Production Company |
Title |
Chapters |
Genre |
Director |
Cast |
Notes |
1910 |
Deutsche Vitaskop GmbH |
Arsene Lupin Contra Sherlock Holmes |
5 |
Mystery |
|
Paul Otto as Lupin and Viggo Larsen as Holmes |
German
Survival status of all episodes is unknown.[1][2] |
1912 |
Edison Studios |
What Happened to Mary? |
12 |
Drama |
Charles Brabin |
Mary Fuller |
Episodes 1–4: Survival status unclear.[3]
Episodes 5–8, 10, 11: Museum of Modern Art[4]
Episode 9: Library of Congress[4]
Episode 12: Survival status unclear[3]
Other sources indicate a print exists yet provides no specifics[5] |
1913 |
Selig Polyscope Company |
The Adventures of Kathlyn |
13 |
|
Francis J. Grandon |
Kathlyn Williams |
Presumed lost. Considered to be the first "cliffhanger" serial.[6] |
Edison Studios |
Who Will Marry Mary? |
6 |
Drama |
|
Mary Fuller |
Presumed lost |
Société des Etablissements L. Gaumont |
Fantômas |
5 |
Mystery |
Louis Feuillade |
René Navarre |
French
Print exists.[7][8] Released on Blu-ray by Kino Lorber 2016.[9] |
1914 |
Pathé |
The Perils of Pauline |
20 |
Adventure |
Louis J. Gasnier and Donald MacKenzie |
Pearl White |
First Pathé serial |
Wharton Studio |
The Exploits of Elaine |
14 |
Mystery |
George B. Seitz |
Pearl White, Arnold Daly, Sheldon Lewis |
|
Kalem Company |
The Hazards of Helen |
119 |
Railroad |
J. P. McGowan and James D. Davis |
Helen Holmes and Helen Gibson |
119 chapters – At 23.8 hours, this is considered to be the longest serial ever made. Each episode was about 12 minutes. |
Edison Studios |
The Active Life of Dolly of the Dailies |
12 |
Girl Reporter |
Walter Edwin |
Mary Fuller |
Only two episodes, 5 & 10, are known to exist. |
|
The Man Who Disappeared |
12 |
Drama |
Charles Brabin |
Marc McDermott |
|
Thanhouser Film Corporation |
The Million Dollar Mystery |
23 |
Mystery |
Howell Hansel |
Florence La Badie, Marguerite Snow, James Cruze, Sidney Bracey |
|
|
Zudora |
20 |
Drama |
Howell Hansel |
Marguerite Snow, James Cruze |
|
Universal Film Manufacturing Co. |
Lucille Love, Girl of Mystery |
15 |
Spy |
Francis Ford |
Grace Cunard, Francis Ford |
First Universal serial |
|
The Master Key |
15 |
Adventure |
Robert Z. Leonard |
Robert Z. Leonard, Ella Hall |
|
Universal Pictures |
The Trey o' Hearts |
15 |
Crime |
Wilfred Lucas and Henry MacRae |
Cleo Madison, George Larkin |
Based on a novel by Louis Joseph Vance |
Lubin Manufacturing Company |
The Beloved Adventurer |
15 |
Drama |
Arthur V. Johnson |
Arthur V. Johnson, Lottie Briscoe |
|
1915 |
Pathé & Wharton Studio |
The New Exploits of Elaine |
10 |
Crime |
Louis J. Gasnier, Leopold Wharton and Theodore Wharton |
Pearl White |
|
|
The Romance of Elaine |
12 |
Spy |
George B. Seitz, Leopold Wharton and Theodore Wharton |
Pearl White, Lionel Barrymore, Creighton Hale |
|
Balboa Amusement Producing Company |
Neal of the Navy |
14 |
Maritime |
William Bertram and W.M. Harvey |
Lillian Lorraine, William Courtleigh Jr. |
|
|
The Red Circle |
14 |
Drama |
Sherwood MacDonald |
Ruth Roland |
|
American Film Company |
The Diamond From the Sky |
30 |
Adventure |
Jacques Jaccard and William Desmond Taylor |
Lottie Pickford |
|
Reliance Film Company |
Runaway June |
15 |
Drama |
Oscar Eagle |
Norma Phillips |
|
