This list contains the titles of films which were shot entirely or partially in Santa Cruz County, California. The year following 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.
"Universal Studios Crew On Location In Santa Cruz." Santa Cruz Sentinel, January 7, 1981, p.19
Chatenever, Rick. "Celluloid Heroes Create Excitement." 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]
Chatenever, Rick. "Another 'Sting'...In Our Town." Santa Cruz Sentinel, May 22, 1981, p.17
Note: "The Girl Of The Timberlands" was the working title. It is based on the story "The Girl Homesteader" by Mary H. O'Connor. The film was shot in 1916 but released in 1917.
"Griffith's Star Movie Players Are Staging Scenes Here." Santa Cruz Evening News, December 8, 1916, p.1 [full text]
"Griffith Movie Players Will Arrive Today." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, December 8, 1916, p.2 [full text]
"Movie Troupe Is Quick To Get To Work." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, December 9, 1916, p.2 [full text]
"Santa Cruz In The Films; Notes Up To Date." Santa Cruz Evening News, March 1, 1917, p.5 [full text]
Swift, Carolyn. "This Was A Favorite Filming Spot In The Early Days Of Movies." Cabrillo Times & Green Sheet, October 28, 1976, p.16
Swift, Carolyn. "Dreams Of Stardom In Early Santa Cruz County." The Mid-County Post, January 7, 1992, pp.9-10
The Internet Movie Database (IMDb)
Note: "The Girl Of The Timberlands" was the working title. It is based on the story "The Girl Homesteader" by Mary H. O'Connor. The film was shot in 1916 but released in 1917.
"Griffith's Star Movie Players Are Staging Scenes Here." Santa Cruz Evening News, December 8, 1916, p.1 [full text]
"Griffith Movie Players Will Arrive Today." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, December 8, 1916, p.2 [full text]
"Movie Troupe Is Quick To Get To Work." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, December 9, 1916, p.2 [full text]
"Santa Cruz In The Films; Notes Up To Date." Santa Cruz Evening News, March 1, 1917, p.5 [full text]
Swift, Carolyn. "This Was A Favorite Filming Spot In The Early Days Of Movies." Cabrillo Times & Green Sheet, October 28, 1976, p.16
Swift, Carolyn. "Dreams Of Stardom In Early Santa Cruz County." The Mid-County Post, January 7, 1992, pp.9-10
The Internet Movie Database (IMDb)
Note: "Last Call" was the working title.
The Internet Movie Database (IMDb)
Note: The film is based on the novel by Upton Sinclair.
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
Note: The film is based on "In The Carquinez Woods" by Bret Harte. "In The Carquinez Woods" and "The Carquinez Woods" were the working titles.
McCrackin, Josephine Clifford. "Bret Harte in 'The Movies': An Appreciation of the Film Form in Which the Great California Author's Literary Masterpieces are Being Revived." Overland Monthly, June 1915, pp.487-497 [full text]
Snell, Earle. "Us Folks on the Film; A California Mountain Town That Has Gone Stark Movie-Mad." Sunset, The Pacific Monthly, March 1918, pp.43-46 [>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
Jensen, Lisa. "A Double Life: Critic Wears Actor's Hat in Locally-Made 'Hard Traveling'." Good Times, December 6, 1984, p.53
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.9
Beebe, Greg. "Making Films In Paradise." Santa Cruz Sentinel, April 18, 1980, p.13
The Internet Movie Database (IMDb)
Note: The American Film Institute Catalog remarks: "This film was produced in 1916 under the title "The Passion Flower." When the Robertson-Cole Co. obtained it in the spring of 1919, the film's title was "The Specific." The film was released in 1919 under the title "Heart Of Juanita."
"Santa Cruz Scenes On The Screen." Santa Cruz Evening News, May 18, 1920, p.8 [full text]
Main, H. H. "Santa Cruz Is Vacation Land And Home Land For All; Nature's Gifts and Man's Work." Santa Cruz Evening News, May 28, 1921, p.2 [full text]
Chatenever, Rick. "Celluloid Heroes Create Excitement." 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
Chatenever, Rick. "Another 'Sting'...In Our Town." Santa Cruz Sentinel, May 22, 1981, p.17
Note: The American Film Institute Catalog remarks that although the film "was completed and was to be released 20 Mar 1917, no confirmation of its actual release has been found. It is possible that this is the same film as "When Destiny Wills," which was released to the state rights market in Mar 1918. All the cast members listed for "When Destiny Wills" were also listed for "Hell Hath No Fury."
"Another Movie Company: To Take Logging Camp Scenes Near Santa Cruz." Santa Cruz Daily Surf, January 8, 1917, p.4 [full text]
Chatenever, Rick. "Movie Success No Overnight Sensation." Santa Cruz Sentinel, July 25, 1980, p.15
"Two-Reel Comedy Made Here Given Eastern Bookings." Santa Cruz Evening News, December 28, 1922, p.8 [full text]
"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
Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council List 4/29/98
Note: The film is based on the novel "The Tree of Liberty" by Elizabeth Page.
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
Note: "I Want Him Back!" was the working title.
Lovejoy, Bill. "Say, Isn't That...?" Santa Cruz Sentinel, December 5, 1989, p.A-2
Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council List 4/29/98
Note: "In Other Men's Boots" was the working title.
