Film: "The Phantom of the Opera" (1925)

[Bob Pr.]

Tonight, the open to the public, 13th annual "Silents at the Cathedral" Halloween film, "The Phantom of the Opera," was shown in a collaboration between our city/county public library, our cathedral (Episcopal), and the Kansas Silent Film Festival (KSFF). B&W, some versions have some color, 92-107 min., depending on the version (some with some sound). This is one of Roger Ebert's "Great Films" (the link to his review is given below). Two shorts, Edison's "Frankenstein" and "Habeus Corpus" preceded this main feature.

The historian of the KSFF gave the twisted history of "TPotO"-- and it is twisted. The first version bombed at previews so another director was hired to add new scenes and spice it up. This bombed in its previews, too. Some new comedic scenes were then added and those previews also bombed. The film went through many revisions: additions, prunings, & with several radically different endings--until finally a version was found that produced good previews; then it was released for general circulation. Because of SO many patchwork versions to draw on, there are several DVDs mixes that differ almost radically. I know no way of identifying which version we saw; IMO it had a satisfying "tragic" ending and was the one preferred by the KSFF--the sustained applause at its conclusion says everyone enjoyed it.

[WARNING re: silent films. The KSFF presents a marathon (almost 10 hrs/day) of silent films for 3 days every February. I've gone to a few each festival for 12 years. The music has been superb, and that's extremely important because the music drives emotions, moods, expectations, etc. We've been very fortunate to have either the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra or Dr. Marvin Faulwell (organ) accompanying these films. Both do outstanding jobs. I once rented a silent film (Buster Keaton's "The General") which gave a choice between an orchestral or piano accompaniment--both were so lousy (IMO) they destroyed my enjoyment of the film; the tempos and moods they set had no correspondence to the screen action. But when there is appropriate musical accompaniment, one's rarely aware of the music--it just subtly guides our emotional reactions. We were blessed to have Dr. F. for the 13th time again, tonight on our Cathedral organ.)

Essential to the narrative of "TPotO" is that the Paris Opera house is (actually) built over 5 (maybe 7) levels of subterranean basements (with a "lake!" at its the bottom level!) and riddled with (this part is fantasy) secret passages known only to the Phantom throughout the building. Within those myriad depths lives the Phantom, "Erik" (Lon Chaney), a man with his face disfigured by others and who wears a mask (or disguises) whenever seen in public. There's some indication he's criminally insane. He becomes fixated on a young soprano, Christine, and finds means of significantly helping her career. What he really wants is for Christine to be grateful and love him, accept him as her master (but never seeing his disfigured face.) She wants to be a famous opera star and almost agrees to the bargain.

But Christine is overcome by curiosity; she removes his mask, and is repulsed by Erik's horribly disfigured face. Erik decides he must kill both Christine and her previous suitor and potential mate, Raoul. The rest of the movie is a race between Raoul and friends to rescue Christine from the Phantom and the Phantom's/Erik's efforts to defeat them.

A VERY worthwhile silent film to see IF you get the right version and suitable musical accompaniment. I was able to suspend its dream-like distortions of reality and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I'll give it 8 of 10 stars.

Roger Ebert's review: The Phantom of the Opera :: rogerebert.com :: Great Movies

The Edison film studio 1910 version of "Frankenstein" was fairly short (about 10') and crude. No closeups, everything was filmed as if on a stage. Interesting for it's view of the early era of film-making 100 years ago.

Laurel & Hardy's "Habeus Corpus" (1928, 20 min.) was early vintage L&H--much the same physical humor they used throughout their career; delightfully enjoyable. Our audience of 500+ laughed vigorously & often.