Ranking The Villains

Hello and welcome to the finale of Monstrous Musicals.  Today, on this last entry in  the first ever Monstrous Musicals with our first ever Ranking The Villains.   Now,  it just so happened that all of the musicals other then The Addams Family had villains in them. Which honestly, the only villainous act there was casting Nathan Lane as Gomez Addams.  Well, no there was more issues then that but we aren't here to talk about that.  No,  instead,   I'm here today to go over the villains from the musicals that I've reviewed and determine, which is the best of the lot.   Now,  I'll be including my favorite number by them and going over what in my opinion makes them a good villain.


6.  Miss Strict - Zombie Prom

Now Miss Strict is perhaps the least interesting villain on this list.  She's  not a bad villain but her motive isn't as grand as some of the other characters on the list.   After Jonny comes back as a reanimated corpse,  her biggest goal is to keep him off school premises as she does not want zombies on her school.  Really,  how Delilah Strict is trying to do is keep order in her high school and you can't blame anyone for that but it's just her over the top way of going about doing it, that makes her so entertaining.   Her character is perhaps best explored in the song, Rules,  Regulation, and Respect.






This number here shows how she is a no nonsense, no holds-barred woman, who doesn't take any gruff and quite honestly, she fits the bill of how young people  sometimes view adults that are in  position of authority above them.


 5.  Frank N. Furter - The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Frank is only at # 4 because again,  he compared to some of the other villains are well small minded.  He's petty and has a "Me" attitude and honestly, there is nothing wrong with that as his goal is to satisfy his own self-interests and stop anyone that gets in his way or more importantly takes the spotlight away from him such as his mercy killing of Eddie.  And I may have given Best Song to Planet Schmanet Janet on Monday but quite honestly, the song that best sums him up is Sweet Transvestite.






This song perfectly sums up who Frankie is and how he owns it and takes great pride in it.    Plus Frank just revels in the spotlight and loves having the attention on him.


4.  Dr. Horrible -  Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

Now,  I went back and forth over whether or not I should place Dr. Horrible or Captain Hammer on this list but in the end, I went with Dr. Horrible because there is more to him then Hammer and  his motive was to change the status quo.   In a way,  he is the most successful villain and most tragic one on this list as he achieved what he wanted but the cost of the person that loved him, the most.    And you could see even though that he won, that he wasn't happy in the end.  Now for the best song that sums up Horrible,  there are three that come to mind,  Brand New Day, the birth of Dr. Horrible,   Slipping,  the rise of Dr. Horrible,  and Everything You Ever, the death of Billy, Dr. Horrible's alter ego. and Dr. Horrible becoming the true personality.  So with that,  I have to go with Everything You Ever.







3.  Audrey II - Little Shop of Horrors

I have to be honest and say that I'm surprised that Audrey II didn't place higher.  Well, if I was going by Oz's Director Cut,  he probably would've been # 1 but I'm not, I'm just going with the theatrical release.  Why does Audrey II work so well?  Audrey II is able to use Seymour to meet his end goal as he can't do it himself being stuck in Mushnik's and no Seymour, it's not because he's inanimate .  Sorry but that line has always bugged me.  Audrey II is able to convince a innocent and good hearted guy who basically become a monster and commit heinous acts that Seymour would otherwise not do. Also, he has to be the creepiest looking villain on this list and he is really able to get into Seymour's head as I mentioned and this is perhaps best explored in Feed Me (Git It)






This number  wonderfully demonstrates what I saying about Audrey II is able to easily convince Seymour to do something that he would most likely not do otherwise.





2.  Madame Morrible - Wicked

Our  top two villains  make life a living Hell for their stories' respective main characters.  Starting with Madame Morrible,   she is the one responsible for people viewing Elphaba as a Wicked Witch.   Because she is the one that started that rumor, when poor Elphie botched a spell in front of The Wizard and the sad part is the Ozians chose to believe Morrible and decided to view Elphaba, not as who she truly was but who they were she was.  Morrible's propaganda led to all of Oz seeing something that wasn't real.  And do I even need to mention that she's the one that kill Nessarose,  Elphaba's sister. Now unlike every other villain on this list, Morrible does not have a song but there still is a song that her reach and grab of Oz and the Ozians buying into her lie and  hating the Witch.






Everything in this song could've been avoided,  if Elphie had been treated decently and Morrible never started her propaganda but because she did, this is how people chose to view someone without getting to know her.



1.  Swan - Phantom of The Paradise

Swan is just cruel,  he only keeps Winslow alive to betray and because keeping him alive is a Hell worse then death. At first glance, Swan might seem like an evil record producer... and you are right but there is so much more to him.  You can't kill him physically because of the deal he made with the devil to stay young.  The only way for him to die is for footage that he has to watch of himself everyday to be burnt.  Which does happen.  Now with Swan, he is the perfect example of big business screwing over the little guy because he steals Winslow's song outright and has Winslow arrested but Winslow escapes and becomes The Phantom, Swan knows that it's him and makes a deal with him, finish the work, he started and he'll let Phoenix, the girl that our Phantom is crushing on sing it but he turns on that as he finds her to be too perfect and doesn't like that. Because he doesn't want someone better then him, so that's when he hires the horrid Beef.  And honestly, that's not even the worst thing he does.  No,  when he hooks up a voice box to Winslow to speak and sing,  Winslow's singing voice is that of Swan.  A constant reminder to Winslow of the pain, he is in and that death is the better option but the only way for Winslow to die is for Swan to be killed.  Swan is just cruel in how he messes with poor Winslow and screws him over.  Which I believe that this best examined in his version of Winslow's song, Faust






Now that is Winlsow, who plays it in the film but as I mentioned, it is Swan's singing voice.  A constant reminder to Winslow that he lost his own singing voice and he now has to live with the one of the man, that made his life Hell from the get go.   Now Swan eventually does get his comeuppance at the hands of Winslow,  when all of the tape is burnt but up until that point,  he is just a monster.



