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Become a member“My music is for Phoenix. Only she can sing it. Anyone else who tries, dies!” Welcome to Harbour Highlights, a series of cult and classic films handpicked by the staff of Harbour Lights. For May Bank Holiday, Isaac takes us to The Paradise concert hall for Brian De Palma’s rock horror comedy Phantom of the Paradise. Combining Faustian legends, The Picture of Dorian Gray and, most notably, The Phantom of the Opera, writer/director De Palma and songwriter/star Paul Williams tell the tale of Winslow Leach, a naïve musician who is tricked into selling his life’s works to an unscrupulous producer called Swan. An embittered Leach adopts a new persona, that of the terrifying Phantom, and terrorizes Swan’s new concert hall, insisting his works are only performed by the young and talented Phoenix. Met with mixed reviews and poor box office at the time, the film nonetheless went on to earn Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for its music and launched Williams’ career as a Hollywood songwriter, one that included films such as Bugsy Malone, 1976’s A Star is Born and The Muppet Movie. Over the years the film has been rediscovered as a cult gem, mixing De Palma’s signature stylistic flourishes with a rock and roll aesthetic to create an entirely unique cinematic experience for the senses. Don’t miss this rare chance to see it on the big screen.
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