The REAL unmasking from Chaney's Phantom 1925

[ShashiFSSAficionada]

The actress who plays Christine for this version is quite beautiful :)

[DirtyDoggShirt]

I cant stand it! driving me mad!

[ThePhantomofYT101]

this is the first time I realized how unnerving chaney's make up was. I don't understand why Hollywood can't remake this kind of disfigurement with all the modern technology?

[ThePhantomofYT101]

this is the first time I realized how unnerving chaney's make up was. I don't understand why Hollywood can't remake this kind of disfigure ment

[TheNapoleonnerd]

Was this yor first vid?

[WilliamHoldenfan]

The 1925 version looks better.Chaney looks terrifying in that.Lon Chaney an absolute acting legend!.

[PC3900]

Wow, the '25 original is absolutely nightmarish.

[SoraSama14]

@MissyH316 Thank you VERY much for the guidance, I will definately look on ebay and/or look into the re-release. Did they set a date or confirm it? :)

Side note: I'm extremly happy to see so many fans of the silent film version! 

[PhilipJRiley]

Thank you! The Phantom restoration is one of my favorite books. I truly appreciate your kind words.

[MissyH316]

@PhilipJRiley The only thing was, after devouring the whole darn book in nearly one sitting, it just left me even hungrier for more! :-)

[xxkewldudexx]

Can you rip and send me the Ultimate Edition? It's out of print now in the US/Canada (and I'd finally ordered it too!) Please? One phan to another?

[MrLocNard]

I'm not sure which I like better...

[IDaCashman]

Chaney's face scares the shit out of me....OVER 85 YEARS LATER.

[MissyH316]

@IDaCashman You're not alone by any means!! It took me 26 YEARS to get to where I could watch this movie again after it scared me nearly to death - and that was from watching a cheap, crappy VHS copy! Quite a testament to the great, incomparible Lon Chaney Sr., isn't it!?? I got the Milestone 2-DVD set and got my Phantom viewing in MUCH better shape!

[zanezabar]

are you a lon chaney fan?

[mishenkamh]

I like the original better. He looks more like Leroux's Erik. :)

[SoraSama14]

As both a Phantom AND a Lon Chaney, Sr. enthusiast, I have never been more happy to see something like this. You have made my day. Thank you SO much for sharing it. I tried locating anything from the original 1925 version, and found virtually nothing. I have to get the ultimate edition, it sounds amazing. Also thank you for reviewing Chaney's and Claude Rains' version of the films, both of which I love and grew up watching. :)

[MissyH316]

@SoraSama14 The Milestone Ultimate 2-DVD Edition is currently out of print, but I wrote to the company and they plan on re-releasing it soon. But I think you can still get a copy from Amazon or on eBay so I hope if you havent' already, you get one asap! :-)

[Monkeyhead1986]

I have the Milestone DVD as well as the Kino/Image release & agree that the 1925 original is superior plot-wise but will say the 1929 reissue is a bit faster paced. 

[castletriglav]

There is a 3rd version of the unmasking scene, possibly from the San Francisco edit of April 1925. It has alternate intertitles and it is the clearest unmasking scene I've seen yet.

4 disk set from reelclassicdvd(dot)com.

[sAINTMalice9]

Alright, so I love horror movies and really none of them scare me, but this, the original unmasking in the 1925 version is shocking and unnerving because of the way it was cut.

[Fullmetal1890P]

They also changed the ending with the 1925 version. They originally had the same ending as the novel but when that wasn't exciting enough for audiences, they changed it to the phantom being brutally murdered by the town.

[Ilma1984]

Can't help but in all versions of Poto-movies I've ever seen I always thought: Well, the "real" Erik of Leroux' book would have been quite happy to look like this.

Especially in newer versions I wonder why the make up artists couldn't make the phantom UGLY as it was meant to be. Does this real unimaginable ugliness not fit to Hollywood? It seems like this...

[musicgrl492]

From what I've heard is that when the movie was first shown, people actually fainted after the phantom was unmasked.

