Paul Williams: Where is the Love?

[El Dingo]

I was first introduced to Paul Williams' music via "Phantom of the Paradise".

I would listen to that soundtrack over and over again, relishing the vocals of Gerrit Graham, William Finley and Paul Williams himself. The mix of 70's rock, metal, California surfer, love ballads and even 1920's pop was innovative and damn catchy.

Then he wrote the music for 'Bugsy Malone' (which no one but me has ever seen, apparently), 'A Star is Born' ('Evergreen' won an Oscar) and 'The Muppet movie'.

"Rainbow Connection" is played for every freakin' Jim Henson tribute but no one mentions the guy who wrote it.

He also has a string of hits for The Carpenters ("You and Me Against the World", "Rainy Days and Mondays", "We've Only Just Begun", "I Won't Last a Day Without You") and Three Dog Night ("Just an Old Fashioned Love Song", "Family of Man")

So - Just showing some love for a vastly under-appreciated composer that profoundly affected my appreciation of music.

[Drunk Monk]

you crazeee

:axe:

[thatguy]

+1 for Bugsy Malone and especially the music (and the pedal cars, and the splurge guns....)

Here it is in it's entirety if you want to watch it on your little computer screens:

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--tg

[thatguy]

Oh, BTW: we're you somehow referencing this documentary from a few months ago:

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--tg

[Greg_phpbb3_import1]

No mention of Smokey and the Bandit? Cheesetastic! (Probably my favorite film of all time when it came out. Then I had a birthday and it all cleared up)

[Drunk Monk]

I'm just sayin...

you all crazee

mt016

[El Dingo]

Oh, BTW: we're you somehow referencing this documentary from a few months ago:

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--tg

Wow! I didn't even know about that one! Added to Netflix queue (when released).

No - what kicked it off was watching a documentary on Jim Henson. They played 'Rainbow Connection' fifty times and never mentioned Paul Williams name.

I'm not sure I ever saw Smokey and the Bandit. I forgot he was in "Battle for the Planet of the Apes".

He is 50 shades of awesome.

Glad I'm not the only one who remembers 'Bugsy Malone'. That movie could not be released today. Children shooting at each other, adult-flavored romance and barely-concealed sexual innuendo (all in good fun), glamourized crime...I have no idea why it didn't do well in theaters.

[thatguy]

Glad I'm not the only one who remembers 'Bugsy Malone'. That movie could not be released today. Children shooting at each other, adult-flavored romance and barely-concealed sexual innuendo (all in good fun), glamourized crime...I have no idea why it didn't do well in theaters.

It was one of Alan Parker's early films. Scott Baio, Jodie Foster, that kid who was on "Fish" with Abe Vigoda...My best friend growing up had the soundtrack and I knew all the songs by heart. W/o the movie, they are all in Paul Williams' voice (except the girl vocalists).

Here, you'll enjoy this:

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--tg

[thatguy]

Ok, how does this grab you:

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‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ Heading For The Stage

EXCLUSIVE: Pan’s Labyrinth is taking shape as a stage musical. The 2006 Guillermo del Toro-directed film is about a young stepdaughter of a sadistic army officer who finds refuge and terror in a fantasy world in 1944 Fascist Spain. The stage version already has a book that has been written by del Toro and Jeremy Ungar. Paul Williams has just been signed to write the lyrics. Gustavo Santaolalla, who twice won Oscars for composing the scores for Brokeback Mountain and Babel, is writing the music. Robert Fox is producing with del Toro and Gary Ungar.

Del Toro has been working quietly on this for four years, interviewing directors, librettists and composers. Del Toro, Williams and Santaolalla are also working on songs for the animated Reel FX film Day Of The Dead, which is in advanced stages of production.

“I admire and love Gustavo and Paul wrote the perfect album in Phantom Of The Paradise, which I have loved for decades,” said del Toro, who just wrapped Pacific Rim for Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros and who’ll next direct the haunted house tale Crimson Peak for Legendary.

Said Santaolalla: “I’m so excited about translating Guillermo’s magical vision into music and songs. I’m such a longtime fan of both Guillermo and Paul that to work on this with them is truly a dream come true.”

Fox, the London-based producer whose credits include everything from The Boy From Oz, The Pillowman, Frost/Nixon to Burn This and Gypsy, has set as general managers Bespoke Theatrical’s Nina Lannan and Maggie Brohn.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Guillermo and the terrific creative team that we have put together to bring the wonderful film of Pan’s Labyrinth to the stage as a musical,” Fox said.

--tg

[Greg_phpbb3_import1]

Mr. Williams was on the Nerdist podcast this week. In case you missed it: Paul Williams Podcast

[Greg_phpbb3_import1]

I follow the John Scalzi blog 'Whatever'. Over the weekend, they had a a debate about the meaning of one of the lines in the song. Here is the link: Whatever

How can you be forgotten if they are talking about you on a popular scifi blog? Mr. Williams heard about the debate and chimed in via twitter.

[El Dingo]

I follow the John Scalzi blog 'Whatever'. Over the weekend, they had a a debate about the meaning of one of the lines in the song. Here is the link: Whatever

How can you be forgotten if they are talking about you on a popular scifi blog? Mr. Williams heard about the debate and chimed in via twitter.

[Greg_phpbb3_import1]

I saw this and thought of ED. There is a new release of Phantom and it has a 70 minute interview between Paul and Guillermo Del Torro.

Phantom Release

[El Dingo]

I saw this and thought of ED. There is a new release of Phantom and it has a 70 minute interview between Paul and Guillermo Del Torro.

Phantom Release

Thanks for the heads-up. I haven't upgraded my DVD to Blu-ray yet so this works out perfectly.

[Greg]

Since this is the official "non-official" Phantom of the Paradise thread, I thought I should post this here.

I was watching The Old Man Tv show on FX last night(review to come. Haven't finished) and I thought I recognized the actress that plays John Lithgow's wife. I hit up IMDB and sure enough John Lithgow's wife played Phoenix in Phantom of the Paradise. Jessica Harper is the actress. But she looked familiar for another reason as well. Harper also played KC Downing in My Wonderful Year.

Who knew? Besides everyone?