Phantom of The Paradise (1974)
Directed by Brian De Palma
In 1974 Director Brian De Palma followed up on the success of his psycho thriller Sisters with a film that combined plot elements from The Phantom Of The Opera, Faust, and The Picture Of Dorian Grey. I don't know why he decided to make it a Glam Rock musical, but I'm glad he did.
The movie tells the story of Winslow Leach, a naive but gifted young songwriter who runs afoul of Swan, a ruthless music producer played by Paul Williams. Swan steals Winslow's music, and when the young man starts making trouble has him framed for drug trafficking. Winslow escapes from prison, and makes his way to Swan's record plant, where he goes on a rampage, before being shot by a security guard, and having his face crushed in the record press. He is believed to have died from his injuries, but soon a mysterious masked figure begins carrying out acts of sabotage at Swan's new Rock Club, The Paradise. Swan immediately recognises Winslow, but instead of calling the police, he makes a deal where if Leach will continue writing music, he will have it produced the way the young songwriter wants. He will also use the new singer Leach has taken a shining to. Of course Swan has no intention of ling up to his end of the bargain, and this second betrayal sends Leach even further off the murderous deep end.
The Phantom Of The Paradise is an incredible visual spectacle, almost on the level of some of Ken Russel's 70's musicals like Tommy, or Lisztomania. Winslow, as the Phantom, is wrapped in black leather, with a metallic bird like mask. There are a number of time when I wondered if the outfit was an influence on Darth Vader's look from a couple of years later. The music written by Paul Williams, is great too. Moving from styalized 50' Rock And Roll, to Glam Rock to pop ballads. I'll also single out Williams performance as Swan, where he just radiates both power and malice.
It's hard not to bring up The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) when discussing this film. Another 70's Glam Rock musical, with sci-fi elements, and a queer sensibility. Rocky Horror is already deeply associated with Halloween, and I think it's well past time for The Phantom Of The Paradise to come out of the shadows. If you like one, chances are quite good you'll like the other. They'd make a great double feature.
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