And thus this concludes Monstrous Musicals.   I've had a blast doing this. So much so, that it'll be returning next year.  Thanks for taking the time to read these articles.  Peace!

Little Shop of Horrors

Well folks,  we've reached the final review of Monstrous Musicals.   Today, we are taking a look at one of my all time favorite musicals and after some thought,  I've decided to touch upon both cuts because I wanted the last review to end on a happy note.  Join me as  I look at film that was adapted from a stage play based on a Roger Corman film from the 1960's and try to show why,  the musical film adaption of Little Shop of Horrors is one of my favorite films.   

Trailer

Okay, first off trailer,   Steve Martin's role is NOT a special guest appearance. Yes, that is true of John Candy (why is he on the DVD cover) and Bill Murray.   Martin  is our secondary antagonist in the film.   He has a big role as Audrey's abusive lover.   So, don't go calling Martin, a guest appearance, when for goodness' sake,  he has his own villain song.

The Plot

We open the film on Skid Row as we see our two leads,  Seymour and Audrey lamenting the fact that they cannot escape from  the slums as we see them at Mushnik's Flower Shop and the shop is losing money.  Audrey suggests  that they should display an odd plant that Seymour owns.  This is after Mushnik says that the store will have to close.  He at first thinks that the strange plant will not attract any customers but then, we get our first customer and our first of a few cameos as a customer (Christopher Guest) comes in and says that he noticed the strange and mysterious plant and he makes a purchase.

Seymour soon explains that he bought the plant from a Chinese flower shop, when last week there was a total eclipse of the sun.  The plant soon brings business to Mushnik's and it also brings fame to Seymour and makes him a local celebrity. Such as appearing on the radio show hosted by Weird Wade Wilknson (played by the late but hilarious John Candy). 

 The plant as we know it, Audrey II continues to grow after Seymour discovers that Audrey II feeds off blood.  Later on,  Seymour attempts to ask out his crush,  Audrey but he is turned down as Audrey is dating the sadistic dentist, Orin Scrivello.  However, Audrey wishes to escape her abusive relationship with the dentist and marry Seymour and leave Skid Row behind to go to greener pastures.   After we see Audrey leave with the abusive dentist,  we see Audrey II beg for more blood, at first Seymour refuses but after seeing Orin slap Audrey,  he agrees to do it.  He then goes to make an appointment with Orion taking a revolver with him to kill the sadistic dentist but there is no need as Orion does himself in with a type of gas.  But this is after a great cameo by Bill Murray as a patient that loves pain and being tortured.  And you can just see that this infuriates Orion.

Honestly,  when Bill is on screen, he steals the scene and makes this scene a little less painful.  Seymour later discovers that the police investigating  Orin's disappearance and we get a great moment between Seymour and Audrey, when  we learn that Audrey secretly hoped for something bad to happen to Orion because of his abusive nature.  Seymour takes Orin's body back to Audrey II (who has been getting bigger and bigger) as we see him chop Orion's body in one of the darkest moments of the film.  He is spotted by Mushnik,  unbeknownst to Seymour.  Seymour is later confronted by Mushink,  and offers him an escape, if Seymour teaches him how to care for the plant but  this is all for not,  as Mushnik is  backed up by Seymour and eaten by Audrey II.   Seymour has gained widespread success but he does not want it  Seymour  plans to elope to Audrey and escape from Skid Row, leaving Audrey II to starve to death but as we shall soon see,  things won't be that easy for Seymour.  Later on,  Seymour leaves to take care of some business and the plant tricks Audrey II by calling her and tries to eat Audrey.  Seymour returns and saves her from being eaten after we learn that that Audrey II is actually an alien.  Audrey II collapses on the store and Seymour  electrocutes the plant killing it as our two leads are safely reunited and we  see them at the end moving into their house,   as we see little Audrey II's in their front yard. Meaning that isn't all over.

That's the theatrical ending and my preferred ending of the film. After some thought,  I don't hate the Director's Cut as much but maybe I'm a sucker for happy endings.  I'm just going to cop and paste the description of the Director's Cut here.

In the original ending, after Audrey is attacked by Audrey II (reprise of "Suppertime"), Seymour rescues Audrey, who is seriously injured. Confessing to Audrey he fed Mushnik and Orin to Audrey II, Audrey requests Seymour feed her to the plant and earn the success he deserves, before she dies in his arms (reprise of "Somewhere That's Green"). Seymour does so, but soon attempts to commit suicide, only to be stopped by a salesman, who offers to reproduce and sell Audrey II. Realizing Audrey II's intentions of world domination, Seymour is warned that his consent isn't necessary as plants are considered public domain, meaning Audrey II has to be destroyed. Returning to the shop, Seymour confronts and tries to kill the plant ("Mean Green Mother from Outer Space"), who tears down the shop, plucks Seymour out of the rubble, and eats him alive.
The three chorus girls appear in front of the American flag and tell how the Audrey II buds became a nationwide consumer craze, but soon, grew into an army of monstrous plants who take over the country ("Don't Feed the Plants").Giant Audrey II plants are shown destroying American cities, toppling buildings and eating people. The U.S. Army attempt to fight the Audrey II buds as the final shot shows the plants ascending the Statue of Liberty.

I think the issue I have with the ending is not Seymour dying because you could make the argument that he warrants a punishment for the crimes he committed but my two biggest issues with this ending are Audrey dying.   Now,  this is going to be tough to explain.  If you recall last week, when I reviewed Dr. Horrible,  I had no issue with Penny's death because I felt that one actually had more weight behind it and was more tragic then Audrey's death but perhaps my biggest issue is when the film shifts focus onto Audrey II  attacking these people do NOT know.  That's my big issue,  all of the characters that we cared about are dead and now here are these innocent bystanders, we know nothing about dying and we have no reason to mourn their loss.  The film with this ending goes from being a rather tragic film to your standard monster movie.  And that does not work.  This reminds me of something once said by Don Bluth.

We can scare our kids, so long as we attach a happy ending

Now clearly,  this is not a children's film but the message I'm trying to relay is that you can still have your scares and end on a happy note.  And yes, this film does get rather dark. Just go back and watch Suppertime but I truly feel that even though, there is not a shadow of a doubt that Seymour got away with murder,  he and Audrey deserved a happy ending And honestly, Orin deserved to die.  He brought nothing but cruelty to the world.   And weeding out people like him is okay.  Now this is just one person's take on it. Does this ending take away from the film?  No, but it does lessen in my opinion because as I said it just goes to standard monster movie fare without any of the magic that made this film, so great.



Characters



Greek Chorus


Crystal, Ronette, & Chiffon played by Tichina Arnold, Michelle Weeks, and Tisha Campbell-Martin

I honestly have to say that I cannot picture the film without these three.  They serve commenting on the stuff that is going on around them and they really only ever interact with the main cast twice,  first during the beginning o Skid Row with Mr. Mushnik,  where we learn that they are dropouts and then at the beginning of Somewhere That's Green with Audrey.  For the most part, they never overtake the story and blend in well to what's happening such as during as the "Dentist" number.

They are at best, background singers for our main cast.







Characters


This'll be broken down into Main, Supporting,  and Villains.  With that out of the way, let's begin.



Main Characters

Seymour played by Rick Moranis 

Now,  if you recall my favorite characters list,  he came in at # 14.  Seymour as I said  in that article and up top is a murderer or at the very least, he attempted murder but the more, I think about it, Orin's death was his own fault and as for Mushnik.  Well, there is some debate there. He is also someone that we are rooting for as he is sympathetic and was pressured into doing these heinous deeds by Audrey II.   So,  in that regard,   it is easy to root for him.  He didn't really want this, he was pressured into it.  He is a bumbling buffoon,  who just wants to be happy and get the girl.  Something that Audrey II offers him as we see during the awesome,  "Feed Me" number.   Perhaps the best thing about Seymour is that as the film progresses, you can see the wear and tear that the events are taking on him.

Audrey played by Ellen Greene 

Audrey is my second favorite character in the film.  She is a sweet girl, that is hoping for a better life.  She knows, she's in a bad place and she knows it.  This is best explored during "Somewhere That's Green".    She may be in a bad place but that doesn't make her a bad person.  Far from it,  she is a very sweet girl.


Supporting Character


Mr.  Mushnik played by Vincent Gardenia

Mushnik is perhaps my least favorite character in the film as he really doesn't have much of a personality other then being the greedy, grouchy store owner.  That's about it, really.   Vincent Gardenia plays him well enough but there is very little there to make him memorable.



Music


Prologue (Little Shop of Horrors)


What a great way to start the film.   The narration and the wall text are great and we get our first taste of the Greek Chorus singing and they sell it well.  This number is just so much fun and lets us know, exactly what kind of film, we are in for.




Skid Row (Downtown)







This is a great introduction to Skid Row as we see, that it's basically a hopeless dump.   People dream of making it out of there but that is a hard dream to achieve.  And oh,  my God,  Audrey's voice is just so fantastic.  And Seymour as we hear has had a tragic life being an orphan and things never seeming to go his way.  The big thing to take away from this number is that people want to get out of here.




Da-Doo






I have to agree with Paw from his review that it's funny that this song is just called Da-Doo.  I always want to call it, Total Eclipse of The Sun for some unexplained reason.   It's really not much of a song as it's more of Seymour just speaking his lyrics and not singing them.


Grow For Me






This is a cute little ditty, where we can easily see that Seymour is trying really to get Audrey II to grow and right now, nothing seems to be working but as we all know, Seymour is about to soon discover what this little plant needs to grow and I also have to say that I just really love how unassuming and not very menacing Audrey II looks, knowing what is coming.



Somewhere That's Green







I like this song as we get to delve into the wants of Audrey and what she pictures her escape from Skid Row to look like.  In many way, this is a very good companion piece to Skid Row as  this shows the optimistic dream that Audrey holds for her future in hopes that there is a better tomorrow.  Are her dreams simple?  Perhaps but that doesn't make them any less admirable.  


Some Fun Now





Originally,  I was going to list this song as my least favorite but  honestly, this song has grown on me over time.  Yeah,  it's repetitive and not as deep  as some of the other songs but darn it,   this song is super catchy.




Dentist






I love this number, as it just goes to show how cruel Orin is as a dentist and it plays on the fear, people have of going to the dentist.  As we picture them as people like Orin, when in reality that usually isn't the case.   This song is just so much fun, so long as you don't have it come while at the dentist.  I had that up to me, once and it made for the most uncomfortable experience.



