actually, Brian got no inspiration from Rocky Horror. Paul Williams was the perfect choice as Swan, the devil. Originally, they were going to cast him as the phantom. Thank God Brian changed his mind. William Finley, may he rest in peace, did an amazing job as Winslow/the Phantom. Mr. Finley was lovely to his fans, and loyal to his movie. We miss him.
Thank you guys so much for watching this; it's one of my favorite movies and I've been anxious for you guys to at least talk about it. A couple of fun facts: Jessica Harper beat out Sissy Spacek (who eventually became a set dresser for the movie) and Linda Ronstadt for the role of Phoenix, and Paul Williams was originally cast to play Winslow, with Gerritt Graham as Swan and Peter Boyle as Beef. Williams didn't feel he was right for the role of Winslow and Boyle wasn't available, so the casting was switched around to what it is in the movie.
In Winnipeg, Paul Williams is GOD and when one mentions the name "Beef", people automatically fist-pump the air and repeat the word "Beef" as they are doing it. It's a wonderfully weird cult.
Finally! Thanks for this. The original logo was actually Swan Song, but the Led Zeppelin reps got that covered up (since Zep's also under a 'Swan Song') so they changed it to Death Records. According to Hammer of the Gods, the band's infamous manager was so upset but the electrocution scene (one of his friends or artists' died similarly) it also affected the pressure on the studio to change the logo.
***** I am so glad I am not the only one who saw that and thought it was fucking awesome. I wonder if they would ever watch Berserk on the old leather couch.
P.S.: A mega-obsessive PHAN put together a website that is THE definitive place for all things PHANTOM-related, called THE SWAN ARCHIVES. And the Archives is filled with tasty, Winslow, tasty factoids like this one, which you didn't know when you shot this episode: The casting was originally...BACKWARDS. Paul Williams wanted to play Winslow, and William Finley was to play Swan. But knowing it would be ridiculously hard for Paul to appear 'intimidating' in that mask and cape, Brian suggested swapping parts...good thing, too! And two more interesting factoids: Brian had once considered PETER. BOYLE. to play Beef...(mull over THAT one for a sec!). He also wanted to cast Sha Na Na as "The Juicy Fruits" - shocker, right? But when he was unable to secure them for that role, with Paul's help, Brian hand-picked three well-known comic actors from L.A.: Archie Hahn, a sitcom and commercials vet; Jeff Comanor, and "Harold Oblong" (real name: Dr. Peter Elbling!), also a vet of sitcoms and stand-up and stage work.
Thanks, guys, that was gold. A reaction video circa 2017, of a 40 year old film that is one of my absolute favorites. The opportunity to see POTP through the eyes of impartial, informed critics, yay! One thing: please allow me to provide some context. POTP was released in October 1974, RHPS in September 1975. It is highly unlikely that DePalma. busy shooting his independent film in Los Angeles, Dallas and New York in 1973, took the time to fly to LONDON to see "The Rocky Horror Show," which is, of course, where it was at the time. You would have to interview a Fox exec who was working at the time (Or go to the amazing www.swanarchives.com), but I'd bet even money that BOTH POTP and RHPS owe their existence to 1972's seven-time Academy Award winner "Cabaret," starring Liza Minelli and Joel Grey. Fox was all "We need a dark musical!!" and there was DePalma's independent production, just waiting on a platter. So Fox buys it, and in that interregnum between purchase and release Lou Adler come to Fox with the rights to "The Rocky Horror Show," which he know owns, having brought the show to his Roxy Theater on the Sunset Strip, California, USA, where it is, as the execs may see for themselves, a great hit. Yay, think the execs. We'll release our "Cabaret" (even BETTER cause ROCK, the Young People like Rock, right?) It will succeed and then we'll hit 'em with RHPS, and rake in the bucks! Cue record needle scraping across vinyl. Both films flop. Both are condemned to the outer darkness. They spend about a year or so playing revival houses as an inseparable Fox double-feature. Then one of them gets booked into Greenwich Village as a midnight show...and resurrects as something the world had never before seen, an audience-participation cult. But "Phantom," too has its cult, who recognize that in many ways POTP is vastly superior to RHPS. It's far darker, for one thing. Far more varied in its cinematic and literary references. (I JUST LEARNED that "Teeth are a source of infection" is a Nathaniel West quote!!) Everyone know Rocky. The cognoscenti...know Phantom.
JohnnyMarsBar They wrote a song with the man who plays Swan, Paul Williams. It's called Touch and is on their newest album. He also said the acceptance speech when they were awarded album of the year at the Grammys.
I'm so happy you finally watched this! As a Canadian, but a Hamiltonian, not a 'pegger, I appreciate this movie. My Mum introduced me to this movie a long time ago, and my quirky little child self dug it .
I saw this movie, in the theater, when it came out (so I must have been 10 years old). The only details I remember were the big sex scene and the idea of a refrigerator for preserving music in, which seemed terribly important to me at the time. Thanks again for a fun show.
