"The Phantom of Paris" is a thoroughly enjoyable film that is, if you think about it, really stupid. The writing obviously is the weak point in this movie, as John Gilbert is excellent and is only hindered by a silly plot.
When the film begins, the great magician/escape artist Chéri-Bibi (Gilbert) is performing one of his great stunts. He then goes to his girlfriend's home. Cecile loves him but her father isn't so impressed by him. But, since Cecile obviously is not going to marry the Marquis Du Touchais, he decides to change his will. He previously was going to leave his fortune to the man...and it was assumed he'd marry Cecile. But the father makes a HUGE mistake...he tells the Marquis and soon the father is murdered...and the Marquis and his skanky lady friend pin the murder on Bibi. Soon, Bibi is in prison and awaiting execution.
So far, the film is really good. But after Bibi escapes the film kind of falls apart and becomes silly. He hides out in a friend's basement for several years until he learns that the Marquis is dying---and so he rushes off to confront the scoundrel. The Marquis is so sick he admits he set up Bibi...but then dies before there are any witnesses. So (and boy does it get dumb here), Bibi decides to impersonate the Marquis...and claim that he was kidnapped by Bibi and he returns home six months later!! And, inexplicably, all the folks who knew the Marquis suddenly think he IS the Marquis!!! Makes sense? Nah...but the film is entertaining despite being stupid....but stupid it certainly is. And, if you think about it, the film is a bit like the later TV series, "The Fugitive"...but a cheesier version of course!
When the film begins, the great magician/escape artist Chéri-Bibi (Gilbert) is performing one of his great stunts. He then goes to his girlfriend's home. Cecile loves him but her father isn't so impressed by him. But, since Cecile obviously is not going to marry the Marquis Du Touchais, he decides to change his will. He previously was going to leave his fortune to the man...and it was assumed he'd marry Cecile. But the father makes a HUGE mistake...he tells the Marquis and soon the father is murdered...and the Marquis and his skanky lady friend pin the murder on Bibi. Soon, Bibi is in prison and awaiting execution.
So far, the film is really good. But after Bibi escapes the film kind of falls apart and becomes silly. He hides out in a friend's basement for several years until he learns that the Marquis is dying---and so he rushes off to confront the scoundrel. The Marquis is so sick he admits he set up Bibi...but then dies before there are any witnesses. So (and boy does it get dumb here), Bibi decides to impersonate the Marquis...and claim that he was kidnapped by Bibi and he returns home six months later!! And, inexplicably, all the folks who knew the Marquis suddenly think he IS the Marquis!!! Makes sense? Nah...but the film is entertaining despite being stupid....but stupid it certainly is. And, if you think about it, the film is a bit like the later TV series, "The Fugitive"...but a cheesier version of course!