"Phantom of the Paradise": Haunted by Its Source Material

A sharpened focus would make its satire really sing.

Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

• Country: United States

• Genre: Horror, Comedy, Rock Musical

• Director: Brian de Palma

• Cast: Paul Williams, Jessica Harper, William Finley

Jessica Harper as Phoenix in Phantom of the Paradise (1974), Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios.

Clinical Overview

Ruthless music mogul Swan steals a rock opera from naïve songwriter Winslow to launch his new club, then tries to off him. Winslow vows revenge, promoting his music through his muse, Phoenix.

Diagnosis

Parodying Faust, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and The Phantom of the Opera, the film is campy but chaotic.



Prescription

Focus on Phantom for the structure. Make Swan a desperate new club owner, driven to succeed. Make Phoenix a back-up singer whose voice the Phantom discovers, his nurturing slowly becoming obsessive and controlling. Focusing the source material would let the satire cut deeper and the horror-comedy resonate beyond camp.