Glad you mentioned that Swan is a Phil Spector stand-in. Apparently, Swan was originally to be named Spectre...as a pun on Phil Spector's name and a reference to a "spectre", or ghost. (And would've emphasized how in a way, both Swan/Spectre and Winslow take on the role of the Phantom. "Dorian" was another name considered, as a reference to Dorian Gray.)
Hey guys, I just wanted to thank you for mentioning me on your web show. This is really exciting and it's often fun to come up with suggestions. I love your show, and all your film-related discussions. I've got some experience in that area as well, and if it's any interest perhaps you'd like to check out the movie blog I've been running: hitchcocksworld.blogspot.ca/
I watched this movie 23 years ago and i literally felt in love with the soundtrack (no i m not canadian from winnipeg), but i m also sure that Swan was also inspired by Claude François, Williams and François looks alike and his reccord label office had camera everywhere. But i got a Theory, what if : Swan was the father of Gideon from Scott Pilgrim Vs The World (G looks way more like Phil Spector), both a seccesful reccord producer, they got this vibe to make literally devil's deal, and both got their nightclub / performance center, one is the Paradise and the other is the Chaos Theatre. Guys you should review Shock Treatment (the sequel of the horror picture show) or Repo! the genetic opera.
One detail I liked in this movie is that in Swans house and the Death Records building all the doors are small. They're sized for Swan and it forces everyone else to bow to enter.
I first watched this episode 9 years ago. I watched The Phantom of the Paradise this morning. Absolutely loved it! I am Canadian, so I guess I’m biased ;)
That teleporting thing is basically what happens in the Jumper series of books. Most people rationalize away what they see the teleporting protaganists do.
Y'all should watch "Angst." I heard about it from a Slovenian friend years back. Never heard it talked of since. It's a great film. While there are touches that reminded me of so many films, as time went on I realized it was one of the most original films I've ever seen.
Watched To Kill A Mockingbird for to umpteenth time at the weekend and indeed the 'stand up child your Fathers passing' moment had me holding my breath and sobbing (who knew that was possible?) again. It never fails.
I didn't know Paul Williams wrote The Rainbow Connection! That is one of the best songs ever written. Also, I hope my face doesn't have any accidents....
Late, late, late to this party. Say, where is everyone? I first saw Rocky as a double bill with Phantom in 1977 saw them scores of times over the next five years. The exhibitor, one Lang Masters who died of Covid on a Danube River cruise last year at the age of 96, had a chain of suburban cinemas in the 70s and 80s and he knew the value of a good cult pairing. Another favourite Sunday double he showed was Conan the Barbarian and Dawn of the Dead. People like Lang influenced generations of cinephiles by inviting us to rewatch movies as often as we liked. My mate Nick Paris who operates the Lumiére Cinema in Christchurch got his start as a projectionist for Lang and carries the torch not only of cult classic double features, but a love of the old days of picture palaces. Lang finally sold his last cinema, a duplex in the seaside suburb of Sumner a year before he died. To the last he and his wife worked the box office and sold ice creams.
Have you guys ever seen 'Rubber'? My dad and I found it in our recommendations after we watched 'Sharknado 2' and we decided to watch it because we thought it would be really bad. In actuality it was a rather clever, if bizarre, satire of modern media consumption that just happened to star a psychic car tire that blows up people's heads.
Matt, your teleportation theory is basically the same as what Terry Pratchett employs in his writings when dealing with Death. Say for instance Death and his horse Binky show up in the top floor of a castle. How the hell did a horse get up there? Why is a tall cloaked man sort of always on the sides of your vision and why can't you focus on him? Your brain just sort of shakes it all away because it refuses to see what it doesn't want to see (i.e. Death). Have you been reading Discworld?
Craig Johnson I appreciate it good sir. Überwald is certainly not my favorite place to be, but to be honest, if Sergeant Angua hadn't been there I'm not sure what would have happened.
Long time watcher first time commenter, I always look forward to watching this show to see what the two of you have to say about film in a very intelligent and thought provoking manner. Hands down my favorite channel and show on youtube and the internet.
There was originally supposed to be a scene after Beef's death of his funeral where people desperate for fame would crash it with a musical number to audition to Swan during the burial. There was a part where a young smiling girl would be tap dancing on top of Beef's coffin as it's lowered in the grave that the producers apparently had an issue with.
The great thing about discovering an awesome youtube channel is catching up on all the great content that is at your fingertips. The daunting thing about discovering an awesome youtube channel is catching up on all the great content that is at your fingertips. I have been watching a couple episodes a day of WttB and slowly but surely I´m catching up.
I watched this when I was 6. Haunting, later on I got to appreciate its soundtrack, went back and revisited the film, and since then one of my fav clips. Have you The Fiddler in the Roof with Topol?
There's this movie called Jumper (there's a book too I think) which is all about teleporting people and there are times when they seem really reckless just showing up wherever but I think Matt's right, if it was subtle enough even if you were looking right where they appeared you probably wouldn't think twice and chalk it up to a brain fart or something.
