Phantom of the Opera

Rating:
Summary: It was an OK film
Review: I have read seen the movie and read the book. This move dosn't follow the book very well. Claude Raines did a good job acting and Susanna Foster did fine. I liked this movie.

Rating:
Summary: It's not as good as the book
Review: I have to admit the acting is good. That's about all though.The plot is totally butchered from the origional novel. Don't watch this movie expecting it to be the same. It is not one for true phantom phans.

Rating:
Summary: Claude Rains does a good job, but not as good as Chaney!
Review: After watching this movie, I found it to be a bit disappointing. I am not saying that it did not quench my thirst for all things Phantom ;-) though. Rains puts on a great performance as the man obsessed with Christine. But the thing that got me was the fact that the story line was so far off from the origional novel that I was lost! For example, Raoul is the chief of police! In the novel, he was but a mere young man who was a member of the high society and an adversary for Erik (the Phantom). Christine was played rather well and as I expected...weak at times, yet strong when she needed to be. And though Claude did a semi-good job of portraying the Phantom, I still think he could have done better. I think he needed to be a little more dejected and lonely instead of focusing his efforts on killing people...the real Phantom didn't do that much killing...only when he needed to. And one more thing to wrap this up...the movie payed too much attention to Raoul and Christine! The Phantom was not given the proper screen time! We follow him up until the acid is thrown on his face, badly scarring him (which, in fact, is NOT in the book), and then he seems to disappear until the operatic scene where he drops the chandelier and kidnaps Christine! I suppose this movie is not all bad, but I could DEFINITELY use a little more! I'm a Phantom Phan, can't you tell? ;-)

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful film
Review: this film has wonderful music and shows the true depseration of the phantom. END

Rating:
Summary: Horror fans will be disappointed
Review: This film is more about the opera and the courting of an opera singer by two suitors than a deranged murderer running amok in the hidden chambers of the Paris Opera House. A great deal of screen time is devoted to the pursuit of the lovely Mademoiselle Dubois by a baritone and a Paris detective as both men are comically inept in trying to win the woman's favors. Claude Rains' phantom is a poignant figure, his madness notwithstanding, and he also has designs on the opera star and spirits her away to the catacombs under the building to possess her forever and have her sing the concerto he composed especially for her. The lush color and sets give the production a professional and polished look but the movie lacks suspense and thrills and is strictly for aficionados of the opera.

Rating:
Summary: glorious Technicolor adaptation of the Leroux novel
Review: This 1943 version of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is simply stunning. As other viewers have noted, this version is more colourful musical than bloodcurdling horror (and more in tune with Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical than the Lon Chaney silent).

Claude Rains plays the Phantom. In this version the Phantom is a violinist in the opera's orchestra, trying to get his own music published. Because of arthritis in one of his hands, he gets fired from the orchestra and left virtually destitute. A case of jumping to the wrong conclusion leads him to be severely scarred by acid, and he retreats to the cool and dark of the sewers for refuge.

Susanna Foster plays Christine DuBois, a young singer in the opera chorus, who graduates to the lead roles when the resident diva is murdered by the Phantom. Nelson Eddy plays Anatole, the resident lead baritone who is in love with Christine.

The Technicolor photography is lush and vibrant, superbly reproduced for this DVD. Susanna Foster (and her amazing voice which roams several octaves) is perfectly showcased in the well-executed opera scenes. Also starring Edgar Barrier, J. Edward Bromberg and Jane Farrar.

Followed by THE CLIMAX (which featured Susanna Foster being menaced by Boris Karloff).

Rating:
Summary: Don't be expecting a grade-b horror film..
Review: As great as Universal is, they have given us some pretty cheezy horror movies. Now, I am not complaining. I for one, completely enjoy bits like Son of Dracula, and the Creature Walks Among Us..but the rest of the general public probably wouldn't. This movie is top knotch Phantom. The script is good, the choice of music is good, and the actors are great. I really enjoy the fact that they got an actual Opera Singer to be in the movie (Nelson Eddy.. you know, from the short Disney cartoon about the opera singing whale?). There is not an OUNCE of cheese to be found here ladies and gentlemen (go ahead and look all you want, I know I have). If you want to enjoy Phantom themed movies, this is where you should start (Phantom of the Paradise being the second). It is not the novel mind you, but a stand out interpretation of it. Great movie!

Rating:
Summary: Certainly a different version, but so much to appreciate
Review: The most interesting comparison between this film and any other version (including Andrew Lloyd Webber's) is that we meet the Phantom before he's 'The Phantom'. In all other versions, he has been haunting the catacombs of the Paris Opera House for years. We first meet him as a member of the Orchestra and, after an accident involving acid, his face is disfigured and he descends into the depths of the Opera Populaire. What I like about this is we sympathize with him. He's very passive and lives a terrible life. His landlady verbally abuses him and when someone steals his music, he loses it. Claude Rains is an effective Phantom and totally believeable. But the love triangle shown in all versions is now a love quadrangle. Christine is being pursued by two suitors and also the Phantom. This doesn't seem neccesary. The only thing that comes out of it is some comedic relief. There are some great Opera scenes and the Phantom's written scores are so haunting. The actress playing Carlotta isn't very effective. That role should be soooo over-the-top and this Carlotta isn't interesting at all. Susanna Foster is a beautiful Christine and does a good job lip-synching the Opera parts. I enjoyed the ending, which was a throwback to the Lon Chaney version. The Phantom plays his organ and his lair collapses, leaving his mask. The sets and cinematography are really beautiful. One major vice: the Phantom's face wasn't horrific at all. He had like one scar on his face. If I saw him walking down the street, I wouldn't think twice. If that was the make-up they were going to use, I would have preferred not seeing his face at all, like in the 1990 TV miniseries starring Charles Dance as the Phantom. Still, this is a very good film version of the classic tale.

Rating:
Summary: Way, way, way
Review: too musical for what it's supposed to be. It's just not a good remake, despite claude Rains; best efforts. The problem is a weak script, weak supporting cast, and most of all, weak make-up. The "story" of the Phantom was interesting, but as a whole, the film is, unfortunately, well, weak. Catch it on TV

Rating:
Summary: OH MY GOD RELEASE IT ON MONSTER LEGACY
Review: Please Universal. Release this on DVD for the Monster Legacy collection. Such great movie deserves a great DVD... Let's hope it comes out to coincide with the 2005 movie...