History Film / PhantomOfTheParadise

* {{Novelization}}: Released alongside the film, but author Bjarne Rostaing was working from a very early draft of the screenplay, and took free reign with the characters and story, to the extent that the Swan Archives website compares it to {{Fanfic}}. The big difference is with Phoenix, who's a debauched FemmeFatale (!) in the novel.

* CreatorThumbprint: As one of the earlier films from Creator/BrianDePalma , it's got his trademark style all over it, including the split-screen POV.

** The "sold his soul" aspect of the plot is obviously based on ''Theatre/{{Faust}}'', just like Winslow's cantata.

** The assassination during a stage performance recalls ''Film/TheManWhoKnewTooMuch''.

Winslow Leach (William Finley, a De Palma regular) is an aspiring singer/songwriter who's quite thrilled when powerful music producer, Swan (Music/PaulWilliams, who wrote all the film's songs), expresses interest in using his music -- a rock version of ''Faust'' -- to open The Paradise, the ultimate rock theater. However, Winslow quickly finds out that Swan wants absolutely nothing to do with him after taking his music. Winslow gets lucky the first time he sneaks into Swan's mansion, when he meets cute wannabe singer Phoenix (Creator/JessicaHarper), but he's not so fortunate the second time, where he's beaten up by Swan's men, framed for drug dealing, and sent to prison for life.

* ReferenceOverdosed: The plot of the film is remarkably coherent given how many sources it draws upon, not to mention the inevitable Creator/AlfredHitchcock homages that director BrianDePalma is fond of throwing into his works:

* TheVillainSucksSong: ''The Hell Of It'' that plays over the end credits.

* OpeningNarration: By no less than Creator/RodSerling, talking about Swan.

%%* TheSeventies

--> Beef: That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't wanna be here when it does.

Winslow Leach is an aspiring singer/songwriter who's quite thrilled when powerful music producer, Swan (Music/PaulWilliams, who wrote all the film's songs), expresses interest in using his music -- a rock version of ''Faust'' -- to open The Paradise, the ultimate rock theater. However, Winslow quickly finds out that Swan wants absolutely nothing to do with him after taking his music. While Winslow gets lucky the first time he sneaks into Swan's mansion (by meeting Phoenix, a cute wannabe singer), he isn't so fortunate the second time, where he's beaten up by Swan's men, framed for drug dealing, and sent to prison for life.

Swan not only gives Winslow a shiny new voice box, but the opportunity to have his music produced properly. Winslow agrees, but only if Phoenix can be the only one to sing his songs. Swan agrees and insists that Winslow sign a contract with his own blood. However, Swan doesn't care to keep his promises and instead hires glam-rocker Beef to perform with "The Undead" (previously The Beach Bums). Outraged, Winslow decides to take matters into his own hands...and discovers Swan's plans for Phoenix -- and his very nature -- are even worse than he thought.

Compare and contrast ''Film/TheRockyHorrorPictureShow'', another 1970s rock musical that tackles horror themes (albeit in a much spoofier manner) and was considered a failure when it first came out, but is now a cult classic. (Also, both films were by 20th Century Fox and the actress who played Phoenix played Janet in ''Film/ShockTreatment'', leading some fans to see all three films as a loose trilogy.)

* FandomRivalry: The editor of the ''Swan Archives'' fansite seems to hate ''[[Film/TheRockyHorrorPictureShow Rocky Horror]]'' fans and their AudienceParticipation/shadowcasts. He [[https://www.swanarchives.org/FAQsAndLinks.asp complains about them ruining screenings]] and gets annoyed about people comparing the two movies but doesn't mind if they do their shadowcasts at ''Rocky Horror'' conventions.

* AsideGlance: While singing "Special To Me", Phoenix repeatedly stares into the camera, holding her gaze even when turning away. One almost gets the feeling she's flirting with it.
* AttemptedRape: Philbin to Phoenix during her "audition." Thankfully, she gets away.

* AffablyEvil: Swan, fitting his name and role as being the head of a Record Company that destroys everyone it touches.

* AmbidextrousSprite: Winslow loses his right eye in the record-press accident that disfigures him, and the right eye on his Phantom mask is covered with smoked glass while his eye is often pointedly shown through the left eyehole. This is consistent in the movie itself, but promotional materials often show the Phantom glaring at the viewer through the right eye-hole in his mask.
* AndIMustScream: Swan's would-be fate for Winslow. He bricks Winslow into his tiny basement studio and because Winslow signed the contract and cannot die he would be trapped there forever.