The Original Phantom of the Opera
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Lon Chaney Brings a Paris Opera Ghost to Life
The Phantom of the Opera, Erik, is the main character in Gaston Leroux's 1909 book by the same title.
This musical genius lives beneath the Paris Opera house in the catacombs masking his face because of a physical deformity.
In 1925, the Phantom of the Opera was vividly and terrifyingly brought to life by the man of a thousand faces, Lon Chaney, who created his own makeup and this grotesque makeup long before modern technology existed.
The famous unmasking scene where Christine finally sees Erik's 'accursed ugliness,' caused people to faint in 1925. This scene is often cited by critics and connoisseurs of film art as one of the most memorable moments in the history of film.
Photo Source: Wikipedia. Wikimedia. Lon Chaney as the Phantom of the Opera.
Feast your eyes, glut your soul
on my accursed ugliness.
"The Phantom of the Opera," 1925
The Phantom of the Opera 1909 Book
Available as a Free Download
The original book version of the Phantom of the Opera are now collector items and as such very expensive.Thanks to Project Gutenberg, a volunteer effort to digitize, archive and distribute cultural works, the original Phantom of the Opera is available to read online or as a free download.
- The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
- Download the free eBook from Project Gutenberg.
Excerpt from the Phantom of the Opera
The Opera ghost really existed.
He was not, as was long believed, a creature of the imagination of the artists, the superstition of the managers, or a product of the absurd and impressionable brains of the young ladies of the ballet, their mothers, the box-keepers, the cloak-room attendants or the concierge.
Yes, he existed in flesh and blood, although he assumed the complete appearance of a real phantom; that is to say, of a spectral shade.
Gaston Leroux
Phantom of the Opera in the Amazon Spotlight
The Phantom of the Opera
Amazon Price: $25.50 (as of 02/16/2012)
This book of the Phantom of the Opera is the most famous work of French author Gaston Leroux. The story is much darker than the stories familiar to audiences of today.
Leroux's Fantom is a genuine murderer, and the story, a true Gothic murder/horror tale. Many have found it fascinating and absorbing reading, with depths not to be found in the later, extraordinarily popular adaptations.
Phantom of the Opera Collectible
Lon Chaney as Phantom of the Opera Silver Screen Edition
Amazon Price: $35.00 (as of 02/16/2012)
The Silver Screen edition Original Phantom of the Opera has black and white paint deco representing the tones of the original film.
The 12" Phantom of the Opera figure has over 20 points of articulation and comes with a violin, bow, fedora, mask, opera cap and textured foot base.
Phantom of the Opera 1925 - The Unmasking on YouTube
The unmasking of the Phantom is often cited by critics and connoisseurs of film art as one of the most memorable moments in the history of film. The unmasking was one of the most shocking moments captured on screen at that time.
Phantom of the Opera Bust
Phantom Of The Opera Bust
Amazon Price: $91.25 (as of 02/16/2012)
Hand painted Phantom of the opera bust.
You can have your own 16 1/2 tall bust of the most famous Lon Chaney role.
Phantom of the Opera Masks on Amazon
Phantom of the Opera Capes for Halloween
A simple costume--a mask and a cape, but what an impact.
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Phantom of Venice Adult Costume with Mask
Man of mystery! Costume features full cut long bla more...0 points
Articles about Lon Chaney Sr.
- American Masters . Lon Chaney | PBS
- American Masters on PBS pays tribute to Lon Chaney Sr.
- Lon Chaney - Man of a Thousand Faces, Silent Film Actor
- Golden Silents pays tribute to The Man Of A Thousand Faces" - Famous silent film actor Lon Chaney.
- Lon Chaney: A History of Horror
- The story of Lon Chaney from A History of Horror online.
- The Official Web Site of Lon Chaney and Lon Chaney, Jr.
- The Official Web Site of Lon Chaney and Lon Chaney, Jr. presented by Chaney Entertainment, Inc.
- The Most Fiendish Face in Movies
- A look at Lon Chaney's in the Los Angeles Times.
- Lon Chaney
- Information about Lon Chaney from the Internet Movie Database.
- Silent Film Sources Review
- Review of a silent film star, Lon Chaney.
- Chaney Room
- An online tribute to one of Hollywood's brightest stars of the silent film era, Lon Chaney.