Thanks so much for wishing Scott a safe trip home! I'd still love to hear your thoughts on Stalker! Also, I absolutely adored Phantom of the Paradise, thanks so much for turning me on to it!
You guys should definitely watch "Repo! The Genetic Opera" since you liked this and at least one of you likes Rocky Horror. It's similar, but very different at the same time.
When I was a kid I saw the scene where he gets mutilated on tv and it scared the crap out of me. It was the only scene I saw and until I watched this episode I had no idea what movie it was from. Thanks for clearing up a 30 year old mystery.
Good review guys. You overlooked to mention that Phantom has a similar cult following in Paris for some reason, and also the interesting coincidental emergence of Kiss-like makeup at more or less the same time Kiss started wearing it leading some to speculate as to influence. Cheers!
Man, I was trying to find this movie for so long. I saw a scene from it once and never knew anything else about it. Never thought I'd find out what it was.
I think Craig should give "Pleasantville" another chance. When I first saw it, I wasn't too impressed with it, but then when I was older I watched it again and saw that they were using the b&w/color divide to depict race relations in the 50s and 60s. At one point they even call some of the teenagers in color "colored" Yes, it might not be subtle, but I have a little more respect for the movie that it tried to have a message instead of just showing off what we could do with technology. And I think you can skip the end after Tobey comes back to the present.
SpecialQue85 I agree completely. Maybe the story wasn't the best and while it was showing off this new ability in cinematographic fx, it was also a strong statement on the changes the world was going through at the time. Shame on Craig for not at least pointing that out.
+SpecialQue85 I'll go even further because to me it wasn't subtle at all, it was blatant. When they're standing in front of the diner and taking the crowds abuse with stoic dignity, that was clearly evocative of greatest people in the civil rights era. The characters all develop, and by the end, long before the end really, Toby's character realizes that his "rosy view" of the past is all wrong, and Reese's character drops the cynicism.
Congrats on 75 guys! And thank you for giving us such an awesome show. This looked like such an interesting movie, and I will be watching it this weekend. Little Enos, excuse me, Paul Williams, is a lot of fun to watch. He also wrote and sang one of my favorite songs 'Where Do I Go From Here", which just happens to be a song from one of my favorite movies "Thunderbolt And Lightfoot". Check em out.
Tobar TheFerryman Yeah fantastic film, never expected to love a musical with Paris Hilton in but it happened. some great songs in it, very interesting cast. I hope they do it too or at least include it in 'seen it' if they have.
I'm from Winnipeg, but I wasn't able to go to Phantompalooza, the 30th anniversary celebration for the movie. I was, however, able to go to Phantompalooza II, the following year, which featured more of the cast members. I don't speak for everyone from my city, but why wouldn't we like this movie? It's a total blast, and no more flawed than Rocky Horror. While certainly uneven, the soundtrack is more fun than the sum of it's parts. Somebody Super Like You and The Hell of it are particularly great.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the show! Don't always agree (like about The Wolfman), but I love hearing your thoughts and feelings about the movies. Have you seen "Murder, Inc"?? 1960 movie based on real events. They PERFECTLY capture the feel of 1940s films, and Peter Falk's Oscar-nominated performance as Abe "Kid Twist" Reles is worth the price of admission.
I've been wanting to learn about this movie since director Edgar Wright recommended it in an interview where he had called it superior to Rock Horror Picture Show. Great video guys. Love the show.
I remember watching this movie many years ago! Beef was awesome! Have you guys seen Kung Pow: Enter the Fist, or The Gamers, from Dead Gentlemen productions?
Thanks for such a great episode. I just want to comment that, as a Canadian, I've never seen an Atom Egoyan or Don McKellar film. Guy Maddin and David Cronenberg are something else entirely. Because we are so immersed in American films, most of our own filmmakers hardly ever get a fair chance of distribution in their own country.
Hey guys, I'm a longtime fan of all of your stuff (I'm still waiting for The Return of Weird Jimmy in whatever capacity). I felt a little alienated with your comments about Winnipeg. It's all in good fun, I know. But, we watch the exact same movies that you do up here. That's why I enjoy this show so much, it's like having my two best friends who are also film buffs coming over and having a good time. Keep up the good work, also keep in mind that we're not so different. Milwaukee is as much of a cultural clichéd joke as Winnipeg.
I like the theory about transporters not being noticed. I believe it could be true. I read a story (Larry Niven, I think) about a guy who could walk through a crowd without being seen by just acting inconspicuous. The other thing I think people's minds wouldn't accept is these terrible deaths (explosions, etc) that happen in movies; a couple of times, they've given the most likely reaction, which is laughing. Interesting that the contract bit is from A Night at the Opera; "I don't like the second party either." "Well, you shoulda come to the first party, we didn't get home `til around 4 in the morning... I was blind for 3 days." "I forgot to tell you, I can't write." "That's alright, there's no ink in the pen anyhow." I like Rocky Horror and Phantom equally. I think you'll like the songs more on multiple listenings. I would say Williams is the best choice for this character. Although I feel the love for Phoenix might have been whipped up by the preceding events (and that many artists get renown from hype), I have noticed Craig's point before. Finding Forester for example; don't tell me this guy is the greatest writer ever and then not have one example of interesting writing. Birds of Paradise? A procrastinatingly prognosticating protagonist? A prognosticatingly procrastinating protagonist?
