Jeremy's Phantom of the Opera rumor refuter

Sorry, it's under construction in a big way. This is my off-the-cuff outline of the kind of information I'd like to present here.

I also intend to present a catalog of images from the film and advertising campaigns.

Pre-Production

  • Chaney purchasing rights
  • Gaston Leroux

    • Production

  • Who directed? Chaney, Sedgwick, Julian?
  • Chaney's makeup -- how? Rumor control
  • Other interesting stuff?
  • Ending cribbed from Julian's Merry-Go-Round?

    • Preview releases

  • Trace the history of edits and re-edits
  • Add comic scenes, remove comic scenes, etc.

    • Technical

  • Technicolor scenes -- How filmed?
  • What scenes? Bal Masque or others?
  • Was the Phantom's cloak hand-painted red?

    • 1929 versions

    In 1929, Universal responded to the introduction of sound films by re-reledsing The Phantom of the Opera in a new version. This version was advertised to audiences as an "all talking version". For this release, Universal filmed new Opera Sequences with Mary Philbin reprising her previously mute Performance of the two Arias from Faust. this time recording her voice using the new Vitaphone System. Another newly photogrphed and recorded sequence was the very first scene of the film, in which Florine Papillon stalks the backstage at the opera bearing his lantern. In The 1925 Version this shot was was constructed from 3 separate shots- 2 long shots divided by a closeup of Papillon's face. In the 1929 reissue, the Sequence was a Single long shot with the character's face obscured by shadows. Following is a Continuity of the 1925 and 1929 versions of the opening sequence...

    Another reshot-with-sound sequence was the opera scenes which feature Carlotta. To exploit the Vitaphone system Universal reshot these sequences with sound. For one reason or another, Virginia Pearson, the actress who performd Carlotta in the 1925 version was Unavailable to reprise her performance for the sound re-record ing. It has been speculated that Ms. Pearson did not have a suitable singing voice. Whatever the reasons, Pearson's role was recast with ___ performing -- and singing -- the role of Carlotta.

  • Why / who initiated?
  • Evidence of script, edit log, etc.
  • Document edits
  • Different length
  • Added sound sequences
  • Carlotta / Carlotta's mother
  • Sound reissue and "silent" reissue
  • Document personnel -- editor in chief for 1929 version, music composer (Broeckman?), recordist, etc.

    • History of title after 1929 release

  • What happened during sound era?
  • when/where exhibited?
  • Donation of 1929 negative to GEH in 1950s
  • First TV exhibition?
  • Other documented exhibitions?
  • Karl Malkames / Killiam Shows restoration 1972 w/ Gaylord Carter Score
  • 1925 negative missing?
  • 1925 prints from 16mm printdowns exist
  • 1925 35mm prints thought lost until rediscovery of incomplete Italian print in 199x.
  • Sound discs of 1929 in library of congress
  • Sound clip from 1929 discs used in Hollywood Bowl Halloween recording

    • Video releases, notable and otherwise

  • Goodtimes
  • Kino on Video
  • Image Laserdisc
  • Nostalgia Merchant
  • Video Yesteryear
  • Greatest Film Classics
  • Rick Wakeman scored version
  • Lumivision with Korla Pandit
  • Kevin Brownlow restoration in UK
  • David Shepard restoration with Canadian score

    • Resources / Bibliography

  • Scott MacQueen essay on laserdisc Jacket
  • 2 Michael Blake Chaney books
  • 2 Scott MacQueen American Cinematographer articles.
  • Usenet postings - especially for info about negative donation and loss.
  • Various Books in my collection