[JoaoPhantomOfOpera]

Do you have the 1930 Phantom Version? And where do you get the last one?

[xxkewldudexx]

I am getting the Ultimate DVD and I can't wait!!! My mom had to order it special cos the store doesn't stock it normally. Wish my local HMV would hurry it's ass up cos I'm starting to go thru *major* phantom withdrawal. Although I did find the 1990 Rick Wakeman soundtracked version of this film in a 2nd hand store. Could you do a review and tell me what you think of that "stunning new experience for the 90s" (as the case blurb puts it?)

[Wykletypl]

I just realized something. 1911-2011. Phantom of the Opera's 100th Years Anniversary anybody????

[Barbiebratzgal123]

freaky

[ilovetruffles99]

sooo what's the big deal here? I don't understand.

[castletriglav]

@ilovetruffles99 That's because you're a dimwit.

[ilovetruffles99]

@castletriglav no, I see the difference here, I don't understand why it's such a big deal. Both versions are great, it makes no difference to me when which version was shown when, so I don't see why everyone here is freaking out about it. It was 90 years ago.

[ilovetruffles99]

@Valagnar okay, I'm sorry if you're offended, Mr. Jump-To-Conclusions, I was inspired to learn to sing opera because of the musical version of this story, and went to school for it--I like to look up other adaptations of the story because it's one of my most favorite stories of all time! And I am probably the LEAST sarcastic person you'll ever meet! jeez, why are you on the defensive right away?  and on what planet is it alright to insult someone whom you've never met?

[ilovetruffles99]

@Valagnar AND I DO see the difference! If you just took a moment to breathe and actually read what I wrote you would have realized that I said that! I just don't understand WHY IT'S A BIG DEAL. it's fun trivia to know about this movie, that's all it is to me. Maybe I should have asked why it's a big deal to you personally. Why do you get so heated about it? Are you a film historian?

[ilovetruffles99]

@Valagnar and it WAS 90 years ago! actually 85 and 81 years ago. dear lord.

[ilovetruffles99]

@Valagnar riiiiiiiight. hm

[Valagnar]

@ilovetruffles99 I didn't read your previous posts. I am truly sorry.

[ilovetruffles99]

@Valagnar ...well I guess it's alright now.  since you're sorry. :/

[pcgoblin2]

I agree the 1925 scene as a whole is better, but I don't think we should discard the 1929 close up. There is a lot going on in Lon Chaney's eyes in that scene, a lot of subtlety. He seems to go from shock to fear/sorrow to rage in a very short period of time. Watch his eyes. It just beautiful to watch.

In the 1925 version he goes to instant seething. It's better for the pacing, definitely scarier, but it sacrifices the that little bit of characterization.

Brilliant YouTube video!

[MissyH316]

@pcgoblin2 The other difference is that the 1929 version has the unmasking scene as it was lit for color filming and Chaney himself rejected this footage as the hotter lighting messed up his makeup. The 1925 version has the unmasking scene as lit for black & white, which I also think is scarier! Ol' Lon knew what he was doing!! :-)

[castletriglav]

reelclassicdvd has a 4 disk set of Phantom with the clearest version of the unmasking I've seen. It comes from a 1959 documentary. The clip also has alternate intertitles not seen anywhere else. It's supposedly from an earlier edit of the film, even pre-dating the Sept 6, 1925 release.

[gusisgr]

Please review the dubbed version!

[MacJaxonManOfAction]

And I thought this scene couldn't get any scarier! The '29 print shows him looking both shocked and angry, but the original '25 one is much more frightening, for the simple fact that he just looks pissed. Really pissed.

[EpicOberon]

1925 was obviously the best!

[ElizaTheChatbot]

So, let me get this straight- the Milestone edition contains what remains of the 1925 film, including the real unmasking?

[simolionshane]

The entire 1925 version and the 1929 version, both with multiple soundtracks and the 1929 sound synchronization, which is rather accurate and impressive for 1929. Just for note; the 1925 version is much longer than the 1929 reissue. Most existing versions of the movie are 1929 prints without sound used for ill-equipt theaters.

[ElizaTheChatbot]

@simolionshane thanks!

[PhantomSammy]

True, the original is waaay more impressive than the sepua version. I might love that silent film if they didn't completely and utterly rape the story by that made up ending. RAAAAAA!!! Don't tell me why they did it, I know and it's not a valid reason to completely fuck up the story's point (as I saw it anyway.)

[PhilipJRiley]

Hi - The podcasts sound great - you have an excellent speaking voice. I'd love to be a part of your project - somewhere around here I have the soundtrack for the Phantom 29 that I recorded at the library of congress - unfortunately it was missing the Chaney double scene records - Let me know if you are interested Philip

[freacls]

iv seen thise version loads of times its awsome for its time first seen it when i was 12 the damn phantom made me wet myself i got such a scare looking at his face lol now i think his make up is awsome for the time also i heard he made pepole faint in the thearter but Lon was an awsome phantom scary as hell lol Claud was like a kindly granddad he was older and Gerry the latest Phantom hes got the females swooning at his feet hes sexy even without mask

[Memar101]

When I First Saw This Video, I Was Stunned! I Never Knew That There Were 2 Versions! This Video Has Told Me Much! Thanks. By The Way, I've Never Seen "The Phantom Of The Opera (2004)" Can You Review This Please?

[PhantomReviews]

@Memar101 I have reviewed it, check out my channel. I have reviewed almost every version ever made, and there are a lot! :)

[statelessmars]

@PhantomReviews turns out this is not the first phatom of the opera movie. Their was one made in 1916 however its only a lost and obsercued film becomes there is no footage foung but thir is names of some cast members and one of them appears to be Lon Chaney! However I don't know if he was going to be the phatom. Oh weel I guess know onw will ever know.

[pepe10282002]

@PhantomReviews every? have you reviewed the 1916 silent german version????

[TheRokkiephantomlove]

@pepe10282002 thats a lost film

[Owllover11]

@Memar101 There's three! There is also a cartoon version.

[PhilipJRiley]

FINALLY - That you for posting this - I could only show still comparison in my book on the reconstruction of the film. One can only wish that a good print of the unmasking scene will show up but even Kevin Brownlow only found inferior prints from the 1925 version - Philip J Riley

[MissyH316]

@PhilipJRiley Mr. Riley, I LOVE your book "The Phantom of the Opera (Hollywood Archives Series) (v. 1)"! Between this and the Milestone Ultimate 2-DVD edition, all Chaney Phantom fans can get the best, complete story BEHIND the movie(s). This is where I learned that the unmasking scene 1929 reissue came from the 1925 set with lighting for color photography, which as you said Chaney himself rejected because the heat from it compromised his makeup. The B&W footage is just AWESOME even today!

[toffeetonic]

i can definately tell the difference... Mary Philbin is still beautiful either way!

[EcakCake2]

If there was "no decent footage available" from 1925, then how did you get this?

[Zaranyzerak]

Whoa...very cool indeed! I'm happy to say that this is the new thing I learned today.

[soulsaphire]

First off, the comment about Lon looking silly should be removed due to its sheer idiocy.

When they shot some silents, a 2nd camera rolled for back-up. This "safety" camera print would often be forgotten. Thus sometimes we have an intact print turn up. The other angle could be this or alt. takes. COOL STUFF!!

[jamesjeffreypaul]

Thank you so much--truly an eye-opening look at one of the great scenes in movie history!

[Nightlightknight]

tbh it doesn't look that scary really, more like a blad man with a silly expression on his face

[warblerab]

I really have to sit down and watch the Lon Chaney original. I've never seen it(1925 nor 1929). Why is there a difference in tints between the 1929 version and the 1925?

