Phantom of the Paradise (1974) Movie Review

Hope you enjoy the review, especially those of you who have been asking for it for a couple years. :)

[@blodgettshouseofinsanity]

Paul Williams is my favorite Singer/Songwriter. I think he’s written some of the most beautiful songs. Of course the “rainbow connection” is the obvious one. “My love and I” is a beautiful song, Also “little bit of love” “Every act of kindness is a little bit of love we leave behind.” I try my best to live by that Paul Williams line.

[@ItWILLbeWONDERFUL_THERE]

Hi Anthony. Have you ever seen the movie Carrie? There's a scene, at the prom, where the end music to Little Bit of Love was played. I THINK that was Brian's THANK YOU to Paul for the songs for Phantom. ..

[@blodgettshouseofinsanity]

@@ItWILLbeWONDERFUL_THERE I have seen the film a couple years ago. I didn’t realize that! I hasn’t to give it a rewatch. That’s cool!

[@biggestliberacefan1988]

Paul Williams is the greatest writer of love songs ever and the interpretations of his own material is amazing compare his version of RainyDays and Monday’s to Karen Carpenters who I love she sings like an Angel but Williams injects even more feeling in to the song I agree with you an amazing artist who also wrote and recorded Evergreen from a Star Is Born with another amazing performance cheers Carl .

[@aluminumfence]

"Well what did you expect in an opera? A Happy Ending?" -Bugs Bunny.

[@ItWILLbeWONDERFUL_THERE]

Excellent point. On top of which, it's been a back and forth grudge match between the two. Something had to give. And you NEVER underestimate someone whose trust is betrayed to the degree Winslow had been, by someone he THOUGHT he could trust. Winslow 'fed' Swan to the same fandom feeding frenzy that Swan had no problem feeding others to. Swan got what he dished out. OUCH!

[@aluminumfence]

BTW, two years ago I attended a screening of this with Jessica Harper in attendance.

[@TheRokkiephantomlove]

THIS IS MY FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME

[@williamblakehall5566]

The Fjord .... ?

[@VerisimilitudeFilms1]

This is my Dad's favorite movie.

[@orinanime]

I know of this movie. But I've never seen it. For exactly the same reasons you hadn't. But I am familiar with Paul Williams as a voice actor. His guest appearance on Dexter's Lab and his performance as The Penguin on Batman: The Animated Series

[@feslenraster]

J, I always always listen to your vids. It calms me down whenever I watch independent news on youtube or listen to my mom rant lol. I dunno why, but I like your reviews on everything cause these videos help relax me. keep it up and thanks for doing so much work.

[@Pb-ij4ip]

I’ve not seen the movie. I’ve seen a few of your posts before, but was brought here after watching your review of “The Changeling”. I must confess I’m confounded by your academic presentations. I generally agree with your assessments, but you look so happy while you’re doing it even when you clearly don’t like what you’ve seen! I could elaborate, but why? You do good work. Keep on keepin’ on.

[@Weiselberry]

Haha, thanks! :)

[@BuffaloC305]

Great review with just about every reference I've seen in the 40 years of watching. Most excellent. I must admit that, long before home-video arrived, the soundtrack favorite status required several cassettes as traveling chewed up some over the decades.

[@doomrocket]

Brian De Palma is a legend...also I love how your camera makes this seem like it was uploaded in early youtube days

[@Weiselberry]

Thank you! I'm keeping the olden days alive. :)

[@Frumess]

Another one of my all time favorite movies! Highly recommend you check out: Meet the Hollowheads - If David Lynch directed a live action episode of the Jetsons where Mr. Spacely comes to dinner.

