''Phantom of The Paradise'' (1974)

By Crusader1307

A rare and long forgotten Film billed as ''Horror, meets Rock Opera'' – 1974's ''The Phantom of Paradise'' was initially a Box Office Flop. Filmed in the popular 1970s mind bending color with even more outlandish spandex, leather and rubber at times), it starred a largely unknown cast – save late Pop singer-songwriter Paul Williams (who plays the evil record Producer). A fusion of the classic ''Phantom of The Opera'' and The Legend of Faust, the film centers around an unknown songwriter/musician who produces the most fantastic music ever heard (electronic). Duped into signing away His rights by The Evil Producer, He tries to steal back His work – only to be horribly disfigured. He slinks away to The producers soon to be open Rock Concert Hall – ''The Paradise'' and dons a self-made persona as ''The Phantom''. As The Concert Hall flourishes with bands playing ''His Music'', The Phantom falls in love with a high energy Singer, sponsoring Her secretly. As in predictable ''Phantom'' style, She is conned into marrying The Producer. A showdown ensues with The Phantom eventually finding proof (a lost tape recording of Him signing a Contract with The Producer). A fight finds The Producer dying and discredited, but our ''Hero'' also fatally wounded in the fray. His ''Mask'' removed to The Public finally – revealing His disfigured face, He dies knowing The World will no His true name and music – as will His former lost love. With The film failed, The Soundtrack did not – and nor did it's climbing to Cult status. A strange movie, it bears a watch if for nothing more than your curiosity!