By CRYSTAL GUILLORY

Shocktober greetings, readers! This month I am going to introduce you to a cult classic that combines many horror films such as The Cabinet Of Dr Caligari, Frankenstein, Faust, The Portrait Of Dorian Gray, and Phantom Of The Opera, and spoofs the pop music industry as well. This movie was directed and written by Brian DePalma (years before Carrie and Dressed To Kill) and has a young Sissy Spacek as its set dresser. This movie was even released on the "bewitching" date of October 31, 1974--perfect for this Halloween issue.

It's name? Phantom Of The Paradise (you expected another title with that release date?)

This movie has always had a special spot in my twisted little heart. I can remember seeing stills from it in magazines years ago, and that awakened my curiosity to see this movie. It was not until the early years of cable where I was able to see this gem for the first time. Needless to say this movie became one of my offbeat favorites to share with friends. I was overjoyed to find out that the local library had this video in its collection so that I could see this treasure whenever I felt like it. The time came, however, when I wanted to show this cult classic to friends. So I managed to get my own copy. I am now at the point where I can recite different lines and belt out a few of the tunes (much to the dismay of my family!).

This film did not do so well the first time it was released back in 1974--such a bizarre mix of rock and horror did not appeal to mass audiences. In spite of the lack of commercial success, it did receive nominations for the musical score which was penned by Paul Williams) and the screenplay as well as win the grand prize at the Avoriaz Fantastic Film Festival in 1975. The movie was re-released in 1975 where it did find some more fans. The fan base for this cult gem grew when it was shown on cable and then released on video. With the DVD recently released I wonder how many others will discover this offbeat wonder?

The movie begins with a narration by Rod (Twilight Zone) Serling, which explains the background of the character Swan. This Swan is a powerful mogul who has shaped the musical tastes in this universe for the past few years. Now Swan is searching for the right music that will be the signature piece of his rock palace, "The Paradise". We are then treated to a rousing number by Swan's band, the Juicy Fruits, as they sing their current hit "Goodbye Eddie, Goodbye". If you listen to the words of this song you realize that things have not changed all that much when it comes to our fascination with singers who die before their prime. The Juicy Fruits are a Fifties homage group which plays to a decent sized crowd that night. While the group is performing their hit, a young man is gluing a banner over the sign advertising the Juicy Fruits. The young man is Winslow Leach (William Finley), a struggling artist who wants to make the big time.

The Juicy Fruits end their number and await approval of Swan (Paul Williams), who gives it. Swan and Philbin (George Memmoli whose character was named in honor of the actress that portrayed Christine in the classic silent Lon Chaney Phantom Of The Opera) discuss the matter of a young singer who signed with them, became a big star, and now wants nothing to do with them. She even has the nerve to give charity concerts! Swan reassures Philbin that the singer will be yesterday's news and forgotten even if she is at the top of the charts today. Hmm, that does sound so familiar.

Swan then explains that he is looking for the right music for the Paradise. Swan listens to Winslow at the piano. As Winslow is singing his composition, "Faust," Swan realizes that this is the music he must have at the Paradise. I guess Swan is impressed with the fact that Winslow can make a simple piano sound like an organ at one point in the song. Swan and Philbin then make plans to get the music from Winslow. Philbin then makes a call on Winslow at his place, where Winslow is hard at work on his cantata based on the ancient legend of Faust. Philbin complements Winslow on his music and gives him the message that Swan is interested in Winslow's work. Philbin then mentions that the Juicy Fruits might be interested as well, which enrages Winslow and he throws Philbin against the wall. Gosh, I almost expected Winslow to turn green and huge at that moment. Winslow is then led to believe that Swan will produce his first album. I guess the check was in the mail too...right?

A month passes and Winslow has not heard anything from Swan or Philbin about his music (surprise!). Winslow then decides to take matters into his own hands and pays a visit to Death Records (which was originally going to be called "Swan Song" but there was concern that some would confuse it with the Led Zeppelin label--younger readers, ask your parents about that). Winslow walks into the office and is greeted by the casually dressed secretary (hmm, must have been casual day there) and explains that he wants to see Swan. The secretary checks her card index (which includes names such as Alice Cooper, Bette Midler, Peter Fonda and Dick Clark) and looks for Winslow's name. She sees the instructions that he is not to be shown in. So, like any dutiful secretary she calls on the Death goons to throw him out, then goes back to her filing.

Winslow is a determined soul, so he waits until closing time to see where Swan flies to (sorry, could not resist). He then takes a taxi, which takes him to Swan's home, the Swanage (or is that Swanhenge?). As he walks across, he hears a song in his head about meeting the devil, which was the appropriate tune for the moment. He walks into the palatial home of Swan only to be greeted by the screeches--ahh--singing of the girls in Swan's parlor. This scene to say the least confuses him. Then he meets the lovely Phoenix (Jessica Harper) who explains to him that Swan is auditioning girls for a backup chorus for the cantata.

