The Phantom of the Opera
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Summary
In 1923, Universal Pictures President Carl Laemmle made a decision that would not only set the course for his studio in the coming decades, but also make cinematic history. He essentially created the modern horror film with his production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Laemmle knew that the obvious star to appear as the misshapen lead could be none other than Lon Chaney. Known as a master of make-up, Chaney would be the only actor who could bring novelist Victor Hugo's tragic Quasimodo to life on the screen.
The film was a major sensation, going on to become Universal's biggest money-maker up to that time. Due to its incredible popularity, Laemmle kept the film in continuous release for the next two years. By 1924, Laemmle was already looking for another sensation along the lines of The Hunchback. He turned to the classics again, and this time, found Gaston Leroux's novel, The Phantom of the Opera. The story concerned a horribly disfigured musician/composer, Erik, who falls in love with a rising diva in the Paris Opera Christine (Mary Philbin). His tutelage of her soon turns to obsession and Erik kidnaps her to become his bride. To portray the disfigured composer, Carl Laemmle turned once again to the only man who could play the role: Lon Chaney. Laemmle knew that with Chaney, he would have another major hit on his hands.
Chaney, known as "the Man of a Thousand Faces", was given total control to create the make-up for his soon-to-be legendary character. He created a lasting masterpiece when he transformed himself into Erik the Phantom, by making his face appear as a living skull. He used thin wire to make his eyes bulge and to enlarge his nostrils. He also applied jagged teeth to his mouth and dark make-up around the eyes to complete the effect. The make-up was kept a complete secret from the public and wasn't revealed until the World Premiere of the picture. The night was in early 1925 at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco and in attendance were the films lead's: Chaney, Philbin, and Norman Kerry (Raoul), and the film's directors, Rupert Julian and Edward Sedgwick. It was a celebrated event that brought major dignitaries and Hollywood's elite to the city. Although the film initially met with mixed reviews, it seemed that Universal could have a major hit.
To insure the success of his picture, Laemmle ordered retakes under the direction of Sedgwick and had Technicolor sequences added to the film. The picture had another premiere at the Astor Theatre in New York City on September 6, 1925. To say the least, the film was a smash sensation. The Phantom of the Opera includes one of the scariest moments ever filmed when Christine approached the Phantom and tore the mask from his face. The resulting exposure of Chaney's face (and make-up) reportedly sent women screaming from the theater and fainting in the aisles. The scene has been imitated many times and in many films over the years, but the impact of this singular cinematic moment can't be overstated.
Title
The Phantom of the Opera – 1925
Studio
Universal
Image Size
4737 px x 7148 px
15.79" w x 23.83" h
300 DPI
Tiff
Note: Watermark will not appear on downloaded file
In 1923, Universal Pictures President Carl Laemmle made a decision that would not only set the course for his studio in the coming decades, but also make cinematic history. He essentially created the modern horror film with his production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Laemmle knew that the obvious star to appear as the misshapen lead could be none other than Lon Chaney. Known as a master of make-up, Chaney would be the only actor who could bring novelist Victor Hugo's tragic Quasimodo to life on the screen.
The film was a major sensation, going on to become Universal's biggest money-maker up to that time. Due to its incredible popularity, Laemmle kept the film in continuous release for the next two years. By 1924, Laemmle was already looking for another sensation along the lines of The Hunchback. He turned to the classics again, and this time, found Gaston Leroux's novel, The Phantom of the Opera. The story concerned a horribly disfigured musician/composer, Erik, who falls in love with a rising diva in the Paris Opera Christine (Mary Philbin). His tutelage of her soon turns to obsession and Erik kidnaps her to become his bride. To portray the disfigured composer, Carl Laemmle turned once again to the only man who could play the role: Lon Chaney. Laemmle knew that with Chaney, he would have another major hit on his hands.
Chaney, known as "the Man of a Thousand Faces", was given total control to create the make-up for his soon-to-be legendary character. He created a lasting masterpiece when he transformed himself into Erik the Phantom, by making his face appear as a living skull. He used thin wire to make his eyes bulge and to enlarge his nostrils. He also applied jagged teeth to his mouth and dark make-up around the eyes to complete the effect. The make-up was kept a complete secret from the public and wasn't revealed until the World Premiere of the picture. The night was in early 1925 at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco and in attendance were the films lead's: Chaney, Philbin, and Norman Kerry (Raoul), and the film's directors, Rupert Julian and Edward Sedgwick. It was a celebrated event that brought major dignitaries and Hollywood's elite to the city. Although the film initially met with mixed reviews, it seemed that Universal could have a major hit.
To insure the success of his picture, Laemmle ordered retakes under the direction of Sedgwick and had Technicolor sequences added to the film. The picture had another premiere at the Astor Theatre in New York City on September 6, 1925. To say the least, the film was a smash sensation. The Phantom of the Opera includes one of the scariest moments ever filmed when Christine approached the Phantom and tore the mask from his face. The resulting exposure of Chaney's face (and make-up) reportedly sent women screaming from the theater and fainting in the aisles. The scene has been imitated many times and in many films over the years, but the impact of this singular cinematic moment can't be overstated.
Title
The Phantom of the Opera – 1925
Studio
Universal
Image Size
4737 px x 7148 px
15.79" w x 23.83" h
300 DPI
Tiff
Note: Watermark will not appear on downloaded file