This ain’t your mom’s Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. The original adaptation of the book has less Broadway flair and more Lon Chaney. Young soprano Christine has secured her role as an understudy for the local opera diva, but the theater’s phantom sees this as an injustice to her talents. Overtaken by his infatuation for the singer, the phantom does everything in his power to promote Christine’s career and get closer to her. Sounds like the phantom suffers from some severe Nice Guy Syndrome. The big reveal of his face behind the mask is one for the ages; Chaney did his own makeup and truly excelled at it. If you’ve never seen a silent film before, start here.
