The Phantom of the Opera

1925

1h 47m

IMDb RATING

7.1/10

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3 Videos

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Horror

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The deformed Phantom who haunts the Paris Opera House causes murder and mayhem in an attempt to make the woman he loves a star.

Directors

Rupert Julian

Writers

Raymond L. Schrock(adaptation by)

Elliott J. Clawson(adaptation by)

Gaston Leroux(novel by)

Stars

Lon Chaney

Norman Kerry

Mary Philbin

See production, box office & company info

Videos3

Trailer
Watch The Phantom of the Opera (1925) - Original trailer
Trailer
Watch Phantom of the Opera 1925 Trailer
Featurette
Watch Bernard Rose on THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

Top cast

Lon Chaney

Erik, The Phantom

Norman Kerry

Vicomte Raoul de Chagny

Christine Daaé

Ledoux

Simon Buquet

Florine Papillon

Comte Philip de Chagny

Virginia Pearson

Carlotta

Olive Ann Alcorn

La Sorelli (uncredited)

Betty Van Allen

Ballerina (uncredited)

Betty Arthur

Ballet Dancer (uncredited)

Joseph Belmont

Stage Manager (uncredited)

Alexander Bevani

Mephistopheles (uncredited)

Earl Gordon Bostwick

Minor Role (uncredited)

Ethel Broadhurst

Frightened Ballerina (uncredited)

Edward Cecil

Faust (uncredited)

Ruth Clifford

Ballerina (uncredited)

Chester Conklin

Orderly (uncredited)

Directors

Rupert Julian

Writers

Raymond L. Schrock(adaptation by)

Elliott J. Clawson(adaptation by)

Gaston Leroux(novel by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

When then famed Paris Opera finds new owners, they are full of enthusiasm for their star "Carlotta" (Mary Fabian) whom they know will wow the audiences. Both she and they, though, get a letter informing them that should she take the stage instead of her understudy "Christine" (Mary Philbin) then they'll all rue the day. Nobody pays a blind bit of notice and, well, the audience really do bring the house down! Using the enchantment of his voice, and promises of success, the "Phantom" (Lon Chaney) manages to lure the young "Christine" to his lair some five floors beneath the stage where he declares his undying love. She's more interested in the mask that he's wearing, and upon it's removal is abhorred. She begs to go free and he agrees - provided she spurns her lover "Raoul" (Norman Kerry). She does quite the opposite however and that antagonises her admirer to the point where life and limb are threatened and even the opera house itself could end up in smithereens. It all builds to a marvellous climax - a race against time, against flood waters and gunpowder - if "Raoul" is to save his love from their clearly insane nemesis. A lot will spend on the accompanying music here, but if you get a good score then this film really does come alive. The sparing use of colour - especially as Chaney straddles the gargoyle atop the roof of the building, but also during some of the theatrical scenes contrasts well with the rather more drab monochrome scenes. The creative use of light and shadow to create a genuine sense of peril and, at times, even desperation as the story develops is also enthralling to watch. A great story of love and obsession on a big screen with a live pianist - this takes some beating.

Geronimo196707 Dec, 2023