Feed Me (Git It)






Now,  this is a great number as we are introduced to Audrey II and see that that the plant is more then it seems.  Audrey II  is a tricky little being that is making offers that are too good for Seymour to resist.  Seymour as you hear has reservations  and this is where the idea to kill Orin is planted in Seymour's head.   These two seriously work well off of each other in this number.



Suddenly Seymour







There's no two ways around it,  this is my favorite number from the film.   It is just such a sweet song as we finally get to see them come together and have their much deserved happiness.  Showing that there is a ray of sunshine always shining.   And this song further cements why these are one of my favorite on screen couples, they are just so cute together and they bring much needed happiness and understanding to each other's lives.  I  think that is why Audrey's death in the director's cut bugs me so much.



Suppertime






This is seriously one of the darkest numbers in the film.  The mood and atmosphere just work in setting up the creepy mood and tone of what is going on.   Here,  I think it works having the Greek Chorus singing in the background as Mushnik confronts Seymour.  Because we know that something bad is about to go down.





Suppertime (Reprise)



Here we have the reprise of Suppertime and is it just me or does Audrey II creepier,  knowing that he can work the phone because he is going to try and eat Audrey.



Mean Green Mother From Outer Space






Now,  this is how you do a villain song.  It is just so much fun and so great.  What can I say, I love villains that taunt and act superior then our heroes and Audrey II does that all throughout the film and how Audrey II is able to turn the gun so easily on Seymour is so great.  This is seriously, one of the best villain songs ever.





Villains


Orin Scrivello, DDS  played by Steve Martin

Orin  isn't a good person as he is just cruel and takes pleasure in torturing his clients and he is very cruel to Audrey.  He doesn't believe that women are equals but rather should be shown their place.  And honestly, that makes his death all the more pleasurable because he is someone, you want to see die.


Audrey II performed by Levi Stubbs

What I find interesting is that this was Levi Stubbs'  only film role.   Stubbs was better known for being the lead vocalist of the Four Tops and Stubbs'  voice adds to the creepiness factor as he just sounds so menacing.  And his growth throughout the film as he gets bigger and suddenly takes up the store makes him an even bigger presence and bigger threat as well.   But it is quite honestly the voice that truly sells him on being creepy.


Favorite/Least Favorite

Now,   I already made my favorite very clear,  it's Suddenly Seymour.   Suddenly Seymour isn't just one of my favorite songs from this film,  it's one of all time favorite songs period because of the emotion behind it and the happiness and understanding that these two bring to each other.  I can honestly listen to that song on endless loop and have the biggest grin on my face.  As for Least Favorite,  I don't have one.  Honestly,  I like all of the songs in this film so much that I cannot pick one as a least favorite.




My Final Thoughts


I LOVE this film.   Little Shop is one of my all time favorite musicals and I just love everything about it from the characters to the music.  There is very little I don't like about this film.   This is a musical, that if you haven't seen, you must.  I command it.  There are a few reasons I love this film and out of everything I've reviewed for Monstrous Musicals,  I have the most personal connection with Little Shop.   I mean, sure it doesn't hurt that the music was written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman.   Who  would go to work on the music for Disney greats such as Beauty and The Beast before Ashman's untimely death in '91.  But also because this film  takes me back to my sophomore year of high school, when I was in Drama II and one of our assignments was to read and direct a scene from a play. I had the lucky fortune of getting to read Little Shop of Horrors and directing the Feed Me (Git It) scene.  That is a memory that still sticks with me to this very day and whenever I think of Little Shop,  I think of the one time I got to direct something.  So,  while  I may love every I reviewed (save The Addams Family), this one is special to me because it goes beyond just being a musical and becomes a memory.    Well, now all of the reviews for the first Monstrous Musicals are completed but we still have one article left to go.  Join me on Halloween as I close this event out.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Hello & welcome back to Monstrous Musicals.  Well folks, we are two away from being done with the reviews.   And today, we are taking a look at a musical that is often cited as the quintessential Halloween musical.   Dammit,  Janet,  this is The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Trailer






Uh yeah, what does one say to that thing?  But seriously, that is the reaction I had, the first time I watched this film.



