‘Phantom of the Paradise’ celebrates 50 years in Winnipeg

A 1970s film that found cult status in Winnipeg is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a series of special events.

“Phantom of the Paradise,” a rock musical directed by Brian De Palma and inspired by “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Faust,” was released in theaters on November 1, 1974. The film was largely a flop. office in every city, but found a loyal and devoted audience in Winnipeg.

Gloria Dignazio of the Phantom 50th Anniversary Committee first saw the film when she was 11 on her first date.

“As soon as the film was shown here at the Garrick Theater, I went to another dimension. I mean, I just fell in love with it,” she said.

The film’s soundtrack was celebrated, reporting 20,000 sales in Winnipeg alone when the film was released and going gold in Canada. Dean Hunter, another member of the 50th anniversary committee, believes the soundtrack is one of the reasons for the film’s continued popularity in the city.

“The music is timeless,” he says. “It gives you everything from Beach Boys music to glam rock to soft ballads and every kind of genre you can think of. And it is there. And it just speaks, and it has done so for 50 years.”

“I think one of the reasons we love it is because Winnipeg is a rock and roll music city,” Dignazio added.

Tonight, the Burton Cummings Theater will host a screening of the documentary film “Phantom of Winnipeg,” which is about the city’s obsession with film. Actor and director Kevin Smith will host the screening and a question and answer session from 7 p.m

There will be two screenings of the film at the Burton Cummings Theater on Saturday, one at 2pm and one at 7pm. The 7 p.m. screening is scheduled to feature performances by cast members Peter Elbling, Archie Hahn and Jeffery Comanor, along with Paul Williams, who wrote the songs for the film. Tickets for the matinee performance are still available as long as the 7 p.m. screening is sold out.

-With files from CTV’s Rachel Lagace