Last year, a fan convention was organized here in Winnipeg to celebrate the movie PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE. This world wide flop was a colossal success in Winnipeg some 30+ years ago where it played for (IIRC) 62 weeks.

When I became aware of the convention last year, I could only admire the dedication of a fan who would organize a convention for a virtually orphaned film. I also felt some pity for an event which would likely be an embarassing failure.

Well, to nobody's surprise except my own, I was wrong. In fact I was wrong on a grand scale. The event was a huge success.

It's back this year as PHANTOMPALOOZA 2 (said by the organizer to possibly be the last Phantompalooza). And it sound like this may be absolute ultimate fan convention.

Last year, the guests were William Finley (the Phantom) and Gerritt Graham (Beef). They are returning. Prompted by the success of last year's convention, the other big guns are rolling into town. Paul Williams will perform a concert after a screening of the movie. And I just read in this morning's paper that the female lead Jessica Harper has committed to appear. Also coming are the three actors who played THE JUICY FRUITS. That's pretty much every member of the principle cast.

This movie isn't everybody's cup of tea. But he have to give credit to folks who can put together that kind of convention.