31 Days of Horror Clips, Day 20

Forget Andrew Lloyd Webber, this is the real thing.

One of cinema's first real jump scare moments occurred in the 1925 silent classic, The Phantom of the Opera, when young opera singer Christine unmasks her mysterious mentor/captor Erik, played by the great Lon Chaney. Chaney's grotesque make-up jolted unsuspecting audiences and expelled many from theatres in fright. However, despite appearances, the love-lorn, scarred phantom earned sympathy and pity by film's end--a true testament to Chaney's strength as an actor.


- Phil Morehart