THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (SOFTCOVER EDITION) edited by Philip J. Riley

The silent movie version of The Phantom of the Opera that we are familiar today is not the original 1925 release but a silent version of the 1929 sound remake.     Directed by Rupert Julian and starring Lon Chaney, Sr. in the title role as a deformed musician haunting the Paris Opera House, committing murder, and terrorizing the owners and producers in a pathetic and terrible attempt to earn the love of a famous opera singer.   Stars included Mary Philbin, Norman Kerry, Arthur Edmund Carewe, Gibson Gowland, John St. Polis, and Snitz Edwards. The last surviving cast member was Carla Laemmle, who was the niece of Universal Studios’ producer Carl Laemmle.   In this new illustrated book, follow the history of the 1925 original release from Gaston Leroux's original conception to the 1929 sound remake. What actual events inspired the story? What inspired Chaney's makeup? What was in the hour of footage cut from the film’s release t