Tweet Phantom Of The Opera Ultimate Edition DVD now Out of Print

More disappointing out of print news. It's been revealed on another forum tonight that the Milestone Ultimate Edition of Chaney's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, featuring both the 1925 and 1929 cut's of the film,and a great Carl Davis score is no longer available. I assume that Milestone's contract with Photoplay has expired? I wonder just how much longer will the Milestone DVD of IT be sold? Didn't they lease that from Photoplay at about the same time?

Is it possible that they're prepping a new edition with an accompanying blu-ray? THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is a no-brainer for that format.

Actually that's GREAT news as that Milestone transfer of "Phantom" blew.

LouieD,

In November 2008 TCM ran a brand new Region 1 Broadcast master for the first time of the Photoplay version. Did not have near the ghosting the the sub-par Pal transfer from the 2003 Milestone release.

Somehow, someway we need a much better quality source for the original 1925 release desperately. Surely better material must exist someplace? Or at least a crisper transfer can be struck? Can't it? The 1929 Re-issue is so altered that it is virtually a completely different, and certainly inferior film. Despite the much greater print quality.

LouieD,

In November 2008 TCM ran a brand new Region 1 Broadcast master for the first time of the Photoplay version. Did not have near the ghosting the the sub-par Pal transfer from the 2003 Milestone release.

Somehow, someway we need a much better quality source for the original 1925 release desperately. Surely better material must exist someplace? Or at least a crisper transfer can be struck? Can't it? The 1929 Re-issue is so altered that it is virtually a completely different, and certainly inferior film. Despite the much greater print quality.

Maybe you need them but they are sitting in my collection right here.

No, I have this 2 disc set. I've had it for years.

The Milestone DVD is worth it for the 1925 cut (with a nice Jon Marsalis score), which I prefer over the 1929/1930 sound reissue/silent international/whatever the hell version it is. Unfortunately, although the print quality is amazing, the Photoplay restoration of the latter version is unwatchable because of the ghosting, and whoever is responsible for said ghosting really blew it. What a waste. Nice cover art, though.

I hope I'll be able to see a nicer version of the '25 someday.

Milestone used my 16mm print of the '25 for their transfer. It was struck in the 60's, copied from a Show-at-Home print. Is anyone aware of an actual Show-at-Home print surviving? I would think by this time if one existed it would have surfaced.

Was the Photoplay version shown in the UK on TV in the early 90's?

I have a version on VHS recorded from TV which unfortunately missed the front credits, so I'm not certain which I've got.

[Danny Burk]

Milestone used my 16mm print of the '25 for their transfer. It was struck in the 60's, copied from a Show-at-Home print. Is anyone aware of an actual Show-at-Home print surviving? I would think by this time if one existed it would have surfaced.

The Hampton collection had several; I think each contained some footage not present in the others. Presumably they're now at UCLA with the rest of his collection.

I don't want to go off topic, but just wanted to say that Phantom Fans would give a lot to see the first version with the original heartbreak ending , the Graveyard Scene and so on...

Was the Photoplay version shown in the UK on TV in the early 90's?

I have a version on VHS recorded from TV which unfortunately missed the front credits, so I'm not certain which I've got.

The Photoplay version of PHANTOM debuted on Channel Four in 1996 I believe. We didn't see it over here until October of 2000, when it premiered on TCM. But at least we have seen it over here many times. Not so, with the Photoplay WINGS or THE WEDDING MARCH from '93, and '98 respectively. Neither of them have ever been broadcast.

There is also a 4-disc edition of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (billed as "The Supreme Collector's Edition") available from Reelclassicdvd. It contains both the 1925 and 1930 releases, as well as a lot of bonus material.

~Roger

There are a number of Show-At-Home originals that have been floating "out there," but the problem is that most of them are incomplete—scenes are truncated or missing all together. When Hampton was putting together his prints, the one scene that seemed to have eluded him is the business with the managers checking out the box seat.

About a year ago, I was lucky enough to come across a nearly-complete original 16mm, which I fleshed out with some missing shots from a Movie Wonderland print I picked up on eBay.

The Milestone DVD is worth it for the 1925 cut (with a nice Jon Marsalis score), which I prefer over the 1929/1930 sound reissue/silent international/whatever the hell version it is. Unfortunately, although the print quality is amazing, the Photoplay restoration of the latter version is unwatchable because of the ghosting, and whoever is responsible for said ghosting really blew it. What a waste. Nice cover art, though.

I hope I'll be able to see a nicer version of the '25 someday.

It will be great if blu ray allows Milestone, Kino, or whoever, to correct the severely flawed transfer of the 1929 version. The print itself is a lovely thing to behold if not for the pesky ghosting. To see this classic in 1080p would be fantastic.

