Ithaca Journal: Tour to probe Ithaca's haunted past
Bruce Calvert
Then & Now: Tour to probe Ithaca's haunted past
By Chris Hazel • Special to The Journal • July 26, 2008
These late summer nights are a perfect time for an outdoor horror film
at the Finger Lakes or Elmira drive-ins. Recent research for the
History Center's upcoming Haunted History Tour has unearthed a
chilling treasure from Ithaca's silent film era suitable for our
lengthening nights.
The region is already famous as a favorite haunt of Rod Serling,
“Twilight Zone” creator and Ithaca College professor. Serling grew up
in Binghamton and lived with his family near Interlaken between 1970
until his death in 1975, during which time he taught film at the
Ithaca College Department of Communication.
He also displayed an interest in Ithaca's silent films, even as his
own psychological and haunting programs were contributing to
television's Golden Age. In 1975 he narrated the short Ithaca College
film “They Made Movies in Ithaca,” telling the story of the Wharton
Brothers.
The Wharton Motion Picture Studio was one of the first of its kind in
the United States, operating from 1913 to 1919 and filming across
Stewart Park and in Enfield Gorge. Their films featured directors who
would later go west to create “The Little Rascals” and “Tarzan,” and
stars such as Pearl White, Irene Castle, Oliver Hardy and Lionel
Barrymore (Drew's grandfather).
The Whartons filmed dozens of dramas and comedies, and one horror film
called “The Mysteries of Myra.” “Myra” was written by a famous
psychic, Hereward Carrington, and billed as “science versus
supernatural.” The serial film featured a strong heroine beset by dark
occult forces, including an animated golden statue called the “Thought
Monster,” and the hooded Grand Master of the Dark Order and his evil-
handed followers.
Though the plot of “Myra” was more sensational than serious drama, the
film made a big contribution to the film industry. “Myra” introduced
the science fiction film to audiences as well as special effect and
mood-lighting techniques. Double exposure of the film showed moving
figures within a crystal ball and statues turning into dancing demons.
Red tinting of the film created a ghastly mood for the ceremonial
scenes of the “Black Order.”
Sadly, only the script and scattered images of the Ithaca-made “Myra”
have survived. The only scraps of film remaining are stored at the
British Film Archive in London. However, promotional and other still
photos of “Myra” are preserved by silent film aficionados such as
Terry Harbin and can be seen in the photo collection of the History
Center.
The History Center is looking for other macabre stories from Ithaca's
past for its upcoming Haunted History Tour scheduled for weekends in
October. A tour action meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug.
19 in the History Center to bring together these stories, and actors
and historians interested in playing a part in this presentation of
our dynamic and darker past.
Then & Now appears every other Saturday in The Journal. Chris Hazel
runs the only Ithaca-based archaeology organization, HAZEx. He is also
a research assistant at The History Center in Tompkins County.
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Bruce Calvert