Phantom Of The Opera, The

This is the 1962 Hammer Films version of "The Phantom Of The Opera." The mysterious mishaps bedevil a London opera house. The corrupt Lord Ambrose D'Arcy (Gough) steals the life's work of the poor composer Professor L. Petrie. (Lom). In an attempt to stop the printing of music with D'Arcy's name on it, Petrie breaks into the printing office and accidentally starts a fire, leaving him severely disfigured. Years later, Petrie returns to terrorize a London opera house that is about to perform one of his stolen operas. When tragedy strikes during the opening night performance, it's clear that these "accidents" are the deliberate work of a deranged madman. When Christine (Sears), the young star of the new musical is contacted by the shadowy specter—The Phantom, her producer investigates, tracking the ghostly Phantom in his secret underground lair. More than an evil apparition, The Phantom proves to be a brilliant composer. Disfigured and nearly destroyed, he now demands his hellish revenge. Christine, his new star, is the one weakness, and he pays the ultimate price to keep his love alive. (Gary Reber)