Seen it! Have you guys seen Fritz Lang's M? I have to say it's my favorite movie of his, with Peter Lorre's performance and the super clever sound design, being Lang's first sound film, if you haven't seen it SEE IT.
Guys, I've noticed something for a couple of months now :) You have a speck on your lens. It's quite visible at 11:00, near Greg's right ear. When I first saw this, I should it was my own screen that's dirty and now it drives me crazy! :D
Very strange coincidence here, but if you go to 7:02 in the video, the third column of the main article of Variety references the film Billy Jack which Matt and Craig watched in episode 50.
First thought, what is the Bell House album in the background? All I know is I had that, I love.... Why is it in the background??? That's the first thing :-) thank you
Man, the secretary in front of the Death Records bird logo was super cute. THE BIRDS!! Also, Easy Rider was an amazing movie, so a royal fuck you to that donor, but good for you for giving them $$$.
Did Craig even finish watching Pleasantville? It sounds like he completely missed the point of the movie, particularly if he believes that the rosy view of the past that Tobey Maguire's character has at the beginning of the story is meant to be seen as a positive trait.
Have you guys seen "A Single Man?" It's directed by Tom Ford so it has spectacular visuals, but I was surprised by the depth of acting and emotional development within the film itself. I expected very little from it and yet I couldn't tear my eyes from the screen. Would love to hear your thoughts! :)
Curious to know if you guys have seen 1971's Vanishing Point. If so, what did you think? I just saw it for the first time and thought that it was one of the most beautiful movies that I have ever seen. Some amazing car chase scenes as well.
I get the feeling that the next episode will either be another famously cult movie or a famously bad one. Those are the two types of movie that I see viewers request repeatedly.
If you guys want to do another cult film, I suggest checking out "Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains" if you haven't already seen it. There's some catchy 1980s post-punk music in it!
I was wondering if you guys have seen the 2011 short film compilation Theater Bizarre? I recently came a cross it and soon it became one of my favorites.
I love this film and have seen it at least 10 times with various others. I never would have imagined you two could ruin a funny campy story. But ya did.
actually, Brian got no inspiration from Rocky Horror. Paul Williams was the perfect choice as Swan, the devil. Originally, they were going to cast him as the phantom. Thank God Brian changed his mind. William Finley, may he rest in peace, did an amazing job as Winslow/the Phantom. Mr. Finley was lovely to his fans, and loyal to his movie. We miss him.
I agree. Who are these two jerks?
Thank you guys so much for watching this; it's one of my favorite movies and I've been anxious for you guys to at least talk about it. A couple of fun facts: Jessica Harper beat out Sissy Spacek (who eventually became a set dresser for the movie) and Linda Ronstadt for the role of Phoenix, and Paul Williams was originally cast to play Winslow, with Gerritt Graham as Swan and Peter Boyle as Beef. Williams didn't feel he was right for the role of Winslow and Boyle wasn't available, so the casting was switched around to what it is in the movie.
In Winnipeg, Paul Williams is GOD and when one mentions the name "Beef", people automatically fist-pump the air and repeat the word "Beef" as they are doing it. It's a wonderfully weird cult.
+Anxiety Entertainment paul williams is God. I just converted to atheism.
Anxiety Entertainment I really want to go to Winnipeg... It sounds amazing.
Hey, talk about yer barbecued beef! HIYYYOOOHHH!!
Finally! Thanks for this. The original logo was actually Swan Song, but the Led Zeppelin reps got that covered up (since Zep's also under a 'Swan Song') so they changed it to Death Records. According to Hammer of the Gods, the band's infamous manager was so upset but the electrocution scene (one of his friends or artists' died similarly) it also affected the pressure on the studio to change the logo.
Hey, that helmet inspired the helmet Griffith wears in the Berserker manga! That's cool! :D
***** Love the Neverwinter Nights pic!
Frederick Luebker ty! ^^
***** I had the same thought!
*****
I am so glad I am not the only one who saw that and thought it was fucking awesome.
I wonder if they would ever watch Berserk on the old leather couch.
It's funny seeing Jessica Harper in a Serial Killer/Musical years before Suspiria and Shock Treatment
P.S.: A mega-obsessive PHAN put together a website that is THE definitive place for all things PHANTOM-related, called THE SWAN ARCHIVES. And the Archives is filled with tasty, Winslow, tasty factoids like this one, which you didn't know when you shot this episode: The casting was originally...BACKWARDS. Paul Williams wanted to play Winslow, and William Finley was to play Swan. But knowing it would be ridiculously hard for Paul to appear 'intimidating' in that mask and cape, Brian suggested swapping parts...good thing, too! And two more interesting factoids: Brian had once considered PETER. BOYLE. to play Beef...(mull over THAT one for a sec!). He also wanted to cast Sha Na Na as "The Juicy Fruits" - shocker, right? But when he was unable to secure them for that role, with Paul's help, Brian hand-picked three well-known comic actors from L.A.: Archie Hahn, a sitcom and commercials vet; Jeff Comanor, and "Harold Oblong" (real name: Dr. Peter Elbling!), also a vet of sitcoms and stand-up and stage work.