The Plot


We open the film on the criminologist, who'll serve as our narrator telling the story of Brad and Janet and the one fateful night that they came across Dr. Frank N. Furter.   We  start the film proper at the wedding of one of their close friends, after which Brad proposes to Janet.   Later on, we see them driving and it appears that they have gotten a flat and they are lost on a dark and rainy night, they have decided to go a castle that they drove past in hopes to use their phone and here they come across the transvlyaians  holding their annual Transylvania convention and  the most memorable number in the film happens.  Y'know, which one I'm talking about.   After which, we are introduced to our antagonist of the film, the fabulous and fantastic Fran N. Furter.  And they are also introduced to the rest of the cast, Riff Raff, Magenta and Columbia.   After Frankie's big entrance, they head up to his lab to see what's on the slab.   Our dear scientist it appears has found the secret to life as he's made himself one hell of a man.   Although,  he has created his perfect man, we see that he isn't a very good lover.  More on that later but now it's time to celebrate the birth of Rocky and the celebration is going great until it's crashed by Eddie, an ex-delivery boy and partial brain donor to Rocky.  Eddie steals the spotlight away from Frank N. Furter and out of jealously,  Frank kills him in what is undoubtedly the most intense moment as Frank N.  Furter takes an  ice axe to Eddie.    Seriously, forget how frightening Tim Curry can be in this film.   Later on, we see Frank take his guests to separate bedrooms, where he later seduces the both of them by pretending to be Brad and Janet.  WTH?  Just go with it,  Janet did.  Later on Janet heads on down to the lab and sees Rocky, who is whimpering like a little puppy from all of the suffering he had endured from Riff Raff.    Janet tends to his wounds and they make out.  Dammit Janet, you get around.  Meanwhile Columbia and Magenta are watching on a monitor as Rocky and Janet get to know each other better. Does anyone else find this a little unsettling because technically Rocky isn't even a day old yet.  Then again,  it did seem as though both parties involved were okay with this but still,  this seems a little squicky.  Later on,  Rocky goes missing and Frank heads to the lab with Brad and Riff Raff,  where an intruder, Dr. Everett Scott,  Brad and Janet's old high school science but Frankie suspects him of working for the government searching for UFO's.  (I wonder,  if he'd be effected by the shutdown as well. Probably!)  Frank after learning of Brad and Janet's connection to Dr. Scott, think they might work for him.  All of the commotion is broken up, when Magenta comes and lets everyone know that dinner is ready.   When at the table,  it is discovered the table is actually Eddie. (What a guy!)   This causes Janet  to run and scream through  the Frankenstein Place being chased by a jealous Frank  (Looks like, she needed to wise up).  With the chase ending in Frank's lab with Dr. Scott and Brad joining up with them and Frank using the Medusa Transducer that'll seduce them to turn them into statues.  Later on, we see them on a stage  where Frank forces them to put on a live cabaret show (my kind of villain.  I'd probably do that too).   But the performance is cut short by Riff and Magenta.  In the words of human Pinkie Pie: Oh bummer.  But no time to dwell on that as it is revealed that our brother and sister pair along with Frank N. Furter are indeed aliens from the planet Transsexual in the galaxy of Transylvania. In the process, they kill Columbia, Frank and Rocky while letting Dr. Scott, Brad a Janet go. As they escape from the Frankenstein Place and Riff Raff and Magenta speak of returning home.  This film is weird but it is also a lot of fun.



Characters


We've got a lot and I mean a lot of characters to go through.  Let's begin.



Narration


The Criminologist played by Charles Gray

The Criminologist is important to the story as he is that tells the tale to us and I do appreciate the fact that he doesn't overstay his welcome.  He serves his purpose but doesn't overtake the film.



Main Characters


Brad Majors (A Hero)  played by Barry Bostwick

If I'm to be honest,  I've always found Brad to be a bit boring.  Bostwick  does a fine job playing him as the  uptight, straight-laced serious half of our main leads and he is for all intents and purposes, a dork.  Which is why when Glee did their Rocky Horror episode, casting Finn in this role was a mistake because he is a jock and Brad Majors is not all that athletic. Getting back on topic,  I just think it's a case of all of the the other characters that Brad interacts with is far more interesting.


Janet Weiss (A Heroine) played by Susan Sarandon

Whereas Brad was a character, I found boring.   Janet was actually a bit interesting. Especially in regards that she clearly isn't as innocent, she comes across.   She is just so much fun because you know there is something going on with her.


Supporting Characters


Riff Raff and Magenta played by Richard O'Brien & Patricia Quinn   (A Handyman and a  Domestic)

The more I think about it, these two turning on Frank isn't all that shocking.  Because if you actually pay attention to their actions, they have no respect for Frank but they just tolerate him and just go back to the scene, where Riff Raff  tortures  and beats Rocky.


Columbia (A Groupie)  played by Little Nell

Columbia is a hard character to place.  She's not a bad character and in a way, she lives up to her label, the most especially her interaction with Eddie and even moreso, her infatuation with Eddie because as we see in her bedroom, Eddie's face is plastered is all over the place.  I think the only thing that threw me off about Columbia at the end is when, she admitted that she loved Frank.  I guess I should've seen that coming with her acting jealously towards Rocky.


Rocky (A Creation) played by Peter Hinwood

Rocky is one of the more interesting characters in the film because, this is just his first day alive and  we are experiencing him experience his surroundings and taking all of the new things around him.   It does make for a fascinating watch with this character.


Eddie  (An Ex-Delivery Boy)  played by Meat Loaf

Why wasn't Eddie in more of this film?  He was the best character in the entire film.  Meat Loaf was just so much fun and totally selling the character of Eddie.  His number is one of the best, if not in the best in the film. It's just a shame that he was killed off so soon in the film.


Dr. Everett Scott (A Rival Scientist) played by Jonathan Adams

Dr. Scott was an all right character and I forgot to mention the fact that was Eddie's uncle and the main reason, he went to the Frankenstein Place was to look for his delinquent nephew but as we learn through song, he wasn't very close.    I will say that there is one thing that disappoints me in the original stage production of The Rocky Horror Show,  Dr. Scott was played by Meat Loaf in a dual role.   Meat Loaf said that he wished he would've played the doctor in the film as well.  I agree.



Music


Science Fiction/Double Feature





This is easily the perfect way to open  Rocky Horror as it pays homage to the the types of film that are parodied within Rocky Horror such as King Kong of The Day The Earth Stood Still.   Also, those lips belong to Patrica Quinn (Magenta) but the voice belongs to that of Richard O'Brien.


Dammit Janet




This is such a sweet song and you can clearly  hear how much these two care about each other and love each other.  Also, pay attention to some of the cast in the background as this film pulls a Wizard of Oz with their actors playing other roles at the church such as Richard O'Brien appearing I want to say as the keeper for the church.  



