Phantom Of The Paradise

Swan. He has no other name.

His past is a mystery,

but his work is already a legend.

He wrote and produced

his first gold record at 14.

Since then, he's won so many...

...that he tried to deposit them

in Fort Knox.

He brought the blues to Britain.

He brought Liverpool to America.

He brought folk and rock together.

His band, the Juicy Fruits...

...single-handedly gave birth

to the nostalgia wave in the '70s.

Now he's looking for the new sound

of the spheres...

...to inaugurate his own Xanadu,

his own Disneyland...

...the Paradise,

the ultimate rock palace.

This film is the story

of that search, of that sound...

...of the man who made it,

the girl who sang it...

...and the monster who stole it.

It seems like yesterday

I found Annette in that church choir.

I got her singing lessons, taught her

how to dress, got her first gig.

I paid off a columnist.

He did a beautiful story on her.

I told her who to be nice to, who to...

I fed her drugs to get through

the tours, made her record a hit.

Then you made her

the biggest thing in rock.

So now what does she do?

She fires us, cancels Vegas...

...and gives free concerts

for gook orphans.

She was more than a piece.

She was the light of my life.

And now she's gone.

There'll be a 20-minute intermission

before the next show.

We sued her. We couldn't lose.

We had an ironclad contract.

It was a lock, it was over, it was

closed. I even bribed the judge.

He said we couldn't sign anyone

to a life contract.

Called us a disgrace

to the profession. A disgrace.

I made her the moneygrubbing

whore she was, and I'm a disgrace?

-What do you want me to do?

-Break her.

-Is that all?

-Isn't that enough?

Annette is nothing,

finished, washed up.

-She's at the top of the charts.

-That's today, Philbin.

Tomorrow she'll be forgotten.

We have more important business.

-The Paradise.

-I know. We've looked everywhere...

Listen.

What?

That's it.

The music to open the Paradise.

-I've finally found it.

-That creep to open the Paradise?

No, not him. The music.

Listen to the music.

What do I do with him?

You'll think of something.

-Mr. Leach?

-Hello.

My name's Arnold Philbin.

I scout talent for Swan.

He's interested in your stuff.

-The Swan?

-That's right.

-He said your song could be big.

-Really?

I was right there.

If he produced my music,

the world would listen.

The game plan exactly,

but you need a lot of work, polishing.

I know. I have a long way to go.

-Do you have any tapes of your stuff?

-No, but it's all written down here.

-Give us two or three good up numbers.

-Two or three?

This cantata is 200 or 300 pages,

and I haven't finished yet.

Forget the sonata.

We just want the songs.

-It's not just songs. It's much more.

-I don't get you.

It's a whole series of songs

that tell a story of Faust.

-Who? What label's he on?

-He was a legendary German magician.

He sold his soul to the devil

for worldly power.

What is this, kid? School time?

A song is a song.

You either dig it, or you don't.

Now, I like your stuff, kid.

It's terrific. And you know what?

I think the Juicy Fruits will dig it.

I'm not promising anything. First...

I won't let my music be mutilated

by those greaseballs!

-Only I can sing Faust!

-It was just an idea.

Swan makes all these decisions,

you know?

I'm sorry. It's just that

I worked so hard on this thing.

-It's okay. You sure got a temper.

-I'm sorry.

-I don't know what comes over me.

-Just relax. Take it easy.

Give me the music. Swan will take

a look and get right back to you.

But if you ask me, I think

we're gonna produce your first album.

Really?

-Hello. I'm Winslow Leach.

-Yes?

Mr. Philbin said Mr. Swan would call

about producing my record.

He said he'd get back to me.

That was a month ago.

One moment, please.

Taxi! Taxi! Taxi!

Follow that car.

-Where did you get that song?

-From Philbin, to audition with.

-Sing it again.

-Why?

Go ahead. Sing it.

That's incredible.

How'd you know it went like that?

-I wrote the song.

-Then why aren't you with Swan?

-There must be some mix-up.

-Oh, sure.

Your name's not on the music.

Swan heard me sing this. Why's he

auditioning girls for my cantata?

-I only sing it solo.

-Haven't you heard?

-He's opening the Paradise with it.

-You're kidding.

-I look like a kidder?

-He's using my cantata?

-Isn't that great?

-I wish he'd told me.

He's just auditioning girls

for a backup chorus.

You're a fine singer.

You shouldn't be in a chorus.

I don't care where I sing this music.

Hey, look. Could you help me?

I can sing these songs

better than anybody.

With your help,

I can get in the chorus.

-I'd love to help you.

-You're not just being nice?

Personal desire never influences

my aesthetic judgment.

-What's that mean?

-It means I think you're terrific.

Do you?

Everybody get in line, gotta

quick it up a bit. Move in quietly.

One, two, three, four...

Come on, come on.

Five, six, seven, eight.

Wait a minute. Stop.

What's that, a boyfriend?

-I'm the composer.

-Great.

-Swan's only seeing girls.

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