Silent serial sensations : the Wharton brothers and the magic of early cinema

The first book-length study of pioneering and prolific filmmakers Ted and Leo Wharton, Silent Serial Sensations offers a fascinating account of the dynamic early film industry. As Barbara Tepa Lupack demonstrates, the Wharton brothers were behind some of the most profitable and influential productions of the era, including The Exploits of Elaine and The Mysteries of Myra , which starred such popular performers as Pearl White, Irene Castle, Francis X. Bushman, and Lionel Barrymore. Working from the independent film studio they established in Ithaca, New York, Ted and Leo turned their adopted town into "Hollywood on Cayuga." By interweaving contemporary events and incorporating technological and scientific innovations, the Whartons expanded the possibilities of the popular serial motion picture and defined many of its conventions. A number of the sensational techniques and character types they introduced are still being employed by directors and producers a century later. This book, the first book-length study of pioneering and prolific filmmakers Ted and Leo Wharton, offers a fascinating account of the dynamic early film industry. As the book demonstrates, the Wharton brothers were behind some of the most profitable and influential productions of the era, including The Exploits of Elaine and The Mysteries of Myra, which starred such popular performers as Pearl White, Irene Castle, Francis X. Bushman, and Lionel Barrymore. Working from the independent film studio they established in Ithaca, New York, Ted and Leo turned their adopted town into “Hollywood on Cayuga.” By interweaving contemporary events and incorporating technological and scientific innovations, the Whartons expanded the possibilities of the popular serial motion picture and defined many of its conventions. A number of the sensational techniques and character types they introduced are still being employed by directors and producers a century later. Introduction : the sensation of the serial -- Seeking "old opportunity" -- Taking a parallel path -- Bringing Essanay's "Special Eastern" to Ithaca -- Taming and reframing Buffalo Bill -- Going independent -- Exploiting Elaine -- Extending the exploits -- Establishing roots in Renwick Park -- Unraveling Myra's mysteries -- Asking Beatrice -- Preparing for war -- Moving into feature filmmaking -- Staring into the eagle's eye -- Leaving Ithaca -- Heading west "Filmmakers Ted and Leo Wharton, whose serials became popular in the 1910s, established a model for incremental storytelling and holdover suspense still employed by filmmakers and television producers more than a century later"-- Provided by publisher