Phantom of the Opera (1943): Arthur Lubin’s Oscar-Winning Romantic Horror, Starring Nelson Eddy, Susanna Foster, Claude Rains

Phantom of the Opera
Theatrical poster

Produced and distributed by Universal, and composed by Edward Ward, the film stars Nelson Eddy, Susanna Foster and Claude Rains.

The first adaptation of the source material in Technicolor, Phantom of the Opera was freely adapted than Universal’s silent picture.

The film reused Universal’s elaborate replica of the Opéra Garnier interior, which had originally been created for the 1925 film.

Violinist Erique Claudin is dismissed from the Paris Opera after losing use of the fingers of his left hand. Unbeknownst to the conductor, the musician has used all his money to help anonymously fund lessons for Christine Dubois, a young soprano.

In desperate attempt to earn money, Claudin submits a piano concerto he has written. Upon hearing his concerto played, he is convinced that Pleyel is trying to steal it; unbeknownst to him, the visiting Franz Liszt had been playing and endorsing the concerto.

Enraged, Claudin strangles Pleyel, prompting Georgette, the publisher’s assistant, to throw etching acid in his face, scarring him forever. Wanted for murder, Claudin flees into the sewers and covers his disfigurement with prop mask stolen from the Opera house, thus becoming the Phantom.

During a performance of the opera Amour et Gloire, The Phantom drugs a glass of wine which prima donna Mme. Biancarolli drinks, knocking her unconscious.

The director puts Christine in her place, and she dazzles the audience. Biancarolli says she will forget the affair only if Christine is replaced as understudy and her performance is not mentioned. The following night, the Phantom kills Biancarolli and her maid, and the opera is subsequently closed.

The opera’s owners receive a note demanding that Christine replace Biancarolli. Garron plans to have Liszt play Claudin’s concerto after the performance, but the Phantom strangles one of Raoul’s men and heads to the auditorium’s domed ceiling. He then brings down the large chandelier on the audience, causing chaos. As the audience and the crew flee, The Phantom takes Christine down underground. He tells Christine that he loves her and she will now sing all she wants, but only for him.

Raoul, Anatole, and the police begin pursuing them underground. Just as the Phantom and Christine arrive, they hear Liszt and the orchestra playing Claudin’s concerto. The Phantom plays along with the melody on his piano orchestra. Christine watches, realizing the concerto was written around the melody of a lullaby she has known since childhood. Raoul and Anatole hear the Phantom playing and follow the sound.

While the Phantom is distracted by the music, Christine sneaks up and pulls off his mask, revealing his disfigured face.

When Raoul and Anatole break-in, Claudin grabs a sword to fight. Raoul fires his gun at Claudin, but Anatole knocks Raoul’s arm, and the shot hits the ceiling. Anatole and Raoul escape with Christine, while Claudin is seemingly crushed to death by the falling rocks.

Christine decides not to marry either one of them, instead opting to pursue her singing career, inspired by Claudin’s devotion.

Despite mixed critical reviews, the film was a box office success.

Phantom of the Opera is the only Universal horror film to win Oscars, for Art Direction and Cinematography.

The movie was hugely successful in France, when it was released after WWII, with 2,316,416 admissions.