Kalem Company |
The Ventures of Marguerite |
16 |
Crime |
Robert Ellis, John Mackin and Hamilton Smith |
Marguerite Courtot |
|
Universal Film Manufacturing Co. |
The Black Box |
15 |
Mystery |
Otis Turner |
Herbert Rawlinson |
Written by E. Phillips Oppenheim |
|
The Broken Coin |
22 |
Adventure |
Francis Ford |
Grace Cunard, Francis Ford |
|
|
Graft |
20 |
Crime |
George Lessey and Richard Stanton |
Hobart Henley, Jane Novak |
|
|
Under the Crescent |
6 |
Adventure |
Burton L. King |
Ola Humphrey |
|
Power Picture Plays |
The Mysterious Lady Baffles and Detective Duck |
11 |
Comedy |
Allen Curtis |
Gale Henry, Max Asher |
|
Lubin Manufacturing Company |
The Road o'Strife |
15 |
Drama |
Howell Hansel and John Ince |
Crane Wilbur, Mary Charleson, Jack Standing |
|
Signal Film Corporation |
The Girl and the Game |
15 |
Railroad |
J. P. McGowan |
Helen Holmes, Leo D. Maloney, J. P. McGowan |
|
Vitagraph Company of America |
The Fates and Flora Fourflush |
3 |
Comedy |
Wally Van |
Clara Kimball Young |
|
|
The Goddess |
15 |
Drama |
Ralph Ince |
Anita Stewart |
|
Société des Etablissements L. Gaumont |
Les Vampires |
10 |
Mystery |
Louis Feuillade |
Musidora |
French |
1916 |
Wharton Studio |
The Mysteries of Myra |
15 |
Horror |
Leopold Wharton and Theodore Wharton |
Howard Estabrook, Jean Sothern |
|
|
The Grip of Evil |
14 |
Drama |
W.A.S. Douglas and Harry Harvey |
Jackie Saunders, Roland Bottomley |
|
|
The Iron Claw |
20 |
Mystery |
George B. Seitz |
Pearl White |
|
Wharton Studio/Hearst |
Beatrice Fairfax |
15 |
Girl Reporter |
Leopold Wharton and Theodore Wharton |
Grace Darling, Harry Fox |
|
Astra Film Corporation/Pathé |
Pearl of the Army |
15 |
War |
Edward José |
Pearl White |
|
|
The Shielding Shadow |
15 |
Mystery |
Louis J. Gasnier and Donald MacKenzie |
Grace Darmond, Ralph Kellard, Léon Bary |
|
Erbograph/Consolidated Film Company |
The Crimson Stain Mystery |
16 |
Horror |
T. Hayes Hunter |
Maurice Costello, Ethel Grandin |
|
Kleine Productions Inc. |
Gloria's Romance |
20 |
Drama |
Colin Campbell and Walter Edwin |
Billie Burke |
|
Metro Pictures Corporation |
The Great Secret |
18 |
Mystery |
Christy Cabanne |
Francis X. Bushman, Beverly Bayne |
|
Deutsche Bioscop |
Homunculus |
6 |
Science fiction |
Otto Rippert |
Olaf Fønss |
German |
Société des Etablissements L. Gaumont |
Judex |
12 |
Crime |
Louis Feuillade |
René Cresté, Musidora |
French |
|
L'X Noir |
|
|
Léonce Perret |
|
French |
Niagara Film Studios |
Perils of Our Girl Reporters |
15 |
Girl reporter |
George Terwilliger |
|
|
American Film Company |
The Sequel to the Diamond From the Sky |
4 |
Drama |
Edward Sloman |
Rhea Mitchell |
|
|
The Secret of the Submarine |
15 |
Spy |
George L. Sargent |
Juanita Hansen, Tom Chatterton |
|
|
The Scarlet Runner |
12 |
|
William P. S. Earle and Wally Van |
Earle Williams |
|
Essanay Film Manufacturing Company. |
The Strange Case of Mary Page |
15 |
Mystery |
J. Charles Haydon |
Henry B. Walthall, Edna Mayo |
|
Signal Film Corporation |
The Yellow Menace |
16 |
|
William Steiner |
Edwin Stevens |
|
|
Lass of the Lumberlands |
15 |
Western |
J. P. McGowan |
Helen Holmes |
|
Universal Film Manufacturing Co. |
The Adventures of Peg o' the Ring |
15 |
Circus |
