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Title: Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| William Finley | ... | Winslow / The Phantom | |
| Paul Williams | ... | Swan | |
| Jessica Harper | ... | Phoenix | |
| Gerrit Graham | ... | Beef | |
| George Memmoli | ... | Philbin | |
| Archie Hahn | ... | The Juicy Fruits / The Beach Bums / The Undeads | |
| Jeffrey Comanor | ... | The Juicy Fruits / The Beach Bums / The Undeads | |
| Peter Elbling | ... | The Juicy Fruits / The Beach Bums / The Undeads (as Harold Oblong) | |
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Colin Cameron | ... | Band |
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David Garland | ... | Band |
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Gary Mallaber | ... | Band |
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Art Munson | ... | Band |
| Mary Margaret Amato | ... | Swan's Entourage | |
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Rand Bridges | ... | Swan's Entourage |
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Jim Bohan | ... | Swan's Entourage |
Evil record tycoon Swan has sold his soul to the devil for eternal youth and success - 20 years ago. Swan's current scheme is to steal the music from composer Winslow Leach to celebrate the opening of his rock palace, The Paradise. While trying to stop Swan, Leach was framed and convicted for drug dealing, and becomes the victim of a freak accident that leaves him horribly disfigured. He takes refuge in the cavernous Paradise, hiding his mangled face beneath an eerie mask and planning gruesome vengeance upon Swan - and everyone else who has hurt him. However, Leach signs a contract with Swan to complete his rock opera based on the legend of Faust for an aspiring singer - Phoenix. Written by Max Davison
A composer has his music stolen by a big-time record producer and vows his revenge. Things get more complicated after he gets sent to jail and apparently commits suicide in the river...
Howard Maxford feels the film is "dated", and that is the best criticism one can make of the film. The songs do not hold one's attention well. The plot in general is decent, but the music -- a central focus of the movie -- is just average.
Brian de Palma, the director of "Carrie" and "Black Dahlia", is in charge here. He makes a visually appealing film, with angles and colors that call to mind Stanley Kubrick's "2001" and "A Clockwork Orange", as well as Dario Argento's "Suspiria" (which star Jessica Harper would appear in after this film).
Gerrit Graham ("TerrorVision") as Beef is great, and a nice send-up of glam rock. The critics had called the film "funny" and "hilarious", but both are exaggerations. The humor is very subtle, with this being a musical first, horror film second and comedy third.
The references to Dorian Gray are awesome, and unspoken. There are also cues from Poe and previous "Phantom" films. Some have said there is even an homage to Orson Welles' "Touch of Evil" (and I believe them, but I have not seen the film yet). Sissy Spacek is credited as a "set dresser"... you decide what that means.