Original subtitles

Swan.

He has no other name.

His past is a mystery,

but his work is already a legend.

He wrote and produced his first gold record at 14.

In the years since then, he has won so many others

that he once tried to deposit them in Fort Knox.

He brought the blues to Britain.

He brought Liverpool to America.

He brought folk and rock together.

His band, the Juicy Fruits,

single-handedly gave birth to the nostalgia wave of the '70s.

Now he is looking for the new sound of the spheres

to inaugurate his own Xanadu,

his own Disneyland,

the Paradise,

the ultimate rock palace.

This film is the story of that search,

of that sound,

of the man who made it, the girl who sang it,

and the monster who stole it.

♪ We'll remember you ♪

♪ Forever, Eddie ♪

♪ Through the sacrifice You made ♪

♪ We can't believe The price you paid ♪

♪ For love ♪

♪ For love ♪

♪ For love ♪

♪ Little Eddie Mitty Born in jersey city ♪

♪ Started singing When he was five ♪

♪ Never knew his father And mother didn't bother?

♪ To catch his last name Fast as he came ♪

♪ He was off and flyin' Times were really tryin'?? ♪

♪ Eddie and his mother alone ♪

♪ Soon another mister And soon a baby sister ♪

♪ Mama kept swingin' And Eddie kept singin' ♪

♪ For love ♪

♪ For love ♪ ♪ And now the tragic story. ♪

♪ Eddie's sister, Mary Louise, ♪

♪ needed an operation. ♪

♪ To get the money he would have ♪ ♪ to become an overnight sensation. ♪

♪ Had wonderful, love-giving hearts. ♪

♪ His well-publicised end ♪ ♪ he considered would send ♪

♪ his memorial album ♪ ♪ to the top of the charts. ♪

♪ When a young singer dies, ♪ ♪ to our shock and surprise, ♪

♪ in a plane crash or a flashy sports car, ♪

♪ he becomes quite well-known ♪ ♪ and the kindness he's shown ♪

♪ has made more than one ♪ ♪ post-mortem star. ♪

♪ And though it's hard to applaud suicide, ♪

♪ you gave all you could give ♪ ♪ so your sister could live. ♪

♪ All America's choked up inside, man. ♪

♪ We'll remember you forever, Eddie ♪

♪ Through the sacrifice you made ♪

♪ We can't believe the price you paid ♪

♪ For love ♪

♪ For love ♪

♪ For love ♪

♪ For love ♪

♪ For love ♪

You know, it just seems like yesterday I found Annette in that church choir.

I got her singing lessons. I taught her how to dress.

I got her her first club job, and I paid off a columnist.

He did a beautiful story on her.

I taught her who to be nice to, who to...

I fed her the drugs to get her through the road tours.

I made her record a hit. Then I sold her to you.

You made her the biggest thing in rock. So now what does she do?

She fires us, cancels her Vegas date,

and wants to give free concerts for starving gook orphans.

She was more than a piece to me. She was the light of my life.

And now she's gone.

There will be a 20-minute intermission before the next show.

We sued her. We couldn't lose.

We had her in an ironclad contract.

It was a lock. It was over. It was closed.

I even bribed the judge.

He ruled against us. Said we couldn't sign anyone to a life contract.

Said we were a disgrace to the profession.

A disgrace, he said!

I was the one that made her the money-grubbing whore that she was,

and he calls me a disgrace.

What do you want me to do?

Break her.

- Is that all? - Isn't that enough?

Annette is nothing, finished, washed up.

But she's at the top of the charts.

That's today, Philbin, today. Tomorrow she'll be forgotten.

Besides, we have more important business, you and I: The Paradise.

I know, boss. We've looked everywhere. You just don't seem to...

Listen.

What?

♪ Out of place as a crying clown Who could only frown ♪

♪ And the play went on For hours ♪

♪ And as I lived my role ♪

♪ I swore I'd sell my soul For one love ♪

♪ Who would stand by me ♪

♪ And give them back The gift of laughter ♪

♪ Yeah, one love ♪

♪ Who would stand by me ♪

♪ And after makin' love We'd dream ♪

♪ A bit of style ♪

♪ We'd dream A bunch of friends ♪

♪ Dream each other's smiles ♪

♪ And dream it never ends ♪

♪ I was not myself last night In the mornin' light ♪

♪ I could see The change was showin' ♪

♪ Like a child Who was always poor Reachin' out for more ♪

♪ I could feel The hunger growin' ♪

♪ And as I lost control ♪

♪ I swore I'd sell my soul For one love ♪

- That's it. - What?

The music to open the Paradise.

After all these years, I've finally found it.

You want that creep to open the Paradise?

No, not him. The music. Listen to the music.

What do I do with him?

You'll think of something.