Francis Ford and Jacques Jaccard |
Grace Cunard, Francis Ford |
|
|
Liberty |
20 |
Western |
Henry MacRae |
Marie Walcamp |
|
Vitagraph Company of America |
The Purple Mask |
16 |
Mystery |
Francis Ford and Grace Cunard |
Grace Cunard, Francis Ford |
|
|
The Secret Kingdom |
15 |
Fantasy |
Charles Brabin |
Charles Richman, Dorothy Kelly, Arline Pretty, Joseph Kilgour |
|
1917 |
Astra Film Corporation/Pathé |
The Fatal Ring |
20 |
Crime |
George B. Seitz |
Pearl White |
|
|
The Hidden Hand |
15 |
Mystery |
James Vincent |
Doris Kenyon |
|
|
The Mystery of the Double Cross |
15 |
Mystery |
Louis J. Gasnier and William Parke |
Mollie King, Léon Bary |
|
|
The Seven Pearls |
15 |
Adventure |
Louis J. Gasnier and Donald MacKenzie |
Mollie King, Creighton Hale, Léon Bary |
|
Balboa Amusement Producing Company |
The Neglected Wife |
15 |
Drama |
William Bertram |
Ruth Roland |
|
Wharton Studio/International Film Service Inc. |
Patria |
15 |
War |
Jacques Jaccard, Leopold Wharton and Theodore Wharton |
Irene Castle |
|
Signal Film Corporation |
The Lost Express |
15 |
Railroad |
J. P. McGowan |
Helen Holmes |
|
|
The Railroad Raiders |
15 |
Railroad |
J. P. McGowan |
Helen Holmes |
|
Monmouth Film Corporation |
Jimmie Dale Alias the Grey Seal |
16 |
Mystery |
Harry McRae Webster |
E.K. Lincoln, Doris Mitchell, Edna Hunter, Paul Panzer |
|
Paramount Pictures |
Who Is Number One? |
15 |
Mystery |
William Bertram |
Kathleen Clifford |
|
Universal Film Manufacturing Co. |
The Mystery Ship |
18 |
Maritime |
Henry MacRae |
Ben F. Wilson, Neva Gerber |
|
|
The Red Ace |
16 |
War |
Jacques Jaccard |
Marie Walcamp |
|
|
The Gray Ghost |
16 |
Mystery |
Stuart Paton |
Harry Carter, Priscilla Dean, Emory Johnson, Eddie Polo |
|
|
Voice on the Wire |
15 |
Mystery |
Stuart Paton |
Ben F. Wilson, Neva Gerber, Joseph W. Girard |
|
Vitagraph Company of America |
The Fighting Trail |
15 |
Western |
William Duncan |
William Duncan, Carol Holloway |
|
|
Vengeance and the Woman |
15 |
|
William Duncan and Laurence Trimble |
William Duncan, Carol Holloway |
|
1918 |
Astra Film Corporation/Pathé |
Hands Up! |
15 |
Western |
Louis J. Gasnier and James W. Horne |
Ruth Roland |
|
|
The House of Hate |
20 |
Mystery |
George B. Seitz |
Pearl White, Antonio Moreno |
|
Western Photoplays Inc. |
Wolves of Kultur |
15 |
War |
Joseph A. Golden |
Leah Baird, Sheldon Lewis, Charles Hutchison |
|
Jaxon Film Corporation |
A Daughter of Uncle Sam |
12 |
War |
James C. Morton |
|
|
Wharton Studio |
The Eagle's Eye |
20 |
War |
George Lessey, Wellington A. Playter, Leopold Wharton and Theodore Wharton |
King Baggot, Marguerite Snow |
|
Rolfe Photoplays |
The Master Mystery |
15 |
Mystery, Science fiction |
Harry Grossman and Burton L. King |
Harry Houdini |
The studio's last production |
Burston Films Inc. |
The Silent Mystery |
15 |
Mystery |
Francis Ford |
Francis Ford, Mae Gaston, Rosemary Theby |
|
Universal Film Manufacturing Co. |
The Brass Bullet |
18 |
Maritime |
Ben F. Wilson |
Juanita Hansen, Jack Mulhall |
|
|
Bull's Eye |
18 |
Western |
James W. Horne |
Eddie Polo |
|
|
The Lion's Claws |
18 |
Adventure |
Harry Harvey and Jacques Jaccard |
Marie Walcamp |
|
|
Lure of the Circus |
18 |
Circus |
J. P. McGowan |
Eddie Polo |
|
|