[@williamblakehall5566]

"Romey," thank you for this. It's been ages since I saw this, but your candid and fair review makes me intrigued about checking it out once more I think that by 1974 people were starting to wonder "What is becoming of rock music, anyway?" and feeling worried or disillusioned or simply repulsed enough to pour their heart and energy into this bitter parody of the music world. Of course, the worry "What has become of us?" is probably best addressed by playing a good song like "American Pie" or even "Hotel California," but POTP dares to name names (perhaps unjustly). The Beach Bums are clearly The Beach Boys and Beef looks inspired by Gene Simmons, lead singer of Kiss. I think POTP deserves a little credit for diving into the Phantom story with gusto (if bad taste as well) many years before Andrew Lloyd Webber turned the Phantom story into the great big Thing it is now -- and frankly I am far more likely to sit down to POTP than most of the endless post-Webber adaptations. It's not like I love content that makes one go "Yeesh!" either -- I am frankly a sucker for the rather light old version starring Claude Rains. POTP's love of a bad joke can be both fun and exasperating -- notice that the prison Winslow Leach gets sent to is none other than Sing Sing. I could believe (not seriously, though) that the entire project began with that joke. Having dim memories of that time, I think POTP is a fair snapshot of anxieties and indulgences of that moment -- I think it has much the same casually bloodthirsty goofiness as the Dr. Phibes movies from just a couple of years earlier. Definitely not for everyone, you're right, but I greatly appreciate your giving it a fair hearing, that is part of what makes you so great. Thanks for confronting it, and I hope you can enjoy yourself better very soon. Owl be seeing you.

[@Weiselberry]

Vocally (especially in the shower scene) Beef sounded very like to Jim Morrison to me, but yes, The Undeads in that black and white makeup are definitely a KISS parody. (Hey, just to make another connection, did you know that another member of KISS, Paul Stanley, actually played the Phantom in the ALW show for a brief period?) I can't believe I *didn't* get the Sing Sing joke! "Casually bloodthirsty goofiness"--that's a good way to put it; oh, and thank you for the reminder that I still need to track down Dr. Phibes and watch it from start to finish. Glad you enjoyed the review!

[@jubalcalif9100]

Always enjoy your reviews, young lady ! I saw this odd movie when it was first released at a local multiplex. And didn't see it again until a few months ago on the Fox Movie Channel. It didn't age well. I did like much of the music. As you pointed out, Brian DePalma gives us his usual fascinating visuals. Most of the film is just too "over the top" for my tastes. Keep up the good work !! :-)

[@Weiselberry]

Thanks!

[@jubalcalif9100]

@@Weiselberry You're entirely welcome !! :-)

[@missioncodez]

You had me at "Jessica Harper"...... *swoons like a schoolboy* Brian De Palma always brings the style. I would recommend so much of his filmography, but a lot of it is very (explicitly) adult ( *Dressed to Kill* , *Body Double* , for example) in nature. *Carrie* and *Blow Out* are less graphically-extreme thrillers in his filmography and highly-recommended classics in their own right. It was interesting to see the split-screen effect employed in this film, as he would use it again in *Carrie* a few years later.

[@scottjo63]

Blow Out I recommend VERY VERY highly. Not graphic in the least and perfect for Halloween. John Lithgow is at his menacing best. John Travolta, was at his best as well.

[@Danazawa]

This is a thoughtful review with good background detail. I get the impression the off-beat and 'out there' is not Jerome's wheelhouse.

[@Weiselberry]

Depends how off-beat and "out there" it is, I guess. :)

[@chrisdigitalartist]

One thing that I love watching your reviews, I learn about movies that I would have never heard of before! lol This might be something worth looking at once...but like you, yeah...probably not my cup of tea either lol Have a good weekend!

[@philipgior3312]

Weird, but when I first saw this title I coulda swore you reviewed this already, but probably you just mentioned it in one of your many other Phantom reviews. Not until I saw this video did I realize that the phantom was NOT played by Paul Williams, which goes to show how well I know this film. Btw, surprised you haven't yet reviewed 'Rocky Horror; or 'Dorian Gray' for that matter... Food for thought perhaps. Nice review as always Jerome ))

[@Weiselberry]

Ha, he does get top billing, but no, he's not the Phantom. That would have been strange... but maybe not any stranger than what we did get? Rocky Horror is even less my cup of tea than this one, so I probably won't be reviewing it. But I might talk a little about Dorian Gray sometime. I read the book years ago, and while I found the book itself a bit slow in parts, I like the concept and I've been meaning to watch the old movie for an absurdly long time.