"Stage Coach For Mary Pickford; The Robart Film Company Use Oldest Brick Building." Santa Cruz Daily Surf, March 16, 1917, p.8 [full text]
"Mary Pickford Leaves; Realistic Murder Trial In Court Room - Miss Huff Lands A Trout." Santa Cruz Daily Surf, March 19, 1917, p.8 [full text]
"Jack Pickford Arrives: The Lasky Company To Act "Freckles" For The Films." Santa Cruz Daily Surf, March 7, 1917, p.8 [full text]
Snell, Earle. "Us Folks on the Film; A California Mountain Town That Has Gone Stark Movie-Mad." Sunset, The Pacific Monthly, March 1918, pp.43-46 [full text]
Sawyer, Preston. "Santa Cruz Yesterdays." Santa Cruz Sentinel, June 17, 1956, p.16
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
Gibson, Ross Eric. "In 1917, A Star-Struck Santa Cruz: Fans Flocked To Pickfords." San Jose Mercury News, February 8, 1994, p.1B
"Fifty Movie Actors To Arrive: George Beban Will Be The Star Of The Play." Santa Cruz Daily Surf, October 3, 1917, p.3 [full text]
"Paramount Stars In Ben Lomond; Filming Salomy Jane." Santa Cruz Evening News, April 6, 1923, p.1 [full text]
Note: The film is based on "In The Carquinez Woods" by Bret Harte. "In The Carquinez Woods" and "The Carquinez Woods" were the working titles.
McCrackin, Josephine Clifford. "Bret Harte in 'The Movies': An Appreciation of the Film Form in Which the Great California Author's Literary Masterpieces are Being Revived." Overland Monthly, June 1915, pp.487-497 [full text]
Snell, Earle. "Us Folks on the Film; A California Mountain Town That Has Gone Stark Movie-Mad." Sunset, The Pacific Monthly, March 1918, pp.43-46 [full text]
Note: The film is based on the novel "Seven Oaks" by James G. Holland.
Main, H. H. "Santa Cruz Is Vacation Land And Home Land For All; Nature's Gifts and Man's Work." Santa Cruz Evening News, May 28, 1921, p.2 [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
"Fifty Movie Actors To Arrive: George Beban Will Be The Star Of The Play." Santa Cruz Daily Surf, October 3, 1917, p.3 [full text]
"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: The film was shot in 1917 but released in 1919.
McCrackin, Josephine Clifford. "New Film Story." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, October 17, 1917, p.2 [full text]
"Posing As Movie Actor." Santa Cruz Daily Surf, October 18, 1917, p.8 [full text]
Snell, Earle. "Us Folks on the Film; A California Mountain Town That Has Gone Stark Movie-Mad." Sunset, The Pacific Monthly, March 1918, pp.43-46 [full text]
Note: "A Kentucky Schoolmaster" was the working title.
"Movie Company Arrives." Santa Cruz Daily Surf, July 7, 1917, p.8 [full text]
Material from the Barbara Giffen collection in the History Archives, Museum of Art and History at the McPherson Center, Santa Cruz, California
"Film Stars Shoot Scenes In Settings Near Santa Cruz." Santa Cruz Evening News, September 9, 1922, p.1 [full text]
Marks, Jamie. "Watsonville's Charm Reels In Hollywood Film Crews." Santa Cruz Sentinel, March 20, 1988, p.A1
Mitchell, Sam. "Teen-age Vampires Pose No Threat To SC Image." Good Times, August 6, 1987, p.5
The Internet Movie Database (IMDb)
Marks, Jamie. "Watsonville's Charm Reels In Hollywood Film Crews." Santa Cruz Sentinel, March 20, 1988, p.A1
"'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)
Note: "Last Call" was the working title.
The Internet Movie Database (IMDb)
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 poems "Her Letter," "His Answer," and "Her Last Letter" by Bret Harte.
Leonard, James P. "The Lily Of Poverty Flat: A Visit To Mimic Pioneer Village Where Movies Are Being Made." Santa Cruz Daily Surf, February 16, 1915, p.8 [full text]
McCrackin, Josephine Clifford. "Bret Harte in 'The Movies': An Appreciation of the Film Form in Which the Great California Author's Literary Masterpieces are Being Revived." Overland Monthly, June 1915, pp.487-497 [full text]
McCrackin, Josephine Clifford. "Among The Movies." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, August 23, 1917, p.4 [full text]
Gibson, Ross Eric. "Hollywood Came To Santa Cruz: Huge Redwoods Seen As Western Backdrops." San Jose Mercury News, February 1, 1994, p.1B
Argument with Colonel Starbottle
Lilly on the main street of Poverty Flat
Scene in the Jumping Frog Saloon
Studio photo of Beatriz Michelena
Note: The film is based on the novel of the same name by Ronald B. Taylor.
Hill, Michael E. "Story Of A Family's Hard Times." Watsonville Register-Pajaronian, February 23, 1991, p.8
Vreeken, Stacey. "Bit Of Home On TV Monday." Watsonville Register-Pajaronian, February 23, 1991, p.8
Mitchell, Sam. "Teen-age Vampires Pose No Threat To SC Image." Good Times, August 6, 1987, p.5
Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council List 4/29/98
The Internet Movie Database (IMDb)
Note: "The Renegade" was the working title. The film is based on "The Renegade" by Paul Armstrong.
"The New Title." Santa Cruz Daily Surf, June 26, 1916, p.4 [full text]
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]
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