The Phantom of the Opera (1925 film, Hampton print)

For other versions of this work, see The Phantom of the Opera (1925 film).

CARL LAEMMLE
Presents

 

From the Celebrated Novel by
GASTON LEROUX

the
PHANTOM
of the OPERA

From the Celebrated Novel by
GASTON LEROUX

with
LON CHANEY

MARY PHILBIN
&
NORMAN KERRY

 

As advertised in
the Saturday
Evening Post

Directed
by

RUPERT JULIAN

 

A UNIVERSAL PRODUCTION
COPYRIGHT, MCMXXV, BY UNIVERSAL PICTURES CORP.
CARL LAEMMLE, PRESIDENT

Produced in its entirety
at
Universal City, California

The Cast

The Phantom ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Lon Chaney

Christine Daaé ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Mary Philbin

Vicomte Raoul de Chagny ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Norman Kerry

Ledoux ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Arthur Edmund Carewe

Simon Buquet ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Gibson Gowland

Comte Philip de Chagny ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

John Sainpolis

Florine Papillon ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Snitz Edwards

Carlotta ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Virginia Pearson

Gaston Leroux, the famous French writer, who, like Edgar Allan Poe, combines the fantastic with the real, has woven a weird and mysterious story around the huge and magnificent Grand Opera House of Paris.

Far beneath the magnificent Paris Opera House is an intricate maze of cellars, used once as dungeons and torture chambers——the grim relics of an age of cruelty, intolerance and oppression.

But who thinks of cellars—dismal haunts of creeping things—when the Paris Opera stages a ballet?

ACADÉMIE NATIONALE DE MUSIQUE

The Grand Stairway of the Opera House.

AMPHITHEATRE
BAIGNOIRES - ORCHESTRE

Philippe Auguste de Brienne, Comte de Chagny, of the old aristocracy.

—John Sainpolis

His younger brother, Vicomte Raoul de Chagny, debonair lieutenant and Beau Brummel of the Second Chasseurs, attended opera only in the hope of hearing his sweetheart, Christine Daaé, sing.

—Norman Kerry

Christine Daaé, who under the tuition of an unknown and mysterious master, had made a sudden rise from the chorus to understudy of the prima donna.

—Mary Philbin

"Christine, my love, when can we be married?"

"Not yet, Raoul. I can not leave the opera now. There is a strange force that drives me on—on—"

At the height of the most prosperous season in the Opera's history, suddenly, mysteriously, the management resigns.

The new managers of the Opera.

"Perhaps we should warn you that you may hear some talk of a ghost——a phantom of the Opera."

"The attendant of Box Five does not laugh at mention of—the Opera Ghost!"

In the cellars of the Opera House——during a dress rehearsal.

Simon, the scene shifter, and his brother Joseph.

Florine Papillon, a property man.

"The Phantom! It is the Phantom of the Opera!"

Carlotta, favorite prima donna of the Paris Grand Opera.

—Virginia Pearson

Mlle. Carlotta,

⁠Christine Daaé will sing the role of Marguerite Wednesday night for the first time
⁠ Any jealous attempt on your part to interfere with the performance will prove instantly disastrous to your own career.

The Phantom

"We saw him for an instant—a grey shadow—and then he was gone!"

"He had no nose."

"Yes, he had—it was enormous."

"That man came out of the cellars——just after we saw the Phantom. Could it be that he——"

"Joseph Buquet has really seen the Phantom. Let's ask him——"

"His eyes are ghastly pits in which there is no light—like holes in a grinning skull."

"His face is like leprous parchment——yellow skin stretched drum-tight over protruding bones!"

"His nose—there is no nose."

"Have a care, Buquet—ghosts like not to be seen or talked about."

"Come, I'll show you where I saw him—in the scene-dock of the third cellar."

Meanwhile in Christine's dressing room.

From the hidden spaces beyond the walls, a melodious voice, like the voice of an angel, spoke to her.

"On Wednesday night, my child, Mme. Carlotta will not sing Marguerite in Faust. You will take her place."

"To you I have imparted the full measure of my art. You will triumph—all Paris will worship you!"

"But I warn you—you must forget all wordly things and think only of your art—and your master!"

"I shall sing for you—forever!"

"I saw him—there!"

The following day—in a garden near the Opera House.

"Raoul, you must forget me. My master has spoken—I must devote my life to my art——"

"Who is this mysterious master who makes you bow to his command?"

"You remember how, when we were children, my father user to tell us of the Spirit of Music?"

"You know I have prayed for the Gift of Song."

"My father, in heaven, has interceded——has sent me the Spirit of Music."

"And although I have never seen him he has been my inspiration——and I must obey him."

"I am afraid, Christine, that somebody is playing jokes on you."

Mme. Carlotta was strangely ill on Wednesday night, and Christine Daaé sang Marguerite.——Backstage at the Opera there were vague rumors of the Phantom——

"So your little singer has thrown you over for a phantom rival!"