[@philipgior3312]

@@Weiselberry In the case of Dorian Gray, I've both read the book and seen the movie, and loved both. Just about anything by Wilde is worth reading, and the film is pretty cool - George Sanders is great as Lord Henry, as he is in everything else he's done.

[@garyburns5939]

You are fast becoming one of my favorite KZbin stars.

[@TheTerminator-n3j]

I saw this movie as a kid in the 90s and I didn't want to watch it with my dad because I thought it was a knockoff. But 10 minutes into I got into it and watched it several times as a kid in the 90s. Now it's 2023 and I saw it today and I think its a classic. I think the film was ahead of its time because its popular now. The 70s was dominated by Disco, so it would have not been popular back then.

[@patrickrossetti5685]

I saw this when it came out in the theaters (yeah I'm that old). Once was enough for me. Good review as always. Thanks👍!

[@winterburden]

It looks amazing, shame the story ruins it. Thanks for the cool review!

[@EDDIETRUJILLO-q8p]

Carburetors man, that's what life is all about.

[@bartolomeuomacduibheamhnad6855]

I had a feeling you may review this at some point Ms Weiselberry :), after all it has a Phantom in an owl mask lol...or helmet I guess....I'm as unsure if it'd be considered a mask or helmet as I am unsure if I should consider William Finley's Winslow a Phantom as my gut says it feels untrue, I saw the Rocky Horror Picture Show, Tommy and the Phantom of Paradise over three weekends on BBC a few years ago, Tommy felt like the odd one out, I watched them because I thought I probably should as they've become something of a pop culture phenomenon in Britain especially it seems, Rocky Horror Picture show in particular, Phantom of Paradise was the film I had most interest in seeing because it's Phantom related and because I'd heard the song Old Souls beforehand, Old Soul is something I'd been called a few times so the song caught my interest. The film is also not really my cup of tea, cup of joe or can of coke lol, it's weird, Winslow's Phantom is like a Roger Corman character from one of his bonkers low budget films like Death Race, the Rod Serling tidbit was so interesting, I either forgot he lent his voice to it or I committed the crime of not noticing it at the time :O. Ah, Roger Corman made the original Little Shop of Horrors, I also like the 80s remake of that film and the original version over Phantom of Paradise and Rocky Horror Picture Show, compared to those films Little Shop of Horrors feels like a refreshing glass of water, well...to me at least ( kept up the drink comparison theme) Steve Martins Dentist is a highlight, very funny and also terrifying, he must be to Dentists what Jaws was to water lol. Again this review has been entertaining, interesting and insightful. ~ Thank you Ms Weiselberry ~

[@Dr5ives]

Hey Jerome. This is one of those I saw years ago, and thought it was insane in a good way. Years later, seeing it again, ....it was just... too much all over the place.... Yet had some good moments ....part of getting older I guess. Some fun trivia, the electronic duo "Daft Punk" are said to have taken this film as inspiration for their "robot" stage look. Couple years ago they had an album produced in part by ...Paul Williams. Best to You D5

[@sumo0172]

Wow, thank you for reviewing this. This movie always seemed a little too out there. And from your description and review, my suspensions were right. Definitely keeping this one off my list.

[@TheNightBadger]

'Old Souls' is truly a masterpiece. I can see the Karen Carpenter vibe. 'Faust' is another good one (the uptempo version). Williams also wrote Bugsy Malone around this time - also a great musical.

