SBMM is pleased to welcome local historian and author Betsy J. Green for a special presentation titled “Silents on the Islands” on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. as part of its Maritime Distinguished Speaker Series. The event includes a pre-lecture reception for SBMM members only from 6:15 to 6:45 p.m. Free for Navigators Circle members, $10 for SBMM members, $20 for the general public, and just $5 for students and educators with a valid school ID or email address. Purchase tickets below or call (805) 456-8750.
The Channel Islands, with their natural beauty and dramatic shorelines, once served as the backdrop for more than 250 silent films. These early cinematic adventures featured legendary stars like Gloria Swanson, Rudolph Valentino, Douglas Fairbanks, Buster Keaton, and Laurel & Hardy. From five-minute beachside reels to million-dollar epics with casts of thousands, the islands offered the perfect setting for tales of pirates, shipwrecks, mermaids, and high-seas adventure.
“Watching silent movies is a form of time travel,” says Green. “You see the people, the buildings, the transportation—and our coastline—just as it was 100 years ago.”
Betsy J. Green has been a professional writer for more than 25 years. She is the author of The Way Back When series and currently pens The Great House Detective column for The Santa Barbara Independent, uncovering stories of local homes and the people who lived in them. A former editor for Reader’s Digest and World Book Encyclopedia, she has also researched the histories of more than 85 homes and nominated five to the National Register of Historic Places.
“Betsy’s research brings a vivid new perspective to Santa Barbara’s connection to early Hollywood,” said Director of Education Lis Perry. “Her storytelling shows how our coastal environment played a starring role in shaping film history.”
Green has given engaging presentations throughout the community at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, Genealogy Society, Santa Barbara Yacht Club, Rotary clubs, and more. SBMM is honored to welcome her back for this fascinating exploration of film, history, and our island shore.
SBMM’s Maritime Distinguished Speaker Series brings leading authors, historians, scientists, and adventurers to the museum to share compelling stories connected to our region and the sea.
Event Details
What: Maritime Distinguished Speaker Series – “Silents on the Island” with Betsy J. Green
When: Thursday, September 18, 2025 | 7:00 p.m. (Reception for SBMM members only at 6:15 p.m.)
Where: Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, 113 Harbor Way, Suite 190, Santa Barbara, CA
Tickets: $20 general | $5 for students and educators with a valid school ID or email address | $10 SBMM Members | Free for Navigators Circle members. Purchase tickets or call (805) 456-8750
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