Phantom of the Paradise, a 1974 Brian DePalma masterpiece, blends gothic horror, rock opera, and cult cinema in a vibrant exploration of music and ambition. This episode dives into the film’s theatrical shock rock, Paul Williams’ genius songwriting, and its ahead-of-its-time commentary on the music industry’s excesses. We discuss the iconic “Undead” performance, its Frankenstein-inspired theatrics, and how DePalma captured the glam rock era’s over-the-top energy. Perfect for fans of cult films, heavy metal, and 70s rock, this episode also honors David Lynch’s legacy and his artistic parallels with DePalma. Check out key moments below and join us to celebrate this unsung gem!
0:00 - Intro & David Lynch Tribute
1:30 - Phantom of the Paradise Overview
7:44 - Theatrical Shock Rock & Glam Era
12:11 - “Undead” Scene Breakdown
22:31 - Paul Williams’ Songwriting Impact
Discover why Phantom of the Paradise remains a cult favorite and a must-watch for music and movie lovers.
#CultMovies #BrianDePalma #70sRock
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com