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IMDbPro

Phantom of the Paradise

  • 1974
  • PG
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
21K
YOUR RATING
Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer2:17
1 Video
99+ Photos
ComedyDramaFantasy

A disfigured composer sells his soul for the woman he loves so that she will perform his music. However, an evil record tycoon betrays him and steals his music to open his rock palace, The P... Read allA disfigured composer sells his soul for the woman he loves so that she will perform his music. However, an evil record tycoon betrays him and steals his music to open his rock palace, The Paradise.A disfigured composer sells his soul for the woman he loves so that she will perform his music. However, an evil record tycoon betrays him and steals his music to open his rock palace, The Paradise.

  • Director
    • Brian De Palma
  • Writers
    • Brian De Palma
    • Louisa Rose
  • Stars
    • Paul Williams
    • William Finley
    • Jessica Harper
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    21K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Brian De Palma
    • Writers
      • Brian De Palma
      • Louisa Rose
    • Stars
      • Paul Williams
      • William Finley
      • Jessica Harper
    • 186User reviews
    • 128Critic reviews
    • 67Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 4 wins & 6 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:17
    Watch Official Trailer

    Photos161

    William Finley in Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
    William Finley in Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
    William Finley in Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
    Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
    Jessica Harper in Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
    Gerrit Graham in Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
    Mary Margaret Amato and George Memmoli in Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
    Jessica Harper in Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
    Jessica Harper, George Memmoli, and Paul Williams in Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
    William Finley in Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
    Jessica Harper and Paul Williams in Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
    Jessica Harper in Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Paul Williams
    Paul Williams
    • Swan
    William Finley
    William Finley
    • Winslow…
    Jessica Harper
    Jessica Harper
    • Phoenix
    Gerrit Graham
    Gerrit Graham
    • Beef
    George Memmoli
    George Memmoli
    • Philbin
    Archie Hahn
    Archie Hahn
    • The Juicy Fruits…
    Jeffrey Comanor
    Jeffrey Comanor
    • The Juicy Fruits…
    Peter Elbling
    Peter Elbling
    • The Juicy Fruits
    • (as Harold Oblong)
    • …
    Colin Cameron
    • Band
    David Garland
    • Band
    Gary Mallaber
    • Band
    Art Munson
    • Band
    Mary Margaret Amato
    Mary Margaret Amato
    • Swan's Entourage
    Rand Bridges
    • Swan's Entourage
    Jim Bohan
    • Swan's Entourage
    Herb Pacheco
    • Assassin
    Jennifer Ashley
    • Groupie
    Janit Baldwin
    Janit Baldwin
    • Groupie
    • Director
      • Brian De Palma
    • Writers
      • Brian De Palma
      • Louisa Rose(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    6.1
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    4.5
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to William Finley, the record press in which his character Winslow Leach was disfigured was in a real pressing plant (it was an injection-molding press at an Ideal Toy Company plant). He was worried about whether the machine would be safe, and the crew assured him it was. The press was fitted with foam pads (which resemble the casting molds in the press) and there were chocks put in the center to stop it from closing completely. Unfortunately, the machine was powerful enough to crush the chocks that it gradually kept closing. It was Finley's speed and timing that saved him from being seriously hurt, as he got his head out just in time. His scream in the scene was, in fact, not acting.
    • Goofs
      Brian De Palma can be seen at around 1:02:58. He's right there plain as night, in the darkness just over Phoenix's left shoulder, sitting in a director's chair with his right arm raised, along with another crew member over Phoenix's right shoulder, then he vanishes when the spot picks her up.
    • Quotes

      The Phantom: [to Beef] Never sing my music again. Not here, not anywhere. Do you understand? Never again. My music is for Phoenix. Only she can sing it. Anyone else who tries, dies!

    • Crazy credits
      The closing credits feature a series of montages of the cast members, identifying each by name, starting with the musical trio (Oblong, Hahn, Comanor) and concluding with William Finley as Winslow/The Phantom. These montages are made up of shots ostensibly from the movie, and most of them are, but there are also numerous outtakes.
    • Alternate versions
      In the pre-release (or press) prints of the movie, the scene where Winslow was disfigured by the record press was longer; His disfigured face was briefly seen steaming with smoke from the press, and Winslow then killed the cop that surprised him (and shot him in the leg, which explained why Winslow walked with a limp for most of the film; however, he was able to run with the greatest of ease towards the end). The scene was removed from subsequent versions, as it was best decided that Winslow's disfigured visage be revealed at the end of the film.
    • Connections
      Featured in Terror in the Aisles (1984)
    • Soundtracks
      Goodbye, Eddie, Goodbye
      Written by Paul Williams

      Performed by Jeffrey Comanor, Archie Hahn and Peter Elbling as The Juicy Fruits, lead vocal Archie Hahn

    User reviews186

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Deserves a cult bigger that Rocky Horror!
    I usually detest all musicals, with very few exceptions. 'Phantom Of The Paradise' is one of those exceptions. I still can't say I like many of Paul Williams songs (which he as well as playing the mysterious and egotistical record company mogul and producer Swan), but they don't make me want to stop watching the movie, which has a lot more going for it than his so-so score. Brian De Palma, who can be a most frustratingly uneven director, shows there is a lot more to him than attempting to channel Hitchcock. William Finley, who appeared in De Palma's underrated 'Sisters', and who went on to Tobe Hooper's misunderstood trash classic 'Death Trap', is excellent as flaky songwriter Winslow Leach. Jessica Harper, who would achieve screen immortality by starring in Dario Argento's cult favourite 'Suspiria', is very good as wanna-be pop star Phoenix. The late George Memmoli, who never seemed to fulfill his potential despite appearing in some excellent movies such Scorsese's 'Mean Streets' and Shrader's 'Blue Collar', is very amusing as Swan's gopher Philbin. Finally, if nothing else watch this movie to catch Gerritt Graham's hilariously camp turn as effeminate shock-rocker Beef! Graham had appeared in De Palma's two counter culture black comedies 'Greetings' and 'Hi Mom!' (both with Robert De Niro), and subsequently has had one of the oddest careers of any contemporary actor, working with everyone from Louis Malle to Jim Wynorski, starring as "Bud The Chud", and writing for both Disney and the Dead! Graham is a legend in my circle of friends, and playing Beef is a big reason why! 'Phantom Of The Paradise' is a rare beast, a worthwhile rock musical, and in my mind deserves a cult bigger than the incredibly overrated 'Rocky Horror Picture Show'.
    helpful•34
    17
    • Infofreak
    • Dec 5, 2002

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 1, 1974 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Phantom
    • Filming locations
      • Majestic Theatre - 1925 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas, USA
    • Production companies
      • Harbor Productions
      • Pressman-Williams Enterprises
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,300,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $329
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 31 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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