In this silent horror classic, aspiring young opera singer Christine Daaé discovers that she has a mysterious admirer intent on helping her become a lead performer. This enigmatic masked presence is Erik, 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, sets out to rescue her. This flim is by far the closest to Leroux's novel and it is considered by most fans to be the best film version to date The movie was adapted by Elliott J. Clawson, Frank M. McCormack (uncredited), Tom Reed (titles) and Raymond L. Schrock. It was directed by Rupert Julian, with supplemental direction by Edward Sedgwick, and Lon Chaney (unconfirmed). The original film that debuted in Los Angeles had several scenes from the novel, now lost, including The Phantom playing the violin at the grave of Christine's father, and a different ending closer to the novel. After bad reviews it was re-edited for subsequent releases. It is most famous for Lon Chaney's intentionally horrific, self-applied make-up, which was kept a studio secret until the film's premiere.