ReelclassicDVD has a release that contains both versions, plus bonus features including a theatrical trailer, side-by-side comparisons of shots from the different verisons, and more. The re-release edition has Lee Erwin organ score and the 1925 version, transferred from a show-at-home print or a copy of one (I forget), has an organ score by me. 4-disc set for $35.

http://www.reelclassicdvd.com/silent_era.htm

Ben

I have the ReelClassic DVD Phantom set and I can highly recommend it. I have the Milestone set as well - can't believe how they blew it. Vergogna, as Toscanini used to say.

Gee, you guys make we want to go out and distribute more silent films!

http://www.popmodal.com/video/1706/Odd- ... sume-Scene

Frankly, I've already said all had to say about our previous Phantom and I'm still very proud of what Scott (and Ray) did on the bonus features. Just to point out, ten years ago was a far different world in video.
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Dennis Doros
Milestone F&V

Dennis, come out with a new version and I'll buy it. Fair enough?

Dennis,

Err, almost afraid to ask. Are we getting the new SPARROWS in April on TCM???

Gee, you guys make we want to go out and distribute more silent films!

http://www.popmodal.com/video/1706/Odd- ... sume-Scene

Frankly, I've already said all had to say about our previous Phantom and I'm still very proud of what Scott (and Ray) did on the bonus features. Just to point out, ten years ago was a far different world in video.
_________________
Dennis Doros
Milestone F&V

I don't see anyone here demanding an explanation from you...and for my part, I'm not assuming any particular person is responsible for the ghosting on the Photoplay version, or even guessing as to what caused it. I'm simply saying it's there, and that it's not good. The ghosting is so bad that it takes an excellent visual quality print with an excellent score and just ruins it. I couldn't believe it when I first took a look at it.

However, I will say again that the set is definitely worth it (meaning the original purchase price, not so much the aftermarket bloodsucker price) for the bonus features alone, especially the 1925 cut.

Milestone has tons of great releases, many of which are on my shelf, and I'm thankful for all of them, even the aforementioned PHANTOM. Likewise, Photoplay has tons of great restorations. But hey, nobody bats a thousand all the time, not even one of the greatest independent video labels ever, nor one of the greatest restoration teams ever. And, like Bob above, if Milestone releases another PHANTOM with a nice non-ghosted version of the '29/'30 cut, I'll buy it again too.

I was first in line at my video store to purchase the Milestone Phantom and I'm very glad I did. I was so happy to finally get a decent print of '25.
I've never cared for the '29-30 version and only watched once, just for the commentary and to see the color.

Sorry folks....I've never seen the ghosting on my copy..not on a 27" CRT or my 32" LCD.

I've always liked the Milestone edition for it's inclusion of the sound disks as well as the color restoration during the Apollo lyre sequence. However if I really want to see the '29/'30 edit I still go to the last release from David Shepard on Image.

I've had a copy of PHANTOM on 8mm,(Blackhawk) VHS,(Kartes, Blackhawk) LD ( Lumivision and Image (twice)) and at last count 3 different versions on DVD ( Image, Milestone, and ReelClassics) ...I'm still waiting for UCLA to finish their restoration of the '25 cut from the Hampton Show at Homes and I'm sure when the next "Ultimate" version arrives I'll find a way to add that to the list.

Anyone familiar with this version from Eureka:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Phantom-Opera-D ... 204&sr=1-3

[silentfilm]

Yep, I've got both of the Milestone and David Shepard/Image DVDs, plus I used to have the Shepard/Image and George Eastman House laserdiscs. The Milestone extras are terrific.

This title seems like a no-brainer for release on BluRay. I'm surprised that it has not been released on the format yet.

Anyone familiar with this version from Eureka:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Phantom-Opera-D ... 204&sr=1-3

I assume that this is essentially the same version as the Kino DVD. TCM used to run this one, before they picked up the Photoplay edition. I thought it was pretty horrible. Did not like the music and the singing especially had no place in there.

I think I'll go after the reelclassics release. My Photoplay version is missing the opening titles which pees me off.

" My Photoplay version is missing the opening titles ..."

?????


If you really want to split hairs, all versions of the '29 edit are missing some titles,
specifically the Western Electric sound system credit that was removed by James Card,
as well as the "Any Barrels " title card that was cut during the flooding of the underground vault.

If this one had not been inventoried as a sound film, it would have been junked as well.

Nope, don't want to split hairs....and you can't make me

Mine has no front tiles at all - the video recorder missed them.

Sorry folks....I've never seen the ghosting on my copy..not on a 27" CRT or my 32" LCD.

The eyes and brains of some of us just don't notice picture motion anomalies/flaws/etc., no matter how prominent. I really wish I was one of these people sometimes. My girlfriend doesn't seem to notice this stuff either.