"I shall win her back."

LOGE 3&5

"Who occupies Box Five?"

"I do not know—they say it is the Phantom——the Phantom of the Opera."

"Who is it this—Phantom?"

"The box has long stood in a foreigner's name—the Phantom presents credentials but hides his face and will not speak."

"His face I have not seen——his voice I heard but once."

Moved as by celestial inspiration, Christine reached her triumph in the immortal trio—an angelic voice of spiritual splendor.

"Monsieur—who are you?"

"Dearest—it is I, Raoul!"

He heard a voice——a man's voice——sonorous and triumphant.

"Christine, tonight I placed the world at your feet!"

Christine voice replied:

"Master, how shall I repay you?"

The answer came, commanding—imperious:

"Soon, Christine, this spirit will take form and will demand your love!"

"Come quick—the Strangler's work again!"

"It was there!"

"I saw the body dangling in the air!"

"My brother——my poor Joseph! He knew too much about the Phantom!"

"The Punjab lasso—the Strangler's cord!"

"Assassin! Hide yourself in the deepest shadows——but I shall find you out!"

Another discordant note in the lives of the Opera Management.

Mlle. Carlotta:

⁠If you appear tomorrow night you must be prepared for a great misfortune.
⁠Therefore I advise you to be "ill".

The Phantom

"Christine Daaé's friends are plotting against me——but I will sing tomorrow in spite of them!"

Bureaux de la Direction

My dear Managers:—

⁠The role of Marguerite shall be sung again tomorrow evening by Christine Daaé, instead of Carlotta.

The Phantom

 

P.S.—If you refuse this, you will present "Faust" in a house with a curse on it.

At the office of M. Faure, Prefect of Police.

"If Mlle. Carlotta sings at the Opera tomorrow night dire disaster will follow."

"For the present, my identity must remain a secret."

The following evening, in spite of every warning, Carlotta appeared as Marguerite.

And the new Managers mustered all their courage and sat in Box Five.

"So far so good for a house with a curse on it."

While in the wings, Christine resumed her position as understudy to Carlotta.

Vicomte Raoul de Chagny

I cannot explain, but you must never attempt to see me again.

Christine

Suddently a great voice filled the Auditorium, drowning singers and orchestra in a mighty cataract of tone!

"Behold! She is singing to bring down the chandelier!"

Again Raoul heard the magic of that imperious voice, commanding her.

"Christine, I have come for you——"

"I'm ready, Master—waiting."

"Walk to your mirror, my dear——have no fear!"

"I'm ready, Master—waiting."

"Christine, it is I—your Master."

"Look not upon my mask——think rather of my devotion which has brought you the gift of song."

The Phantom's last line of defense—a deep lake, formed of seepage from the river Seine.

"I have brought you here——five cellars underground——"

"—because I love you!"

"For long, weary months I have awaited this hour——"

"When that which is good within me, aroused by your purity, might plead for your love."

"That is where I sleep!"

"It keeps me mindful of that other dreamless sleep that cures all ills—forever!"

"You—you are the Phantom!"

"If I am the Phantom it is because man's hatred has made me so!"

"If I shall be saved, it will be because your love redeems me!"

"Men once knew me as Erik——but for many years I have lived in these cellars, a nameless legend."

"The Phantom!
The Phantom!"

^5H Le Matin ^5H

[Illust]rations sur les conséquences possibles du repli de l'Espagne au Maroc

Une accalmie va sur terre et sur mer succéder à la tempête

Avant la conférence des ministres des Finances

À Douarnenez les meetings et cortèges ont fait trêve hier

Journée calme en I[talie]

ANOTHER PHANTOM TRAGEDY

---

CHRISTINE DAAÉ DISAPPEARS

---

Opera Singer Mysteriously Vanishes
Following Chandelier Disaster

---

⁠While pandemonium reigned in the Paris Opera House, Christine Daaé, understudy to Mlle. Carlotta, mysteriously disappeared from her dressing room last night.

---

"Why aren't your police doing something to find Mlle. Daaé?"

"I tell you she vanished through the wall of her dressing room!"

"I you won't aid me, I shall go by myself! I'll find her even at the cost of my life!"

The night passed—a night of vague horrors——tortured dreams—

CHRISTINE

My dear Christine:
⁠You are in no peril as long as you do not touch the mask. You will be free as soon as your love for the spirit of Erik overcomes your fear.

Erik.

Under the spell of his music—bewitched.

"Don Juan Triumphant"

"Since first I saw your face, this music has been singing to me of you and of——love triumphant!"

"Yet listen—there sounds an ominous undertone of warning!"

"Feast your eyes——glut your soul on my accursed ugliness!"

"Oh, mad Christine, who would not heed my warning——"

"If you love me, as you say, let me go. I promise to be your slave, forever—I promise anything. But let me go——let me go!"

