About this movie
- Genres:
- Drama
- Language:
- English
- Running time:
- 1:31:23
- Partner rating:
- Released:
- 1925
- Quality:
- 480 (DVD equivalent)
Cast & Crew
Cast
-
Lon Chaney
The Phantom
-
Mary Philbin
Christine Daae
-
Norman Kerry
Vicomte Raoul de Chagny
-
Arthur Edmund Carewe
Ledoux, the Persian
-
Gibson Gowland
Simon Buquet
-
Edward Martindel
Philippe de Chagny [sound version]
-
John St. Polis
Philippe de Chagny [silent version]
-
Snitz Edwards
Florine Papillon
-
Olive Ann Alcorn
La Sorelli
-
Alexander Bevani
Mephistopheles
-
Edward Cecil
Faust
-
Chester Conklin
Orderly
-
Bruce Covington
Mons. Moncharmin
-
Ward Crane
Count Ruboff
-
Cesare Gravina
Retiring Manager
-
Grace Marvin
Martha
-
John Miljan
Valentine
-
Bernard Siegel
Joseph Buquet
-
Anton Vaverka
The Prompter
-
George B. William
M. Richard, manager
Directors
- Rupert Julian
Producers
- Carl Laemmle
- Carl Laemmle, Jr.
- Carl Laemmle, Sr.
Writers
- Gaston Leroux
The Phantom of the Opera
Lon Chaney stars as Erik, the Phantom, in what is probably his most famous and certainly his most horrifying role. Produced by Universal, the film shot in 1923 and shelved for nearly two years, and was subjected to intensive studio tinkering. While many expected a disaster, the film turned out to be a rousing success. It was both the stepping off point for Chaney's run as a superstar at MGM and the prototype for the horror film cycle at Universal in the 1930s. The story concerns Erik, a much-feared fiend who haunts the Paris Opera House. Lurking around the damp, dank passages deep in the cellars of the theater, he secretly coaches understudy Christine Daae (Mary Philbin) to be an opera star. Through a startling sequence of terrors, including sending a giant chandelier crashing down on the opera patrons, the Phantom forces the lead soprano to withdraw from the opera, permitting Christine to step in. Luring Christine into his subterranean lair below the opera house, the Phantom confesses his love. But Christine is in love with Raoul de Chagny (Norman Kerry). The Phantom demands that Christine break off her relationship with Raoul before he'll allow her to return to the opera house stage. She agrees, but immediately upon her release from the Phantom's lair, she runs into the arms of Raoul and they plan to flee to England after her performance that night. The Phantom overhears their conversation and, during her performance, the Phantom kidnaps Christine, taking her to the depths of his dungeon. It is left to Raoul and Simon Buquet (Gibson Gowland), a secret service agent, to track down the Phantom and rescue Christine.
Reviews by Rotten Tomatoes
88%
percent positive reviews
-
Variety Staff, VarietyKerry is a colorless hero, Philbin contents herself with being pretty and becoming terrorized at the Phantom, and Chaney is either behind a mask or grimacing through his fiendish makeup.
– Full review
-
Alan Morrison, Empire Magazine
Lon Chaney's magnetism and the overall impact of the suspense and reveal is still impressive.
– Full review
-
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Rupert Julian's 1925 silent film doesn't have much going for it apart from the famous unmasking scene.
– Full review
-
J. Hoberman, Village Voice
A pinnacle of the Hollywood fantastic.
– Full review
-
Mordaunt Hall, New York Times
The Phantom of the Opera is an ultra fantastic melodrama, an ambitious production in which there is much to marvel at in the scenic effects.
– Full review
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