The Phantom of the Opera – Film with Live Accompaniment at The Stoller Hall
Tom Grieve, Cinema Editor
Lon Chaney stars as the lonely creature lurking beneath the Paris Opera House in director Rupert Julian’s gorgeous, haunting version of The Phantom of the Opera. The American actor earned himself the moniker “The Man of a Thousand Faces” for his skill with makeup and prosthetics, and experimented for two years for his role here, using hooks, wax, putty and paint to twist his face into the terrifying, skull-like mask that first horrified audiences a century ago.
Chaney’s effort is matched by the production design, with lavish, opulent sets bringing to life both the spectacular Opera House itself, but also the shadowy chambers and catacombs where the Phantom roams. Despite being a silent film (though there was a talkie version reissued in 1929), music is of course central to the story and the character’s motivations. The Phantom is comforted by the sound of music drifting from above, while pining desperately for the Opera’s new soprano, played by Mary Philbin. The enduring tragedy of Gaston Leroux’s novel lies in the dark humanity behind the horror.
At Stoller Hall this March, silent movie score veterans Frame Ensemble will create live, improvised music to accompany Julian’s film as they help celebrate the 100th birthday of one of silent cinema’s most enduring works.
