The Phantom of the Opera (1925)

My parents put this movie on for me and my sisters after observing that we liked The Phantom of the Opera mini-series.  I was a little older when I watched this film but I was too young to fully appreciate silent pictures much less the great Lon Chaney.

This film most closely follows the original novel of the same title.  So, if you find yourself curious about the original novel and, for some strange reason find that you don't want to read it, feel free to watch this movie.  While some of the finer details are left out, the heart of the story is well presented in this picture.

In this movie, we meet Christine Daae (played by Mary Philbin) a beautiful young up-and-coming opera singer who finally gets her big break after the resident Diva Carlotta (played by Mary Fabian and Virginia Pearson as of the 1929  re-edited version) claims sickness after not having her demands met.  When Christine surprises everyone by being a sweeping success, Carlotta and others at the opera house do their best to remind everyone that Carlotta is the "real" star of the opera house.

At the same time Christine reconnects with a childhood sweetheart now Vicomte Raoul de Chagny (played by Norman Kerry).  Unfortunately everyone including Christine is in both direct and indirect collision courses with the fearsome Phantom of the Opera (played by Lon Chaney).

In the course of events that follow Christine will be faced with a choice.  Does she follow her heart and be with her beloved Raoul?  If she goes with Raoul she would be turning her back on her teacher and mentor who helped her achieve her success.  Does she turn her back on her heart and stay locked away in the dark with the murderous Phantom?

This film is considered a classic for many excellent reasons.  The filming was great.  The acting was great.  The story was well executed.  Everyone has seen the famous unmasking scene at some time or another and I expect that the first time that anyone sees it, it is a little startling possibly more so if you don't know what's going on in the scene.