[MissyH316]

@warblerab Because of the lighting used on the sets, depending on if they were filming for black & white or color. The 1929 version is simply the 1925 version cobbled together (poorly) and the unmasking scene it used was from the color lighting. The 1925 original version has the unmasking scene as lit for black & white - which I think not only looks scarier, but was Lon Chaney's demand since the lighting for color was so hot it sorta "melted" his makeup.

[123peytonE]

In 1925, people reportadly screamed and fainted at the sight of this.

[jaaaaaayynnee]

Yep I agree with this ! The black and White is much better acted !

[theatertalk]

Thanks for this.

[drbotanus]

I think everyone knows this by now.

[jerryaltman]

Those two scenes was shot in 1925, but in different takes, and other times maybe with two camera in a few different angles. This is due they have no good intermediate negative in the 20's, and all good copies had to be made from original camera negative. So they need more than one negative and the solution was to use more than one camera, placed close to each other, or shot each scene twice.

[gusisgr]

WOW!

[thecopykidofthestarz]

A long time ago when you first uploaded This. It I was in the dark with nothing but a dieing led Light flickering like a candle.

and Gosh did that twitchy movement, Not Scare but Desturbingly Startled Me.

[vampyrhobbit]

I didn't know you could get the 1925 version on DVD. Thanks!

It's a shame the director wasn't allowed to stick to the novel like he wanted to, and had to make a horror movie instead.

[hulkster46a]

I remember seeing both versions at different times on dvd. It was part of my film appreciation class in collage. Nice work showing the side by side comparisons.I think the original was scarier. LOL

[livingdeadpunk138]

Thank you very much for posting this!

have never seen the original version, which I think is scarier...

[Treyskywalker77]

The original 1925 film is surprisingly very clear to me although it's older.

[Howzerz]

ahh

[hypnodance]

They look the same to me. :(

[fantomedelopera100]

Many Halloween showings of this film across the world this year! Follow @fantomedelopera on Twitter for all the latest updates on special screenings and other PHANTOM OF THE OPERA related news.

[nirvanrocker]

id rather see the original version than the re-released version that tcm plays,kind of pissess me off

[xxkewldudexx]

You mentioned a "docked version". Explain what that is, please.

[PhantomReviews]

It was "dubbed version".. where they added sound to the 1929 print. It was awful!

[xxkewldudexx]

Oh really? I might not think so...review it like you said!

[Treyskywalker77]

@PhantomReviews where can you find the 1929 sound version. I know you think it's awful but i've been searching everywhere on youtube for it. Please help me find it!

[PhantomReviews]

@Treyskywalker77 Its available as a audio track on the Milestone Ultimate Edition DVD that I talk about in my review of the 1925 movie. Its not entirely talkie as not all of it survives, but it does have a lot of audio scenes there

[Treyskywalker77]

@PhantomReviews thank you I already have it and i'll just set it up! Thnx for ur help!

[CobraCutie]

thanks for sharing this

[Howzerz]

ahaghaghag!

[sirhonestharry]

0:30 is the best. Look at her face! That is the talent of Mary Philbin. Look at the terror in it!!!

[caprice6]

Gaston Leroux describes Erik as a skeleton like corpse, a decaying illness due to poor diet, poor environment and possible describing a real person. He did have knowledge of the Elephant Man who was seen with beautiful actress in London Shakespeare plays. There is Romance, Horror describe in his book. Christine was torn between him and Raoul. She loved his voice, and singing, he song in tenor. Before Lon Chaney died, he was going to do talking version, he going to Othello, which in chapt12

[Deepdesert]

I think it's really surprising that no one has REALLY tried to redo this scene or makeup since 1925 (certainly not in the 2004 movie); I'd like to see another POTO movie (not another adaptaion of the ALW musical) but one which emphasizes the gothic horror slightly over the romance.

[xxkewldudexx]

I am trying to do a very faithful version. I even wear a skullcap like Chaney did, although I'm not trying to wire my nose around or any of that painful shit. I'm just using makeup like scar putty and such.

