Phantom of the Opera (1943)

Director:

Arthur Lubin

Writers:

Samuel Hoffenstein (writer)
John Jacoby (adaptation)

Release Date:

27 August 1943 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Music | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

In flaming Technicolor!

Plot:

This is the story of a disfigured violinist who haunts the Paris Opera House

Plot Keywords:

Opera | Music Publisher | Acid | Soprano | Murder

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 2 nominations

Cast

Nelson Eddy	...	Anatole Garron
Susanna Foster	...	Christine Dubois
Claude Rains	...	Erique Claudin
Edgar Barrier	...	Raoul D'Aubert
Leo Carrillo	...	Signor Ferretti
Jane Farrar	...	Biancarolli
J. Edward Bromberg	...	Amiot
Fritz Feld	...	Lecours
Frank Puglia	...	Villeneuve
Steven Geray	...	Vereheres
Barbara Everest	...	The Aunt
Hume Cronyn	...	Gerard
Fritz Leiber	...	Franz Liszt
Nicki Andre	...	Madame Lorenzi
Gladys Blake	...	Jeanne

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Spain:13 | Netherlands:12 | Australia:G (cable rating) | Australia:PG (original rating) | Finland:K-16 | Germany:12 | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:Approved (PCA #9388) | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Of the three "operas" in the film, only the first, "Marta," by Friederich von Flotow, is an actual opera. The second, "Amore et Gloire," is adapted from music originally written for piano by Chopin: the overture and opening chorus is taken from the "Military" Polonaise in A major, Op. 40, No. 1; the duet between Anatole and Biancarolli is taken from the Waltz in C-sharp minor, Op. 64, No. 2; and the music for Christine's aria/duet with Anatole is taken from the Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9, No. 2. The music of the third opera, "Le Prince Masque de Caucasie," is actually excerpts from the finale of Tchaikowsky's Fourth Symphony.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Christine takes the mask off from Phantom's face, we see that his scar reaches the low area of his right cheek, even the right eyelid is slightly fallen. But before that during the entire film, we never see a single mark of the scar on the uncover area of the Phantom's face, not even the fallen eyelid through the mask.

Quotes:

Enrique Claudin: Mademoiselle, may I speak to you for a minute?
Christine DuBois: Why, of course.
Enrique Claudin: You weren't on the stage tonight for the third act curtain call.
Christine DuBois: Everyone seems to notice. It's really quite flattering.
Enrique Claudin: [Becoming concerned] Why weren't you there?
[Christine is puzzled]
Enrique Claudin: Forgive me, but I have been a part of the Opera for so long. Everybody, everything connected with it, I feel it is so much a part of my life.
[Christine pauses, then smiles]
Christine DuBois: Yes, well, Monsieur Villeneuve is waiting for you.
Enrique Claudin: You weren't ill, were you? You're not in any trouble, are you? Why it's impertinent of me, I know, but...
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Psych: Spellingg Bee (#1.2)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

MARTHA (Act III, opera excerpt)

The Opera Re-opens for a Delightful Movie

I rented Phantom Of The Opera (1943) hoping it was a horror movie. In a way, sure it is a horror picture, but it focuses much of it in drama/romance and even some comedy. I liked Claude Rains in Invisible Man (one of my favorite movies) and I like him as the Phantom as well. The other actors are kinda good (specially in the opera sequences). Many people consider the 1925 version the best one there is, but this one has its charm. The beginning is kinda slow and boring but once it approaches to the end (and the middle) it gets better- a lot better. If you wanna rent this movie because you want to see a good horror, probably you shouldn't rent it- but you will lose one of the best musical/drama classics of all times.

7.7/10