Phantom of the Opera		1943
Pit violinist Claudin hopelessly loves rising operatic soprano Christine Dubois (as do baritone Anatole and police inspector Raoul) and secretly aids her career. But Claudin loses both his touch and his job, murders a rascally music publisher in a fit of madness, and has his face etched with acid. Soon, mysterious crimes plague the Paris Opera House, blamed on a legendary "phantom" whom none can find in the mazes and catacombs. But both of Christine's lovers have plans to ferret him out. Cast: Nelson Eddy .... Anatole Garron Susanna Foster .... Christine Dubois Claude Rains .... Erik Claudin Edgar Barrier .... Raoul D'Aubert Leo Carrillo .... Signor Ferretti Jane Farrar .... Biancarolli J. Edward Bromberg .... Amiot Fritz Feld .... Lecours Frank Puglia .... Villeneuve Steven Geray .... Vereheres Barbara Everest .... The Aunt Hume Cronyn .... Gerard Fritz Leiber .... Franz Liszt Nicki Andre .... Lorenzi Gladys Blake .... Jeanne Elvira Curci .... Biancarolli's maid Hans Herbert .... Marcel Kate Drain Lawson .... Landlady Miles Mander .... Pleyel Rosina Galli .... Christine's maid Walter O. Stahl .... Doctor (as Walter Stahl) Paul Marion .... Desjardins
Susanna Foster
Susanna DeLee Flanders Larson was brought to Hollywood at the age of 12 by MGM, who sent her to school and groomed her for a singing and acting career. Two of her classmates in school were Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland. Oddly enough, MGM never used her, and she was signed by Paramount in 1939, where she made "The Great Victor Herbert" (1939). William Randolph Hearst was so impressed with her, after seeing her in that film, that he had her flown out to his mansion for a private recital for him and Marion Davies. She signed with Universal in 1941, and was used basically as leverage against Deanna Durbin, to keep her in line. Reportedly, Universal's Technicolor 'The Phantom of the Opera' (1943), Susanna's most famous role, was a Durbin reject. She next appeared in the classic "The Climax" in 1944. Even though she was immensely popular at that time, her roles kept going downhill. After "That Night with You" in 1945, she'd had it. Still under contract with Universal, she went overseas to study voice for three years, (paid for by Universal). When she quit Universal in 1948, she sold her mink stole and used the money to move to the east coast, where she eventually met and married Wilbur Evans, who was 20 years her senior. The Evans' did a lot of stage work, doing operettas and musicals of the time, touring quite extensively. In between all of this, Susanna miscarried her first child, but went on to have two sons; Phillip and Michael. Susanna had tired of show business and wanted a more 'normal' life, so when she and Evans divorced in 1956, she quit performing altogether and got jobs to support her and her children. With the children raised (Phillip passed away) she set back out to California, and lived in her car for a while until she got established. Sadly, any dream of making a comeback was hampered by several health problems.