I definitely agree! There's no comparison. For one thing, "Rocky Horror" was directed by someone who had never made a film before and it shows - often, the camera is just in one place to give the effect you're watching a play. "Phantom" is true cinema due to De Palma's genius.
Yeah, it’s unfortunate it doesn’t get the attention it deserves. And it makes sense that Rocky Horror is staged like that since the director only had experience in theater
Fascinating article. I saw Phantom for the first time a few weeks ago and loved it (and I’m not a fan of musicals). The casting is inspired (especially Paul Williams), the production design is eye popping (thanks to Jack Fisk) and the film is frequently hilarious, especially the contract signing.
Thanks for reading! I'm glad you saw the movie and liked it. I think the film gets even better when you see it again a second (or in my case, third, fourth, or more) time. Even though it's very 70's in design, there is something ageless about the film that makes it seem just as fresh today as it was in 1974.
Ugh, I love this movie with every fiber of my BEING.
The songs are ELECTRIC. The visuals are UNFORGETTABLE. I saw this on the big screen at the 24 Hour Horrorthon in the mid-00's, and I remember thinking, how have I never seen this before and why do we as a society not collectively worship this?
Wow, talk about hitting a core memory. I worked in a video store through high school and watched my way through the entire horror category. I’ve described this insane film to friends for two decades but could never remember the name.
That's awesome! I always wanted to work in a video store but never got the chance. One of the cool things about this movie is how well it's aged - it seems just as fresh now as it did 50 years ago - and it's still a lot of fun too. Happy Halloween!
I remember seeing this film back in the 70's probably at a midnight screening. And I loved it. It is sad that it has pretty much disappeared. This is a lost gem of a film.
Thanks for reading! I first saw "Phantom..." in college as a midnight movie too! I think it could very well be De Palma's best (or at least one of his top 5) movies. I hope someday the film will become better known because I think film lovers would really love it if they only knew about the movie.
I have to refrain from reading until I've seen the film. DePalma is always so fun. He had an incredible career. I wish someone like Nicholas Winding Refn would take more things from other writers and make more films. Not that quality is quantity but it's legacy. It was a different age in cinema. Still: so confident and progressive and original. Lumet also comes to mind as a director I would have full confidence in, going in knowing nothing.
I love the freedom of indie filmmaking, at the opposite end of which is the Marvel spectacle. But DePalma represents a last "disciplined" studio director for me. He's not reinventing the wheel but he has the authorial touch.
Hi Brock, I agree that De Palma is a great studio director. Yet, if you look at his bio, he was one of the first indie directors in the early 60s. Most people don't know how much De Palma struggled to get films made in his early years. They were often self-financed through family/friends. I love all of them too, especially "Murder Ala Mod" which is a lot of fun. If you get the chance, it's worth seeing.
I absolutely adore this movie. Nobody does it like DePalma. They’re not totally comparable, but I take this over Rocky Horror any day
I definitely agree! There's no comparison. For one thing, "Rocky Horror" was directed by someone who had never made a film before and it shows - often, the camera is just in one place to give the effect you're watching a play. "Phantom" is true cinema due to De Palma's genius.
Yeah, it’s unfortunate it doesn’t get the attention it deserves. And it makes sense that Rocky Horror is staged like that since the director only had experience in theater
Great stuff, Jim! I wonder if the devil issues refunds? 🤔
There is only one way to find out!
I'm ask my lawyer to draw up the contract at once.
Fascinating article. I saw Phantom for the first time a few weeks ago and loved it (and I’m not a fan of musicals). The casting is inspired (especially Paul Williams), the production design is eye popping (thanks to Jack Fisk) and the film is frequently hilarious, especially the contract signing.
Hi Morgan,
Thanks for reading! I'm glad you saw the movie and liked it. I think the film gets even better when you see it again a second (or in my case, third, fourth, or more) time. Even though it's very 70's in design, there is something ageless about the film that makes it seem just as fresh today as it was in 1974.
Ugh, I love this movie with every fiber of my BEING.
The songs are ELECTRIC. The visuals are UNFORGETTABLE. I saw this on the big screen at the 24 Hour Horrorthon in the mid-00's, and I remember thinking, how have I never seen this before and why do we as a society not collectively worship this?
Really fun post, thanks!
Fromtheyardtothearthouse.substack.com
Thanks! It's great to meet someone else who loves the movie as much as I do!
A Del Toro remake? Oh, please say it isn't so!
Wow, talk about hitting a core memory. I worked in a video store through high school and watched my way through the entire horror category. I’ve described this insane film to friends for two decades but could never remember the name.
Now I’ve got to rewatch!
Hi R. Austin,
That's awesome! I always wanted to work in a video store but never got the chance. One of the cool things about this movie is how well it's aged - it seems just as fresh now as it did 50 years ago - and it's still a lot of fun too. Happy Halloween!
Happy Halloween!!
I remember seeing this film back in the 70's probably at a midnight screening. And I loved it. It is sad that it has pretty much disappeared. This is a lost gem of a film.
Hi Kelley,
Thanks for reading! I first saw "Phantom..." in college as a midnight movie too! I think it could very well be De Palma's best (or at least one of his top 5) movies. I hope someday the film will become better known because I think film lovers would really love it if they only knew about the movie.
I absolutely agree with you.
I have to refrain from reading until I've seen the film. DePalma is always so fun. He had an incredible career. I wish someone like Nicholas Winding Refn would take more things from other writers and make more films. Not that quality is quantity but it's legacy. It was a different age in cinema. Still: so confident and progressive and original. Lumet also comes to mind as a director I would have full confidence in, going in knowing nothing.
I love the freedom of indie filmmaking, at the opposite end of which is the Marvel spectacle. But DePalma represents a last "disciplined" studio director for me. He's not reinventing the wheel but he has the authorial touch.
Can't wait to watch soon!
Hi Brock, I agree that De Palma is a great studio director. Yet, if you look at his bio, he was one of the first indie directors in the early 60s. Most people don't know how much De Palma struggled to get films made in his early years. They were often self-financed through family/friends. I love all of them too, especially "Murder Ala Mod" which is a lot of fun. If you get the chance, it's worth seeing.