[schizoidboy]

I remember reading Robert Bloch the horror writer claiming he was frightened by this scene, I don't blame him I got scared by it when I was a kid. Incidentally Lon Chaney did his own makeup for the movie, amazing isn't it, and makeup artists still study his technique today.

[datalal624]

Wow, maybe it's because I've seen the 1929 masking before a few times, but the original 1925 version seems much scarier! Maybe it's b/c it's not tinted, and Lon Chaney's makeup is even more skeletal and gross-looking. Cool! I didn't even know there were two versions, thanks for posting this!

[xxkewldudexx]

can you send me the full Toccata + Fugue from the comparison?

[xxkewldudexx]

can you send me the very original film please? the full version?

[beavistv369]

happy 1 year old this video!!!

[Eriksgirl66]

I did not know that there where more than one 1925-1929 versions, thanks that really helped.

[sn8ke69]

awseome

[beavistv369]

can someone post this unmasking just on its own

[Moseslawgiver]

The original version I saw just now before I watched this did not have as great music - especially in the Masquerade scene, when he was coming down the stairs, the music was all jovial. LOL!

Why is that? Why so many editions?

[xxkewldudexx]

can you send me the '25 unmasking? the whole film if you have it?

[stitchgrl777]

you're a fan who i'd be proud to learn from.

[ccdesan]

The comparison and information was intriguing - I had never seen the 1925 version. This video would have been a thousand times better without the faux-spooky narration voice, though.

[amortenti]

i remember the first time i ever saw the unmasking- truly shocked me. Now, after watching so many times, it doesn't shock me much any more. But the original 1925 one is really something. I felt that quick shot of adrenline; it's definitely way better than the 1929 one.

[MashPotatoBoy]

i feel the same way about elephant man

[Lucifer2066]

It's also worth pointing out that with the original version they kept how his face would look like a secret and never used it in the posters. Also back then, most of the really good theaters had lofts with massive pipe organs playing music along with the movie. Imagine the unmasking with a pipe organ playing, building up to the climatic moment, then exploding with thunderous sound as his mask is removed! Many people fainted at this scene.

[operaghost16]

i know i whould have fainted!

[PittsBurghFuzz]

@Lucifer2066 yeah, this scene is the main reason why this film got on to AFI's top 100 thrills.

[oggendoggen2]

The original version... was entierly better. The emotions that run in that half second are so much stronger. Lon Chaney, shocked at first, and then overcome with hatred for this woman he loves. He seperates his character from himself, and for those few precious moments, he IS the Phantom of the Opera

[liveforlife2494]

Very cool, thanks for uploading!!

[xxkewldudexx]

you saw his ghost? in full phantom costume? wow scary!

[ChrisStockslager]

Seriously?

[thecopykidofthestarz]

yes

[freacls]

@thecopykidofthestarz omg u seen Lon Chaneys ghost wow also they say he was buried in his phantom costume but dont really know

[thecopykidofthestarz]

@freacls No, Lon Was Buried in traditional formal wear, you may be thinking of Bella Lugosi. he was buried in the Dracula Cape.

[freacls]

@thecopykidofthestarz yeah maybe lol just found out the phantoms name was ment to be Erik Destler

[thecopykidofthestarz]

@freacls The phantom Doesnt have a last name . its Just Erik

[freacls]

@thecopykidofthestarz yeah that was in another version they mentioned a last name the guy who played Phantom was the guy who played Freddy in Nightmare on Elm street but he messed Phantom up made him into a kind of jack the ripper type even sleeping around the phantom was to much of a gentleman to lower him slef to sleep around

[Silent46]

Mind you if I ask you, sir, to show a 1925 version alone with normal speed? Because here is it somewhat sped up and you can't concetrate on the music that plyas in the bacground.

[PhantomReviews]

Sorry, that IS normal speed. Thats the way it ripped, probably because I'm using PAL equiptment to rip a NTSC DVD, so the frame rates are all messed up. Sorry!

