PHANTOM
OF THE OPERA (1943)Director: Arthur Lubin
Universal Home Video
PHANTOM
OF THE OPERA (1943)I'm pleased with the presentation of this DVD and even more pleased that I finally have something good to say for Universal. This is easily the nicest-looking in the Classic Monsters Collection, even if I find the movie the least desirable (so much for a perfect world). Check out my review for THE INVISIBLE MAN and my article, UNIVERSAL (UN)APPEAL to see what I'm rambling about!
Watching Claude Raines in this 1943 version of the immortal tale by Gaston Leroux was a pleasure this time around, simply by virtue of the stunning presentation on the disc! Like some fans, I've always found this film tough to like; I detest opera and have never cared much for the meager makeup design when Rains is unmasked (though he looks cool in costume). Now I have a fresh re-evaluation for the movie, even if the appeal stems from rich vivid colors and a grand-looking production rather than the actual story as it plays across my screen. It simply looks and sounds great.
A still gallery is offered, as well as the trailer and a commentary from Scott MacQueen. I thought the documentary was well done this time around, incorporating the whole history of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA as well as a nod to the other film versions. While I'm on the subject, how much do you want to bet that Universal releases a DVD of Hammer Films' version of PHANTOM before Warner Home Video puts out anything at all from the "Studio That Dripped Blood?" No, I don't blame Hammer fans for not taking that bet...
Anyway, this DVD made a believer out of me regarding the 1943 version, even if I still prefer Lon Chaney's 1925 silent classic as Number One. (Joe Lozowsky)