The Phantom of the Opera (1962)

Director:

Terence Fisher

Writers:

Gaston Leroux (novel)
Anthony Hinds (screenplay)

Release Date:

15 August 1962 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Music | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Out of the hell-fire of horror unimaginable rises the figure of terror incarnate!

Plot:

The corrupt Lord Ambrose D'Arcy (Michael Gough) steals the life's work of the poor musical Professor Petry...

Plot Keywords:

Opera | Opera House | House | Murder | Star

Cast

Herbert Lom	...	The Phantom (Prof. L. Petrie)
Heather Sears	...	Christine Charles
Edward de Souza	...	Harry Hunter
Thorley Walters	...	Lattimer
Michael Gough	...	Lord Ambrose d'Arcy
Harold Goodwin	...	Bill
Martin Miller	...	Rossi
Liane Aukin	...	Maria
Sonya Cordeau	...	Yvonne
Marne Maitland	...	Xavier
Miriam Karlin	...	Charwoman
Patrick Troughton	...	The Rat Catcher
Renee Houston	...	Mrs. Tucker
Keith Pyott	...	Weaver
John Harvey	...	Sgt. Vickers
Michael Ripper	...	Longfaced Cabbie
Miles Malleson	...	2nd Cabby
Ian Wilson	...	The Dwarf
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Leila Forde	...	Teresa (uncredited)
Geoffrey L'Oise	...	Frenchman (uncredited)
John Maddison	...	Police Insp. Dawson (uncredited)
Laurie Main	...	Forbes (uncredited)
Liam Redmond	...	Police Insp. Ward (uncredited)

Directed by
Terence Fisher

Writing credits
Gaston Leroux		(novel)
Anthony Hinds		(screenplay) (as John Elder)

Produced by
Anthony Hinds	....	producer
Basil Keys	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Edwin Astley

Cinematography by
Arthur Grant

Film Editing by
Alfred Cox

Production Design by
Bernard Robinson

Art Direction by
Don Mingaye

Makeup Department
Roy Ashton	....	makeup artist
Frieda Steiger	....	hair stylist

Production Management
Clifford Parkes	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Peter Medak	....	second assistant director
John Peverall	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Jim Groom	....	sound editor (as James Groom)
Jock May	....	sound recordist

Stunts
Jack Cooper	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Len Harris	....	camera operator
Tom Edwards	....	still photographer (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Molly Arbuthnot	....	wardrobe supervisor
Rosemary Burrows	....	wardrobe mistress

Editorial Department
James Needs	....	supervising editor

Music Department
Edwin Astley	....	conductor (uncredited)
Patricia Clark	....	singing voice: Heather Sears (uncredited)

Other crew
Tilly Day	....	continuity
Dennis Maunder	....	staging: opera sequences

Production Companies

• Hammer Film Productions

Distributors

• J. Arthur Rank Film Distributors (1962) (UK) (theatrical)
• Universal Pictures (1962) (USA) (theatrical)
• LW Editora (2008) (Brazil) (DVD)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1968) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Universal Home Entertainment (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures (2005) (UK) (DVD)

Runtime:

USA:84 min | UK:90 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG (video rating) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

Bray Studios, Down Place, Oakley Green, Berkshire, England, UK

Company:

Hammer Film Productions

Trivia:

The film flopped on its release, and director Terence Fisher fell out of favor with Hammer Studios, for whom he was not given another film until 1964.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: During the hanging of the stagehand during the opening scene, the wires holding the actor are visible on either side of the rope.

Quotes:

Harry Hunter: [Harry is asking Christine to go out to lunch with him after she has been dismissed from the opera] I insist that you come and celebrate.
Mrs. Tucker: Celebrate, Mr. Hunter?
Harry Hunter: Yes, Mrs. Tucker. Today we both got the sack.
Christine Charles: Oh no, Harry.
Harry Hunter: Oh yes, Harry.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976)

Soundtrack:

Joan of Arc

Another on my most-wanted DVD list

I have many other "Phantom" movies but this is one of my favorites, even though the location and story has been changed. I thought Herbert Lom did a great job and the aria Christine sings is hauntingly beautiful. I would love to have a CD of the music. Does anyone know if it is available?