"I shall prove to you the depth of my love. You may return to your world for the present. You may sing in the Opera once more."

"But, remember, you are mine—mine——and you shall not see your lover again. If you break your promise, then it is death to you both!"

"Oh, I swear it, I swear it! I shall never see him again!"

In the midst of his frantic search for Christine, Raoul received a mysterious message.

Although I gave my word never to see you again—I must. I will be at the Bal Masque tomorrow night, but not alone—beware!

Christine

One night each year, all Paris mingled, forgetful of Caste and Class—the merry, mad Bal Masque de l'Opera!

Into the midst of the gaiety, strode a spectral figure, robed in red.

"Beneath your dancing feet are the tombs of tortured men——thus does the Red Death rebuke your merriment!"

"That sounds like the voice I heard in your dressing room!"

"Don't let him see us together, Raoul—or it is death to us both!"

High above Paris—on the roof of the Opera.

"Are we alone, Raoul? Can anyone overhear what we say?"

"I have seen him, Raoul—I have seen the Phantom!"

"He is a monster——a loathsome beast. You must save me from him, Raoul—save me!"

"Mme. Carlotta, under the spell of his curse, will never sing again. Tomorrow, I take her place in Faust. After the performance, you must take me away——far away——"

"I shall be at the stage door. We shall fly to England—"

"She has betrayed me!"

"Not this way—that way."

"That was the Opera Ghost!"

— Erik —

Born during the Boulevard Massacre. Self educated musician and master of Black Art. Exiled to Devil's Island for criminal insane.

Escaped—

Now At Large.

"This is your man, Monsieur le Prefect—the Phantom of the Opera."

At nine o'clock the following evening, a mysterious barouche stopped on the rotunda side of the Opera.

OPERA
FAUST

"Wait for me at the west gate."

The ballet girls danced blithely on, giving no hint of the fear that chilled their hearts.

"Give me thine aid——ye Powers of Darkness."

"I have heard his voice once more, Raoul. He knows our plan——everything."

"Believe in my love, Raoul. Save me from that monster—oh, save me!"

"Keep up your courage, Christine—my barouche is waiting outside—we leave immediately after the performance."

Fear for his brother's safety brought the Comte de Chagny to the Opera House that night.

"I think I can take you to Christine Daaé——if you do exactly as I tell you!"

"Who are you that knows the Phantom's secrets—and betrays them?"

"I am Ledoux of the Secret Police. I have studied this Phantom for months."

"I found his hiding place, deep within the torture chambers where he himself was confined during the second Revolution."

"Keep your hand up—the Strangler's noose coils quick."

"Your hand up! It is a matter of life or death!"

"The discovery of this trap-door cost Joseph Buquet his life."

"I am a messenger from the shadows——turn back ere ye perish!"

"You lied to me—you thought you and your lover could cheat the Phantom!"

"Ungrateful fool! You have spurned the spirit that inspired you——the spirit that made you great."

"Now you shall see the evil spirit that matches my evil face!"

"No longer like a toad in these foul cellars will I secrete the venom of hatred——for you shall bring me love!"

"We should be near his hiding place now."

"We have fallen into the Room of Many Mirrors——an old torture chamber."

"I am human like other men—I will not be cheated of my happiness."

"Raoul! Raoul! My brother——where are you?"

"It seems we have callers."

"Christine! Christine! Can you hear me?"

"Your voice sounds near—try to find a door that will lead to us."

"Look about you. Try to find where he keeps his keys."

"The callers have departed."

BRASSERIE-CAFÉ-RESTAURANT

"I have discovered the Phantom's hiding place——tonight my brother will be avenged."

"Did you hear voices?"

"Perhaps we have more callers."

Heat—intolerable heat!

"Fools! Did they think they could match their wits against Erik?"

PASSAGE
PRIVÉ

DUFAYEL

"What do you offer for their lives?"

"Your answer quick—they can survive but a few moments!"

"Gunpowder!"

"Barrels! Barrels! Any barrels to sell?"

"You have your chance to save him. Will you be the bride of Erik, or do you prefer to watch your lover die?"

"Turn the Scorpion——you have said 'yes' and saved de Chagny!"

"Turn the grasshopper—and the Opera House is blown to a thousand pieces!"

"I will do anything you wish if you will only save them!"

A honeymoon at Viroflay.

Finis

This is repealed at the request of picture patrons who desire to check the names of performers whose work has pleased them.

---

THE PLAYERS

The Phantom ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

LON CHANEY

Christine Daae ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

MARY PHILBIN

Vicomte Raoul de Chagny ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

NORMAN KERRY

Ledoux ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Arthur Edmund Carewe

Simon Buquet ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Gibson Gowland

Comte Philip de Chagny ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

John Sainpolis

Florine Papillon ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Snitz Edwards

Carlotta ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Virginia Pearson