Thanks, guys, that was gold. A reaction video circa 2017, of a 40 year old film that is one of my absolute favorites. The opportunity to see POTP through the eyes of impartial, informed critics, yay!
One thing: please allow me to provide some context. POTP was released in October 1974, RHPS in September 1975. It is highly unlikely that DePalma. busy shooting his independent film in Los Angeles, Dallas and New York in 1973, took the time to fly to LONDON to see "The Rocky Horror Show," which is, of course, where it was at the time.
You would have to interview a Fox exec who was working at the time (Or go to the amazing www.swanarchives.com), but I'd bet even money that BOTH POTP and RHPS owe their existence to 1972's seven-time Academy Award winner "Cabaret," starring Liza Minelli and Joel Grey. Fox was all "We need a dark musical!!" and there was DePalma's independent production, just waiting on a platter.
So Fox buys it, and in that interregnum between purchase and release Lou Adler come to Fox with the rights to "The Rocky Horror Show," which he know owns, having brought the show to his Roxy Theater on the Sunset Strip, California, USA, where it is, as the execs may see for themselves, a great hit. Yay, think the execs. We'll release our "Cabaret" (even BETTER cause ROCK, the Young People like Rock, right?) It will succeed and then we'll hit 'em with RHPS, and rake in the bucks!
Cue record needle scraping across vinyl.
Both films flop. Both are condemned to the outer darkness. They spend about a year or so playing revival houses as an inseparable Fox double-feature. Then one of them gets booked into Greenwich Village as a midnight show...and resurrects as something the world had never before seen, an audience-participation cult.
But "Phantom," too has its cult, who recognize that in many ways POTP is vastly superior to RHPS. It's far darker, for one thing. Far more varied in its cinematic and literary references. (I JUST LEARNED that "Teeth are a source of infection" is a Nathaniel West quote!!)
Everyone know Rocky. The cognoscenti...know Phantom.
9:56--Winslow Leach, the only non-Dalek being who can make a plunger scary.
Great review, guys.
There's something so wonderful about Jessica Harper, 70's camp wouldn't have been the same without her
daft punk were inspired to wear their masks by this movie
JohnnyMarsBar They wrote a song with the man who plays Swan, Paul Williams. It's called Touch and is on their newest album. He also said the acceptance speech when they were awarded album of the year at the Grammys.
I'm so happy you finally watched this! As a Canadian, but a Hamiltonian, not a 'pegger, I appreciate this movie. My Mum introduced me to this movie a long time ago, and my quirky little child self dug it .
I saw this movie, in the theater, when it came out (so I must have been 10 years old). The only details I remember were the big sex scene and the idea of a refrigerator for preserving music in, which seemed terribly important to me at the time. Thanks again for a fun show.
+Mahlen Morris I too saw it in the theater as a kid, but I remembered it well.
This show is criminally underwatched
Glad you mentioned that Swan is a Phil Spector stand-in. Apparently, Swan was originally to be named Spectre...as a pun on Phil Spector's name and a reference to a "spectre", or ghost. (And would've emphasized how in a way, both Swan/Spectre and Winslow take on the role of the Phantom. "Dorian" was another name considered, as a reference to Dorian Gray.)
Hey guys, I just wanted to thank you for mentioning me on your web show. This is really exciting and it's often fun to come up with suggestions. I love your show, and all your film-related discussions. I've got some experience in that area as well, and if it's any interest perhaps you'd like to check out the movie blog I've been running:
hitchcocksworld.blogspot.ca/
I watched this movie 23 years ago and i literally felt in love with the soundtrack (no i m not canadian from winnipeg), but i m also sure that Swan was also inspired by Claude François, Williams and François looks alike and his reccord label office had camera everywhere.
But i got a Theory, what if : Swan was the father of Gideon from Scott Pilgrim Vs The World (G looks way more like Phil Spector), both a seccesful reccord producer, they got this vibe to make literally devil's deal, and both got their nightclub / performance center, one is the Paradise and the other is the Chaos Theatre.
Guys you should review Shock Treatment (the sequel of the horror picture show) or Repo! the genetic opera.
One detail I liked in this movie is that in Swans house and the Death Records building all the doors are small. They're sized for Swan and it forces everyone else to bow to enter.
I first watched this episode 9 years ago. I watched The Phantom of the Paradise this morning. Absolutely loved it! I am Canadian, so I guess I’m biased ;)
That teleporting thing is basically what happens in the Jumper series of books. Most people rationalize away what they see the teleporting protaganists do.
