The Phantom of the Opera (1925 film)

The Phantom of the Opera
Original release poster
Directed by	Rupert Julian Uncredited: Edward Sedgwick Lon Chaney, Sr. Ernst Laemmle
Produced by	Uncredited: Carl Laemmle
Screenplay by	Uncredited: Elliott J. Clawson Raymond L. Schrock Bernard McConville Jasper Spearing Richard Wallace Walter Anthony Tom Reed Frank M. McCormack
Based on	The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
Starring	Lon Chaney Mary Philbin Norman Kerry Arthur Edmund Carewe Gibson Gowland
Music by	Gustav Hinrichs
Cinematography	Milton Bridenbecker Virgil Miller Charles Van Enger
Edited by	Edward Curtiss Maurice Pivar Gilmore Walker Lois Weber
Production company	Jewel Productions
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Release date	November 25, 1925 (1925-11-25)
Running time	107 minutes Original 1925 release: 101 minutes 1930 sound reissue: 93 minutes
Country	United States
Language	Silent English intertitles
Box office	$2 million

Silent

The Phantom of the Opera is a 1925 American silent horror film adaptation of Gaston Leroux's 1910 novel Le Fantôme de l'Opéra, directed by Rupert Julian and starring Lon Chaney, Sr. in the title role of the deformed Phantom who haunts the Paris Opera House, causing murder and mayhem in an attempt to make the woman he "loves" a star. The film remains most famous for Chaney's ghastly, self-devised make-up, which was kept a studio secret until the film's premiere. The film was released on November 25, 1925.

The picture also features Mary Philbin, Norman Kerry, Arthur Edmund Carewe, Gibson Gowland, John St. Polis, and Snitz Edwards. The last surviving cast member was Carla Laemmle (1909–2014), niece of producer Carl Laemmle, who played a small role as "prima ballerina" in the film when she was about 15.

The film opens with the debut of the new season at the Paris Opera House, with a production of Gounod's Faust. Comte Philippe de Chagny (John St. Polis) and his brother, the Vicomte Raoul de Chagny (Norman Kerry) are in attendance. Raoul attends only in the hope of hearing his sweetheart Christine Daaé (Mary Philbin) sing. Christine has made a sudden rise from the chorus to understudy of Mme. Carlotta, the prima donna. Raoul visits her in her dressing room during the performance, and makes his intentions known that he wishes for Christine to resign and marry him. Christine refuses to let their relationship get in the way of her career.