Serialized space: Chinatown iconography in Universal’s <i>The Master Key</i>

Late in 1914, Universal released The Master Key, a motion picture serial 15 installments. Robert Z. Leonard directed and starred, the project was marketed as ‘most expensive yet’. weekly film release paralleled by syndicated newspaper feuilleton, illustrated stills from pictures. Stills were also incorporated into an reissue of Fleming Wilson’s story, well promotional materials, like ads 20-page poster stamp album published Wentz Printing Company. By way cross-media investigation (1914) this study contributes case point how circulated outside movie theater. material has been reported lost, but some reels have preserved at Library Congress. One contains episode set San Francisco’s Chinatown. For paper, various materials Key’s-cross media acquired through online fan forums collectible auctions. Following recent historical studies on serials ”seriality” stock characters, Chinatown scenes picturesque efforts to write spatial history, paper argues that proliferation images across formats conceptualized Key’s imagery Francisco ”serialized” space, standardizing cinematic iconography public eye.