“The Phantom of the Opera” is a 1925 American silent horror film adaptation of the Gaston Leroux novel of the same title directed by Rupert Julian. The film featured Lon Chaney in the title role as the deformed Phantom who haunts the Paris Opera House, causing murder and mayhem in an attempt to force the management to make the woman he loves a star. It is most famous for Lon Chaney’s intentionally horrific, self-applied make-up, which was kept a studio secret until the film’s premiere. The film was adapted by Elliott J. Clawson, Frank M. McCormack, Tom Reed and Raymond L. Schrock. It was directed by Rupert Julian, with supplemental direction by Lon Chaney, Edward Sedgwick and Ernst Laemmle. The film also features Mary Philbin, Norman Kerry, Arthur Edmund Carewe, Gibson Gowland, John St. Polis, and Snitz Edwards. The only surviving cast member is Carla Laemmle (born 1909), niece of producer Carl Laemmle, who played a small role as “prima ballerina” in the film when she was about 15.
Joe Rinaudo with Carla Laemmle at the Nethercutt Collection, during the premier of Joe’s meticulously restored Phantom of the Opera (complete with two-strip Technicolor sequences) in which Ms. Laemmle was featured as the ballerina.
Directed by Rupert Julian, Lon Chaney, Edward Sedgwick and Ernst Laemmle, produced by Carl Laemmle, screenplay by Elliott J. Clawson, Raymond L. Schrock, Bernard McConville, Jasper Spearing, Richard Wallace, Walter Anthony, Tom Reed and Frank M. McCormack, based on “The Phantom of the Opera” by Gaston Leroux, starring Lon Chaney, Mary Philbin, Norman Kerry, Arthur Edmund Carewe and Gibson Gowland.
Note: The video above is from the Timeless Classic Movies channel on YouTube. It is not the version restored by Joe Rinaudo.
Source: “The Phantom of the Opera (1925 film)” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.
Film appears on the YouTube channel Timeless Classic Movies
FPO returns to the 55th Annual Cinecon Classic Film Festival at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood to perform their score for the premiere of a new restoration from the Library of Congress:
“Bare Knees” (1928)
Starring Virginia Lee Corbin, Donald Keith, Jane Winton andMaude Fulton.
November 2nd, 2019
Join us for our spectacular fundraiser evening featuring:
“The Phantom of the Opera” (1925)
Starring Lon Chaney, Mary Philbin,Norman Kerry and Snitz Edwards.
With live accompaniment by Scott Lasky at the pipe organ!
On November 2nd, 2019 @ 7:00 p.m. Famous Players Orchestra will present the 1925 silent horror classic “The Phantom of the Opera” starring Lon Chaney, Mary Philbin, Norman Kerry and Snitz Edwards. This unique restored print of “Phantom” cannot be seen anywhere else, and is the only 35mm print in existence which tells the complete story as it was originally intended. All of the original color sequences have been restored as they were seen in 1925. Original narrative and spoken inter-titles (about 68) have been restored as well as the prologue titles that describe the beginnings of the Phantom and his connection to the Paris Opera House. Plus, see the original Technicolor ending as well! Since this print is drawn from the original 1925 and the 1929 (sound speed) versions, hand cranking will allow you to see, for the first time, the film presented at the proper speeds. “The Phantom of the Opera” will be presented with a live musical score accompanied by Scott Lasky on the pipe organ and screened in 35mm, projected by Joe Rinaudo on an original hand-cranked Power’s 1909 Cameragragh Model 6 Motion Picture Machine. Program will be introduced by film historian Stan Taffel. The venue is Christ Lutheran Church, 2400 West Burbank Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505.
WHAT COULD BE SPOOKIER… THAN A DARK THEATER HAUNTED BY SILENT GHOSTS FROM A CENTURY PAST, BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE BY A SINGLE HAND, CRANKING AN ANTIQUE MOVING PICTURE MACHINE
JOIN US THIS OCTOBER FOR THESE
HIGHLY SPIRITED SHOWS:
OCT. 14 ♠ HAL-O’WEEN EVENING OF HAL ROACH COMEDIES WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA
CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH
Burbank, California
OCT. 22 ♠ PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1925) WITH LIVE ORGAN AND RESTORED COLOR SEQUENCES
BAKERSFIELD FOX THEATRE
Bakersfield, California
OCT. 27 & 28 ♠HAPPILY HAUNTING SHORT COMEDIES & DRAMA WITH MIGHTY WURLITZER
NETHERCUTT COLLECTION
Sylmar, California
The Spooky Details:
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2017 at 7:00 PM CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH
Burbank, California
$15 Purchase Tickets Here
A HAL-O’WEEN EVENING OF HAL ROACH COMEDIES
Charley Chase and Martha Sleeper in “Crazy Like a Fox” (1926)
Join us Saturday, October 14, 2017 as we present a screening of four classic comedies from the Hal Roach Studios. Included on the program will be:
Do Detectives Think(1927) Crazy Like a Fox (1926) Cat, Dog & Co.(1929)
Also, Buster Keaton in The Haunted House (1921)
The films will be accompanied by a period musical score performed live by The Famous Players Orchestra under the direction of Scott Lasky. Joe Rinaudo will project 35mm film on an original hand-cranked Power’s 1909 Cameragragh Model 6 Motion Picture Machine. Your Master of Ceremonies will be film historian Stan Taffel.
