Phantom of the Opera(1943)

Professor Petrie (Herbert Lom), a brilliant but unsuccessful composer, sells his magnum opus for a pittance to the powerful arts patron Lord D’Arcy (Michael Gough). Consoling himself that at least his life’s work will now be produced, Petrie soon discovers that the scummy D’Arcy intends to produce the opera as his own with no mention whatsoever of Petrie. Enraged, the professor breaks into the shop where the opera is to be printed, intending to smash the plates and burn the manuscripts. Accidentally starting a fire, he douses it with what he thinks is water but is actually etching acid which splashes back into his face. Shrieking in agony, the disfigured Petrie jumps into the Thames and is believed drowned, never to be seen again.

Five years later, D’Arcy is producing the Petrie’s stolen masterpiece. A talented but untrained ingenue, Christine Charles, is secretly trained by the shabby, mysterious Phantom (Lom) to sing the lead role. Opening night comes and the opera is a smash hit and Christine is a star. Petrie, who earlier revealed than he is dying, is satisfied that his life’s work will now be famous (via a subplot, Petrie’s name is restored to the opera, ensuring the success he always desired).

But at Christine’s curtain call before her adoring public, Petrie’s crazed hunchback assistant causes the rope holding a massive chandelier to fray above the unsuspecting girl. Seeing this, Petrie tears off his mask and leaps onto the stage, shoving Christine out of the way just as he is crushed beneath the falling chandelier.