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

I agree with you. The film is not my cup of tea but there are good things, such as the score, some of the acting is good (mainly from Swan, Phoenix, Philbin, and of course Winslow), I don’t like Beef in the male equivalent of the Carlotta role - his campiness while at times funny does become annoying after a while, though his death is quite entertaining and every time I see it, it reminds me of Robert Englund-esque or Ken Hill-like puns like “He fried his vocal cords”, etc. The camera angles and shots are sometimes good and sometimes really bad, like at the end where it all goes insane. I do love that they incorporated so many nods and themes to the film - and it is an entertaining film to watch at times and also to review, but for my money, if I want to watch a good rock movie musical, I prefer “Repo: The Genetic Opera” - however, with that said, I think “Phantom of the Paradise” is vastly better to the awful and disgusting “Rocky Horror Picture Show”. To each their own, of course.

[@ItWILLbeWONDERFUL_THERE]

WOW!!! Never saw Little Shop of Horrors as a Faustian story, but yeah. The director's cut is amazing! You thought Phantom of the Paradise was dark? The director's cut kicks that up TEN notches!

[@scottjo63]

Yep, I did enjoy your review, even though Phantom Of The Paradise is not my cup of tea. Neither is The Rocky Horror Picture Show. However, would love to hear your thoughts on that movie complete with maybe some Scott toilet paper to throw in the camera and you dressed up as your favorite character or one of the characters of that movie . If I was forced to choose which movie I would watch for the first time, it would be The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Ah, Jessica Harper, Jessica Harper, Jessica Harper. Oh how I would like to recommend the movie she is more popular for and that is Suspira. No, I don't recommend either Suspira movies to you Jerome as both might definitely not ones you want to see as they are bloody and you know. You should check out the Goblin score though, one of the best next to any John Carpenter's stuff. Ohh, I can't wait to see what you have next for review.

[@ocnblizzard4764]

Always been a fan, The movie and sound track made an impression in Winnipeg MB. Most people I know from Manitoba Know the movie and songs. Not to many places took to the movie back then as far as I know, although I'm sure there were many fans far and wide, just more concentrated in Winnipeg and area..."

[@Al_NERi]

This was an instant childhood favorite when I saw it first run at an early age. Just a note about the final act; younger viewers may be unfamiliar with just how prevalent cynically downbeat endings were in 70s cinema, to the point it became a cliche of the era. Even madcap comedies of the decade (check out a now obscure social satire Cold Turkey, which ends with most of the principal characters getting shot) reflect this trend.

[@Weiselberry]

And that's one reason why I don't have many favorite films from the 70s. I like to come away with a little more satisfaction and resolution. :)

[@randyacuna3248]

Saw this movie when it was released and liked it very much , seen it many times , my only problem is the wild ending of a sad ending with the people going crazy. Otherwise still very entertaining with a brilliant soundtrack which I have on CD.

[@Paladin12572]

Thanks for another great review! I've never been inclined to seek this one out, and I really don't think I'm part of the target audience. I prefer my Gothic horror in a more traditional vein.

[@Weiselberry]

Same here. Glad you enjoyed the review!

[@dennisjames6753]

Saw this version once ages ago. Wasn't bad , but not my cup of tea. One adaptation of the Phantom I'd like to re-visit is the 1983 TV version with Jane Seymour. It's been years since I've seen it, and I don't think it was available on DVD.

[@Weiselberry]

Yes, it's pretty rare. You might be able to find a dvd copy now, but the print might be dubious quality. I broke my rule and watched it on KZbin.

[@troycleek3985]

Not my cup of tea either. LOL. That's putting it mildly. I remember watching it when I was a kid. I also remember thinking it was really bad. I too watched it when I was older. Same result. LOL

[@ItWILLbeWONDERFUL_THERE]

