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.
Note: The film is based on the novel "M'Liss: An Idyll of Red Mountain" by Bret Harte.
Gibson, Ross Eric. "In 1917, A Star-Struck Santa Cruz: Fans Flocked To Pickfords." San Jose Mercury News, February 8, 1994, p.1B
Note: "Madelon Of The Redwoods" was the working title. The film is based on the novel "Madelon" by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman.
Preston, Sawyer. "Santa Cruz Yesterdays." Santa Cruz Sentinel, June 17, 1956, p.16
"Movie Camera Men Visitors." Santa Cruz Evening News, September 11, 1920, p.6 [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]
Clark, Karen. "Hollywood Fever Infected Santa Cruz in 1936." Santa Cruz Sentinel, May 5, 1991, p.E1
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 "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
"Film Company Finishes First Comedy Here." Santa Cruz Surf and Superior California Farmer, February 27, 1919, p.6 [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: "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]
"Movie Company in a Real Collision: Car with Actors Collides with Rev. H. E. Beeks' Machine." Santa Cruz Daily Surf, March 7, 1917, p.1 [full text]
"Shooting Pictures in Chinatown." Santa Cruz Daily Surf, March 8, 1917, p.8 [full text]
"Movies at Close Range: Two Hours Acting Takes Eight Seconds on the Reel." Santa Cruz Daily Surf, March 9, 1917, p.8 [full text]
McCrackin, Josephine Clifford. "Pathetic Scenes Are Enacted; Willis Robards Taking Leading Part." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, March 13, 1917, p.5 [full text]
"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]
McCrackin, Josephine Clifford. "Sunday Court Scenes of the Robard Players Attract Many People." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, March 20, 1917, p.5 [full text]
"Mob Movie Scene." Santa Cruz Daily Surf, March 31, 1917, p.8 [full text]
"Movie People in Accident: Delays the Blowing Up of Newspaper Office." Santa Cruz Daily Surf, April 5, 1917, p.1 [full text]
"Robards Film Players Now At Work At Capitol." Santa Cruz Evening News, April 12, 1917, p.8 [full text]
Gibson, Ross Eric. "Lost Film Mixed Politics, Love: 'Mothers Of Men' Created A Spectacle." San Jose Mercury News, February 15, 1994, p.1B
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
"Reid-Robards Plans for Releasing Pictures." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, March 13, 1917, p.5 [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
"Movie Ships Return From Drake's Bay; Scenes For 'Mutiny On The Bounty' May Be Made In This Vicinity." Santa Cruz Evening News, April 9, 1935, p.2
"Santa Cruz Boy to Double in Film for Clark Gable! He'll Take the Ducking in 'Mutiny On The Bounty.'" Santa Cruz Evening News, April 11, 1935, p.1
"Hollywood Stars Appear in Scenes for New Film at SC Harbor." Santa Cruz Sentinel, October 20, 1964, p.1 (photograph)
Trabing, Wally. "Mostly About People: (Sigh) Troy (Sigh) Dona(Sigh)hue." Santa Cruz Sentinel, October 21, 1964, p.2
Note: "My Posse Don't Do Homework" was the working title. The film is based on the book "My Posse Don't Do Homework" by LouAnne Johnson.
Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council List 4/29/98
The Internet Movie Database (IMDb)
Note: The film is based on the novel by Gary Garfield.
Marks, Jamie. "Watsonville's Charm Reels In Hollywood Film Crews." Santa Cruz Sentinel, March 20, 1988, p.A1
Franklin, Denise. "Take Two: Aptos Twins Share Role In Made-For-TV Movie." Santa Cruz Sentinel, November 20, 1987, p.D-1
Vreeken, Stacey. "Twin Tots Take Turns In TV Movie." Watsonville Register-Pajaronian, May 3, 1988
"Making Memories." Santa Cruz Sentinel, June 7, 1991, p.A-2
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: "Old Greatheart" and "Other People's Business" were working titles. The film is based on the story "Other People's Business" by Jane Murfin.
Chatenever, Rick. "Movie Success No Overnight Sensation." Santa Cruz Sentinel, July 25, 1980, p.15
Chatenever, Rick. "Movie Success No Overnight Sensation." Santa Cruz Sentinel, July 25, 1980, p.15
Note: The film was shot in 1919 but released and copyrighted in 1920.
