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DESCRIPTION:
A Special 100th Anniversary Screening of The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
Featuring Live Musical Accompaniment by Sean J. O’Connell
Followed by a Panel Discussion with Antonia Carlotta and Ron Chaney, moderated by USC student Hugo Turner

A forerunner of the American horror film, and one of the most lavish productions of the silent cinema, The Phantom of the Opera has inspired countless remakes and imitations. But none of its successors can rival the mesmerizing blend of romance and mystery that haunts every frame of the original, directed by Rupert Julian, produced by Carl Laemmle, and starring Lon Chaney.

Aspiring young opera singer Christine Daaé (Mary Philbin) discovers that she has a mysterious admirer intent on helping her become a lead performer. This enigmatic masked presence is Erik (screen legend Lon Chaney), also known as the Phantom, a horribly disfigured recluse who lives underneath the Paris Opera House. When the Phantom takes Christine prisoner and demands her devotion and affection, her suitor, Vicomte Raoul de Chagny (Norman Kerry), sets out to rescue her.

About the Guests:

Antonia Carlotta is a Hollywood historian and the niece of Phantom producer and Universal Studios founder Carl Laemmle.

Ron Chaney is the great-grandson of legendary silent film star and the original Phantom, Lon Chaney, and grandson of Lon Chaney, Jr., the original Wolf Man and horror star. Ron founded Chaney Entertainment in 1992 to preserve and perpetuate the Chaney family history. He is also a writer, producer, and actor dedicated to honoring the artistry of his family while bringing fresh, innovative projects to modern audiences. His work bridges classic storytelling with contemporary themes, paying homage to the groundbreaking spirit that made the Chaney name synonymous with versatility, transformation, and cinematic excellence.

Organist Sean J. O’Connell has accompanied silent cinema in CalArts recital halls, the standing-room only rock venue the Echo, and Long Beach’s beloved Art Theater. He currently teaches in the Music History departments at the Bob Cole Conservatory at CSULB and Chapman University with an emphasis on 20th century Southern California popular music.

Hugo Turner is a second year student at USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. As the founder and editor-in-chief of his high school newspaper, Turner interviewed such media visionaries as Guillermo del Toro, Colin Farrell, and Jack Black. As a filmmaker, Turner is heavily influenced by classic gothic horror, and is currently working on an experimental animated short horror film, Erith, which is set for release in fall of 2026. Turner is also a singer/songwriter, composer, and producer, currently working on a debut EP and scoring multiple USC student films.

Presented by USC Visions and Voices and the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Print provided courtesy of Kino Lorber.