Cathedral Is Perfect Place For ‘Phantom’
The ultimate film for Halloween, if you happen to be a classic film buff, could be the silent 1925 version of “The Phantom of the Opera.”
If you feel the urge to get out on Halloween night and howl at the new moon, you might want to check out this flick on the way.
The Cathedral And The Arts Association has found quite a following for their silent film series. The ones I have attended have been packed to the rafters.
As to the series’ success, part of the attraction is the presentation of horror shows in an authentic Gothic cathedral, which does atmospheric wonders for one’s state of mind.
Another attractive element is the chance to see the films as they were intended - not as a rental for your den, but on the big screen with live musical accompaniment. Organist Charles C. Bradley Jr. once again provides that essential musical element on St. John’s magnificent and powerful instrument.
Bradley improvises music to accompany the action on the screen, making up on the spot the equivalent of a soundtrack, which normally takes months of planning in Hollywood. If you hadn’t noticed or given it much thought while at the Bijou, musical soundtracks are carefully calculated to manipulate your emotions in conjunction with the action taking place on the screen. Bradley is practiced at enhancing the mood while allowing the drama to speak for itself.
Appropriately, he will be incorporating music from Charles Gounod’s “Faust,” the opera which takes place in the movie. He will also be referring to Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor, which has probably acquired much more in the way of evil overtones than Johann Sebastian ever intended.
The Lon Chaney “Phantom” is the first and best of the half dozen screen versions, and has achieved astounding popularity through Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway rendition.
Chaney does horrifying justice to the creature lurking under the Paris Opera House. I also find that the lack of dialogue allows one’s imagination to go down whatever path it wants rather than stay within the lines a producer or director has defined.
As scary as the film is, however, it is still family entertainment, and children are encouraged to attend, costumes optional. Another consideration the cathedral has taken in order to downplay real-life horror is to provide parking lot security for all three showings.
xxxx “Phanton of the Opera” Location:Cathedral of St. John tonight at 6, 8 and midnight. Tickets: $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $3.50 for children 12 and under, available at G&B Select-a-Seat outlets or call (800) 325-SEAT. If available, they will be sold at the door beginning a half hour before show times.