THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1925) is one of the most famous silent films ever made, and this book follows the making of the film from beginning to end. Riley starts with the story of the Paris Opera house, Gaston LeRoux, and the novel. Then he follows the complicated production, with problems over Lon Chaney's participation, many rewrites, previews, and re-edited versions. When sound films came along, it was re-cut and opera sequences were added. This book has reprinted the entire pressbook, the original script, plus sections of the different script versions. Riley interviewed heroine Mary Philbin and several of the technical crew-members for this book. If you are a fan of Lon Chaney Sr., you will want this book.

I have always been a fan of Gaston Leroux's Phantom of the Opera, and have considered the 1925 movie version the best of all versions. I was highly intriqued and mystified when I heard that the movie actually had been filmed more than once, with the first version filmed forgotten. Then there was this book. Well I must say, Philip Riley has done an EXCELLENT job compiling every bit of information as to all the different versions of this film, and makes it truly an interesting read. With terrific background on Leroux's novel too, this book has instantly become one of my favorites of all time!

Yo leí este libro pues me hice fanática del musical. Es un excelente libro, pero me decepcionó un poco que el musical no se apegara del todo al libro original.
Muchas de las cosas que en la obra musical quedan sin explicar, o sin entender, en este libro quedan resueltas.

Excelente elección si deciden comprarlo.

This book is great! A must have for all phantom phans.

If you loved the Phantom of the Opera and love Leroux's style of writing and stories, this book is for you! It combines into one volume awesome stories by one of the best authors ever. A must have for all mystery fans.

I've been looking for this story for many years, as it's always listed as being one of the first in the locked room mystery genre, and one of the best. I am so happy to have found it (thank you, internet!!) as I was not disappointed.

Let me say upfront, that if you read Phantom of the Opera, and were disappointed in the writing style, do not shy away from The Mystery of the Yellow Room. I can hardly believe the same author wrote both stories. It's a great read, it flows well, and I could hardly put it down. The characterization and style are very similar to Conan Doyle's works. The locked room mystery kept me guessing. Ultimately all the clues were there, and the ending was "fair", even if I was suprised. I wish there were more tales about our detective, as this first book was fabulous!The ending had a very good twist to it, and is a precursor to some of Dame Agatha Christie's works.

In summary, a great read, a great mystery plot, and decent characterizations. This is worth finding, to see a classic in the locked room genre.

This is one of the best books I have ever read. It is astounding and horrible to think that this book has ever been out of print. Gaston Leroux is brilliant in descriptions and views into the character's minds. He gives an emotional and human view of the unloved erick/phantom as well as showing his clever maliciousness. This is the original book on which all plays, movies, re-writes, etc. are/were based. A wonderful book that tells a story of love, horror and mystery. If you like any of the plays, movies, etc. READ THIS BOOK! Also strongly recommended is Susan Kay's "Phantom", George Perry's The Complete Phantom of the Opera, The Andrew Loyd Webber musical cast recording and the Lon Chaney movie of 1925.

I just recently got the Wordsworth unabridged edition, so I don't know how different it is... but oh, it was fantastic! I am a huge fan of the soundtrack of Phantom of the Opera, circa Andrew Lloyd Webber, and I have also read and enjoyed Phantom by Susan Kay. I think these added great depth to the experience of reading the original version here, and I definately recommend them. Kay's Phantom provides background and character to Erik (the Phantom), while the musical provides not only good background music while reading, but also puts a voice, face, and pronounciation to the characters (as it is translated from french).
But on to Leroux's version. I thought this was the most ingenious way of writing Phantom of the Opera, and even now I'm not sure how much is real and how much he elaborated! Leroux wrote this book in the style of an investigation, with details and police reports and interviews, and included the Persian's narrative parts that took over for the climax, adding personality and humanity to the novel.
I found this an exciting read, and an interesting and different viewpoint to read a story from, as it is thrid person (like an observer, no thoughts heard) so this added to the importance of the actions of the characters. I felt this novel was a good length (rather short) and definately incrediable. I had a little trouble following all the descriptions of passages and corridors of the Paris Opera House, but I must go and visit it now to figure it out ;) There was much detail and it seemed like there was much accuracy too... so if this was pure fiction, it was written so well I could not tell.
I love this novel, and it definately belongs with the classics.

This book has a good mix of everything in it: horror, romance, suspense, and a rich story. Leroux's vivid descriptions of Erik send a chill down your spine; just the face can be frightening. The journey that the Persian and Raoul make down to the depths of the opera is as strange as it is suspenseful with their encounter with the shade and the torture chamber. The book is vaguely similar to the musical and a lot of the stuff in the book is explained and it doesn't seem all supernatural if you think about it. In the show, the Phantom is called "the Phantom" and has only half a deformed face. In the book, his entire face is horrid and his name is Erik. The book is more mystery and romance than anything else unlike the musical where it's some romance and a whole lot of action. If you like the musical and are really interested in the Phantom, read this. If you just like the music (i.e. are a theater goer), don't come near this. This is one of the few books that has stood out in history for nearly a century and will for years to come.

I bought this book about a year after discovering and falling in love with the music of Sarah Brightman, the lovely British diva who for several years played the role of Christine Daae in Andrew Lloyd Weber's musical "Phantom of the Opera." After seeing parts of the play re-enacted, and after listening to Sarah for a while, I figured I had to read the original story for myself just to see how good it really was. I found this book in a used book shop for about a dollar, bought it instantly, and finished it in a week.

I think this is a very good story because of the sophisticated characterizations of the people in it, and because of the several intriguing scenes created, scenes which do an effective job of conveying a sense of mystery. However, I do have to agree with another reviewer in this list, that the style is rather heavy and can be tedious to someone who is accustomed to light and fast-moving stories. There are times when one must concentrate and make an effort to read and mentally absorb the 19th-century prose. but it is worth the effort. It's not a great story, but it is a good one, worth reading again.

Take one beautiful, mysterious and talented soprano opera singer, add two bold opera house owners, a dashing, confused, in-love young man in searh for the opera singer's heart, and one tortured, genius, masked man, and you've got one great book. This book is not merely a book, but a haunting story of horror and love. The noted opera singer, Christine, has been taking secret opera lessons from her adoring Angel of Music, who loves her enough to kill an opera and its audience. Christine also has another admirer, Raoul, who would do anything for her, including save her from the dread Opera Ghost who kills everyone who stands in his way, with the help of the Persian who is owed a favor by the Phantom. As we read on, we find that Erik, The Phantom of the Opera, the Angel of Music, and the Opera Ghost (a.k.a. O.G.) are one, and indeed a terrifying collaboration. Christine refuses to marry Erik, so she, the persian and Raoul are in fatal danger. For years upon reading the haunting story, I can't get it out of my head. I love it. The opera is one to see also. This book will enthral a captivated audience, I quite assure you.

The discriptive language pulls you into the book, into the Paris Opera House, into the backstage shadows. It forces images upon you of the churchyard, of the spectacular opera performances, of the cellars, of Christine and of the Phantom... Never a dull moment. Suspenceful nights in box 5 and throughout the opera house. Read this and just try not to fall madly in love with the Angel of Music and his dark allure.

Though not one of Leroux's best works, 'The Secret Of The Night,' is a stunning novel. I myself own one of the rare copies of 'Secret' as well as 'Myster of the Yellow Room,' and hopefully someday, 'Phantom.' In the book Leroux focuses upon a detective in Russia partly resembleing Inspector DuPon (Poe) and Sherlock Holmes (Conan Doyal). A 4 star book.