<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

The Phantom of the Opera originated as a novel by Gaston Leroux, but has become a theme used in different Sci Fi stories.

The basic elements of the story are these:

1. People think there is a supernatural presence in a particular location (the Paris Opera House in the original)
2. This supernatural presence is a threat, and in fact does cause mishaps to occur
3. If the presence is seen, it is masked in some way
4. It is revealed to the audience that the perpetrator is actually someone pretending to be supernatural

Typically, the "phantom" has been wronged in some way, commonly deprived of an artistic opportunity and credit. As to the mask, that hides a malformed face. In the original, the phantom was born that way, but in some adaptations, the damage is done later in life, perhaps while someone else is committing an evil act. In this case, the mutilation may be part of the motive for revenge.

The phantom may also have a favorite, someone whom they help, but from whom they hide their terrifying appearance.

Arguably, some adaptations (the 1924 Lon Chaney version, for example) are horror and not Sci Fi. There is nothing actually supernatural happening. However, because the audience is at first led to believe that there could be, that leads some to place it in the genre.

In other adaptations, it is clearly a work of dark fantasy. For example, in Brian de Palma's modern adaptation, Phantom of the Paradise, there is a deal with the Devil involved.

The book also was the basis for one of the most successful musicals to date, The The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber.