DAS PHANTOM DER OPER images(!)

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A reddit user found images (via the Internet Archive’s collection of German film journal Lichtbild-Bühne) from this 1916 grail of lost films – one from which no images (even promotional) were known to exist. As if I didn't want to see this film found enough…

phantom carrying christine down stairs?

My previous resurfacing of my initial write-up featuring early promotional texts and a description of the plot (note: add tag).

the other other obsession

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In addition to the Big Little Book obsession, I’m also hooked on lobby cards, so a brief tour of the Paintshop walls (pardon the comics and dog ass): Mexican cards for THE RETURN OF THE FLY and DIARY OF A MADMAN (what LC collection is complete without Vincent Price?) and an Italian poster for one of the best, BLACULA.

Joining requisite DICK TRACY lobby cards (from my favorite of the films. 1945’s DICK TRACY, starring my favorite on-screen Tracy, Morgan Conway) and the second Republic serial, DICK TRACY RETURNS is a lobby card from a 1943 Mexico City screening of my favorite movie serial / chapterplay, MYSTERIOUS DR. SATAN

The two comics PICTURES are the two linchpins of my 30+-year comics nuttery – GREEN HORNET No.3 being the first comic I ever bought and O’Neil / Kaluta THE SHADOW No.1 being the first issue of one of my favorite runs of all time.

PHANTOM ‘43 is from a 1955 re-release “IN FLAMING TECHNICOLOR!” (quite possibly the best description ever) and I’ve never actually seen THE SON OF DR. JEKYLL, but I imagine he’s up to no good. Also: ALF. Because ALF.

DAS PHANTOM DER OPER (1916)

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The 1912 Jekyll and Hyde made me want to resurface this post on the lost 1916 version of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, which is, for me - much as I want to see LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT - the ultimate lost film.

This thread at The Classic Horror Board features some great information and discussion - especially this one, which includes the poster’s translation of a synopsis of the film (which seems to be quite faithful to Leroux's original) as well as the following translation of a review; image above from linked post.

"Fantastic drama  with Aud Egede Nissen. During the construction of an opera house, its designer had installed various mechanical and technological contrivances that ensured he could secretly access the rooms in the cellar. One day, illness prevents the diva from appearing as Gretchen [in Faust], and the designer - in the guise of an old regular visitor to the opera known by the name 'Phantom' - recommends an ingénue to the director to take her place; a recommendation the director accepts. The ingénue's appearance proves a success, only for her to then find herself held captive in the underground rooms by the ugly Phantom, who is in love with her. She is rescued by her fiancé and a Persian, while the master builder meets with his death. The subject matter is good, and the photography, acting and sets very good."

Will update accordingly if I find any new info.

phantoms of swallowed sand

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Week ends/begins as it ended/began, the brick wall ctd: simultaneous shock, resignation, and pervasive weariness over total stalling out on all creative fronts: neck deep (at least for the last few days) in that feared state which Isabel Allende likens to "swallowing sand," though my only point of reference is the "eat a spoonful of cinnamon" test/dare/internet thing from a decade or so back because I did it and have an experiential knowledge from days young and stupid.

Maybe I'm simply worn out from trying to break through again, from pounding a little harder against that diamond brick wall from Capaldi's best episode of DOCTOR WHO, my hands bleeding, my brain on something that passes barely for autopilot.

Rewatched, for the umpteenth time – though my first in probably 20 years (and K's first time – and her first silent film) – the 1925 Lon Chaney / Mary Philbin PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and, of all the times I've seen it, I think this may have been the first time I've seen it with the technicolor Red Death sequence; planning to pick through some of the extras – especially the bits from the 1930 sound version – that Kino's latest beautful Blu version gifted.

Unrelated though no less important: I am now in possession of a high-powered electric leafblower: beware, zombie-leaf horde, for I will now vanquish you without melting an icecap.