Reader here! Halloween is here, and I admit, like a lot of people, I love a good scary movie.
I grew up in the 1980’s and 90’s, so I’m a child of the slasher flick era. I’m well-versed in the likes of Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers, Leatherface and their many brethren. I know ’em, I love ’em.
But, you know, sometimes, I like something reeeeeally classic, too.
Are you a fan of the “Phantom of the Opera?” I certainly am.
I’ve never had a chance to see the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical in person, though I’d love to some day.
In high school, we played music from the musical. I have the soundtracks from both the original London cast production, with Michael Crawford as the original Phantom, and the Canadian Cast production, with Colm Wilkinson as the Phantom (which I actually prefer). I have the illustrated script book, too.
I haven’t seen the 2004 film, with Gerard Butler as the Phantom, though. I’ll have to check that one out.
But what I really think is cool, is the classic 1925 silent film adaptation of Gaston Leroux’s novel, directed by Rupert Julian, and starring the legendary “Man of a Thousand Faces,” Lon Chaney, in the title role, with Mary Philbin, as the object of his desire, opera singer Christine Daae.
It’s old, black and white, and features no dialogue. But it’s so atmospheric, and haunting.
And is there a film buff alive who hasn’t seen this classic scene, one of cinema’s great all-time great reveals?
What’s really cool? Nowadays, there are professional makeup artists and special effects studios that would come up with the Phantom makeup, or the look would be created through CGI.
But Lon Chaney, who was renowned for doing his own makeup effects, created the Phantom’s look all on his own, using often painful means, involving wires, putty and glue, to achieve the skeletal look of the demon who haunted the Paris Opera House. He suffered for his art, but created something unforgettable!
If you want to watch something spooky for Halloween, but want to skip the usual gore and mayhem, take a look at this iconic film. I highly recommend it!
