1974 was notable for two films that were major bombs at the time, but which have gone on to become cult classics: The Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Phantom of the Paradise.
The former film garnered its cult following because of many factors, but not least of which is its message of inclusion for all who are different.
The latter - the Phantom... - garnered its following because the film is downright fun and full of great performers delivering great performances, plus it has a really excellent soundtrack.
Since the Phantom of the Opera is known to just about all, its plot is also well known. With various remakes already having been made, a somewhat unknown director, Brian DePalma took the helm of a film that is a melange of several classic Gothic horror stories with The Phantom of the Opera being the leading one.
The Phantom of the Paradise actually more closely follows the 1950's Hammer version of The Phantom of the Opera and adds in The Portrait of Dorian Grey and Faust for good measure.
Paul Williams, the diminutive actor/songwriter plays Swan, an evil record company owner who also is the living embodiment of a modern day Dorian Grey. Williams also wrote the lyrics for the entire film.
William Finley, a college buddy of director Brian DePalma, plays Winslow, a gifted rock opera writer (as Tommy had just come out and rock operas were seen as a wave of the future), from whom Swan steals his masterpiece - a rock version of the great horror story of Faust - about a man who sells his soul to the devil. Winslow becomes our phantom.
Jessica Harper gives us a very delicate version of the old Mary Philbin role in a character named Phoenix.
There are some really dynamite songs that permeate the film and I think that you'll find that although this is technically a "musical" it is not a musical of the "Oklahoma" variety.
The way in which Winslow is disfigured to become the Phantom is truly gruesome and ripe for the era.
Humor is rampant in this film and it never takes itself too seriously.
Paul Williams is very very creepy as Swan and he really delivers the goods on the music. (in fact it is Williams not Finley who actually sings as the Phantom).
Let's compare apples to apples.
No, this isn't Citizen Kane or Sunset Boulevard - but it deserves a 10 in its own right as a cult classic.
Rocky Horror is great, but take a break from it and check out this awesome addition to the same genre!
The former film garnered its cult following because of many factors, but not least of which is its message of inclusion for all who are different.
The latter - the Phantom... - garnered its following because the film is downright fun and full of great performers delivering great performances, plus it has a really excellent soundtrack.
Since the Phantom of the Opera is known to just about all, its plot is also well known. With various remakes already having been made, a somewhat unknown director, Brian DePalma took the helm of a film that is a melange of several classic Gothic horror stories with The Phantom of the Opera being the leading one.
The Phantom of the Paradise actually more closely follows the 1950's Hammer version of The Phantom of the Opera and adds in The Portrait of Dorian Grey and Faust for good measure.
Paul Williams, the diminutive actor/songwriter plays Swan, an evil record company owner who also is the living embodiment of a modern day Dorian Grey. Williams also wrote the lyrics for the entire film.
William Finley, a college buddy of director Brian DePalma, plays Winslow, a gifted rock opera writer (as Tommy had just come out and rock operas were seen as a wave of the future), from whom Swan steals his masterpiece - a rock version of the great horror story of Faust - about a man who sells his soul to the devil. Winslow becomes our phantom.
Jessica Harper gives us a very delicate version of the old Mary Philbin role in a character named Phoenix.
There are some really dynamite songs that permeate the film and I think that you'll find that although this is technically a "musical" it is not a musical of the "Oklahoma" variety.
The way in which Winslow is disfigured to become the Phantom is truly gruesome and ripe for the era.
Humor is rampant in this film and it never takes itself too seriously.
Paul Williams is very very creepy as Swan and he really delivers the goods on the music. (in fact it is Williams not Finley who actually sings as the Phantom).
Let's compare apples to apples.
No, this isn't Citizen Kane or Sunset Boulevard - but it deserves a 10 in its own right as a cult classic.
Rocky Horror is great, but take a break from it and check out this awesome addition to the same genre!