Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood is a film studio and theme park in Los Angeles, California. One of the oldest movie studios still operating in Hollywood, it was initially created to offer tours of real Universal film sets. As time went on, it evolved into a full-fledged theme park, with elaborate attractions centered on some of the most popular films of all time. Its success would lead to other Universal Studios theme parks to open around the world.

Phantom of the Opera Attractions

Erik, with Woody and Winnie Woodpecker and a family at Universal Studios Hollywood

Being one of Universal’s most famous films, the 1925 adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera has been an inspiration for many attractions within the park.

Meet n Greets

In the early decades of the park, Erik was a common meetable character on the tram tour, available for pictures and meet and greets. He was commonly seen around Stage 28, where the film was shot, and usually appeared with the other Universal Monsters nearby. He has been phased out in recent years, only making rare appearances.

Castle Dracula

An animatronic Erik appeared in the stage show Castle Dracula - a precursor to the Hollywood Horror Makeup Show. He appeared on the castle balcony, speaking to the guests at the beginning of the show. The animatronic was created by AVG Productions. Erik was originally voiced by Paul Lynde, but his dialogue was redubbed due to his voice being too recognizable.

Beetlejuice’s Rockin’ Graveyard Revue

In this musical stage show, Erik appeared alongside some of the other Universal Monsters - Count Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Bride of Frankenstein, and the Wolf Man. Beetlejuice summoned them to the show and transformed them into rockin’ versions of themselves. Erik changed into a purple suit, with Billy Idol-style blond hair and a silver mask covering half of his face. He sang “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis, with some new lyrics. The show played from 1992 through 1999.

Universal’s House of Horrors

Erik appeared in this year-round haunted house, starting in 2006. Erik was first encountered in the catacombs, popping out of nowhere to scare guests. The Phantom scene depicted his lair, while Toccata and Fugue played as Erik laughed. A mannequin of Erik stood on one end of the room, hanging Joseph Buquet. At the top of a dark staircase, the Red Death costume could be seen behind a pane of glass. After surviving their encounter with Erik, the path led into Ancient Egypt, with a scene from The Mummy. Props and photographs from the film, including a large figure of Erik, could be found in the queue.

The attraction closed in 2014 and the sound stage was torn down with it.

Universal Monsters

In 2018, the Universal Monsters were the stars of a haunted house at that year’s Halloween Horror Nights. The Phantom scene was encountered about halfway through the attraction. 

After escaping The Invisible Man, guests entered Erik’s lair, with violins on the wall and moving statues. Erik played his organ, while Christine’s voice was heard in the background. Every so often, strobe lights flashed and Christine screamed, while Erik lunged out at guests from behind a curtain. They continued, passing under the hanging corpses of Erik’s victims. Erik exclaimed “Feast your eyes! Glut your souls on my acursed ugliness,” and lunged towards guests in the darkness. After surviving their encounters with Erik, guests entered the Dracula scenes.

External Links

• "Universal Studios Hollywood" on Wikipedia
• "The Phantom of the Opera" on the Halloween Horror Nights Wiki