This is one of my dad's favourite movies. He wants "The hell of it" played at his funeral
Y'all should watch "Angst." I heard about it from a Slovenian friend years back. Never heard it talked of since. It's a great film. While there are touches that reminded me of so many films, as time went on I realized it was one of the most original films I've ever seen.
Watched To Kill A Mockingbird for to umpteenth time at the weekend and indeed the 'stand up child your Fathers passing' moment had me holding my breath and sobbing (who knew that was possible?) again. It never fails.
Holy crap. Where has this show been forever? Why don't I have GOOD friends who tell me about good UA-cam stuff? This is incredibly great. SUBSCRIBED.
I didn't know Paul Williams wrote The Rainbow Connection! That is one of the best songs ever written. Also, I hope my face doesn't have any accidents....
The music is awesome the acting is above average and directing is masterful.
Late, late, late to this party. Say, where is everyone?
I first saw Rocky as a double bill with Phantom in 1977 saw them scores of times over the next five years. The exhibitor, one Lang Masters who died of Covid on a Danube River cruise last year at the age of 96, had a chain of suburban cinemas in the 70s and 80s and he knew the value of a good cult pairing. Another favourite Sunday double he showed was Conan the Barbarian and Dawn of the Dead.
People like Lang influenced generations of cinephiles by inviting us to rewatch movies as often as we liked. My mate Nick Paris who operates the Lumiére Cinema in Christchurch got his start as a projectionist for Lang and carries the torch not only of cult classic double features, but a love of the old days of picture palaces.
Lang finally sold his last cinema, a duplex in the seaside suburb of Sumner a year before he died. To the last he and his wife worked the box office and sold ice creams.
Excellent as always---though, as a fellow Canadian, I'm *really* curious why Winnipeg loves this movie so much!
Have you guys ever seen 'Rubber'? My dad and I found it in our recommendations after we watched 'Sharknado 2' and we decided to watch it because we thought it would be really bad. In actuality it was a rather clever, if bizarre, satire of modern media consumption that just happened to star a psychic car tire that blows up people's heads.
Matt, your teleportation theory is basically the same as what Terry Pratchett employs in his writings when dealing with Death. Say for instance Death and his horse Binky show up in the top floor of a castle. How the hell did a horse get up there? Why is a tall cloaked man sort of always on the sides of your vision and why can't you focus on him? Your brain just sort of shakes it all away because it refuses to see what it doesn't want to see (i.e. Death).
Have you been reading Discworld?
Sam Vimes I've read some Discworld, and if I may say, good job dealing with the werewolves Mr Vimes.
Craig Johnson I appreciate it good sir. Überwald is certainly not my favorite place to be, but to be honest, if Sergeant Angua hadn't been there I'm not sure what would have happened.
Love the show, I was wondering if you guys would ever show a behind the scenes video showing how much work goes into a show.
Long time watcher first time commenter, I always look forward to watching this show to see what the two of you have to say about film in a very intelligent and thought provoking manner. Hands down my favorite channel and show on youtube and the internet.
There was originally supposed to be a scene after Beef's death of his funeral where people desperate for fame would crash it with a musical number to audition to Swan during the burial. There was a part where a young smiling girl would be tap dancing on top of Beef's coffin as it's lowered in the grave that the producers apparently had an issue with.
The phantom's outfit really reminded me of Scorpius from Farscape. Maybe it's the teeth/black lipstick
The great thing about discovering an awesome youtube channel is catching up on all the great content that is at your fingertips. The daunting thing about discovering an awesome youtube channel is catching up on all the great content that is at your fingertips. I have been watching a couple episodes a day of WttB and slowly but surely I´m catching up.
I watched this when I was 6. Haunting, later on I got to appreciate its soundtrack, went back and revisited the film, and since then one of my fav clips. Have you The Fiddler in the Roof with Topol?
There's this movie called Jumper (there's a book too I think) which is all about teleporting people and there are times when they seem really reckless just showing up wherever but I think Matt's right, if it was subtle enough even if you were looking right where they appeared you probably wouldn't think twice and chalk it up to a brain fart or something.
Thanks so much for wishing Scott a safe trip home! I'd still love to hear your thoughts on Stalker! Also, I absolutely adored Phantom of the Paradise, thanks so much for turning me on to it!
You guys should definitely watch "Repo! The Genetic Opera" since you liked this and at least one of you likes Rocky Horror. It's similar, but very different at the same time.
When I was a kid I saw the scene where he gets mutilated on tv and it scared the crap out of me. It was the only scene I saw and until I watched this episode I had no idea what movie it was from. Thanks for clearing up a 30 year old mystery.
Great episode guys! Phantom of the Paradise is one I have yet to watch. Maybe now I'll take a gander at it. Looking forward to the next one!
Good review guys.
You overlooked to mention that Phantom has a similar cult following in Paris for some reason, and also the interesting coincidental emergence of Kiss-like makeup at more or less the same time Kiss started wearing it leading some to speculate as to influence.
Cheers!
Have you seen EX MACHINA? I think its one of the best science fiction films in the past 20-25 years!
Ron Purtee Terrific movie!
