By Betsy J. Green
Most of the silent films made in Montecito used the million-dollar mansions as the locale, but not this one, released by the “Flying A” on August 3, 1915. Scenes for “Cupid Takes a Taxi” were filmed in the area of upper Montecito once known as “Spanish Town.” (Little of this location survives. This movie did not survive either. Only about 15% of the silent movies filmed in Montecito still exist.)
A young man from a rich family turns his sportscar into a taxi, à la Uber, and promptly falls in love with one of his passengers – an attractive young lady from a poor neighborhood. I suppose this is why the movie was filmed at this location.
The parents of the poor girl already have a match in mind for their daughter who she does not like. The parents arrange a night at the opera for themselves, their daughter, and their young man of choice. Things look grim. They call for a taxi and guess who is the driver! Things start to look better.
Somehow, the driver manages to communicate with the daughter to meet him during intermission. She does, and things get even better when they run away and tie the knot before the fat lady sings.
