I'd never watched this Universal horror effort before now, when I bought it as part of the Universal monsters box set. I'd heard that it was a bit tame and disappointing compared to their better known efforts, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Sure, the horror content is limited - this is far more of a tragedy than anything else - but the production values are so good and the music and opera scenes so sumptuous that you can't help but be impressed. Claude Rains brings the same level of quiet intensity to the role as he did in THE INVISIBLE MAN, while the rest of the cast are very good too. The Technicolor is gorgeous, the sets thoroughly impressive, and the story immersive, with finely-judged humour laced throughout adding to the fun.
Review of Phantom of the Opera
