Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park (1978)

KISS, a rock band made up of superheroes, battles an evil inventor who has plans for destruction at a California amusement park.

Director:

Gordon Hessler

Writers:

Jan Michael Sherman (as Jan-Michael Sherman), Don Buday

Stars:

Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Gene Simmons

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Criss	...	Cat Man
Ace Frehley	...	Space Ace
Gene Simmons	...	The Demon
Paul Stanley	...	Star Child
Anthony Zerbe	...	Abner Devereaux
Carmine Caridi	...	Calvin Richards
Deborah Ryan	...	Melissa
John Dennis Johnston	...	Chopper
John Lisbon Wood	...	Slime
Lisa Jane Persky	...	Dirty Dee
John Chappell	...	Snede
Terry Lester	...	Sam
Don Steele	...	Self
Richard Hein	...	Guard
Brion James	...	Guard

Storyline

The tale of rock band KISS and their efforts to thwart a diabolical plan by mad scientist Abner Devereaux. Devereaux has found a way to clone humans into robots in his laboratory at an amusement park. It just so happens that he plans to uses the KISS concert as a platform to unleash his plan on the world. KISS must use their special powers to stop him.

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Plot Keywords:

non comic book superhero | living underground | psychotronic film | overdubbed voice | rock band | 

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Taglines:

Their First Full Length Feature Film will Zap you out of your seat!

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Genres:

Fantasy | Horror | Music | Mystery | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to Paul Stanley in Kiss: Beyond the Makeup (2001), Ace Frehley often failed to show up for shooting, so Frehley's stunt double, Alan Oliney, an African American, had to act in some scenes and fill in for Frehley on some of the fight scenes. Oliney's voice was also overdubbed to sound like Frehley's (there are differing versions as to whether Frehley or a sound-alike did the overdubbing).

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Goofs

When Gene sets the mummy on fire, the flames apparently spread much faster than intended. The stunt man playing the mummy says "Shit!" as he stumbles backwards. It's a made-for-TV movie aimed at children, so the language was not intentional.

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Quotes

Sneed: They're avoiding us.
Calvin Richards: With a look like that, your mother would avoid you.
Guard, Guard: [laughs]
Sneed: There are plenty of openings on the graveyard shift.
Guard: Maybe they're taking a swim.
Sneed: Rock 'n' rollers don't bathe.

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Alternate Versions

The Spanish version of "KISS Meets The Phantom of the Park" (usually known as "Attack of the Phantoms") has totally different editing. Many various scenes/elements not in the US version (while many in the US version are not in the Spanish version). Among of the differences are:

• Devereaux's Civil War robots are seen attacking the security guard's office.
• Calvin and Devereaux have a discussion on the Magic Mountain monorail and continue it as they get off the ride.
• There are additional live shots of KISS, including some from overhead, including one where you can clearly see a cameraman on stage.
• KISS' promotional videos from 1979, "I Was Made For Loving You" and "Sure Know Something," from their "Dynasty" album, are inserted in the movie as live concert performances, despite the completely different costumes and staging from the previous shot before the songs begin.
• The entire movie uses different music, especially a lot of KISS solo album music, and even a little bit of an instrumental of KISS' "Almost Human."
• Paul Stanley shoots Sam's remote control with his eye laser. In the US version, he simply takes it out of Sam's skin with his hand.
• There are additional shots during most of the KISS fight scenes, as well as many quick scenes throughout the film. Just one example of many, the guy staring at Melissa at the snack bar wipes the table with his hand, while in the US version he does not.
• This version ends with a shot of Devereaux walking in the park (the scene after Calvin fired him) and then going into the credits which scroll, while the US version ends with KISS performing "God of Thunder."

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Connections

Featured in Musical Hell: Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park (2021)

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Soundtracks

Love in Chains
Composed by Paul Stanley

User Reviews

Nice Cheesy Film...

If you are looking for monstrous special effects (even by 1970's standards), this is not the film for you...

If you are a KISS fan, it is definitely worth a watching. Especially if you are a classic KISS fan.

Brief synopsis: KISS is about to play for an amusement park. The brains behind this park (Abner Deveraux played by Anthony Zerbe) grows resentful that a rock-n-roll band is overshadowing the technical expertise that he created at this park. He vows all-out war against the band using his creations to attack the band members. And their secret talisman which gives them powers.

BTW, Gene Simmons does most of his own stunts, probably preparing himself for a future theatrical career (which he did, in the 1980's). Peter Criss's lines are dubbed in by a voice guy from Hanna Barbera. Strange how Peter Criss sounds the same as Dirk Daring from G-Force.

Anthony Zerbe does a great job in acting as the villain in this one. His best IMHO is in North and South as General Grant.

Ok, this is not an epic adventure that got critical acclaim, yet after a few beers, it is good entertainment.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 October 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kiss Meets the Phantom

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hanna-Barbera Productions, Kiss/Aucoin Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min 86 min (theatrical)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1