#serial squadron

[catskewl]

Some people are silent serial snobs and good luck to them, but i love silent serials! The Mysteries of Myra, 1916 is a phenomenal series that should be better known. Occultism was treated as a real thing, astral projection, thought monsters, hypnotism, evil secret societies, this film series had it all! 

The Mysteries of Myra, 1916 ✦✦✦ (Wharton, 15 Episodes) Jean Sothern, Howard Estabrook D: Theodore/Leo Wharton Restored by Eric Stedman Historical Consultant Terry Harbin Music by Kevin McLeod Dr. Payson Alden, expert on psychic phenomena, defends young Myra Maynard from supernatural menaces dispatched by the Master of the secret and powerful devil-cult known as the Black Order. The Mysteries of Myra, the first "paranormal-investigation" series, was extremely influential and the first to portray occult and supernatural phenomena in an up-to-date and realistic fashion, and to feature a black-robed devil-cult and included one of the earliest appearances of a Frankenstein-like monster.

buy the DVD here: http://www.serialsquadron.com/dvds/horror/index.html

Serial Squadron (bless their hearts) even put out a 400 page book:

Originally a fifteen-episode serial shot in Ithaca, New York (before Hollywood became the center of American movie-making) in 1916, painstakingly reconstructed from the original screenplay, novelization, and existing stills. Includes background information, behind-the-scenes photos and cast biographies.

Buy the companion book to film in the gaps here:    http://www.lulu.com/shop/eustace-hale-ball/the-mysteries-of-myra-novelization/paperback/product-23352079.html

[catskewl]

Grace Drummond is in serious trouble in the silent film serial : “THE HOPE DIAMOND MYSTERY” , (1921) Kosmik (Kleine Films); 15 Episodes!   

“In 1920, Lord Francis Hale, who is interested in buying the Hope Diamond from jewel collector James Marcon. Hale has decided the diamond is just the thing to get him back into his straying wife's good graces. However, his East Indian servant Dakar snatches the diamond before it is sold --or stolen by a high-class crook who schemes to own it. The police and two detectives pursue Dakar in a frantic chase to a river. Captured in a small houseboat, Dakar explains why he snatched the jewel. In 16th century India, a gem from the holy statue of the goddess Sita is stolen by a French adventurer (George Chesebro). The frantic High Priest swears vengeance and puts a curse on the gem until it is returned to its rightful place in the temple. We discover Dakar is descended from the Indian High Priest's family, and his mission is to reurn the diamond to India, where it belongs, safe in the temple. Dakar relates the story of how the diamond was stolen by the Frenchman Tavanier, who falls in love with one of the temple "virgins," the beautiful Bibi. Dakar relates how a curse has followed the diamond ever since, bringing heartbreak and tragedy to all who have temporarily possessed it. John and Mary are sympathetic to Dakar's mission and plan to help him. Unfortunately for them, high-class crook Sydney Atherton, a crazed schemer with mind-control powers, has other plans. In disguise as Asian thief and murderer Nang Fu, Atherton orders his gang to steal the diamond. And many adventures ensue as criminologist John Gregg (also played by Chesebro) tries to prevent him from doing so. “ ~ Serial Squadron 

Watch episode 8 & 9 featuring Boris Karloff, as well as ordering the whole series here

[catskewl]

“The Lightning Raider”, 1919. 

“The Lightning Raider, “Pearl White, is a thrill-thief out to steal for fun and competes with a rival for the same treasures!

This film series is currently being restored by The Serial Squadron and should be out soon. 

[catskewl]

From: ZUDORA Series (1914) Episode 1- 'The Mystery of the Spotted Collar

“Zudora, (Marguerite Snow) not knowing she's an heiress to a $20 million fortune, lives with her uncle, a mystic and detective, who covets her inheritance. She wants to marry John Storm but her uncle is against it. However, the uncle makes a bargain; if Zudora can solve the next twenty mysteries brought to him, she can marry as she chooses.