Winslow is confused by the fact that his name is not on the sheet music. Phoenix then shrewdly makes an alliance with Winslow in order for her to get in the chorus. The two seal the deal with a warm hug while the other girls look on. The auditions start up. However, Winslow is shoved away by the security guard. He does manage to get a little closer to the audition room, only to hear Phoenix scream and run away. Apparently there was a little more involved with the auditions than auditioning.

The security guards then take Winslow away once again. However Winslow has a plan. He dresses in drag so that he can sneak into Swan's playroom. I don't know how Winslow snuck past the guard looking as he did; perhaps Swan allowed him to succeed in order to toy with him. The girls are gathered in the playroom and they began to get--ahhh--chummy (I'm not going to give details in a family Webzine!). Swan arrives and orders his goons to take Winslow out of there. Poor Winslow is now beaten up and left outside of Swan's place.

Two policemen find Winslow and instead of helping him, plant drugs on him and arrest him. Winslow is then sentenced to Sing Sing for a life sentence. As if things were not bad enough, his teeth get pulled because he was volunteered to be part of an experiment (which happened to be financed by the Swan Foundation...coincidence?).

Six months go slowly for Winslow as he assembles Tiddly Winks and dresses like the Good Humor man. Then a song by the Juicy Fruits plays on the radio. Not just any song, but a song from his musical! This sends the meek mannered Winslow in a rage, knocking out the guard and escaping to the city in a box. He then makes his way to Death Records where he causes mass destruction. He is about to blow up the record press when a security guard surprises him and Winslow falls into the record press. A wounded Winslow is then seen stumbling along, until he falls into the river.

Winslow's dead! Long live The Phantom!

Our attention is brought over to the Paradise where different people are working to get it ready. Two burly security guards are scared away by a heavy breathing ghost walking through the gate. I have to wonder at this point if George Lucas got the idea for Darth Vader's heavy breathing from this scene. Once the being is in the building, no one notices a horribly scarred person walking around.

Then this person gets to the costumes and chooses his outfit and mask. The Phantom then plants explosives in the car used the Juicy Fruits rehearsal for "Upholstery" (the bastardization of his song "Faust"). DePalma uses a split screen to show the car and the performance and the stage. Different performers are feeling nervous for some reason, but the show must go on. Then, at the end of the number, the explosives go off. Swan later checks the house video and sees that a black-clad figure did the damage. He immediately surmises that it is Winslow. The Phantom surprises Swan but Swan takes off his mask. Swan then makes a deal with that Phantom that he can create again. All he would have to do is to show up at the audition for new singers. Swan assures The Phantom to trust him and to ignore the glint of deceit in his eyes.

The auditions take place the next day, and the judges have not been too impressed with what they have seen so far. However, Phoenix steps up and The Phantom recognizes her voice. She trades a few terse words with Philbin and was about to walk off when Swan asks her what she will give him. Phoenix agrees to give him her voice. She then wows the crowd with her audition song "Special To Me", but she wonders at the end if she got won the audition. Swan and The Phantom have a talk about Phoenix. If The Phantom agrees not to do any more damage to the Paradise, The Phantom can rewrite his cantata for Phoenix. All that is needed now is to sign a contract in blood. Okay, shouldn't the alarms have gone off in The Phantom's head at this point? Swan and Philbin discuss Phoenix and how she will be in the chorus rather than lead the chorus. Swan does not like anyone perfect but himself, so I think there might be some issues there. Swan auditions such groups as singing twins, a folk rock group, a country singer, a funk trio (gotta wonder if this was the prototype for Destiny's Child) and this one lone rock singer.

Swan realizes that he likes this one lone singer and decides that he should be the big sound for the Paradise. The singer's name is Beef (Gerrit Graham), and Swan makes a big press announcement about him. Meanwhile, The Phantom is working diligently on the score for Phoenix. Images of her face give him strength as he writes down endless notes. Swan visits The Phantom from time to time checking on him, but The Phantom is so trusting that he never asks about the guard at his door or the case of bricks brought to the door. At last, The Phantom finishes the piece, but falls asleep from sheer exhaustion. Swan steals the piece of music and orders his henchmen to seal him in the room. The Phantom wakes up, discovers his music is gone and immediately panics. He then goes to the door and discovers that the door is covered with bricks! He screams at that moment for Swan has not only stolen his music but he sealed him in without a cask of amontillado (Check your Cliff Notes for that reference, kids). The scream is heard throughout the Paradise and this rattles Beef to no end. Philbin suggests to Beef that he should take a shower, so Beef agrees to do that.

Beef takes a shower and starts singing a song from the cantata. Just then we see a wonderfully executed homage to Hitchcock's Psycho (which DePalma would later repeat in Dressed To Kill) where The Phantom sneaks up on Beef. He then sticks a plunger in Beef's mouth, ordering him not to sing that song (I hope that plunger was not recently used--ewww). Beef gets dressed and is about to run away from the Paradise when Philbin stops him. Philbin then persuades him to do his job that night and open the Paradise with his act.

