I just found a pristine copy of this at a used DVD shop this afternoon, totally making my day! I think Hugh is a big fan as well...anyone else love this early Brian De Palma film?

Led Zeppelin sued them over the name of the record company in the movie... they had to remove virtually all mention of it, although you can spot the odd Swan Song sign in the background.

"Never sing my music again. Not here, not anywhere. Do you understand? Never again. My music is for Phoenix. Only she can sing it. Anyone else who tries, dies!

Seriously?

As Johnny Carson would say, "I did not know that."

http://www.swanarchives.org/Production_Fiasco.asp

Didn't actually sue, but their manager threatened to block the release of the film.

Phantom Of The Paradise was made before Led Zep founded Swan Song Records. However, Zeppelin bought out an old label named Swan Records so that they couldn't be sued for copyright infringement with the name Swan Song.

Because Zeppelin now owned Swan Records, they owned a backdated copyright and had precedent to sue if the "Swan" name was used in the film. Kind of petty of them and ironic considering they had complete artistic control over their work written into their contracts with Atlantic Records.

Thanks for the link, Steven, that was interesting.

Just checked on Amazon for copies of the soundtrack. An older CD version can be had new for just over $8. A more recent import is selling for $317!!!

"An assassination live on television coast to coast---that's entertainment."

"No more suicides, Winslow, you gave up your right to rest in peace when you signed this contract."

Should come as no surprise to anyone that I'm a fan of the movie. Salutations from the other side!

It's kind of funny (in a non-funny way) how Led Zeppelin is quick to sue, when the people they stole Dazed & Confused and the intro to Stairway To Heaven never did.

Never steal from a rock star with a heroin addiction.

"I'm under contract too!"

Some of you may find this interesting, and extremely rewarding.
Escpecially the 3rd entry!
http://vinnierattolle.blogspot.com/sear ... 20Paradise

The soundtrack was reissued on CD only in Canada and Japan, never in the US, oddly enough. That $317 copy is the Japanese mini-lp version (we geeky ICErs get all excited by Japanese mini-lp CDs). I've got one of each, naturally.

I have never seen it, though I keep hearing about it what with this being the only city where it was a cult hit at first. A cousin of mine went to a lot of parties for it as they had that kind of thing a lot at one point here, they might still I don't know. She was all excited not so long ago because she got to hang out with Paul WIlliams at one of them

Ahah but that link you listed excited me Hugh because I found an entry on Times Square, which is a fairly abysmal movie that I was in love with as a kid. I finally found a copy of that and am very happy I did even though it was way shorter than I remembered it. I think I added in scenes as a kid in my head, which is probably why I thought it was good.

Times Square had a great soundtrack album, which has never been reissued on CD.

I really whish I'd picked this up when I had the chance years back.
A Phantom figure by a Japanese company named Medicom. I/6 scale, fully poseable, handmande costumes, etc.
And it was only 80 bucks at the time.
(There were actual 2 or 3 viersions, each one had different features, but I thought this was the coolest of the bunch.




Closest thing I ever got since was this figure, based on the movie

Oh, that second picture is wonderful...

Watched this again a few nights ago, and the awesome music is still going through my mind.

"Good for nothing, bad in bed
Nobody likes you and you're better off dead
Goodbye
We've all come to say goodbye"

An American pressing was released by Culture Factory the year after Jimbo posted the above, and is still in print today:



http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005QVZGW0/?tag=imwan-20

I love this movie. I remember seeing it in the theater when it was released.
I'm pretty sure (97.3%) that there is a garage kit bust of the Phantom available. It looks pretty cool, IIRC.

Found it: