz Evening News, April 19, 1926, p.3 [full text]
"Big Fox Company Arrives On Special Train; Already At Work On High St. Grounds." Santa Cruz Evening News, April 20, 1926, p.6 [full text]
"'Pigs' Cast To Appear On Local Stage." Santa Cruz Evening News, April 21, 1926, p.2 [full text]
"Fox Company Working Hard; Theater Night." Santa Cruz Evening News, April 24, 1926, p.4 [full text]
Note: The film is based on the story by Frank Foster Davis.
"Renaud-Hoffman Company Here To Film Story Starring Dog." Santa Cruz Evening News, September 15, 1925, p.5 [full text]
"Hollywood Treks To Santa Cruz; Three Companies To Arrive; ZaSu Will Return." Santa Cruz Evening News, August 25, 1925, p.1 [full text]
Note: The film was shot in 1925 but released in 1926.
"Universal Movie Folks At Boulder Creek." Santa Cruz Evening News, July 15, 1925, p.9 [full text]
"Movie Company Working At Bear Creek, Other News." Santa Cruz Evening News, July 17, 1925, p.8 [full text]
"Francis Ford Directing Serial In Boulder Creek." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, July 17, 1925, p.5 [full text]
"Boulder Creek Man In 50 Foot Dive Aids Picture Making." Santa Cruz Evening News, July 18, 1925, p.5 [full text]
"Many Witness Movie Folks In Thrilling Scene." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, July 21, 1925, p.8 [full text]
Swift, Carolyn. "America's Cowboy Hero Had His Saddle Stolen While Filming In Felton." Cabrillo Times & Green Sheet, November 11, 1976, p.8
"Film Company In Santa Cruz." Santa Cruz Evening News, March 12, 1928, p.8 [full text]
Sawyer, Preston. "Fox Films Unit Invades Santa Cruz." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, March 13, 1928, p.1 [full text]
"Fox Film Actors Send Pigeongrams." Santa Cruz Evening News, March 19, 1928, p.8 [full text]
Sawyer, Preston. "Veteran Of Stage Screen Talks Of Early Film Days." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, May 19, 1928, p.6 [full text]
Sawyer, Preston. "Fox Rural Movie Picnic Draws Out Crowd Of Over 2000 People." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, May 22, 1928, p.4 [full text]
"Warner Co. Shoots In Big Basin; H.S. Girls In Fox Film." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, May 23, 1928, p.4 [full text]
"'Noah's Ark' Co. Depart; Fox Unit Finishing New Play." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, May 26, 1928, p.8
Sawyer, Preston. "Many Notables Are Here With Fox Film Co." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, April 14, 1928, p.3 [full text]
Jensen, Lisa. "On Location In Santa Cruz." Good Times, July 9, 1981, pp.14-15 [full text]
"Fox Filmers Are Coming To Shoot New Photoplay." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, December 16, 1927, p.1 [full text]
"Film Company Due To Arrive." Santa Cruz Evening News, December 17, 1927, p.8 [full text]
"Shots Completed, Picture People Leave For South." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, December 21, 1927, p.6 [full text]
Sawyer, Preston. "Fox Films Unit Invades Santa Cruz." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, March 13, 1928, p.1 [full text]
Note: The film was shot in 1928 but released in 1929.
"Shoot Scenes At Glenwood Today." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, September 27, 1928, p.5 [full text]
"Murdock, FBO Player, Figures In Unshot Scene." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, September 28, 1928, p.3 [full text]
"Big Basin Being Used As Location For FBO Picture." Santa Cruz Evening News, September 29, 1928, p.7 [full text]
"Redwoods In Big Basin To Frame Movie Action Tale." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, September 29, 1928, p.5 [full text]
"Film Company Returns South After Shooting Scenes Here." Santa Cruz Evening News, October 3, 1928, p.2 [full text]
"FBO Film Co. Ends Work Here." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, October 3, 1928, p.5 [full text]
Note: The film was adapted from the poem of the same name by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
"Evangeline Scenes To Be Filmed Here; Dolores Del Rio In Lead." Santa Cruz Evening News, January 3, 1929, p.3 [full text]
"Dolores Has Cold; Delayed." Santa Cruz Evening News, January 4, 1929, p.1 [full text]
"Movie Troupe Again Here To Shoot Scenes." Santa Cruz Evening News, January 10, 1929, p.7 [full text]
Jensen, Lisa. "On Location In Santa Cruz." Good Times, July 9, 1981, pp.14-15 [full text]
Note: The film was shot and had a Hollywood premiere in 1928.
"Warner Co. Shoots In Big Basin; H.S. Girls In Fox Film." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, May 23, 1928, p.4 [full text]
"'Noah's Ark' Co. Depart; Fox Unit Finishing New Play." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, May 26, 1928, p.8 [full text]
Jensen, Lisa. "On Location In Santa Cruz." Good Times, July 9, 1981, pp.14-15 [full text]
Note: The film is based on the story of the same title by Joseph Hergesheimer.
"Movie Sets Are Made At Felton For Film Story." Santa Cruz Evening News, August 28, 1930, p.5
"Noah Beery And Henry Walthall Here This Week." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, September 9, 1930, p.4
Rawson, Laura. "Soquel Supplies Youngest Actress Ever Filmed For Part In 'Tol'able David'." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, September 27, 1930, p.5
"Beery Hastens To Santa Cruz; Records For Speed Broken For 'Talkies'." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, September 28, 1930, p.1
"Hurried Trip Is Made By Actor To Act In Film Here." Santa Cruz Evening News, September 29, 1930, p.7
Sawyer, Preston. "Santa Cruz Yesterdays." Santa Cruz Sentinel, September 6, 1953, p.16
Chatenever, Rick. "Movie Success No Overnight Sensation." Santa Cruz Sentinel, July 25, 1980, p.15
Jensen, Lisa. "On Location In Santa Cruz." Good Times, July 9, 1981, pp.14-15 [full text]
Christie, Dana. "Lights! Camera! Santa Cruz!" Visitors Guide, July 23-August 5, 1982, p.10
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