Man, I was trying to find this movie for so long. I saw a scene from it once and never knew anything else about it. Never thought I'd find out what it was.
Everytime this movie comes up I think "Oh god, _that_ movie" and "Paul Williams?"
I think Craig should give "Pleasantville" another chance. When I first saw it, I wasn't too impressed with it, but then when I was older I watched it again and saw that they were using the b&w/color divide to depict race relations in the 50s and 60s. At one point they even call some of the teenagers in color "colored" Yes, it might not be subtle, but I have a little more respect for the movie that it tried to have a message instead of just showing off what we could do with technology. And I think you can skip the end after Tobey comes back to the present.
SpecialQue85 I agree completely. Maybe the story wasn't the best and while it was showing off this new ability in cinematographic fx, it was also a strong statement on the changes the world was going through at the time. Shame on Craig for not at least pointing that out.
+SpecialQue85 I'll go even further because to me it wasn't subtle at all, it was blatant.
When they're standing in front of the diner and taking the crowds abuse with stoic dignity, that was clearly evocative of greatest people in the civil rights era.
The characters all develop, and by the end, long before the end really, Toby's character realizes that his "rosy view" of the past is all wrong, and Reese's character drops the cynicism.
YEAH!!!! I love this movie!!!
Best part of every episode? Yelling "Ernesto" when that cute little face appears.
I loved this movie. You should watch the music video "The Hell of It" with Paul Williams. It ties in with PotP.
It's about time you guys checked this movie out!
Congrats on 75 guys! And thank you for giving us such an awesome show. This looked like such an interesting movie, and I will be watching it this weekend. Little Enos, excuse me, Paul Williams, is a lot of fun to watch. He also wrote and sang one of my favorite songs 'Where Do I Go From Here", which just happens to be a song from one of my favorite movies "Thunderbolt And Lightfoot". Check em out.
Please please please do: Repo! The Genetic Opera! I know a lot of people don't like it but it's one of my favorite movies
Tobar TheFerryman Holy crap, I love that movie. It's wonderful in every way. Blind Mag stole my heart.
Tobar TheFerryman Yeah fantastic film, never expected to love a musical with Paris Hilton in but it happened. some great songs in it, very interesting cast. I hope they do it too or at least include it in 'seen it' if they have.
VonVlogs
I liked her in that movie because she's basically playing herself. Not much of a stretch for her. Ha!
Tobar TheFerryman Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes!!!
Terrance Zdunich's masterpiece! If they haven't seen it, they totally should!
Finally! Love you guys
I'm from Winnipeg, but I wasn't able to go to Phantompalooza, the 30th anniversary celebration for the movie. I was, however, able to go to Phantompalooza II, the following year, which featured more of the cast members.
I don't speak for everyone from my city, but why wouldn't we like this movie? It's a total blast, and no more flawed than Rocky Horror. While certainly uneven, the soundtrack is more fun than the sum of it's parts. Somebody Super Like You and The Hell of it are particularly great.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the show! Don't always agree (like about The Wolfman), but I love hearing your thoughts and feelings about the movies. Have you seen "Murder, Inc"?? 1960 movie based on real events. They PERFECTLY capture the feel of 1940s films, and Peter Falk's Oscar-nominated performance as Abe "Kid Twist" Reles is worth the price of admission.
I've been wanting to learn about this movie since director Edgar Wright recommended it in an interview where he had called it superior to Rock Horror Picture Show. Great video guys. Love the show.
You guys should watch Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. One of my favorite Robert Downey Jr. movies.
Love your show gents. Keep it up! Wonderful stuff and the good-side of youtube.
Great show guys !!!! Have you seen Ladyhawk ? One of the best 80s fantasy movie ever made !!!
Hey, this is the second review of this I've watched that throws in a Cask of Amontillado reference. Nice catch!
Always great, Matt.
I remember watching this movie many years ago! Beef was awesome!
Have you guys seen Kung Pow: Enter the Fist, or The Gamers, from Dead Gentlemen productions?
The theory about teleporting is really good. Sounds like some good bullshit to get a stealth bonus when teleporting in dnd.
Love how you started the show. The rest of it was good to.
Have you guys seen The Gate? love it
Thanks for such a great episode. I just want to comment that, as a Canadian, I've never seen an Atom Egoyan or Don McKellar film. Guy Maddin and David Cronenberg are something else entirely. Because we are so immersed in American films, most of our own filmmakers hardly ever get a fair chance of distribution in their own country.
Hey guys, I'm a longtime fan of all of your stuff (I'm still waiting for The Return of Weird Jimmy in whatever capacity). I felt a little alienated with your comments about Winnipeg. It's all in good fun, I know. But, we watch the exact same movies that you do up here. That's why I enjoy this show so much, it's like having my two best friends who are also film buffs coming over and having a good time. Keep up the good work, also keep in mind that we're not so different. Milwaukee is as much of a cultural clichéd joke as Winnipeg.
you guys are off the mark with this movie...it's truly brilliant and the music is far better than RHPS.
Hah!