"Film Players Make Long Trips to Big Timber; Actress Hurt." Santa Cruz Evening News, October 9, 1919, p.5 [full text]
"Movie Scenes Of Santa Cruz." Santa Cruz Evening News, November 29, 1920, p.2 [full text]
Sawyer, Preston. "Santa Cruz Yesterdays." Santa Cruz Sentinel, June 17, 1956, p.16
Swift, Carolyn. "Movie Makers Liked Mountains, Big Trees For Film Backdrop." Cabrillo Times & Green Sheet, November 4, 1976, p.11
Swift, Carolyn. "Dreams Of Stardom In Early Santa Cruz County." The Mid-County Post, January 7, 1992, pp.9-10
Note: "Old Greatheart" and "Other People's Business" were working titles. The film is based on the story "Other People's Business" by Jane Murfin.
Chatenever, Rick. "Movie Success No Overnight Sensation." Santa Cruz Sentinel, July 25, 1980, p.15
Note: "Welcome To Buzzsaw" was the working title.
Kreiger, Kathy. "Boulder Creek Becomes 'Buzzsaw'." Santa Cruz Sentinel, February 6, 1991, p.1
Wallace, Lane. "Two Local Kids Join Ranks Of Actors." Watsonville Register-Pajaronian, March 30, 1991, p.15
Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council List 4/29/98
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]
Note: The film is based on the play of the same name by Edward E. Kidder. It was shot and released in 1920 but copyrighted in 1921.
"Movie Company Here For Scene Effects." Santa Cruz Evening News, May 27, 1920, p.5 [full text]
"In Again, Out Again, Charlie." Santa Cruz Evening News, May 29, 1920, p.2 [full text]
Sawyer, Preston. "Santa Cruz Yesterdays." Santa Cruz Sentinel, May 17, 1953, p.20
Note: "Peggy Takes The Lead" was the working title.
"Mary Miles Minter Here To Film Play." Santa Cruz Evening News, August 25, 1917, p.5 [full text]
"Miss Minter and Co. to Film Play at Ben Lomond." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, August 25, 1917, p.8 [full text]
Note: "Peggy Takes The Lead" was the working title.
"Mary Miles Minter Here To Film Play." Santa Cruz Evening News, August 25, 1917, p.5 [full text]
"Miss Minter and Co. to Film Play at Ben Lomond." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, August 25, 1917, p.8 [full text]
Christie, Dana. "Lights! Camera! Santa Cruz!" Visitors Guide, July 23-August 5, 1982, p.9
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 is based on the novel of the same name by Bret Harte.
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]
The Internet Movie Database (IMDb)
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: "Powers That Pray" was the working title. The film is based on the novel "Boston Blackie" by Jack Boyle. The novel was compiled from two short stories, "Boston Blackie's Mary" and "Fred The Count," which appeared in the "Red Book Magazine" in November 1917 and January 1918 respectively.
Sawyer, Preston. "Santa Cruz Yesterdays." Santa Cruz Sentinel, September 6, 1953, p.16
Note: The film is based on the novel "The Primal Lure: A Romance of Fort Lu Cerne" by Vingie E. Roe.
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]
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
"Another Movie Company: An Early California Play To Be Put On." Santa Cruz Daily Surf, April 7, 1917, p.8 [full text]
Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council List 4/29/98
Note: The film is based on the novel of the same name by Kate Douglas Wiggin.
Gibson, Ross Eric. "In 1917, A Star-Struck Santa Cruz: Fans Flocked To Pickfords." San Jose Mercury News, February 8, 1994, p.1B
Santa Cruz County History Journal, No. 1, 1994, p.112
Note: The film is based on the play of the same name by Kate Douglas Wiggin and Charlotte Thompson.
Chatenever, Rick. "Movie Success No Overnight Sensation." Santa Cruz Sentinel, July 25, 1980, p.15
Gibson, Ross Eric. "In 1917, A Star-Struck Santa Cruz: Fans Flocked To Pickfords." San Jose Mercury News, February 8, 1994, p.1B
Santa Cruz County History Journal, No. 1, 1994, p.112
Note: The film is based on the play of the same title by Lanford Wilson.
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]
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]
Note: "The Yankee" was the working title. The film is based on the story by MacKinlay Kantor.
Swift, Carolyn. "Movie Makers Liked Mountains, Big Trees For Film Backdrop." Cabrillo Times & Green Sheet, November 4, 1976, p.11
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: "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 was shot in 1917 but released and copyrighted in 1918.
"Mary Miles Minter Coming To Santa Cruz." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, May 16, 1917, p.4 [full text]
"American Film Players Arrive." Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel, May 19, 1917, p.4 [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
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