Casting the Runes (Mystery and Imagination)
First television adaptation of M. R. James's 1911 ghost story.
The third series of the television anthology *Mystery and Imagination* opens with "Casting the Runes," a 45–46-minute episode produced by ABC Television and first aired on 22 March 1968. It adapts M. R. James's 1911 ghost story, originally the fourth tale in his collection *More Ghost Stories of an Antiquary*, and marks the story's first television adaptation. The plot follows Julian Karswell, a demonologist with a thin skin and a vengeful temper, who, after his paper "The Truth of Alchemy" is rejected by an academic association, discovers that Edward Dunning was responsible. Karswell retaliates by summoning dark forces. Dunning begins to experience disturbing events, including finding a memorial to his own death, dated a month ahead, etched into a tram window—an inscription that vanishes after he complains. Karswell, in disguise, passes a hidden curse written in runes to Dunning, who must find a way to return it before their conflict proves fatal. The cast includes John Fraser as Dunning, Robert Eddison as Karswell, Gordon Jackson as Gayton, Michael Lees as Harrington, Richard Huggett as Mason, Basil Henson as Dr Ramsay, Julie Wallace as Ellen, Michael Rothwell as vicar, Ron Pember as conductor, Neal Arden as driver, Henry Kay as attendant, John Barrett as coachman, and Robert Hunter as railwayman. The adaptation was written by Evelyn Frazer, directed by Alan Cooke, and produced by ABC Television. Only a three-minute excerpt of the episode is known to survive.
- Running time
- 45–46 minutes
Lore & Background
The episode adapts M. R. James's story "Casting the Runes," first published in 1911 as the fourth story in *More Ghost Stories of an Antiquary*. The plot follows Julian Karswell, a demonologist who seeks revenge against Edward Dunning, the academic who rejected his paper "The Truth of Alchemy." Karswell passes a hidden curse written in runes to Dunning, who must find a way to return it before suffering terrible consequences.
The cast includes John Fraser as Dunning, Robert Eddison as Karswell, Gordon Jackson as Gayton, Ron Pember as conductor, and others. The drama was produced by ABC Television to a script by Evelyn Frazer and directed by Alan Cooke. Only a short three-minute excerpt is known to have survived.
Reader's Guide
This episode is significant as the first television adaptation of M. R. James's classic ghost story "Casting the Runes," which had previously been adapted for radio but not for the screen. It was part of the third series of *Mystery and Imagination*, a supernatural anthology series that brought classic horror tales to British television in the 1960s. The production featured notable actors such as John Fraser and Robert Eddison, and its script by Evelyn Frazer closely followed James's original narrative. The near-total loss of the episode—only a three-minute excerpt survives—makes it a rare and sought-after piece of television history, highlighting the fragility of early broadcast archives. Its legacy lies in being an early attempt to visualize James's subtle, scholarly horror for a mass audience.
Did You Know?
- The episode was first broadcast on 22 March 1968.
- The cast includes John Fraser as Dunning and Robert Eddison as Karswell.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Casting the Runes (Mystery and Imagination)?
It is a 45-to-46-minute episode from the third series of the British anthology Mystery and Imagination, produced by ABC Television and originally broadcast on 22 March 1968. The episode is a screen adaptation of M. R. James's 1911 ghost story of the same name.
Who is the protagonist of Casting the Runes?
The story centres on Julian Karswell, a demonologist characterised by an extremely thin skin and a deeply vengeful disposition. His arc is set in motion when his academic paper, 'The Truth of Alchemy,' is turned down by a learned society.
What happens in the plot of Casting the Runes?
After his paper is rejected, Karswell tracks down the identity of the person behind the decision—Edward Dunning—and sets out to exact a retaliatory punishment. The tale follows his escalating scheme for revenge against Dunning.
Why is Casting the Runes considered significant in TV history?
It holds the distinction of being the very first time M. R. James's 1911 ghost story was brought to the small screen. Prior to this 1968 broadcast, the tale had only existed in print as the fourth story in James's collection More Ghost Stories of an Antiquary.
Which anthology series does Casting the Runes belong to?
It is part of the third series of Mystery and Imagination, a British supernatural anthology produced by ABC Television. The episode serves as the opening story of that particular series.
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