The Phantom of the Opera

1925
Passed
1h 33m

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

21K

YOUR RATING

Lon Chaney in The Phantom of the Opera (1925)

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Tragedy Horror

A mad, disfigured composer seeks love with a lovely young opera singer.A mad, disfigured composer seeks love with a lovely young opera singer.A mad, disfigured composer seeks love with a lovely young opera singer.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

21K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 4 wins & 1 nomination total

Carlotta
(1929 re-edited version)
…

Alma Wayne

Undetermined Secondary Role

Olive Ann Alcorn

La Sorelli
(uncredited)

Betty 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)

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Lon Chaney's horrific, self-applied makeup was kept secret right up until the film's premiere. Not a single photograph of Chaney as The Phantom was published in a newspaper or magazine or seen anywhere before the film opened in theaters. Universal Pictures wanted The Phantom's face to be a complete surprise when his mask was ripped off.

Goofs
(1929 cut) When the Phantom's alarm goes off, the sound of the chimes does not always match the striking of the device's "arms". That is because what is heard is the film's soundtrack, not "sound effects", which do not exist in a silent film. As such, this being "off sync" is allowable.

Quotes
The Phantom: [Christine sees a casket in the room] That is where I sleep. It keeps me reminded of that other dreamless sleep that cures all ills - forever!
Christine Daae: You - You are the Phantom!
The Phantom: If I am the Phantom, it is because man's hatred has made me so. If I shall be saved, it will be because your love redeems me.

Crazy credits
In 1925 (and for many years afterwards), credits used to appear at the beginning of movies. In this film, the credits do appear at the beginning but also are repeated at the end, preceded by the following caption: "This is repeated at the request of picture patrons who desire to check the names of performers whose work has pleased them."

Alternate versions
In 2012 it was determined that an "accidental 3-D" version of the film existed. From an examination of various prints of the film, it was discovered that most - if not all - of the original film was shot using two cameras placed side-by-side. This was most likely done to create simultaneous master and safety/domestic and foreign negatives of the film. However, when synched together and anaglyph color-tinted, the spatial distance between the two simultaneous film strips translates into an effective 3-D film. Under the working title of LA FANTOME 3D, a fund-raising effort is under way to locate and restore (create) a full "accidental 3-D" version of the film.

Connections
Edited into Drácula (1931)

User reviews218

Review

Featured review

In many ways the best version of Phantom.

My first exposure to the story, "Phantom of the Opera", was the current 2005 film version, featuring beautiful costumes, perfect filming, and on DVD a superb surround sound track. I like it, I own it, I watch it again from time to time.

But this 1925 silent version with Lon Chaney as Eric, the Phantom, is actually a much better film to tell the story. Sure, it is silent, so we have to interpret facial expressions and body language, plus read occasional subtitles. But during the climax when Christine is down in the catacombs and comes face to face with Eric the first time, and sees his disfigured face. And when Raol is in the dark, wet, complex tunnels looking for her, these are much more dangerous looking scenes than in the modern movie.

For all practical purposes the story is the same. Eric is the disfigured but insane genius who tries to force Christine to love him. As has been widely reported, Chaney did his own makeup and succeeded in making his character look almost skull-like. In all a fine older movie. Saw it on TCM channel.