This glam-rock musical parody set in the age of disco fab is not your average horror movie and might not be considered a horror movie at all by some but you certainly can’t argue that it is a cult classic. A 1974 Brian De Palma masterpiece, the Phantom of the Paradise combines the Phantom of the Opera and Faust to create a horror-musical comedy.

The film is about promoter Swan (songwriter Paul Williams), who like Faust sold his soul to the Devil for eternal youth. His band The Juicy Fruits is the opening night act for Swan’s new nightclub Paradise. Swan, in search of something that will shake the music world and make his opening night a huge success, hears the music of pianist/songwriter Winslow Leach (William Finley).

Winslow is very excited about the possibility of Swan producing his rock cantata and hands over his sheet music to Philbin (George Memmoli), Swan’s assistant. He tells Philbin about the cantata and how he is writing the story of Faust’s life through music but becomes upset when Philbin suggests that the Juicy Fruits might have an interest in performing the music.

After getting no response from Swan on his music, Winslow decides to make a visit to Death Records. Swan’s group of thugs tosses him out of the offices but this doesn’t discourage him. Winslow makes his way to the Swanage, the mansion that Swan calls home. When he arrives at the mansion, he finds a long line of women waiting to audition for opening night at Paradise. This is where Winslow meets Phoenix (Jessica Harper), who is singing one of his songs in preparation for her audition. Winslow stops to question her about where she got the song and she tells him that Philbin gave her the song to audition for a part in the chorus. Oh there must be a mistake because Winslow was not aware or notified that Swan would be using his music on opening night at Paradise.

Once again Winslow is noticed and not only do Swan’s goons toss him out but he is severely beaten then set up on phony drug charges. Winslow tries desperately to convince the police and anyone that will listen that Swan has stolen his music and framed him. This is to be the beginning of Winslow’s torture. While in prison his teeth are completely removed and replaced with steel as part of a new dental program.

While in prison, Winslow hears his song being played on a local radio station but The Juicy Fruits are performing it. Quite angry and upset, Winslow becomes crazed and makes his way out of prison by beating a guard and escaping through a shoot that drops into the back of a truck. The truck heads into the city and Winslow is dropped onto the street in a box. He immediately heads to Death Records, where he plans mass destruction by placing dynamite on a record press. He is about to blow the whole place up when a guard scares him and he slips falling face first into the record press machine as it closes down on his head. This is the death of Winslow Leach and the birth of Phantom.

The Phantom lurks in the shadows of Paradise, wreaking havoc and vengeance on all those that have robbed him of his music. Winslow was thought to be dead but is discovered on video surveillance by Swan. After being convinced by Swan that he could safely complete his cantata at Paradise and have Phoenix perform the music, Winslow agrees and begins working diligently to complete his Faust musical.

I can tell you that the film is not a new concept to movie scripts but the old good versus evil story line with Winslow being the meek and tormented talent being used at every turn by Satan’s own, Swan. The story progresses with Winslow stopping at nothing to destroy the Paradise and anyone that attempts to perform his cantata except his love interest, the beautiful and talented Phoenix. Will Winslow be triumphant? Will his music ever be performed in the way he intended it to be? Will good win over evil? Those are questions that can only be answered by viewing this twisted DePalma version of classic tales.

What Makes The Movie?

Aside from the ridiculously amusing script, raunchy seventies sexual themes complete with lesbian orgies, the mod costumes, and the masterful filming of director DePalma – the soundtrack makes the film.

Without the soundtrack composed by Paul Williams, this film would be just another bad flick and failed attempt by Williams in his career. The songs in the movie are brilliantly composed to include original versions and several bastardized versions. The track that I enjoy the most from the film is ‘Faust’ –

I was not myself last night in the morning light I could see the change was showing

Like a child who was always poor reaching out for more I could feel the hunger growing

And as I lost control I swore I'd sell my soul for one love
Who would sing my song and fill this emptiness inside me


Favorite Character

This film introduces you to some colorful characters including the flaming rock star Beef (Gerrit Graham), who replaces Phoenix as the lead performer. His flamboyant and hysterically homosexual presence adds a great deal to this film. Although there are many memorable lines in this film, the lines spoken by Beef are by far the most humorous including “The karma in here is so thick, you need an aqualung to breathe!”

Overall Reaction To The Film

I saw this film for the first time in the early eighties and it soon gained permanent placement on my shelves next to Rocky Horror Picture Show and Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. If you enjoy your horror films with a strong dose of satire and a whole lot of singing then this is the film for you.

There will never be another Phantom of the Paradise or another Brian DePalma.


This is part of the "Scary/Horror" movie w/o hosted by Jenni1396 to celebrate her one year anniversary at Epinions. Check out the other entries from: jenni1396, arpoet, beawriter, bpotter1, charlenep, ChrisJarmick, cntaur5, Darkmistress, Debbie26, mellkinwa, PacBayStat, and smh32775



Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age