Original Phantom of the Opera Photos
Phantom of the Opera Poster Prints
Bringing to life the Lowest Types of Humanity
I wanted to remind people that the lowest types of humanity may have within them the capacity for supreme self-sacrifice.
The dwarfed, misshapen beggar of the streets may have the noblest ideals. Most of my roles since The Hunchback, such as The Phantom of the Opera, He Who Gets Slapped, The Unholy Three, etc., have carried the theme of self-sacrifice or renunciation.
These are the stories which I wish to do.
Lon Chaney Sr.
An Indepth Look at the Phantom of the Opera
Available on Amazon
Phantom of the Opera Poster Print
Poster Available on Amazon.
A Master of Makeup
Lon Chaney was one of the most versatile and powerful actors of the silent film era. He was dubbed the "Man of a Thousand Faces" for his ability to transform himself using makeup techniques that he invented himself.Lon Chaney is now acknowledged as one of the master of cinematic makeup. Long before all of the modern makeup technology was developed, Chaney was able to create some of the most grotesque physical portrayals of characters on film. Many of his characters and makeup techniques were an "exercise in self-torture." His 1925 Phantom of the Opera has become the image that many associate with the frightening portrayal of the phantom on film.
His makeup in The Phantom of the Opera was his own creation. To develop the terrifying effect of the Phantom of the Opera, Chaney created a skull-like impression to his eyes, by pulling his eyeballs out from their sockets with thin wires, making them bulge. He inserted wires into his nose to spread the nostrils, enlarged them with black paint and lifted the tip to enhance the skull-like appearance. Celluloid discs were places inside his mouth to distort his cheekbones. A set of jagged false teeth with prongs to draw back the corners of his lips completed the makeup to create the deformed look of the Phantom.
Sources:
Wikipedia. The Phantom of the Opera 1925 Film.
John Brosnan. Lon Chaney. A History of Horror.
Phantom of the Opera vs. Lord Voldemort - Changing Technology
The Phantom of the Opera was done in 1925 with the technology of the time. Many of the effects Chaney achieved required that he be in very uncomfortable costumes. Eighty years later, thanks to digital technology, Ralph Fiennes
Phantom of the Opera - 1925
To create the image of the Phantom of the Opera, Lon Chaney had to rely upon what was available to them at the time. He painted his eye sockets black to give them a skull-like receded impression. He also pulled the tip of his nose up and pinned that in place with wire and enlarged his nostrils with black paint. Finally he added in a set of jagged false teeth into his mouth with prongs to draw back the corners of his lips to create the look of the Phantom.
Lord Voldemort - 2005
While Lon Chaney did most of his own make up, the make up for Lord Voldemort was designed by effects supervisor Nick Dudman and his team.
According to an interview with actor Ralph Fiennes, who portrays Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter Films, he "wanted to wear as little makeup as possible, to be free to move." The make up team utilized minimal prosthetics and transfers to create a sickly, translucent pallor on Fiennes' skin.
Fortunately for Fiennes, he did not have to wear wires in his nose to create Voldemort's sunken and squished nose. To create the reptilian look to his nose, the visual effects team digitally re-shaped Fiennes' nose, flattening it and adding slits in In post-production editing.
Sources:
Wikipedia. The Phantom of the Opera 1925 Film.
John Brosnan. Lon Chaney. A History of Horror.
2005. A Fiennes Voldemort: Actor discusses becoming You-Know-Who in new Potter film. IGN.com
A Thousand Faces in the Amazon Spotlight
A Thousand Faces: Lon Chaney's Unique Artistry in Motion Pictures
Amazon Price: $15.11 (as of 02/16/2012)
Chaney was a master of makeup who crafted some of the most grotesque physical portrayals of human misery on film.
Author, Michael Blake, a make up artist himself tracks Chaney's rise from freelancer to MGM star, as well as his partnership with director Tod Browning, whose dark visions permitted Chaney's tortured protagonists to thrive.
Phantom of the Opera Commemorative Stamp
On September 30, 1997 The United States Postal Service honored many of the horror genre icons with the release of the "Classic Movie Monsters" stamps at Universal Studios Hollywood.These commemorative stamps included Lon Chaney as "The Phantom of the Opera", Bela Lugosi as "Dracula", Boris Karloff as " Frankenstein" and "The Mummy" and Lon Chaney, Jr. as "The Wolf Man."
Phantom of the Opera Stamp Magnet in the Amazon Spotlight
Phantom of the Opera Lon Chaney Stamp Magnet
Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 02/16/2012)
The Phantom of the Opera USPS commemorative stamp has been turned into a magnet.
Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches
More about the Commemorative Stamps
- Lon Chaney - United States Postal Service Stamp Collectables
- You can still order the United States Postal Service Stamp Collectables from the Lonchaney.com store.
- United States Postal Service - Monster Stamps
- More about the United States Postal Service Classic Monster Movie Stamps issued: September 30, 1997.
Phantom of the Opera - Lon Cheney Sr. Poster in the Amazon Spotlight
(24x36) Phantom of the Opera Movie (Lon Chaney) Poster Print
Amazon Price: $5.31 (as of 02/16/2012)
Phantom of the Opera - Lon Cheney, Sr. poster print, a Fine Art Reproduction on High Quality Art Paper.
Size: 24 x 36 inches
Phantom of the Opera Costumes on eBay
A Squidwho Lens on The Phantom of the Opera
Phantom of the Opera - The Song
In sleep he sang to me
In dreams he came
That voice which calls to me and speaks my name
And do I dream again for now I find
The Phantom of the Opera is there
Inside my mind...
Music of the Night MP3 on Amazon
Phantom of the Opera Jewelry on Amazon
Music of the Night - Lyrics
Softly, deftly, music shall caress you.
Hear it, feel it, secretly possess you....
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams.
Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before.
Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar.
And you'll live as you've never lived before.
Music of the Night
Phantom of the Opera MP3 on Amazon
Phantom of the Opera Music, Movies and Books
An extensive collection of music, movies and books from the different versions of the Phantom of the Opera.
You can vote for your favorite.
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![Phantom of the Opera [1990 TV Mini Series]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/411X6QJ9TXL._SL75_.jpg)
Phantom of the Opera [1990 TV Mini Series]
This is a Region Free DVD of the classic 1990 TV mini more...1 point
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Piano Strings Tribute to the Phantom of the Opera
<p>1. Think Of Me<br /> more...0 points
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The Phantom of the Opera (Full Screen Edition)
Musical Drama based on Andrew Lloyd Webber's celeb more...0 points
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The Phantom of the Opera (Widescreen Edition)
Musical Drama based on Andrew Lloyd Webber's celeb more...0 points
Donate to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation seeks to prevent pediatric HIV infection and to eradicate pediatric AIDS through research, advocacy, and prevention and treatment programs.
Comments on the Original Phantom of the Opera
What do you think about the Phantom of the Opera?
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TravelingRae
Jul 3, 2011 @ 4:02 pm | delete
- I saw the musical (sitting right under the chandelier!) but the Lon Chaney version is more memorable. It's one of the scariest movies I've ever seen! Fantastic lens!
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WordCustard
Sep 10, 2010 @ 3:20 am | delete
- I love the Phantom and have featured your enjoyable lens on my Halloween Face Painting Kits that I have just published.
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dagsmith
Oct 24, 2009 @ 6:02 pm | delete
- Great lens - I enjoyed his work through phantom history! 6 stars - 5 and a blessing!
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prosperity66
Sep 13, 2009 @ 3:19 am | delete
- That's a great lens! I liked the topic a lot, read the book and saw a few movies... the lens is well worth the tour!
5 stars from me and a fav!
Dom.
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Spook
Sep 12, 2009 @ 2:32 pm | delete
- Without a shadow of a doubt this book has to be one of the most compelling I have ever read. So sad, such an indicament of humanity, and such a waste of a superb intelligence. I had forgotten how much I loved the book. Unfortunately, with my predicament I never had the opportunity to really listen to Andrew LLoyd Webbers classic. Thanks for reminding me of what in essence is a beautiful story.
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This lens benefits the Elisabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation who seek to prevent pediatric HIV infection and to eradicate pediatric AIDS through research, advocacy, and prevention and treatment programs. by Comfortdoc
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Phantom of the Opera 1925
![Phantom of the Opera (1925) (Silent) [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51S6Y45nMSL._SL160_.jpg)
Phantom of the Opera (1925) (Silent) [Blu-ray]
Amazon Price: $21.03 (as of 02/16/2012)
The Silent Movie Classic
Book on Phantom Variations
Phantom Variations: The Adaptations of Gaston Leroux's Phantom of the Opera, 1925 to the Present
Amazon Price: $35.00 (as of 02/16/2012)
