My first Brian de Palma film. Before Mr. de Palma was obsessed with copying Hitchcock, he was doing some pretty innovative work. Phantom of the Paradise is his take on Phantom of the Opera, and brother, it is a take for sure.
Our unseen narrator (Rod Serling) introduces us to the enigmatic Swan (Paul Williams), who it seems was the hottest act in rock some years ago, but today he's better known for producing some of the biggest names in pop. He has a dream though, of a concert hall called the Paradise. The Paradise is to be the grandest of all halls. The only catch is that he needs the perfect opening act for the perfect venue. Who is good enough to play the stage?
Winslow Leech (William Finlay) might fit the bill, maybe. He's a song writer, and his life's work is a rock opera version of Faust. He plays a few snippets of his cantata during the set of Swan's latest group the Juicy Fruits (think the Beach Boys with a bit of Sha Na Na). Swan is impressed, no mean feat, but Winslow is not the right look for his club. First of all he looks like a total nerd. Second, Winslow won't let anyone else but himself play the songs.
Swan is annoyed, but his right hand man Philbin (George Memmoli) convinces Winslow that Swan agrees to his terms, provided he can take the song with him. Winslow agrees, but after a month and no word (or money), Winslow tries to talk to Swan. He grows enraged when he hears the Juicy Fruits singing his song, but he is impressed by the vocal work of Phoenix (Jessica Harper), and declares that she is the only one who can sing his music.
Swan doesn't care at this point and has Winslow tossed out. When Winslow won't leave, a few phone calls to the police get him thrown into Sing-Sing and the subject experimental dental surgery. Some time later, after hearing his music on the radio, Winslow breaks out and goes on a rampage.
He tries to blow up the record factory where the masters are kept, but one security guard's bullet later, Winslow is shot and mangled thanks to falling into the record press. He stumbles out of the factory and drops into the river. The police consider the matter closed, but Winslow manages to sneak into the Paradise before it opens. Dressing himself in a new costume and mask, the newly dubbed Phantom sets about sabotaging the club.
It doesn't take long for Swan to figure out who the Phantom is, but oddly he promises to help Winslow. He builds him a studio and promises to help him produce Faust his way, with Phoenix in the lead and everything. He just has to sign a contract in blood first...
From there we move past Leroux and into Marlowe (with a pinch of Dorian Gray). There's plenty of early 70's music, for good and ill. The humor can be a bit too broad, especially with the character of Meat (Gerrit Graham), but everything builds to an explosive climax.
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