THE MYSTERIES OF MYRA
Produced and Directed by THEODORE and LEOPOLD WHARTON
Starring JEAN SOTHERN as Myra - HOWARD ESTABROOK as Dr. Payson Alden
MIKE RALE as the Master of the Black Order
Story by CHARLES GODDARD
Story Consultant HEREWARD CARRINGTON - Novelization by EUSTACE HALE BALL
View Series Description & Photos

Reconstructed & Edited by ERIC STEDMAN
Historical Consultant TERRY HARBIN
Research Assistant DAVID SOROCHTY
Typesetter TRACY RENEE VILLENEUVE
Published by The Serial Squadron

The long-lost original novelization by real-life paranormal investigator Hereward Carrington and pioneer serial screenwriter Charles Goddard (author of THE PERILS OF PAULINE, THE EXPLOITS OF ELAINE, and many more early chapter plays) of the most horrific and captivating serial ever made--in fact, the only one that ever fully dealt with the supernatural. Myra Maynard's family is cursed by the devil-worshipping Black Order and she is marked for death by black magic on the eve of her eighteenth birthday. Dr. Payson Alden, the movies' first psychic detective, uses science to try and defeat the cult's evil spells, and is assisted by his friend Haji, a Hindu mystic. During the course of the 15 episodes of the serial, the clairvoyant Myra is assaulted by, among other supernatural menaces, astral demons, a fire elemental, even a "thought monster" brought to life by the malicious will of fifteen men, Levitation, crystal balls, automatic writing, mediums, witchcraft, a golden idol come to life, and many more bizarre elements which made movie history also figure into the story to make this a truly fascinating series that you will not want to miss.

You will see scenes in this serial that for years people have thought first appeared in DRACULA or FRANKENSTEIN--MYRA beat them to the punch by 15 years as well as defining the "black-robed cult members performing magic rituals" movie motif which soon afterward appeared in serials such as THE MYSTERY OF 13 and THE TRAIL OF THE OCTOPUS and hasn't departed from cinema screens yet!

This is a series that cinema historians SHOULD have written about for years and Forrest J. Ackerman SHOULD have played up bigtime in FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND along with all the Universal horrors as it influenced all of them. But since it was not made by a major studio or re-released, and most of the Wharton films burned in a fire long ago, nothing was thought to remain of it. Well, we are changing that! Finally, after 94 years, THE MYSTERIES OF MYRA is reconstructed here in its entirety. Now, with 180 original photos from the serial, dozens of pages of incredibly rare "extras" including cast biographies, behind-the-scenes and publicity photos, and promotional items, and even unpublished photos from the unreleased "Voodoo" episode, banned by W. R. Hearst as too shocking for public viewing, you will be able to experience THE MYSTERIES OF MYRA as it was originally released, with numerous photos from each chapter all present to match the action. This is a VERY special project worth far more than the asking price and the KING KONG spider scene and LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT put together, due to the rarity of the groundbreaking and extremely influential material contained in it which no serial fan, classic horror aficionado, or classic cinema fan will want to miss. This isn't just one amazing lost scene, it's 15 episodes of phantasmagoria that's been hidden from view for almost a century. Will the publication of this volume change the way people look at classic serial and horror cinema history? YEAH. IT WILL. So be one of the first to own this treasure, to be available only at the Serial Squadron website. We look forward to offering this amazing volume of original material which will be a treasured addition to your cinema history and movie serial library.

With color cover and black and white interior, 400 pages, spine about 1", heavily illustrated with over 200 ultra-rare and sometimes full-page original photographs, introduction by Eric Stedman which provides observations and additional information about the restoration of the story and pictures, and many "extras" such as a 4-page history of the Wharton Studio, its cast and production personnel, and a behind-the-scenes production photo and memorabilia album.

Produced by the Mysteries of Myra Restoration Team, with original material from private collections, the Library of Congress, British Library, Princeton University Firestone Library, and Ithaca-Made Movies of Ithaca, New York, where the serial was originally filmed.

Deluxe Hardbound Library Edition with color dust jacket: $40
6" x 9" Bookstore-quality hardback with additional color images of the two existing MYRA posters and other memorabilia printed on the interior dust jacket flaps

Paperback edition WITH DVD: $35

6" x 9" Bookstore-quality trade paperback, 400 pages, spine about 1"
Includes DVD of existing episodes of the serial in a pocket

Paperback edition only: $25.00
6" x 9" Bookstore-quality trade paperback, 400 pages, spine about 1"

Order DVD Only: $14.95

Episode 1: THE DAGGER OF DREAMS The Master puts a spell on Myra, who discovers a secret chamber in the basement of her house. (Stills only)
Episode 12: THE ELIXIR OF YOUTH (presented before other episodes to introduce the Master and Black Order) The Master gives an aging couple a magic elixir in exchange for their promise to kill Myra and Dr. Alden.
Episode 5: THE FUMES OF FEAR Professor Haji and Dr. Alden search for the Black Order and Myra allows herself to be hypnotized to release her astral body.
Episode 15: THE THOUGHT MONSTER The Black Order creates a monster from their combined evil thou
ghts which Dr. Alden then hypnotizes and turns against them.

View Online Video: Episode 12: The Elixir of Youth
Trailer

Transfer Quality: From 35mm HD. The transfer of the original footage is excellent in quality, sometimes exhibiting signs of decomposition.
DVD Contents: 1-DVD Set. English - 1:33:1 - Full Screen - Black and White with color tinting - 1916 - 3+ Episodes restored with video footage and animated stills