There's A Light (Over At The Frankenstein Place)





A simple song but it's all right leading our characters to the Frankenstein  Place and it is a rather nice piece but it doesn't stay with me.  It's not bad,  none of the music is bad in this film but I just don't find his one to be memorable. Unlike the next number.


Time Warp




I'll admit I LOVE Time Warp.   How can you not?  It's just so infectious and this is a number, when you see it, you gotta do the Time Warp.   You just gotta.  Otherwise, you are doing ti wrong.   While I do love this song,  it's not my favorite from the film but oh, it is just so much fun.




Sweet Transvestite





Oh  HELL YES,   Tim Curry in all glory.  This is such a great song and a great introduction for Frank. And hey,  it's a great message,  celebrate who you are because it doesn't matter.  So long as you have pride,  you should be comfortable with who you are.  In a strange Frank N. Furter has sort of become inspiration for me and I just love the way, he says anticipation in this number.



Sword of Damocles





Um,   this is a good song but I do have to admit that I find it weird that Rocky is able to perfectly sing a number, when he is brought to life but he cannot form full sentences as seen later on in the film.  That just seems bizarre.



I Can Make You A Man





Again,   I like this song a lot and you can really hear Frank's infatuation with his new creation and how he is just fawning over Rocky.



Hot Patootie/Bless My Soul





Oh yeah,  this is easily in my top 3 and a very very strong contender for favorite. Although it does have one competitor.  Meat Loaf just sells this song and I just find myself tapping along and just having a huge grin on my face during this number... until Frank kills Eddie.  This number is just awesome.  



I Can Make You A Man (Reprise)






Not too much to say here, this isn't  a bad piece but it's not very memorable either and I think that it suffers from coming right behind Hot Patootie,  one of the best numbers in the film.



Touch-A, Touch-A, Touch Me






Man,   Susan Sarandon gives her all with this number and  you can hear the innocence of Janet slowly fading away as she makes out with Rocky.  Though the best part, has to be when she the heads of the different characters.   It is just so  funny.



Eddie







Man,  another great song.  I love the beat this has going for it.  This number is just so much fun and Dr. Scott is giving it's all in this performance and I'm  sorry but the image of Eddie's dead body is easily the creepiest thing in this film.

Planet Schmanet Janet







Okay, this song does NOT get enough credit as a great villain song.   I know  Frank's most well known number is Sweet Transvestite but this number feels more like a villain song and it actually shows what a true threat Frank N. Furter can be.  This may be my favorite number in the entire show.  



Rose Tint My World






I forgot about this song.  Is it bad?  No but not remembering it, is not a good sign.  Honestly, there are truly no bad songs in this film but this one at best, just exists. And that's it.




Fanfare/ Don't Dream It, Be It






Now, this is more like it.    Though of course, it's Frank and gets easily some of the best songs in the entire film and this is another great tune.  And I love the mantra,  Don't Dream It, Be It.  Sure,  it's coming from a mad scientist dressed in drag but  have you seen Frank,   he can make it work.   Of course, this song is used in a twisted nature as in a way,  Frank I think brainwashed the others.  I don't know.


Wild and Untamed Thing









Man,  this number is just so much fun  and we finally see Riff Raff and Magenta turn on Frank with their coup and honestly,   as I mentioned up top,  you had see them getting sick of Frank sooner or later.




I'm Going Home





I want this song played at my funeral as it is just so touching, even if Frank is just using the song to gain pity for his actions after Riff and Magenta interrupt the floor show.  But man, oh man is it great.



Science Fiction/Double Feature  (Reprise)







Honestly,  it makes so much sense to close with Science Fiction/Double Feature.  It serves as a nice bookend to the film and here it is telling the tale of what happened in the film  there is just something about the way, that it's sung that makes it all the more tragic.


Now,  these were all the songs featured in the U.S. cut but just for fun,  I'm going to take a look at a deleted song and a song that was only featured in the U.K. cut.

Once In A While







Ugh,   I wish this would've been included in the film because it is a great song and I think this would made Brad a whole more interesting and seeing Janet watch this play out is just so heartbreaking.  Man, this is just so disappointing.  Because this is such a good song.


Superheroes







This number is fun and I've seen both the U.S. Cut and U.K. Cut, which features Superheroes.   This is a nice song but if I'm to be honest,  I don't find that it adds anything significant to the plot and really by this point,  I'm ready for the film to be done.




Villain


Frank N. Furter (A Scientist) played by Tim Curry

Frank is just all kinds of awesome.   He knows who he is and he owns it with bravado.  He is very secure in who he is but as I said when talking about the plot, he loves himself maybe a little too much as we learn that Columbia loved him once but he just ignored her.   Frank   has a "Me" attitude, he just wants everything to be about him.



Favorite/Least Favorite


This one is tough as there truly are no bad songs and for Favorite,  well,  I'm going to countdown my Top 3. First.

3.  Time Warp
2.  Hot Patootie/Bless My Soul
1.  Planet Schament Janet

Yep,  my favorite is Planet Schmanet Janet because it is just a great villain song, with the way Frank taunts Janet and he really gets into her head.  As for Least Favorite,  I have to go with Rose Tint My World,  mainly because I just find it so forgettable.


My Final Thoughts


This is such a great film that celebrates it's weirdness and you can't help but having a good time watching this film.  Join me tomorrow for the final Monstrous Musical review as I take a look at...


