The Dryden will screen Phantom of the Paradise (Brian De Palma, U.S. 1974, 92 min., 35mm).

Brian Depalma's rock opera spectacle Phantom of the Paradise masterfully combines The Phantom of the Opera with elements of Faust and The Portrait of Dorian Gray to construct a rock industry satire of the power struggle between musicians and record labels. Winslow Leach (William Finley), an aspiring songwriter, is betrayed by the sinister record executive Swan, who steals his music to celebrate the opening of the rock palace The Paradise. Framed and exiled to Sing Sing, Leach vows to exact revenge upon Swan and retain creative control over his opus, which can only be performed by the angelic Phoenix (Jessica Harper of Suspiria). Brilliant seventies songwriter Paul Williams ("Rainy Days and Mondays," "Rainbow Connection") portrays the villainous Swan and composes Phantom's original soundtrack, transforming an already ingenious satire into an aural extravaganza, a cult classic, and one of the greatest musicals of all time.

[source: George Eastman Museum website, 2016-May-9]