Winnipeg 'phans' come together to celebrate cult film that captivated city 50 years ago

Die-hard "phans" took over the Burton Cummings Theatre this weekend to once again watch the 1970s cult film that's kept Winnipeggersenthralled for half a century.

Brian De Palma's1974rock opera Phantom of the Paradisemay not have been an international box office hitwhen it came out 50 years ago, but in Winnipeg, it hasn't been forgotten.

The comedy-horror, glam-rock-fueled mash-up of The Phantom of the Opera and Goethe's Faust was a smash hit in the city, developing a cult following that's continued to grow over the years.

Mary-Ann Vaillancourtwas 10 years old when the film premiered. She remembers coming to the now-defunct Garrick Theatre with friends to watch it.

"I stayed for two shows," she said."And I did it again the next weekend. And I did it every weekend that I was allowed to come out."

Vaillancourt was one of the hundreds of people who showed up for the latest "Phantompalooza,"a local event that, this year, marked thefilm's 50th anniversary.

Craig Wallace, a member of the Phantom 50th committee, said the two planned screenings of a restored version of the film sold out in a day and a half. A matinee, also featuring a Q&A with cast members, was added to meet the demand.

"Winnipeg has brought a lot of people from other provinces here,and they see what we see," said Dean Hunter, singer withPhantom tribute bandSwanage, who's also on the committee.

"They might be from all over the world, but they love this movie as much as we do. And we just like to share it with them."

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Brian De Palma's film Phantom of the Paradise first released in 1974.The film flopped almost everywhere except Winnipeg. Next year marks the film's 50th anniversarry. A team of Swan superfans has planned a special celebration....that's ALREADY sold out! Gloria Dignazio is founder of the Phantompalooza and explains the film's popularity with Guest Host Shannah-Lee Vidal.

'Everybody knows all the words to everything'

The celebration brought back a lot of memories forfans who attended thematinee Saturday.

Betty Moroz, from Garson, Man.,was 14 when she first watched it.

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Guest host Emily Brass spoke with American actor Kevin Smith who is coming to Winnipeg to share his love for the cult classic film, Phantom of the Paradise.

"I thought it was kind of freaky back then," she said, but it stuck with her.

"It's very powerful, very moving. The music, the love and, what you would do for love. Anything for love."

"I have two copies at home," saidStephanie Starr, who came to the screening with her family.

"We love it. We've seen the movies many times before. And of course, you got to get the merchandise, right? I got a couple of buttons."

For other Winnipeggers like Tom Glenewinkel, the matinee was the first time they've actually seen the film.

"Everybody knows all the words to everything,"Glenewinkel said. "It was just a great movie to watch, and just to be part of the experience of everybody enjoying it and getting into it."

Vaillancourtbrought a C.D. of the movie's soundtrackto the matinee and newspaper clippings about the film shekept with her over the years.

She hoped to meet Paul Williams star and composer in the film who decades ago replied to herfan letter.

"'Dear Mary-Ann, thank you for your letter telling me how much you enjoyed Phantom.P.S. I think I've only seen the movie about four times myself,'" Vaillancourtread, saying that at that point she'd seen the film about 10 times already.

"He made my whole day and my whole summer," she added."The music is still phenomenal now, and I still listen to it if I want to just be able to sing along,every single word."