The Opera Ghost: A Phantom Unmasked (Video 2000)

Director:

David J. Skal

Writers:

Scott MacQueen, David J. Skal

Stars:

Scott MacQueen, Susanna Foster, Carla Laemmle

Cast

Credited cast:
Scott MacQueen	...	Host
Susanna Foster	...	Herself
Carla Laemmle	...	Herself
Rudy Behlmer	...	Himself
Jessica Rains	...	Herself
Carl Laemmle	...	(archive footage)
Lon Chaney	...	(archive footage)
Claude Rains	...	(archive footage)
Herbert Lom	...	(archive footage)
Mary Philbin	...	(archive footage)
Heather Sears	...	(archive footage)
Nelson Eddy	...	(archive footage)
Paul M. Jensen	...	Himself
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Turhan Bey	...	Himself

Storyline

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

51 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This documentary is featured on the Universal Monster Collection DVD for Phantom of the Opera, released in 2000.

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Connections

Features The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)

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Soundtracks

"Phantom Agitato"
By Samuel Perry
Used in the 1930 reissue sound bytes

User Reviews

A case where the DVD extras are better than the feature film!

This 51 minute documentary was included on the DVD for the 1943 remake of "Phantom of the Opera". This remake was a very lavish but incredibly dull shadow of the great 1925 film. Thankfully, this documentary was better than the full-length film and makes watching the disk worth while--an odd case where the DVD extras are better than the accompanying feature film.

The documentary begins with Scott MacQueen narrating. You only briefly see him on camera--which is a good thing, as his hand movements were way over-exaggerated and distracting. Perhaps I noticed it more since I am relatively fluent in sign language, but really think most will find his gesticulations odd to say the least. Fortunately, the film gets a lot better--and is an interesting look at the various of "Phantom of the Opera" made up until that time. It consists of film clips and interviews and is quite good.

Note that the Andrew Lloyd Weber musical is only very, very briefly mentioned, as the filmed version had not yet debuted. However, given the play's popularity, I do think it strange that it was given such cursory mention--very. very cursory mention.