In Old California (1910): Hollywood’s First Silent Western
Long before Hollywood became the infamous “Dream Factory,” D.W. Griffith and his team from Biograph Company arrived in California in early 1910, filming In Old California. Clocking in at just 17 minutes, this short silent Western holds the distinction of being the first motion picture shot in Hollywood, predating Cecil B. DeMille’s The Squaw Man by four years.
Background & Historical Significance
In early 1910, Griffith and his Biograph troupe traveled to California—initially scouting locations for Ramona—but fell in love with a small village they encountered on the way: Hollywood Spotting its natural scenery and consistent sunshine, they saw an ideal location to film outdoors. In March 1910, they produced In Old California, making it the first film to be entirely shot, edited, and released from Hollywood.
Biograph continued to draw crews to Southern California annually until 1916, helping launch industrial filmmaking in the region . In 2004, Hollywood Forever Cemetery honored this historic achievement with a monument at 1713 Vine Street.
Plot Summary.
Set during Mexican-ruled California, pre-1822, the film tells a poignant melodrama.
Perdita Arguello, a young Spanish señorita, is beloved by Governor José Manuella, a wealthy Spaniard. But she chooses Pedro Cortes, a romantic troubadour who convinces her with his charm .
Twenty years later, Pedro, now a drunken wastrel, squanders Perdita’s earnings . Their almost-19-year-old son follows in his father’s footsteps—drinking, thieving, and disgracing the family.
Desperate, Perdita writes to José — now Governor — pleading—for her dying wish—to offer her son a chance in the military. He agrees. But the boy misbehaves, getting drunk and stealing from comrades.
When Perdita writes that she is on her deathbed and longs to see her son as an honorable soldier, José lavishes the young man with medals to comfort her in her final hours. Once she passes away peacefully, the boy is stripped of the honors and imprisoned.
This melodramatic twist highlights parental love, redemption, and sacrifice within a brief 17-minute format.
Cast & Crew.
While it’s a short film, In Old California includes prominent Biograph actors and crew:
| Role | Worker |
| Director | D.W. Griffith |
| Writer | Stanner E.V. Taylor |
| Cinematographer | G.W. “Billy” Bitzer |
| José Manuella (Governor) | Frank Powell |
| Pedro Cortes | Arthur V. Johnson |
| Perdita Arguello | Marion Leonard |
| Perdita’s Son | Henry B. Walthall |
Other Biograph regulars such as Mack Sennett and Francis J. Grandon likely appear in supporting roles.
Filmmaking Techniques & Style.
Griffith’s Biograph shorts of that era—one new film per week—were laboratories of cinematic innovation Even in this brief melodrama, he implemented signature techniques:
- Location Shooting: Filmed in the scenic Hollywood hills instead of an enclosed studio—a significant shift.
- Visual Storytelling: Bitzer’s photography and Griffith’s use of close‑ups, cross‑cutting, and scenic composition elevated emotional storytelling.
- Economy of Narrative: Packed decades of emotion—love, fall, sacrifice—into only 17 minutes, relying on expressive silents.
These methods foreshadow Griffith’s later work and influenced film grammar for decades.
Legacy & Rediscovery.
Although silent-era prints often disappeared, In Old California survived and was rediscovered in the early 2000s. After 94 years, it was publicly screened at the Beverly Hills Film Festival in 2004
Now part of cinema preservation efforts, the film exemplifies:
- Hollywood’s birthplace—the first film wholly produced there.
- Griffith’s early art—a concise yet emotionally resonant narrative.
- Technological bridge—showcasing shifts from stationary studio filming to fluid location shooting.
In the historical timeline, it’s a missing link connecting East Coast’s nickelodeon era with Hollywood’s rise.
Why In Old California Matters Today.
Root of a global industry: This short marked the technical and geographical beginning of what became the Hollywood machine.
Blueprint for filmmakers: Its compact storytelling and scenic imagery remain lessons for modern directors.
Cultural artifact: It captures social values, ideals, and melodramatic styles of 1910, reflecting a romanticized view of California’s past.
Preservation triumph: Its restoration underscores the importance of safeguarding cinematic heritage.
How to Watch & Further Reading.
Unfortunately, In Old California hasn’t been widely digitized. It’s been screened at festivals and likely exists in archival collections.For scholars or enthusiasts:
- Check silent film archives or library special collections.
- Attend retrospectives—Griffith/Biograph-themed festivals often feature it.
- Explore Griffith’s oeuvre—films like The Musketeers of Pig Alley (1912) and Judith of Bethulia (1914) expand on his evolving craft.
Conclusion: A Forgotten Pioneer.
At 17 minutes, In Old California may be short, but its impact is vast. It leapfrogged East Coast realism into Hollywood’s sunlit landscapes—ushering in a new era of outdoor filmmaking. The performances, though silent and small-scale, pack universal themes, marking D.W. Griffith as a budding master of cinematic expression.
As Hollywood commemorates its roots, In Old California stands as more than a historical footnote—it’s the archetype of movie‑making, bridging community storytelling and industrial ambition. For fans of silent cinema or film history, it offers an intimate glimpse at where it all began: a dusty Hollywood hilltop that became the birthplace of dreams.