Showtime: Saturday, October 14, 2017
7:00 PM
Location: Christ Lutheran Church
2400 West Burbank Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91506
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2017 at 2:00 PM
FOX THEATER BAKERSFIELD
Bakersfield, California
$10 Purchase Tickets Here
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
The Phantom of the Opera at the Fox Bakersfield will be a very special viewing of the silent classic horror film that you and your family won’t want to miss. You will get to watch this film, complete with restored 2–STRIP TECHNICOLOR sequences, accompanied with the live performance by Dean Mora at the organ, just like you would have, had you been watching a movie the the Fox Bakersfield in 1930. And to add more character and historic appeal, the film will be projected from a fully restored 1909 Powers Cameragraph Hand-Cranked Motion Picture Machine, set up in the center of the auditorium.
The Phantom Of The Opera will be screened at the historic Fox Theater Bakersfield. Opened in 1930, The Fox was one of the last of its kind built in the Gilded Age. The 1500 seat Fox Theater was designed by famed Los Angeles architect S. Charles Lee. Known for his trademark “The Show Begins on the Sidewalk;” his designs would later gain classic status as paragons of style and beauty. In 1953, the original interior was replaced with a contemporary Art Deco motif inspired by Fox West Coast Theaters’ Charles P. Skouras. A lavish concession area was added, along with a remodel of the marquee, box office and main entrance — embellished with glitzy 50’s bright metals, terrazzo and neon. Read more history about the Fox Theater Bakersfield here.
Synopsis
In this silent horror classic, aspiring young opera singer Christine Daaé (Mary Philbin) discovers that she has a mysterious admirer intent on helping her become a lead performer. This enigmatic masked presence is Erik, also known as the Phantom (Lon Chaney), a horribly disfigured recluse who lives underneath the Paris Opera House. When the Phantom takes Christine prisoner and demands her devotion and affection, her suitor, Vicomte Raoul de Chagny (Norman Kerry), sets out to rescue her.
Restoration
The film is the only 35mm print in existence that tells the complete story (as originally intended) by combining the 1929 release and the 16mm show at home versions (blown up to 35mm). It also now has all of the original 2–STRIP TECHNICOLORsequences restored as they were seen in 1925. Original narrative and spoken inter-titles (about 68) have been restored as well as the prologue titles that describe the beginnings of the Phantom and his connection to the Paris Opera House. Since this print is drawn from the original 1925 and the 1929 (sound speed) versions, hand cranking will allow you to see, for the first time, the film presented at the proper speeds. Gary Gibson will present a glass lantern slide show during all reel changes.
The Phantom of the Opera
Restoration Credits: see below
Showtime: Sunday, October 22, 2017
Doors open 1:00 PM ◊ Show 2:00 PM
Location: Bakersfield Fox Theater
2001 H Street Bakersfield, CA93301 map Box Office phone: (661) 324 -1369
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2017 at 8 PM SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017at2 PM & 8PM NETHERCUTT COLLECTION Sylmar, California Request Tickets available Sept. 27, 2017 at 4pm (Admission is free but you must request tickets in advance.)
HAPPY HAUNTED HALLOWEEN SHORTS
The Nethercutt Collection will host another three silent film hand crank shows. Friday at 8:00 p.m. & Saturday at 2:00 & 8:00 p.m. The program will be the same for each show. Tickets will be available Wednesday, September 27 starting at 4:00 p.m. by calling in for up to 4 tickets per caller. Phone: (818) 364-6464. Please be persistent as the office only has 3 phone lines. How to Request Nethercutt Show Tickets
This happily haunted show will feature several shorts we haven’t presented in a number of years:
Koko’s Earth Control(Cartoon) The Thieving Hand Do Detectives Think (Laurel & Hardy) Suspense Cat, Dog, and Co.(Our Gang) Super-Hooper Dyne Lizzies
Ghost of Mildred Smith
Musical narration and sound effects by Dean Mora at the Mighty Wurlitzer, the third largest theater organ in the world.
Gary Gibson will provide original glass lantern slides during all reel changes.
Your host is Kyle Irwin, curator, who will demonstrate the Nethercutt Collection’s automated musical instruments before the show and during intermission.
You may also tour the collection of over fifty classic cars which are on display in a museum setting that recreates the marble and mirrored showroom of an early automobile dealership.
Business or semi-formal attire is appropriate. Children must be 10 and older.
Don’t forget to call for tickets Wednesday Sept. 27 at 4pm sharp—and enjoy the show!
Showtimes: Friday, October 27, 2017 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Location:
Nethercutt Collection
15200 Bledsoe Street
Sylmar, CA 91342 map
35mm source material: Special thanks to Mr. David Shepard
Blackhawk film library
16mm source material: Mr. Stan Taffel
Script and cutting continuity: Mr. George Wagner
Title re-creation, design and typography: Mr. Chaz DeSimone DesimoneDesign.com
Title & film digitizing & output to film: Mr. Michael Brodersen Mr. Rico Hernandez Negative and print color timing: Mr. Doug Ledin
Project manager: Mr. Allan Tudzin
Fotokem Film & Video Services Fotokem.com
Film and title restoration
produced and supervised by: Mr. Joe Rinaudo SilentCinemaSociety.org
“Habeas Corpus” film courtesy of the Blackhawk film library.
The Nethercutt Collection will host another three silent film hand crank shows. Friday at 8:00 p.m. & Saturday at 2:00 & 8:00 p.m. The program will be the same for each show. Tickets will be available Wednesday, September 27 starting at 4:00 p.m. by calling in for up to 4 tickets per caller. Phone: (818) 364-6464. Please be persistent as the office only has 3 phone lines. 
