ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida may be known for its sunshine and beaches, but few realize the state was once a cinematic hub, rivaling Hollywood itself.
During this edition of “Florida’s Fourth Estate,” hosts Ginger Gadsden and Matt Austin along with guest, UCF professor David Morton, unearth Florida’s forgotten role in the early film industry.
Hard to believe but Jacksonville once rivaled Hollywood.
Through the insights of historian and professor Morton, who has spent years researching Florida’s role in film history, we take a deep dive and look at the forgotten rise and fall of Florida’s early film industry.
“Florida was outproducing Hollywood almost two to one in the early 1900s,” said Morton. His extensive research uncovers how cities like Jacksonville became the epicenter of early American cinema, with filmmakers flocking to the state to take advantage of its year-round sunshine and diverse landscapes.
Jacksonville played a huge role in films. Some would argue you could call Jacksonville the first Hollywood.
Jacksonville wasn’t just a warm place to film-it was at the forefront of a booming industry. “Before Hollywood took off, Jacksonville was the film capital of the U.S.,” Morton said. “Studios like Kalem and Vim were producing silent films at a furious pace. If you were an early filmmaker, Florida was the place to be.”
But as the city’s film industry flourished, it also began to strain under the pressure of constant productions.
“Filmmakers would shut down entire streets to film, yell ‘fire’ to gather crowds, and leave a trail of chaos in their wake,” Morton said. “By 1917, Jacksonville had enough. A mayoral race led to a referendum that practically ended the city’s relationship with the film industry.”
“The turning point came with that referendum,” Morton reflected. “Film studios were driven out, and the epicenter of film shifted to California. Jacksonville’s legacy as a film colony faded into obscurity.”
But this wasn’t the end of Florida’s cinematic story. In the mid-20th century, a new wave of filmmakers arrived, drawn to Florida’s unique landscapes. “‘Creature from the Black Lagoon,’ filmed in Silver Springs, put Florida back on the map,” said Morton. “That movie alone revived Universal Studios.”
As underwater filming techniques advanced, Florida became synonymous with aquatic-themed films. Morton explained, “Rico Browning, the actor who played the Creature, was also the mastermind behind “Flipper,” which was filmed in Miami. There’s a real connection between Florida and these iconic films.”
One of the most significant, yet overlooked, contributions Florida made to cinema was in the realm of early African American films. “Richard Norman, a white filmmaker, was determined to create a ‘Black Hollywood’ in Jacksonville,” said Morton. “He produced ‘The Flying Ace,’ which featured Black actors in heroic roles-something revolutionary at the time.”
Morton elaborates, “Norman’s films were empowering for African American audiences. They presented a narrative that was worlds apart from the racist depictions coming out of Hollywood. For a brief time, Jacksonville was a beacon for black filmmakers.”
However, technological advancements, including the shift to sound films, led to the decline of these early efforts.
It was that shift to sound that ended up being the undoing of Norman’s plight to build a Black Hollywood. Morton explains Norman knew silent films would eventually come to an end so he invested in sound equipment but the industry standard would eventually become something else.
“It’s a shame,” Morton said. “Florida could have been a hub for Black cinema long before Hollywood began recognizing Black talent. But technological changes sidelined these efforts.”
In recent years, films like “Moonlight” have brought Florida back into the global spotlight. “‘Moonlight’ winning the Academy Award ( 2017) was monumental, not just for Florida, but for Black representation in film,” said Morton. “That film, with its all-black cast, is deeply rooted in Florida’s cultural and social history.”
Morton compares “Moonlight”’s impact to that of “The Flying Ace” in the 1920s. “Both films reflect black experiences in America, though in different ways. The fact that “Moonlight” came out of Florida — almost a hundred years after ‘The Flying Ace’ — shows how powerful the state’s film legacy can be.”
Looking ahead, Morton is cautiously optimistic about the future of filmmaking in Florida. “We’ve had our ups and downs, but Florida has something no other state does: a variety of landscapes, year-round filming conditions, and a film history that’s as rich as any other state.”
With tax incentives and local efforts to attract filmmakers, Morton believes Florida could experience a new renaissance. “The pieces are in place. We just need the support to make Florida an attractive place for productions again. Our history is proof that Florida has always been a major player in film, and it’s time for us to reclaim that role.”
As Morton continues to document Florida’s rich film history, the state’s forgotten contributions to early cinema are finally being recognized.
“Florida is more than just a setting for films — it’s a storyteller in its own right,” Morton concludes. “From ‘The Flying Ace’ to ‘Moonlight,’ we’ve been telling important stories here for over a century. Now, it’s time for the world to see that.”
Morton’s upcoming book “Motion Picture Paradise” will cover the full scope of the state’s cinematic past.
You can listen to every episode of Florida’s Fourth Estate in the media player below: