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Between 1910 and 1921, the American Film Company
was one of the fledgling movie industry’s most successful studios, with production facilities in Santa Barbara and business
offices in Chicago. Nicknamed for its distinctive winged “A” logo, the “Flying A” produced nearly
1,200 films, starring such favorites of the day as Mary Miles Minter, J. Warren Kerrigan, Wallace Reid, and King Baggot. The
company’s rather patriotic motto invited patrons to “See Americans first.” The studio’s films also
documented the picturesque and developing Pacific seaside community of Santa Barbara and served as a training ground for some
of Hollywood’s greatest directors, including Allan Dwan, Henry King, Victor Fleming, Frank Borzage, George Marshall,
William Desmond Taylor, and Marshall Neilan. REVIEWS:
"FANTASTIC! I really enjoyed this;
not only a fascinating and entertaining read, it's absolutely jam-packed with beautiful photos. I had no idea how important
and vital this area was in silent film history, or that this was where luminaries such as Wallace Reid, Mary Miles Minter,
Allan Dwan and Marshall Neilan (to name a few) got their start. Bravo!!" - Rikki Niehaus
"Fascinating glimpse at silent film history. This book is filled with beautiful photos of silent film studios,
performers, and production personnel. Author Robert Birchard chronicles the forgotten story of the "Flying A" studio
in Santa Barbara, California. Any silent film fan will absolutely love this book. You don't have to be dyed-in-the-wool
fan to like this book though, because it is a quick read due to the many photographs. The author provides detailed descriptions
of the personnel in the photos, whether they were famous or obscure. The book certainly shows how making films during the
silent era was as much an adventure as it was a job." - Bruce Calvert |
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