Reviews
John Chard

John Chard

January 28, 2019
5.0
Well it's one of the most beautiful Universal Horror movies out there. Phantom of the Opera is directed by Arthur Lubin and features a collective of writers adapting from Gaston Leroux's novel. It stars Nelson Eddy, Claude Rains, Edgar Barrier, Susanna Foster, Leo Carrillo and Jane Farrar. Music is by Edward Ward and cinematography by W. Howard Greene. The Leroux source material has been adapted a number of times. This version sees Universal update their own 1925 silent version that starred Lon Chaney, and give it a Technicolor make over whilst practically making it a musical picture. Even making it a light comedy in parts! It is undeniably a gorgeous picture, both visually and aurally, for the sets and operatic tunes alone this could never be called a dull movie. But we want horror, it's an horrific tale of murder, disfigurement, disloyalty and unbridled passions, we don't want to be watching a Phantom of the Opera movie where at any moment you expect the cast to start singing "ding dong the witch is dead". Cast are mostly fine as regards the tone of the piece, though Rains barely gets his teeth into the role of the Phantom and comes off more like Zorro or the Lone Ranger. While Lubin and his crew give the whole production a professional polish. But is this horror? No, never, and that's a shame given it's from the torch bearers for classic horror of the 30s and 40s. 5/10

Recommendation Movies

6.8
Adventure
View
6.8
Creature from the Black Lagoon
Creature from the Black Lagoon1954
7.1
Drama
View
7.1
The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera1925
6.2
Horror
View
6.2
Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man
Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man1943
5.9
Horror
View
5.9
Son of Dracula
Son of Dracula1943
6.5
Comedy
View
6.5
The Phantom of the Operetta
The Phantom of the Operetta1960
6.6
Adventure
View
6.6
The Naked Prey
The Naked Prey1965
5.6
Crime
View
5.6
The Unholy Three
The Unholy Three1930
6.6
Adventure
View
6.6
Maya the Bee: The Golden Orb
Maya the Bee: The Golden Orb2021
6.5
Adventure
View
6.5
Samson and Delilah
Samson and Delilah1949
6.6
Fantasy
View
6.6
Faust
Faust2011
5.1
Action
View
5.1
Ghosts of Mars
Ghosts of Mars2001
6.8
Comedy
View
6.8
Fantomas
Fantomas1964
7.5
Horror
View
7.5
Bride of Frankenstein
Bride of Frankenstein1935
7.7
Drama
View
7.7
Cléo from 5 to 7
Cléo from 5 to 71962
7.7
Drama
View
7.7
One Hundred Steps
One Hundred Steps2000
5.8
Action
View
5.8
Eight Legged Freaks
Eight Legged Freaks2002
6.9
Crime
View
6.9
The Crimson Rivers
The Crimson Rivers2000
7.3
Thriller
View
7.3
The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera2004
7.7
Horror
View
7.7
Nosferatu
Nosferatu1922
6.6
Comedy
View
6.6
Ghostbusters II
Ghostbusters II1989
© 2025 MoovieTime. All rights reserved.Made with Nuxt