The Red Glove |
18 |
Western |
J. P. McGowan |
Marie Walcamp |
|
Vitagraph Company of America |
A Fight for Millions |
15 |
Western |
William Duncan |
William Duncan, Edith Johnson, Joe Ryan |
|
|
The Iron Test |
15 |
Circus |
Robert N. Bradbury and Paul Hurst |
Antonio Moreno, Carol Holloway |
|
|
A Woman in the Web |
15 |
|
Paul Hurst and David Smith |
Hedda Nova |
|
Société des Etablissements L. Gaumont |
Tih Minh |
12 |
Mystery |
Louis Feuillade |
René Cresté, Mary Harald |
French |
1919 |
Astra Film Corporation/Pathé |
The Adventures of Ruth |
15 |
Crime |
George Marshall |
Ruth Roland |
|
|
Bound and Gagged |
10 |
Comedy |
George B. Seitz |
George B. Seitz, Marguerite Courtot |
|
|
The Lightning Raider |
15 |
Crime |
George B. Seitz |
Pearl White, Boris Karloff |
|
|
Terror of the Range |
7 |
Western |
Stuart Paton |
George Larkin, Betty Compson |
|
|
The Tiger's Trail |
15 |
Mystery |
Robert Ellis, Louis J. Gasnier and Paul Hurst |
Ruth Roland |
|
George B. Seitz Productions |
The Black Secret |
15 |
Spy |
George B. Seitz |
Pearl White |
|
Western Photoplays Inc. |
The Great Gamble |
15 |
Crime |
Joseph A. Golden |
Charles Hutchison, Anna Luther |
|
Oliver Films Inc. |
The Carter Case |
15 |
Mystery |
William F. Haddock and Donald MacKenzie |
Herbert Rawlinson, Marguerite Marsh |
A Craig Kennedy mystery |
Great Western Film Producing Company |
Elmo the Mighty |
18 |
Northern |
Henry MacRae |
Elmo Lincoln, Grace Cunard |
|
SLK Serial Corporation |
The Fatal Fortune |
15 |
Maritime |
Donald MacKenzie and Frank Wunderlee |
Helen Holmes |
|
National Film Corporation of America |
Lightning Bryce |
15 |
Western, Horror |
Paul Hurst |
Ann Little, Jack Hoxie |
|
Wisteria Productions |
The Lurking Peril |
15 |
Horror |
George Morgan |
George Larkin, Anna Luther |
|
Burston Films Inc. |
The Mystery of 13 |
15 |
Mystery |
Francis Ford |
Francis Ford, Rosemary Theby |
|
American Lifeograph Company |
The Perils of Thunder Mountain |
15 |
Northern |
Robert N. Bradbury and W.J. Burman |
Antonio Moreno, Carol Holloway |
|
Decla Bioscop AG |
The Spiders |
2 |
Fantasy Adventure |
Fritz Lang |
Carl de Vogt, Lil Dagover |
German The original version in Germany was not a serial, but two long films |
Serico Producing Company Inc. |
A Woman in Grey |
15 |
Mystery |
James Vincent |
Arline Pretty, Henry G. Sell |
|
Universal Film Manufacturing Co. |
The Great Radium Mystery |
18 |
Mystery |
Robert Broadwell and Robert F. Hill |
Eileen Sedgwick, Cleo Madison, Bob Reeves |
|
|
The Lion Man |
18 |
Mystery |
Albert Russell and Jack Wells |
Kathleen O'Connor, Jack Perrin, J. Barney Sherry, Gertrude Astor |
|
|
The Midnight Man |
18 |
|
James W. Horne |
James J. Corbett |
|
Shamrock Photoplay Corporation |
The Masked Rider |
15 |
Western |
Aubrey M. Kennedy |
Harry Myers, Ruth Stonehouse, Paul Panzer, Boris Karloff |
|
Hallmark Pictures Corporation |
The Trail of the Octopus |
15 |
Mystery |
Duke Worne |
Ben F. Wilson, Neva Gerber |
|
Vitagraph Company of America |
Man of Might |
15 |
Maritime |
William Duncan and Clifford Smith |
William Duncan |
|
|
Smashing Barriers |
15 |
Western |
William Duncan |
William Duncan |
|
Société des Etablissements L. Gaumont |
Barrabas |
12 |
|
Louis Feuillade |
|
French |