Phantom of the opera mask cut out3/26/2023 ![]() ![]() Lon Chaney starred in over 150 films (most of them silent ones) but he'll always be remembered best for his personification of Erik, the Phantom. One of the most eminent horror films ever made and perhaps even the most famous silent horror movie from that time. ![]() As has been widely reported, Chaney did his own makeup and succeeded in making his character look almost skull-like. Eric is the disfigured but insane genius who tries to force Christine to love him. For all practical purposes the story is the same. 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. 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. Sure, it is silent, so we have to interpret facial expressions and body language, plus read occasional subtitles. But this 1925 silent version with Lon Chaney as Eric, the Phantom, is actually a much better film to tell the story. I like it, I own it, I watch it again from time to time. 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. ![]()
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