Phantom of the Opera (1925)
from Reel Deep Dive Hosted by Ryan Valentine
Often credited with kicking off the Universal Monsters series that gave us Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), and The Wolf Man (1941), The Phantom of the Opera was created at great expense and with numerous production woes. Intended from the onset to be a vehicle for superstar actor Lon Chaney, his scene-stealing performance and memorably gruesome makeup job still manages to engage audiences almost a hundred years after the movie's 1925 debut. While Phantom of the Opera has been adapted to the screen many times (Reel Deep Dive has covered two other Phantom films on prior episodes), this version remains a unique experience. Ryan is joined by Rachel for a detailed chat about this moody and influential film. Talking points include the movie's numerous revisions, how music affects perception of the story, the difficulties connected to preserving films made in the silent era, and how the Phantom symbolizes patriarchal entitlement.
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