Phantom of the Opera 1925 (very specific question)

[Frost.Blast]

Hello!

Okay, I'm going nuts here. I registered on this forum in a desperate attempt to find people who might provide me with the information I seek.

I completely fell in love with The Phantom of the Opera, 1925 version starring Lon Chaney. Now, here's my situation.

I learned that there had been a re-issue in 1929 or 1930 (the sources I found can't seem to agree) for the purpose of adapting the film to the arrival of sound within the world of cinema. The version I watched, the one I have, is the one included in a certain "Horror Classics 50 Movie Pack". Now I did find out, by looking at a 1925/1930 comparison with the "removal of the mask" scene on Wikipedia, that the version I have is the 1930 re-issue, but the music doesn't fit, even though it is very good, and there are no voices whatsoever. If it's any help at all, one of the pieces included in the score is also played in the movie Barry Lyndon by Kubrick. Also, my version has the "Lantern Man" sequence at the beginning, but there again, no sound, no voice, only added music. The version I have is actually this one :

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=FgiPXFVY0T8

Now I am going completely nuts trying to figure out exactly what version I have and whether I could possibly find the version with the sound re-issue, with a better soundtrack, maybe a re-done soundtrack similar to what Philip Glass and the Chronos Quartet have done for the 1931 Dracula with Bela Lugosi. The information concerning this 1925 version of The Phantom of the Opera is completely confused right down to the root: even the studios don't seem to know exactly what sequence came from where and which camera negative survived and which didn't and whatnot.

So, if anyone has any kind of clue that might help me figure my way into this mess, I'd be very grateful. Maybe someone has a few different versions of this and might point me in the right direction as to which boxset I should be buying to have as much material as possible in both video footage and sound-related matters.

Thanks!!

[The_Return]

Hmmm...I've also only seen the version included in the 50 Horror Classics pack, and I must admit that I've not done any research into this matter.

But if you want my suggestion, I'd check out this DVD release:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000AKY58/

It features both the 1925 version (with a score by Jon Mirsalis), as well as the 1929 version, restored by a company called Photoplay.

Now, I don't have this DVD myself, but I used to be part of a DVD collectors forum as well, and it is a disc with a FANTASTIC reputation. Its not overly expensive, so I'd at the very least suggest it as a starting point on your search: at the very least, it would serve as a point of reference.

Best of luck!

[Frost.Blast]

I wasn't expecting such a quick answer. I have indeed seen this DVD on a few websites I've browsed through, but as I said, I was completely lost and wasn't sure what DVD release would have the material I was looking for.

I'll trust your word on this and start looking more closely at this specific release. Thanks!:D

[Elvis_Christ]

Now pay your fee or face a permanent ban.

[The_Return]

I wasn't expecting such a quick answer. I have indeed seen this DVD on a few websites I've browsed through, but as I said, I was completely lost and wasn't sure what DVD release would have the material I was looking for.

I'll trust your word on this and start looking more closely at this specific release. Thanks!:D

Now don't give me too much credit here - I did state at the first that it isn't an overly informed response.

Just trying to help out a fellow Phan.

[vanlutz]

There are so many versions, but you have the crap one. Visit lonchaney.com they have exactly what you're looking for. There's also versions with tinted scenes, and different soundtracks. Honestly there isn't a great amount of difference.