I like the theory about transporters not being noticed. I believe it could be true. I read a story (Larry Niven, I think) about a guy who could walk through a crowd without being seen by just acting inconspicuous. The other thing I think people's minds wouldn't accept is these terrible deaths (explosions, etc) that happen in movies; a couple of times, they've given the most likely reaction, which is laughing.
Interesting that the contract bit is from A Night at the Opera;
"I don't like the second party either."
"Well, you shoulda come to the first party, we didn't get home `til around 4 in the morning... I was blind for 3 days."
"I forgot to tell you, I can't write."
"That's alright, there's no ink in the pen anyhow."
I like Rocky Horror and Phantom equally. I think you'll like the songs more on multiple listenings.
I would say Williams is the best choice for this character.
Although I feel the love for Phoenix might have been whipped up by the preceding events (and that many artists get renown from hype), I have noticed Craig's point before. Finding Forester for example; don't tell me this guy is the greatest writer ever and then not have one example of interesting writing.
Birds of Paradise?
A procrastinatingly prognosticating protagonist?
A prognosticatingly procrastinating protagonist?
You did it! Cool!
Seen it! Have you guys seen Fritz Lang's M? I have to say it's my favorite movie of his, with Peter Lorre's performance and the super clever sound design, being Lang's first sound film, if you haven't seen it SEE IT.
Guys, I've noticed something for a couple of months now :) You have a speck on your lens. It's quite visible at 11:00, near Greg's right ear. When I first saw this, I should it was my own screen that's dirty and now it drives me crazy! :D
Very strange coincidence here, but if you go to 7:02 in the video, the third column of the main article of Variety references the film Billy Jack which Matt and Craig watched in episode 50.
Have you seen Without a Clue with Ben Kingsley and Michael Caine? It's a classic in my family.
A plunger to the face is a very Dalek move...
LOL, TheaterRaven, love the plunger comment, funny.
I've always loved the look of The Phantom. He looks like if you crossed Marilyn Manson with Femto from Berserk.
I'm in Winnipeg right now! :o
First thought, what is the Bell House album in the background? All I know is I had that, I love.... Why is it in the background??? That's the first thing :-) thank you
* Bauhaus; I had that, I loved that.
+spiritussublime yep, Bauhaus. The Bela Lugosi is Dead 12".
Winnipeg crew represent!
Man, the secretary in front of the Death Records bird logo was super cute. THE BIRDS!! Also, Easy Rider was an amazing movie, so a royal fuck you to that donor, but good for you for giving them $$$.
Did Craig even finish watching Pleasantville? It sounds like he completely missed the point of the movie, particularly if he believes that the rosy view of the past that Tobey Maguire's character has at the beginning of the story is meant to be seen as a positive trait.
+rocketdave Exactly!
In the end he realizes that the past wasn't so great, and his sister is less cynical.
So the characters do develop.
Have you seen Mazes and Monsters? Young Tom Hanks discovers the dangers of roleplaying games and nearly jumps off the World Trade Center!
Bauhaus, yay!
I love that movie.
Wish people wouldn't try to compare it to Rocky Horror. It's it's own thing. It's own entity.
Have you seen Dreams directed by Akira Kurosawa? It's one of personal favorites.
"Six-String Samurai" 1998, have you seen it. I liked it. Also "The Flight of the Phoenix" 1965 is a great movie to see.
Both this movie and Shock Treatment are the only movies that I know Jessica Harper for.
Have you guys seen "A Single Man?" It's directed by Tom Ford so it has spectacular visuals, but I was surprised by the depth of acting and emotional development within the film itself. I expected very little from it and yet I couldn't tear my eyes from the screen. Would love to hear your thoughts! :)
Nitpick: Joe Raposo, not Paul Williams, wrote the Three's Company theme. (An easy mistake to make, since they both wrote music for The Muppets.)
I saw something that people would say I’m crazy if I told anyone so I just don’t.
There is far more in this world than the “skeptics” believe possible
I would love to hear your opinion on "Repo! The Genetic Opera". It's a strange one for sure, but one of mine favorites!
Curious to know if you guys have seen 1971's Vanishing Point. If so, what did you think? I just saw it for the first time and thought that it was one of the most beautiful movies that I have ever seen. Some amazing car chase scenes as well.
I get the feeling that the next episode will either be another famously cult movie or a famously bad one. Those are the two types of movie that I see viewers request repeatedly.
If you guys want to do another cult film, I suggest checking out "Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains" if you haven't already seen it. There's some catchy 1980s post-punk music in it!
My mother completely hates this movie, but me and my father are obsessed with it.
I was wondering if you guys have seen the 2011 short film compilation Theater Bizarre? I recently came a cross it and soon it became one of my favorites.
Did you guys ever get around to watching Suspiria? Jessica Harper who plays Phoenix also stars in Suspiria.
I love this film and have seen it at least 10 times with various others. I never would have imagined you two could ruin a funny campy story. But ya did.
There already is a musical version of Faust. It's an opera and it's called Faust.
Please let it be Alexander! It's a film that deserves greater consideration.