The Phantom of the Opera (1925 film) was working in the French film industry. Laemmle mentioned to Leroux that he admired the Paris Opera House. Leroux gave Laemmle a copy of his 1910 novel "The Phantom of the Opera". Laemmle read the book in one night and bought the film rights as a vehicle for actor Lon Chaney, Sr.. Production started in late 1924 at Universal Studios. French artist, Ben Caray, whom had worked at the Paris Opera House, was brought in to design the backstage and cellars which Universal could not replicate; and although his English limited, Caray was able to speak clearly with his charcoal
The Phantom of the Opera (1925 film) for night scenes, green for mysterious moods, red for fire, and yellow (sunshine) for daylight exteriors. In 1998 "The Phantom of the Opera" was added to the United States National Film Registry, having been deemed "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant". It was included, at #52, in Bravo's "100 Scariest Movie Moments". It is listed in the film reference book "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die". In the United States, the film is in the public domain because Universal did not renew the copyright in 1953. Explanatory notes Citations The Phantom of the Opera (1925 film) The Phantom of