Little Shop of Horrors

Phantom of The Paradise

Hello & welcome back to Monstrous Musicals.  Today, we are taking a look at an interesting cult film from director, Brian De Palma.   This film has somewhat of a cult following.  What is this film? Phantom of The Paradise.  What is Phantom of The Paradise?  Well, take Phantom of The Opera set in the 1970's, throw in drugs, sex, rock 'n' roll along with some Dorian Grey and Faust for good measure and that is Phantom of The Paradise.  Oh, let's not forget that Paul Williams wrote the music for this film.  

Trailer

This trailer sums up what this film is as it is not just on genre as it is a musical, a comedy, a satire of the music industry and a horror film.

The Plot

In the film, we follow music composer/singer Winslow Leach through his struggles with satanic record producer Swan of Death Records, who wanted a new sound to open his new concert hall, The Paradise.  Swan overhears Winslow's music and he decides that the music is it.   He sends his right hand man, Philbin to talk to Winslow about having Swan look at his song and have nostalgic based band, The Juicy Fruits and when Winslow hears this, he is enraged and gets angry at the idea.  Winslow calms down and gives his music to Philbin to look at.   Weeks later,   Winslow goes to Death Records to see Swan but his name is not on the receptionist's list.  He is later thrown out and sneaks into Swans' private mansion to talk to Swan where many girls are auditioning to sing at the opening of the Paradise and there, Winslow meets a young girl, Phoenix, who he takes an instant liking to and  helps her rehearse his song.  Though once she goes into see Swan, we find out that that it isn't an audition but rather an orgy.  Swan isn't looking for the best singer but rather a good time as there all these women and Winslow in drag laying on this circular bed. Swan then notices Winslow and has him arrested and sent to Sing Sing Prison.  (I had to look this up but this is indeed a real place).   While there, as part of a project backed by Swan, the  prisoners have their teeth removed.  One day while working, Winslow hears The Juicy Fruit's bastardization of his work and escapes from the prison, where he heads to Death Records to destroy a record press.  A guard catches him and his face is caught in the record press and in a cruel twist of fate, the records on the press that crush his face and mutilate him are The Juicy Fruit's version of his song.  He later goes to the Paradise and raids the costume department and dons a long black cape and owl mask and starts terrorizing the Paradise and during one rehearsal almost kills The Beach Bums, who were once the The Juicy Fruits.  Showing the constant change in music and how rapidly it changes.   Winslow now The Phantom confronts Swan, who quickly recognizes him as Winslow and makes a deal with him to rewrite his cantata, Faust.  Swan gives The Phantom a voice box so that he can talk and in an interesting take, his singing voice is now that of Paul Williams, the actor that portrayed Swan.  The Phantom says that only Phoenix can sing his work but Swan breaks his deal because he resents her perfection and has Philbin hire a glam rock pill popping star, Beef to do the singing part and he was purposefully cast his voice was wrong for the cantata. In a scene parodying the Psycho shower scene, The Phantom threatens Beef by telling him that no one but Phoenix sings his music.  This is enough to convince Beef to leave.  Philbin sees this and convinces Beef to leave, even though he thinks that  the Paradise is haunted. Phoenix is later seduced by Swan with stardom and they later to be wed. The Phantom tries to warn Phoenix to leave.  We later see that The Phantom tries to kill himself but because of a contract, he signed with Swan he cannot die until Swan dies.   So he tries to kill Swan but it does no harm as he too signed a contract. Over 20 years ago, he signed a contract with the Devil to keep him youthful as he was about to kill himself.  The Devil makes a deal with Swan that he can stay youthful so long as he watches a video tape of himself from those 20 years ago that he had recorded, that would age instead of him and Swan would have to watch it once a day every day to remember what the Devil gave him.  The only way to kill  Swan is if the footage is destroyed.   So, The Phantom goes through this, after this film's chandelier scene where Beef is killed onstage by The Phantom as he is struck with a thunderbolt prop.  And Phoenix sees this and his frightened but gets back onstage to perform.  Later on, Swan is exposed as a monster during his live televised wedding and he is slowly dying while being stabbed carried in the audience allowing Winslow to finally die and rest in peace but not before he removes his mask to reveal himself to Phoenix.  Phoenix embraces Winslow one last time as he passes away.  So, that is The Phantom of The Paradise.  Now I'll be 100% honest,  I've never seen The Phantom of The Opera and this film was my first foray into the world of The Phantom and I liked what I saw.  I have to thank TheOtherDude for suggesting this one in the forums because it was really good.  

Characters

This'll be broken be down into Main, Supporting, & Villain. 

Main Character

Winslow Leach/The Phantom played by William Finley 

  

I really liked that we saw Winslow at the beginning and he was just a simple gawky & geeky looking guy that just wants to get his music sold but he is scorned when Swan uses his music without his permission and it turns him into the monster that is The Phantom.  All of his hopes, dreams and ambitions are gone.  He is pretty much out for revenge against Swan but Swan is smarter then him and he is cold and cruel compared to Winslow, who was optimistic with star filled eyes but once Swan turned on him and had him arrested is when he became.  It is easy to see that after Swan turned on him and was reported that Winslow supposedly died, he played that up and became The Phantom.  Also,  I have to say that I love the set design for when Winslow was arrested.

I think the reason,  I like this set so much is how big the judge's stand is and it makes Winslow look rather small.  Almost as a way of showing how the average American is compared to corporate system.  And this film again shows how one having his dream crushed, can twist them.   For instance, just take a look at Winslow in Sing Sing and also as The Phantom unmasked.

You'll notice the start of the drastic change just looking at Winslow in Sing Sing and by the time, he is unmasked,  he just looks a bit creepy.

