Phantom of the opera (1943) is Universal's second adaptation of Gaston Leroux's classic novel "Le Fantôme de l'Opéra", on which the film is loosely based. It can also be seen as a remake of the 1925 Lon Chaney version. The film was directed by Arthur Lubin, a prominent director for Universal Pictures in the 1940s and 1950s, and stars Nelson Eddy, Susanna Foster and Claude Rains.
Violin player Erique Claudin is hopelessly in love with a young soprano from the Opera House and secretly tries to support her career. But Claudin is losing the use of his fingers and loses his work. He kills a music publisher and gets acid in his face during the incident. After his misdeeds, there is a mysterious wave of crimes in the Opera House, blamed on "the Phantom".
Although Claude Rains didn't get top billing, he proves to be the true star of this film. He can, like no other, elicit sympathy for his character, who during the film loses almost everything that is dear to him, although at the same time goes on a killing spree. Likewise is the powerful and determined performance of Suzanne Foster, who ensures that the audience experiences the story mainly through her eyes. She is the only one who sympathizes for the lost soul of Claudin.
In contrast to the 1925 version the 1943 version focused on the grand operatic spectacle and downplayed the horror. Director Arthur Lubin shot scenes at the same Paris Opera House studio as the 1925 version. The film also includes the grandiose scene where the chandelier crashes down on the heads of the audience. However, Lubin's film focused more on the romance than the frights. Phantom of the opera was also nominated for best scoring of a musical picture, and rightfully so, the original theme "Lullaby of the Bells", composed by Edward Ward, is beyond perfection.
The 1943 Phantom of the Opera was so successful that Universal announced that a sequel titled "The Climax" would be made, which wasn't nearly as good as its predecessor. With an effective production design and a great musical richness Phantom of the Opera shows Hollywood expertise at its best.
Violin player Erique Claudin is hopelessly in love with a young soprano from the Opera House and secretly tries to support her career. But Claudin is losing the use of his fingers and loses his work. He kills a music publisher and gets acid in his face during the incident. After his misdeeds, there is a mysterious wave of crimes in the Opera House, blamed on "the Phantom".
Although Claude Rains didn't get top billing, he proves to be the true star of this film. He can, like no other, elicit sympathy for his character, who during the film loses almost everything that is dear to him, although at the same time goes on a killing spree. Likewise is the powerful and determined performance of Suzanne Foster, who ensures that the audience experiences the story mainly through her eyes. She is the only one who sympathizes for the lost soul of Claudin.
In contrast to the 1925 version the 1943 version focused on the grand operatic spectacle and downplayed the horror. Director Arthur Lubin shot scenes at the same Paris Opera House studio as the 1925 version. The film also includes the grandiose scene where the chandelier crashes down on the heads of the audience. However, Lubin's film focused more on the romance than the frights. Phantom of the opera was also nominated for best scoring of a musical picture, and rightfully so, the original theme "Lullaby of the Bells", composed by Edward Ward, is beyond perfection.
The 1943 Phantom of the Opera was so successful that Universal announced that a sequel titled "The Climax" would be made, which wasn't nearly as good as its predecessor. With an effective production design and a great musical richness Phantom of the Opera shows Hollywood expertise at its best.
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