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The phantom of the opera (1925) Is the first version of the French novel (that we know of - There could of been another one in 1916 according to IMDB . But all such prints dont not exsist . If there was one in 1916 did Gaston leroux "The writer of the book" know of this film ? ) It works at at slow place trying to follow the plot but also trying to impress audences of the 20's while trying also to not anger the writer of the book . They didnt want an angry Gaston on there heels. They had cast all the parts but the phantom at one stage and the casting man said "Lon Chaney or it cant be done". lon Chaney is good in this and the makeup is excellent (The Deformity that follows the book the closest - I would upload a picture but I wouldn't want an angry Tangerineduel moan at me .If you want to see the face of the phantom in this version simply type the keyword "Lon Chaney Phantom" into "Google Images" for a load of good ones).Despite all of this his proformance seems lacking in somthing . He seems to just play the villain that laughs alot of chops down the a cerstain item above the opera stage.The phantom is not that he well dont mmen to be cheesey but "Just misunderstood".Though he has his liitle trajic human moments the kidnapping seen at the end seems to cancel all of that