By Betsy J. Green
The “Flying A” launched “The Dream Ship,” on June 16, 1914. This fantasy was motivated by a poem which says that in dreamland, a king and a pauper can change places. This silent motion picture is embeded in the time of Louis XIV, and was recorded at the million-dollar estates belonging to the Gillespie and Graham households in Montecito. The Gillespie estate is named El Fureidîs and still exists. The Graham estate was the original Bellosguardo, which has actually since been changed by the present building.
One film publication exclaimed: “The scenes were taken at the home and premises of millionaire Gillespie of Montecito, and he kindly recommended using his treasures. One rug alone deserved $10,000, and the chair utilized was when the home of a Spanish king. Two pillars were from Pompeii.”– Motion Picture News, June 27, 1914
There are no existing copies of this film.
Betsy’s Way Back When book– 1919– is now offered in local book shops and at Amazon.com. This is the sixth book in her series of the history of Santa Barbara, one year at a time. Discover more at betsyjgreen.com.
Source: https://www.edhat.com/news/movies-way-back-when-dreamy-movie-scenes-in-montecito