“The music made him do it!”

Join us at the Rio Theatre on Monday, October 28 for a Brian De Palma double bill featuring a 50th Anniversary screening of the 1974 rock opera THE PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE followed by the new 4K restoration of CARRIE.

De Palma’s cult-classic is a fan-favourite rock opera that finds itself somewhere between Phantom Of The Opera and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe‘s Faust. After record producer Swan (Paul Williams, who also wrote the acclaimed score in addition to numerous other 70s staples including A STAR IS BORN‘s Oscar-winning “Evergreen” and “The Rainbow Connection”) steals the music of songwriter Winslow Leach (William Finley) and gives it to one of his bands, Leach sneaks into Swan’s offices. Catching Leach, Swan frames him for dealing drugs, which lands him in prison. After Leach breaks out and again attempts to sabotage Swan’s empire, an accident crushes his face. Leach then dons a costume and becomes the Phantom, intent on ruining Swan while saving singer Phoenix (legendary scream queen Jessica Harper) from a terrible fate.

“A crazy, savage film — iconoclastic and truly liberating.” (TIME Magazine)

“It’s a knowing, satirical look at the still-nascent rock music industry, a Faust-inspired riff on the urban legend about singers selling their souls to the devil.” (Movie Maker Magazine)

“De Palma, who can’t tell a plain story, does something that a couple of generations of student and underground filmmakers have been trying to do and nobody else has ever brought off. He creates a new Guignol, in a modern idiom.” (New Yorker)

“It seems amazing that a film conceived and developed with such sophisticated filmic artistry could indulge in so much broad, even coarse humor. But there’s no denying that Phantom of the Paradise is a visual triumph with much exciting music.” (Los Angeles Times)

As always, audience costumes are very welcome – and encouraged!

Monday, October 28
Doors 5:50 pm | Movie 6:20 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Tickets HERE

Why not make it a De Palma double with both PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE followed by the new restoration of CARRIE for one De Sweet price HERE?

PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE (Brian De Palma, 1974 / 92 mins / 14A)  A disfigured composer sells his soul for the woman he loves so that she will perform his music. However, an evil record tycoon betrays him and steals his music to open his rock palace, “The Paradise.”

*Minors OK. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service.
*Rio Theatre Groupons and passes OK for any single film only. Please redeem at the door.
*We recommend purchasing your tickets in advance at www.riotheatretickets.ca. If a screening or live event is not sold out, the remaining tickets will be available for in-person purchase at the Rio Theatre’s Box Office prior to showtime (subject to availability).
*Our box office is typically open 30 minutes before showtime. All seating is General Admission; please arrive 20-30 minutes prior to showtime to ensure great seats, and time for treats at concession.
*If you are looking to redeem either a Rio Theatre gift certificate or Groupon to any regular Rio Theatre screening: You can either email us in advance <[email protected]> and give us a “heads up,” or do it at the box office prior to showtime.

*All Rio Theatre tickets are final sale.