And with Phantom of the Opera the world gets its first bonafide horror star in Lon Chaney. Although that reputation basically rests on two films, this and Hunchback of Notre Dame (back when Quasimodo was considered a ‘monster’), his array of somewhat more prosaic but twisted and sinister villains,and his skill (and amazing willingness to endure pain) with his self-designed make-ups, would win him that repute. And, of course, he is the only horror star to sire another horror star. Phantom of the Opera was also one of the few successful attempts to ‘class up’ a horror movie. It also has the advantage of being a silent, meaning we don’t actually have to sit through all the arias.
