Winnipeg continues to be the Phantom of the Paradise capital of the world. A 50th anniversary celebration is planned.

Let me start by quoting from a column I wrote for the defunct Metro papers in 2015:

Forty years ago, two movies were released to massive public indifference. One would later become a worldwide cult phenomenon that has since grossed more than $440 million. The other also became a cult favourite but on a — ahem — slightly smaller scale.

That first movie, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, has never officially been pulled from theatrical release by 20th Century Fox and continues to screen all over the world. The second film also lives on, but only in one place: Winnipeg.

The Phantom of the Paradise, Brian De Palma’s schlocky rock ’n’ roll riff on The Phantom of the Opera, tells the story of poor Winslow Leach, who, after being disfigured by having his head squished in a record press, has his music stolen by the evil Swan, played by the diminutive Paul Williams, best known at the time for writing hits for The Carpenters and Barbra Streisand, and who would soon gain fame for writing Rainbow Connection for Kermit the Frog. Swan also steals away Phoenix, the object of Leach/The Phantom’s unrequited love. It all ends very badly for everyone.

For reasons that baffle cinephiles, musicologists and sociologists, Paradise grabbed on to the good people of Winnipeg upon its release in 1974 and never let go. While the film was bounced from theatres within a week or two in most cities, it ran for months in Winnipeg. The city bought more than 20,000 copies of the soundtrack. And passion for the movie continues to run very, very deep.

That was ten years ago. And love for the movie in Winnipeg has yet to die down. It’s now time for a 50th anniversary celebration. If you’re unaware of this campy classic, here’s the original trailer.

I’ve seen the movie more times that I can count, including many times during the film’s original 18-week run at the old (and now defunct) Garrick Theatre and another 44 weeks at other theatres.. I still have my original vinyl copy of the soundtrack (and a CD version) plus my VHS tape and DVD. My sister was in a Phantom of the Paradise tribute band called Swanage (if you know, you know).

For the 50th anniversary celebrations, there will be screening of the film, the documentary The Phantom of Winnipeg, and a Q&A with filmmaker Kevin Smith.

Sadly, I won’t be able to go because I’ll be in the UK seeing The Cure. But if I were in the country, this is where I’d be, Read more here.