The Original Phantom of the Opera

The Paris Opera Ghost brought to life by Lon Chaney

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 the 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. Public Domain.

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

by: Gaston Leroux

Amazon Price: $21.56 (as of 07/09/2009)

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

The Phantom of the Opera (in French, '''Le Fantôme de lOpéra''') is a French novel by Gaston Leroux. It was first published as a serialization in Le Gaulois from September 23, 1909 to January 8, 1910. Initially, the novel sold very poorly and was even out of print several times during the twentieth century. Today, it is considered to be a classic of French literature, though it is overshadowed by its many subsequent adaptations. The novel was translated into English in 1911. It has since been adapted many times into film and stage productions, the most notable of which were the 1925 film depiction, 2004 film depiction and Andrew Lloyd Webbers 1986 musical. The Phantom of the Opera musical is now the longest running Broadway show in history, and one of the most lucrative entertainment enterprises of all time.

read the rest of the Wikipedia article

Phantom of the Opera Collectible in the Amazon Spotlight

Lon Chaney as Phantom of the Opera Silver Screen Edition

Amazon Price: $39.99 (as of 07/09/2009)

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 famous scene where Christine unmasks Erik, the Opera Ghost and we see his 'accursed ugliness,' his face.

This is often cited by critics and connoisseurs of film art as one of the most memorable moments in the history of film.

Phantom of the opera 1925

parte do filme de 1925

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