Phantom of the Opera (1943)
Directed by: Arthur Lubin
Premise: An adaptation of Gaston Leroux’s novel. A violinist (Claude Rains) is disfigured while murdering a music publisher he believes stole his concerto. He hides in the catacombs of a Paris opera house and obsesses over the career of an opera singer (Susanna Foster).
What Works: Following the silent 1925 version of The Phantom of the Opera, Universal made another film that was released in 1943. Universal’s second Phantom of the Opera is distinguished by its production value. It was a lavish production in its day. 1943’s Phantom of the Opera was shot in Technicolor at a time when color movies were a novelty. It has impressive costumes and large sets and the movie emphasizes the stage performances. 1943’s Phantom of the Opera was produced in the middle of the golden age of Hollywood musicals and it was made to appeal to that audience. Susanna Foster and Nelson Eddy play Christine DuBois and Anatole Garron, the stars of the opera house. Foster in particular impresses with her musical style and singing range. In remaking Phantom of the Opera, the filmmakers of the 1943 film also reimagine the story. This is not a rehash of the 1925 version. The 1943 film builds upon some of the ideas from Gaston Leroux’s novel but also finds a fresh approach to the material. 1943’s Phantom of the Opera introduces ideas about deceit and corruption in the entertainment business, themes that would reappear in later adaptations.
What Doesn’t: While this version earns kudos for originality, 1943’s Phantom of the Opera is bland. Claude Rains takes up the role of the Phantom and he lacks menace. Rains may have been cast because he was part of Universal’s monster films (Rains previously played The Invisible Man and he had a supporting role in 1941’s The Wolf Man) but 1943’s Phantom of the Opera is only nominally part of that series. By embracing the norms of studio-era Hollywood musicals, this Phantom of the Opera loses the gothic atmosphere of the original text. The camera set ups and the action don’t suggest mystery or danger. The unmasking scene is a weak imitation of the signature moment of the 1925 film. 1943’s Phantom of the Opera includes some humor, a lot of it lame but consistent with Hollywood films of the time. It ends with an unnecessary epilogue that only serves to pad out the running time. Every version of Phantom of the Opera is rooted in melodrama and the 1943 film is primarily a love triangle between opera singer Christine DuBois, fellow singer Anatole Garron, and police inspector Raoul Dubert (Edgar Barrier). The love triangle is not interesting and the Phantom is pushed into the margins of the story.
Disc extras: The 4K Blu-Ray release includes featurettes, an image gallery, a commentary track, and a trailer.
Bottom Line: 1943’s Phantom of the Opera is a staid affair. It’s well produced and relatively original but like a lot of Hollywood films of the 1940s it is safe and sanitized. This version of Phantom of the Opera lacks passion or atmosphere.
Episode: #1069 (October 19, 2025)