Freaky! I was just thinking of this movie!!! I'm from Winnipeg. I'm a child of the 70's. Phantom of the Paradise was the soundtrack of our generation. Swan, was the role that launched Paul Williams as an actor. I mean, please! If you can be believable, stealing, essentially, his own music, you're good. And, in all fairness, he appreciates, to this day, the character who 'made' his acting career. Mind you, William Finley had to be believable as the guy who got ripped off, and BOY, he could sell a legless man a pair of shoes! I would have no more stolen a pen off William Finley (let alone what he wrote with it!) than I'd lie to Judge Judy! The pairing of the two actors was an inverted David and Goliath. In fact, Beef refers to the Biblical big guy. "You don't know how right you are, Goliath!" Knowing Swan's end, that statement was almost on a par with "God, Himself, could not sink this ship!' Swan was such an arrogant little jerk that he believed himself to be invincible. Mind you, he had some ...nether-worldly back-up. But NEVER underestimate someone whose betrayed trust turns to HATE. OUCH!!! While Swan had no problem feeding others to the fandom feeding frenzy, he didn't imagine that he would be served up. Hey, payback's a bitch! Yup, "Romy" , I felt the same way about the end. The first time I saw the movie, by the time the movie ended, I swore, up, down and in Japanese that I would never see this movie again. That was in January of 1975~ In Winnipeg. I've lot track of how many times I've seen it since. It's still gruesome, but I feel more for poor Winslow. Swan had it coming!

[@Monstermania101]

Everytime id look for a Godzilla movie in the old VHS bin id see this and it would freak me the hell out as a kid

[@terrykowalchuk1363]

Phantom of the Paradise will ALLWAYS be a classic,cult film with a lot to offer in entertainment.

[@niropaxum958]

Life at last is my favorite

[@ocnblizzard4764]

I've been known to go Winslow when enraged ha ha ha!!

[@heneedsloveoooh]

HAVE U SEEN SHOCK TREATMENT 1981

[@DRlFTIN]

I've never heard of this movie. Sounds interesting but not my cup of tea, either. I would love to see you review Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy.

[@snoo333]

forgot to ask, how come your not on tumblr. :)

[@vgovger4373]

Paul Williams is still alive.

[@analysisofscifi6051]

I heard of it I never really want to see it myself

[@aluminumfence]

Does some of you mean me? :P :)

[@Weiselberry]

You and seven or eight others. :)

[@snoo333]

Thank you for watching this for me. glad i didn't :). enjoy movies viewed through your eyes. :) thank you.

[@CharlesHess]

What equipment are you using? This is 2020. :-/

[@kennethelliott1277]

Was wondering if you'd seek this out after many recommended it. Never much of a fan of Brian DePalma it does have its moments and I can see how some have embarrassed it as a cult favorite. As a side note, once again you've posted on a cast member's birthday. Jessica Harper turns 71 today.

[@Weiselberry]

Ah, happy birthday to Jessica Harper, then!

[@tim2269]

Then it was off too the Muppet Show for Williams

[@Weiselberry]

Ha, yes, I considered mentioning that. :)

[@ItWILLbeWONDERFUL_THERE]

I would LOVE to find out how Paul Williams started working with Jim Henson. Paul: Thank you, but what made you think of me for writing the songs for this story? Jim: Well, I saw you in Phantom of the Paradise, and figured, if you can play a guy, who steals, to all intents and purposes, his own music, I'm interested in seeing what you can do here. Paul: Okay.

[@bndl98]

Do you have a letterboxd?

[@Weiselberry]

No, I don't.

[@samcataldo4278]

DARIO ARGENTO "OPERA" MOVIE A VARIATION ON THE STORY

[@samcataldo4278]

DARIO ARGENTO also did a phantom of opera movie

[@axxessmundi]

POTP was a turgid parody & satire served in an undercooked tin TV Dinner. Hot on the outside still frozen inside. I bet POTP was a huge hit in Warsaw Pact Bloc Nations. It's a great background film for Halloween party ambiance. Thank you for a great review 😊. Please review: The Face of Another by Hiroshi Teshigahara book by Kobo Abe

[@ItWILLbeWONDERFUL_THERE]

No. A huge hit in Winnipeg Canada (my home town) and Paris France. But Winnipeg took it a step beyond. The Phantom of Winnipeg is a documentary, which, I HOPE will be available on dvd or streaming or both, in the near future. It premiered in 2019, a year before the Covid mess.

[@terrykowalchuk1363]

Phantom of the Paradise is the best! You are too critical. You should forget about this movie since you do not appreciate it. T.K.