Here's one of those goofy things that makes me love my home town (...not to mention the -40F weather in the winter and +100F weather in the summer):

A PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE convention is scheduled for Winnipeg on March 19.

Younger people may have no memory of this 30 year old movie. For genre fans, it's a small footnote. For the general population, it's non-entity. The movie was a notable flop. Or, more correctly, it was flop in MOST places. As noted by movie critic Randall King, speaking about Phantompalooza:

"The event will celebrate a film that is an idiosyncratic success story in Winnipeg. It bombed just about everywhere else in the world, but the Brian de Palma directed film was a huge hit in Winnipeg, playing here for 62 weeks after it debuted at the Garrick Cinema* on Dec. 26, 1974."

Organizers are trying to get Paul Williams to attend. Also quoting Randall King, "...his participation would be a huge draw for the film's loyal, local contingent of fans whom Williams himself credits for the films soundtrack album achieving gold status in Canada".

Shorty after the film was released, in fact, Paul Williams mentioned the Winnipeg phenomena on The Tonight Show. Unfortunately, he referred to us as "Winnipegians" rather than the proper "Winnipeggers" (we call ourselves "Peggers").

What a great town. Here's our other claim to fame: We just held our local Curling Bonspiel (you know, the ice sport that nobody in the U.S. understands :)) and 467 Winnipeg teams entered. Yep, when we ain't out curling, we are watching PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE.


*The GARRICK was, at one time the largest theater in North America with seating for several thousand.

Wow, very cool. Wish I were a little closer, POTP is one of my favorites.

I went to see this at a sneak preview held at midnight on a Saturday. Some guy opened one of the exit doors and about 30 of us just walked right in.

Coleen Jones - She will always be my "Queen Of Hearts"!

James (who admits he likes watching Curling) :)

Hey, I like both POTP and curling. Of course I only live about 45 miles from the Canadian border so I'm allowed.

I like curly fries! http://www.inpayne.com/smilies/unsure1.gif

Way back when my wife (then girlfriend) was a Paul Williams fan, so when I saw it was playing in Baltimore we had to go. The only theater where it was being shown was a small "art film house" in a neighborhood where I put my wallet in my front pocket, if you know what I mean... We both enjoyed it, and later picked up the soundtrack - I haven't listened to it in awhile, oughtta get it out...

I'm certainly tempted to go to this convention just to check it out. Truth is, I'm not really that much of a fan. It's an OK movie but not something I'd normally think of as "convention worthy".

And I never quite understood the appeal of Paul Williams. As a song writer, he was first class. As a singer...he was a first class song writer. Paul Williams and I have approximately the same singing ability and, believe me, that's an insult! But he had quite a burst of popularity as a singer/actor in the late 70's.

The thing I can't figure out about this convention: WHAT is there to see? Are they going to have a Phantom of the Paradise model display? Are they going to have a display of Phantom toys and books. Will there be dealer tables of Phantom collectibles. I'm being facetious because I'm not aware that any of that ever existed (I'm sure somebody may have done a garage kit at one time). What is there?

If a few hundred people show up at a hotel for a Phantom convention, what are they gonna' do?

Life at Last! Salutations from the other side! I can see that you're the Devils pride!
Carberuetors man, that's what life is all about!
Half asleep I hear a voice, is it only in my mind?
I used to have the sound track! LOVE that movie! Hell, I'm goin' to Itunes!

Btw, there is a PotP Resin kit in the works. From what I've seen, it's excellent.

Good for nothin, bad in bed, nobody liked you, you're better off dead, goodbye
Goodbye, we've all come to say good bye.

You guys will regret this!

This is on Fox Movie Channel in widescreen this month. Fox has made a deal for Anchor Bay to release some of their titles(Death Hunt, Race With the Devil) maybe this will be one of them.

Fox has made a deal for Anchor Bay to release some of their titles(Death Hunt, Race With the Devil) maybe this will be one of them.

Maybe I've lost of track of the discussion (wouldn't be the first time) but if we are still talking about PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE then be advised that it's on DVD with a fantastic anamorphic transfer. I haven't watched it in a couple of years but I remember being struck by the image quality which was orders of magnitude better than I had ever seen before.

Hi there, salutations from the other side .... this is Gloria, I am the crazy woman and a huge fan who is organizing this event to be dubbed "Phantompalooza" Why? Because there is a huge demand in Winnipeg for this to happen!!! The event WILL happen on Saturday, April 23! The 30th anniversary screening of the movie will be shown at the old Garrick Theatre where it was originally shown for 62 weeks back in 1974!! I have been blessed with some other hardcore awesome fans who are assisting me with this venture and we are hoping to have not one, but two screenings. Stars of the movie have been contacted and invited to participate and we have had some interest shown in that regard. Paul Williams (Swan) was contacted and not available for the original date of March 19, and we are still waiting for to hear back from his management as to his availablity for April 23. Jessica Harper (Phoenix) has expressed interest in this and we are are in the process of communicating with her further in this matter. Also, Gerritt Graham (Beef) and William Finley (Winslow/Phantom) are also being looked into. Even Brian de Palma is being checked out!! Details are still being worked out, but we are going to be having a convention type setting wherein fans can have tables with their memorabilia displayed for display or sale purposes. This convention is for the FANS and we hope that they will enjoy every single moment of this wonderful event!!

Zippy, who makes the most awesome Phanton shirts will have his tshirts for sale and I believe is working on a special edition shirt specially for the event. Also, there will be a social/dance for fans to mingle with each other after the evening screening featuring local fave band, The Chocolate Bunnies from Hell who will be performing a couple of songs off the soundtrack, most notably, "Somebody Super Like You" and "Life at Last". There will also be lots of other stuff happening, but again, plans are in the works as I type!

Ticket pricing is still being worked out, but it looks like $15.00 for the screening/convention and $25.00 if you want in on the social.

I appreciate hearing from any PHANS who would like to be a part of this convention or have memorabilia that they might want to display.

Rock on!

Gloria
Trust me...

Gloria, I can see that you're the devils pride!;)

The 30th anniversary screening of the movie will be shown at the old Garrick Theatre where it was originally shown for 62 weeks back in 1974!

1974 was a pretty long year.http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/images/icons/icon10.gif
Worth going just to see Jessica Harper