Supporting Characters

Phoenix played by Jessica Harper

Phoenix was the love interest of The Phantom and you get the feeling that he was obsessing over her.  And y'know, it's hard for me to pinpoint why The Phantom obsessed over her but I believe it has to do with the fact that she was one of the only people to show Winslow any inkling of kindness.  And you may recall  how I mentioned that the first "rehearsal"  was actually an orgy.  Well, it's funny to note but after Swan made her famous, she ate it up and became a completely different person.  Just going to show how fame can change someone.  

Beef played by Gerrit Graham

Beef  is a character that you are either going to love or hate for how goofy and over the top, he is.  I fall into the latter category because I feel his character really added nothing to the film except to be a part of the film's body count. Though I'll admit that I did get a chuckle out of this.

And honestly, how does one react to something like that.

The Juicy Fruits/The Beach Bums/The Undeads played by Archie Hahn, Jeffery Comanor, & Peter Elbling

These characters are minor at best and as I mentioned when describing the plot, when describing the plot, they are a reflection of the constant change in music.  This  is a stunt pulled by Swan, they start out as The Juicy Fruits,  a nostalgic 50's doo wop band and then we see them again, they are more along the lines of The Beach Boys and after the Phantom's stunt, where he tries to kill everyone in the Paradise,  Swan changes them into The Undeads.  A band whose looks reminds me of a blend of Alice Cooper and KISS. 

Music

Goodbye Eddie, Goodbye

Not exactly the type of song, you expect when you hear about something based on Phantom but in many ways, this number foreshadows the events to come in the film. The lyrics and the message/tone of the song perfectly clash with each other.

Faust (Winslow)

Winslow  does not have the best voice but oh my god,  this song, this song,   I love this song.  It is just so hauntingly beautiful.  You can just feel the raw emotion that Winslow put into this performance and like our previous song from The Juicy Fruits, it foreshadows events in the film as Winslow is singing of how he'd sell his soul for one love to sing his song.

Never Thought I'd Get To Meet The Devil

This one is short,  too short to leave an impression.  It's sung by Winslow and I get the impression here, the  Devil, he's referring to is actually Swan.

Upholstery

What an odd little ditty.  The Juicy Fruits are now The Beach Bums and this song as you'll notice with these characters has a feeling of being manufactured. They don't sound  organic or true when compared to Winslow's singing.   It's just a cash in.

Special To Me

I like this number because of Phoenix's performance.  I find that she really hits it out of the park with this number.  It's a pretty good ballad, just saying that you better treat me right.

Faust (Swan)

Grr,  I am so torn. I both love and hate this song at the same.  Love it because Paul Williams, it's Paul Williams.  This man has a great voice but at the same time, the version sung by Winslow is sadder and what's kinda funny is that is The Phantom but with Swan's voice, that's how it sounds whenever he sings after Swan puts a voice box on him.   I want to hate it because of what it represents in the film and how Winslow's work was changed but Paul Williams is good.  I don't know how to feel about this song. 

The Phantom's Theme (Beauty and The Beast)

This number is just tragic.  It's sad and sums up what has happened to The Phantom at this point.  He has lost everything that ever meant anything to him and through no fault of his own.  He was just walked on and betrayed by people in a higher position then him.

Somebody Super Like You

And now The Beach Bums are The Undeads.  This song,  I get it's purpose but I can't say that I like it. I just find it to be annoying.   The way it's sung grates on me.  I honestly can't explain why but I don't like this one.

Life At Last






Yeah,  I really don't much care for this one.  It's Beef's big number but I already went over that I don't like Beef and this song is just forgettable to me.



Old Souls

This one isn't bad but I think Special To Me is better when comparing Phoenix's two big numbers.   This one is just lacking in something.   I don't know what it is but there is something holding me back from truly liking this number. It's not bad, far from it but it comes up short.


The Hell of It






This is more like it, this song really picks it up.  This is a great song to leave your audience with and I almost feel like this song is about Swan in how it's better to die alone then to be stuck with you. And you get the impression that no one will miss Swan.



Villains


Philbin played by George Memmoli

Philbin didn't really have much of a character in the film other then being a tough guy that served as Swan's right-hand man and lackey.  That's pretty much it.



Swan played by Paul Williams

Swan is a great character, who is more deep then people would give him credit for. He is cold, cunning and calculated.  I was honestly surprised that the same person who wrote Rainbow Connection could play such a cold and heartless villain but then I remembered that he played The Penguin.  (funny, he's played two villains named after birds).   Though I'll say this, I think Swan is more intimidating then The Penguin.  And there are two reasons,  I say this, he carries himself in such a cold and ruthless manner and the voice.  Williams' voice, when not singing in this film spent chills down my spine.  You can be sure that when I do my countdown of musical villains later this week, Swan will be on this list.   Also, Swan's face melting when the footage was destroyed is as one of the creepiest moments in the film.

There is one other moment that I need to bring up that just made me chuckle, when Swan was looking for someone to replace Phoenix, his desk was a record.

This is just so silly and over the top.


Favorite/Least Favorite


Man, this is tough but for Favorite.  It's a tie between both versions of Faust because of how good they are.  They are easily the best songs from the film and show the emotion of the characters perfectly.  Least Favorite,  I have to go with Life At Last.  I just think it's pretty boring.



My Final Thoughts


This is a great film,  this film is just so much fun.  All of the characters are likable and both The Phantom and Swan are creepy.   You guys need to check this one out.  Well, we only have two more musicals to go. Join me tomorrow as I review...


The Rocky Horror Picture Show