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Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
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A lost De Palma gem.
You would think a film written and directed by Brian De Palma would receive some recognition. It did, in fact; it was a main stay in French and Canadian theaters for months after it's premiere in 1974. Domestic movie patrons, however, missed out on the rock musical starring none other than '60s and '70s songwriting giant Paul Williams. With its over-the-top production values, the movie rivals Rocky Horror Picture Show as one of the most innovative and entertaining spectacles ever filmed.
The story extrapolates elements from at least five different texts, among them Faust, Frankenstein, The Picture of Dorian Gray and, of course, Phantom of the Opera. An egomaniac music mogul Swan sells his soul for eterrnal youth and limitless power, ruining lives in the process. One life he destroys is that of songwriter Winslow Leach, an optimistic up-and-comer with a talent for ballads. When his compositions are stolen and he is left deformed, Leach dons a silver helmet and cape to haunt Swan's rock club. Jessica Harper turns in a notable performance as Leach's beautiful muse Phoenix, while Gerrit Graham practically steals the show as spoiled glam rocker named Beef.
A send-up of the music industry during that time, the movie coasts along on songs and performances mocking everything from hollow shock rock, which was gaining popularity with artists like Alice Cooper, to the commercialization of artists. Phantom delivers it's message with all the subtlty of a drunk drag queen, pulling out archetypal characters, shiny costumes and musical numbers that are so shmaltzy they make Cats look like high art. De Palma fans will recognize the theatrical camera angles and unapologetically ridiculous plot lines familiar with the director's later work. Others will appreciate the fact that the same man who wrote "Rainbow Connection" (one of the more popular songs Williams did) also composed the music accompanying such a colorful, hellish ride.
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