That night, Beef's back-up band, The Undeads, start things rocking with the song "Somebody Super Like You," which is about the construction of a super hero. The set pays homage to The Cabinet Of Dr Caligari and the German Expressionist films. The audience then seems to be giving parts of themselves for the creation of this hero. I know some concert tickets cost an arm and a leg but in this case the price was literally that. I'd hate to see the liability insurance one would have to pay to own such a place. Beef then makes his appearance in homage to Frankenstein. Beef sings the song "Life At Last," wowing his audience. However, The Phantom arranges for a giant lightning bolt to hit Beef. As a result, Beef is a little too well done for his own good.

The audience goes wild for this performance; too bad such a stunt can only be done once. The whole place is in chaos, but Philbin has an idea. He has Phoenix go on the stage to appease the crowd and this madman who killed Beef. Phoenix enters the stage and a reverent hush fills the audience as she sings the love song, "Old Souls". After her debut, the audience applauds wildly and a star is born. It kinda reminds me of the old Hollywood stories where the young understudy takes the place of the ailing diva (except that in this case the ailing diva was electrocuted.) Swan talks to Phoenix in her dressing room about her performance that night. He again tells her that he wants her voice in exchange for providing the crowd. She agrees but is willing to give him something else (nudge, nudge, wink. wink, say no more...especially in a family Webzine) so he plans for them to go to the Swanage to celebrate.

As Phoenix is on her way to meet up with Swan, The Phantom abducts her. The Phantom begs her to leave Swan for fear that she will be morally destroyed. She gets away from him, screaming. She gets in Swan's limo, which takes her to Swan's manse. The Phantom gets to the Swanage only to observe Phoenix and Swan in an embrace. The Phantom has tears in his eyes as he hears Phoenix's song ring through the air. Swan turns on a camera to see The Phantom's mortal anguish and that makes him happy. The Phantom can't take any more so he takes a knife and ends it all.

Or does he?

Swan goes up to the rooftop and takes the knife out of The Phantom. He then tells The Phantom that the contract terminates with him, so dying is now out of the question. Swan then tells him to behave and to rewrite the cantata (again?) to include several love songs as well as a wedding. The Phantom then takes a knife to Swan (gee, I would be that upset if someone asked me to rewrite my music a third time) but Swan pulls the knife out, telling him that he is under contract too.

The Phantom then goes back to the Paradise, not to write music but to investigate something. He then goes to the secret room that he has seen Swan enter. Here he finds out the secret behind Swan, that Swan sold his soul to the Devil for eternal youth. Not only that, The Phantom also discovers that Swan plans to have Phoenix murdered in front of millions during their wedding onlive TV for the sake of entertainment. The Phantom then destroys the tape with the information. Wouldn't Swan have had guards protecting that?

The Phantom then runs off to find the assassin in order to stop Phoenix's murder. Meanwhile, the wedding party is going down. Phoenix arrives dressed in elegant black (like she would wear white to this?) for her wedding to Swan. Little does she realize she was possibly dressing for her funeral.

A masked Swan makes his entrance to the wedding and the ceremony is about to begin. Philbin performs the ceremony as the priest and has them both recite the vows. The Phantom then finds the assassin and has the bullet hit Philbin instead of Phoenix.(an interesting homage to The Manchurian Candidate). Phoenix goes to comfort Philbin while hell breaks loose on the stage. The Phantom then swoops down and as the organ music swells, rips the mask off of Swan, revealing Swan's horrid features (another homage to The Phantom Of The Opera).

His face horrifies Phoenix. Swan tries to strangle her. The Phantom then stabs Swan. Utter chaos has erupted as The Phantom crawls toward Phoenix. Her mind goes into meltdown, not realizing that this horrific creature is Winslow, until he dies. Phoenix then cradles Winslow's body as the party rages on. If it weren't for the final tune "The Hell Of It," the ending would be quite dark, indeed. In fact, this scene reminds me of the end of Mozart's opera "Don Giovanni" where the main characters sing about being happy that Don Giovanni died.

This movie is indeed a quirky satirical gem. All the actors brought great touches to this film. Harper does a great job with wonderful facial expressions in some scenes. Williams is terrific at being the bad guy, demonstrating a gleeful malevolence. Graham is also fun to watch as the over-the-top Beef. One only wonders if he would have been interviewed on V-H1 or the E Channel in later years (you know, after he gets out of rehab). The little sight gags are interesting to catch, such as the "I'm a Harper's freak" sign in Phoenix's dressing room and the Rolling Stone cover that shows the wedding of Swan and Phoenix with the blurb, "Beef: Death at last."

Some fans of this movie have even proposed that it predicted several musical trends and styles that came in vogue later. I have to say that is not so farfetched. I can see a boy's band being the Juicy Fruits and some pop diva playing the role of Phoenix. Gee, can you imagine what someone like Swan could do with the Internet even?

Anyway, this is a fun movie to watch with friends. So pop this tape in and rock on this Halloween!

Thanks, Crystal.  Yes, Phantom Of The Paradise is indeed a great addition to any Halloween party.  In fact, it could be the theme of a Halloween party...flared pants and platform shoes optional, of course.

Article copyright © Crystal Guillory

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