A movie studio once stood where the tattoo studio is now.
In this 1914 aerial photo, you can see that the studio complex took up the entire block surrounded by Chapala, Padre, Mission, and State Streets. The arrow indicates the approximate location of the tattoo studio today, near the corner of State and Mission. The only original building that survives today is the small white one at the very bottom of the photo on the corner of Chapala and Mission.
In 1915 the formal name was changed to the American Film Company, keeping the superb Flying A logo.
From 1912 to 1917, "Flying A" was one of the top movie studios in the country, and it was located in the same place where Tattoo Santa Barbara is now.
One hundred years ago Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and stars of yesteryear like Mary Miles Minter were working on the very spot that Tattoo Santa Barbara now occupies.
The huge studio complex was beautifully designed and included stables for horses, dressing rooms, and a splendid glassed-in studio for interior shots. It was considered the best equipped and most artistic studio in the country.
Flying A established a Western Branch in Santa Barbara, specializing in cowboy chase scenes with simple plots.
Here is a gallery featuring posters and images from some Flying A pictures. To see more photos of the Flying A days please patronize our neighbor, Garrett's Old Fashion Restaurant. The walls are decorated with memorabilia.