The Music House’s third installment in our silent film series is a horror classic just in time for Halloween! The Phantom of the Opera is a 1925 American silent horror film adaptation of Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel of the same name. It was directed by Rupert Julian and starred Lon Chaney, Sr in the title role of the deformed Phantom who haunts the Paris Opera House, causing murder and mayhem in an attempt to make the woman he loves a star. The movie remains most famous for Chaney’s ghastly, self-devised make-up, which was kept a studio secret until the film’s premiere.

The film will be accompanied by Andrew Rogers on our ‘Mighty’ Wurlitzer theater organ. Rogers, a Detroit native, is an organist at the Michigan Theatre in Ann Arbor and the Detroit Fox. He also scores and performs silent films, and performs concerts throughout the U.S. and Internationally.

Our silent films sell very well so reservations are highly recommended. We cannot guarantee walk-in seating.

The Music House’s Silent Film Series has been a popular part of our season event schedule since 2005. Guest are able to experience the films as they were intended to be experienced, complete with live accompaniment by world class theater organists. The series began after the renovation of our 1924 Wurlitzer Opus 881 theater organ, purchased in 1985, was completed in late spring of 2005.

Our ‘Cinderella’ Wurlitzer first found its home at the Cinderella Theater on Jefferson Ave. in Detroit, MI and was played from 1924 to 1949. The theater was closed in the 1970’s and there is now a parking lot at its former location.

During the renovation, the instrument’s specification was expanded with the addition of three ranks of pipes and it was modernized mechanically. These decisions allowed the instrument increased flexibility musically and permitted its use for MIDI play-back demonstrations during Museum tours. Tours include the showing of a Laurel & Hardy short film with accompaniment on the Wurlitzer!