[DUNGEONGHOULS13]

Hi -

I totally agree, the shots are better in this original 1925 unmasking. In our

interview we filmed with Carla Laemmle, she told us she was on the set

when this was filmed. Carla described how Lon did not allow Mary Philbin

to see his makeup before the unmasking was shot! Mary actually fainted,

and they had to re-shoot it! Carla played the lead ballerina in the film, her

uncle was Carl Laemmle founder of Universal Studios. What a historic event

to witness!

5 stars - Cortlandt

[Enabsflow1]

Cool!

[dylantiger2]

what one is the real one

[suspense13]

the first time you see the unmasking it really is shocking. The side-by-side comparison is interesting. The Ultimate Edition looks well worth buying!

[EmilyGreene1984]

I hope, PhantomReviews, you don't consider the originally intended ending for the Los Angeles preview - romantic garbage? Where Christine kisses Erik? ;)

[masterorganist]

The 1925 is much better!

[dylantiger2]

black and white version

[tico8007]

I realize something, when ever the economy is down the number of horror films increases, happened in the 30's, the 70's, the 80's and it seems to be happening now with the large number of horror remakes being released this year.

[lshield1]

Thanks! That was cool!

[LerouxFan]

Great! I can't wait to see more. This is my favorite movie.

[QueenOfTheKelpies]

Oh my lord the original is frightening!

I shall try and buy the Ultimate then! Thanks for putting this up.

[astrofist]

I've read about this for a couple of years. Does anyone have the talkie version from 29?

[PhantomReviews]

I'm not sure if the entire thing has been released commercially. Some parts are available as an alternate soundtrack on "POTO Ultimate Edition" - see my Chaney review part 2 for details of the different releases.

[ChrisStockslager]

There were five versions of "POTO." The Los Angeles Preview Version, with the graveyard and original ending; the San Francisco World Premiere Version, with the new ending and lousy comedy crap; the New York General Release Version, which is the one featured on this video; the 1929 "Talking Singing Dancing" version, which is on this video; and the 1930 International Sound Re-issue version, in which several scenes were either newly shot or re-shot. None of these scenes exist today, but the...

[ChrisStockslager]

... sound clips do exist, which are on the 'Special Features' section of the DVD. So, out of all five versions, technically, only two exist on the whole, and one in partial form: The New York General Release Version, the 1929 "Talking, Singing, Dancing" version, and the 1930 International Sound Reissue with sound clips.

[ChrisStockslager]

It's on the DVD, but, it's fairly lousy and confusing. There is one scene that's perfectly synchronized, and it's cool to watch ("The Jewel Song" --- chandelier crashing scene).

[freacls]

@astrofist i used to on old VHS but it got lost when we moved house alsong with a phantom book a novil and my damn Lon Chaney doll too but i think u can maybe get it on ebay thats where i got my new Phantom doll

[SailorPhantom]

Wow, that was awesome!

[MrsLonChaney]

Even a crazy LC phan like myself didn't know that! Thanks for the info :)

[Booknet861]

I love Lon Chaney as the phantom its his best role.

[AMAZINGTAD]

Seeing his face makes me think of Lord Voldemort from Harry Potter. That's not creepy to me.

[Guy5505]

Voldemort looks like Michael Jackson without hair, makeup, or a nose. Lon Chaney gave us perhaps the most shocking movie moment in all of silent film history.

[nobodysperfect06]

Lon Chaney is the best Phantom ever, no one will ever take his place!!!!!!!!

[LeonidasChaney]

Thank you!

[EmilyGreene1984]

These differently shot scenes are both from the same 1925 footage, however the one that we the public know so well (the yellow-tinted film footage) is what was called a secondary take. Basically there were two (or sometimes three, in certain cases) cameras which filmed the same scene, but shot from different angles and in different ways. This was done, in case the main footage was somehow lost or damaged or was thrown out all together in favour of the secondary footage.

[PC3900]

Wow, I had never seen the 1925 unmasking scene, only the later version. Great job!