Production crews and sets could be sent to the Island by barge and the vast, untouched mountains and beaches could be transformed into almost any place in the world.Ĭatalina Island truly could be transformed. Catalina Island’s unique natural beauty and accessibility were the major factors. One may wonder why so many production companies flocked to Catalina Island during this period and the answer is quite simple. Many of the large studios followed Griffith’s lead and began utilizing the Island as the backdrop of their films. Universal Studios, Lasky Film Corporation, Paramount, Fox, Metro-Goldwyn, and United Artists were among the many production companies. His feature Man’s Genesis was filmed on Catalina Island in 1912. Griffith was one of the first directors to film on the Island.

It has been mistaken for the lost continent of Atlantis and the home of that famous mechanical shark, Jaws. In short, Santa Catalina Island holds a unique place in the history of motion picture production as Hollywood’s exotic back lot.ĭuring the 16 years of silent-film production, many notable directors and actors frequented the Island and produced several classic films, such as Treasure Island (1918), Male & Female (1919), Ten Commandments (1923), Ben Hur (1925), Old Ironsides (1926) and The Black Pirate (1926). Throughout this history, Catalina Island has been transformed into the coast of North Africa, from Tahiti to the American Frontier and back again. Beginning as early as 1911 and continuing with great momentum through the silent film era and the introduction of sound to motion pictures, Catalina Island served as location for more than 225 films. Of those 500, approximately 300 were motion picture productions.

Catalina Island has served as the location for the filming of over 500 motion pictures, documentaries, television programs and commercials over the past 90 years.

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