♪ Dream a bunch of friends ♪

♪ Dream each other's smiles ♪

♪ All my dreams are lost ♪

♪ And I can't sleep ♪

♪ And sleep alone could ease my mind ♪

♪ And I can't weep ♪

♪ Old emotions ♪

♪ May they rest in peace ♪

♪ And dream, dream a bunch of friends ♪

♪ Rest in peace ♪

♪ And dream, dream it never ends ♪

- Mr Leach? - Hello?

- Yeah. My name's Arnold Philbin. - Hello.

Look, I scout talent for Swan,

and, uh, he's interested in your stuff.

- The Swan? - That's right.

- He said your sound could be real big. - Did he really say that?

I was sitting right next to him.

If Mr Swan would produce my music, the whole world would listen to me.

The game plan exactly.

But you need a lot of work, a lot of polishing.

Oh, I know, Mr Philbin. I... I have a long way to go.

Right. Now, do you have any tapes of your stuff?

No, but it's all written down here.

Well, why don't you give us just two or three of the really good up numbers...

Two or three up numbers? You don't understand.

The scope of this cantata is 200 or 300 pages long, and I haven't finished yet.

Well, never mind the sonata. We just want the songs.

It's not just songs. It's more. It's much more.

I don't get you, kid.

Well, it's a whole series of songs that tell the story of Faust.

- Who? - Faust.

What label's he on?

Faust was a legendary German magician who sold his soul to the devil

for worldly experience and power.

What is this, kid, school time? I got a plane to catch.

Look, a song is a song. You either dig it or you don't.

Now, I like your stuff, kid. I think it's terrific.

- You know what? - What?

I think the Juicy Fruits are gonna dig it.

- The Juicy Fruits? - I'm not promising anything. First...

I'm not gonna let my music be mutilated by those grease balls!

I'm the only one that can sing "Faust"!

Relax, kid. It was just an idea.

Swan makes all these decisions, you know?

I'm... I'm sorry. I...

It's just that I've worked so hard on this thing.

Uh, it's OK, kid.

Boy, you sure got some temper.

I'm sorry. I don't know what comes over me.

It's all right. Just relax. Take it easy.

Why don't you give me the music, Swan'll take a look at it on the plane,

and we'll get right back to you.

But if you ask me, I think we're gonna produce your first album.

Really?

Hello. I'm Winslow Leach.

Yes?

Mr Philbin said Mr Swan was gonna call me about producing my first record.

Mr Philbin said he'd get right back to me. That was a month ago.

One moment, please.

Taxi! Taxi, taxi!

Follow that car.

♪ Never thought I'd get to meet the devil ♪

♪ Never thought I'd meet him face to face ♪

♪ Heard he always worked alone ♪

♪ And that he seldom wrote or used a phone ♪

♪ So I walked right up to meet him at his place ♪

♪ All my dreams ♪

♪ I can't sleep ♪

♪ All my dreams are lost ♪

♪ Oh-oh-oh all my tears have dried ♪

♪ And I can't weep ♪

- ♪ Old emotions ♪ - Where'd you get that song?

Well, I got it from Philbin to audition with.

Sing it again.

- Why? - Go ahead, sing it.

♪ All my dreams are lost ♪

♪ And I can't sleep ♪

♪ Sleep alone Could ease my mind ♪

♪ All my tears have dried ♪

♪ And I can't weep ♪

♪ Old emotions ♪

♪ May they rest ♪

♪ In peace ♪

♪ And dream ♪

That's incredible.

- How'd you know it went like that? - I wrote the song.

If you wrote this stuff,

then why aren't you in there with Swan auditioning the singers?

I don't know. There must be some mix-up.

Oh, sure.

They must not know who you are. Your name's not on the music.

Well, that's funny. Swan heard me sing that song.

Why is he auditioning girls for my cantata? I only sing it solo.

- Haven't you heard? - What?

- He's opening the Paradise with it. - You're kidding!

Do I look like a kidder?

He's opening the Paradise with my cantata?

- Yes. Isn't that great? - Gee, I wish he'd told me.

He's just auditioning girls for a backup chorus.

But you're really a fine singer.

You shouldn't waste your time singing in a chorus.

I don't care where I sing this music.

Hey, look, could you help me?

I know I can sing these songs better than anybody.

And with your help, I'm sure I could get a part in the chorus.

Sure, I'd love to help you.

You're not just doing this to be nice, are you?

I would never let my personal desires influence my aesthetic judgment.

Wh... What's that mean?

- It means I think you're terrific. - Do you?

Hey! All right, let's everybody get in line.

Gotta quick it up a little bit. Move in quietly.

One, two, three, four!

Come on, come on. Five, six, seven, eight!

Oh, wait, wait. Wait a minute. Wait a minute.

- Stop. What's that? A boyfriend? - I'm Winslow Leach, the composer.

That's great. But Swan's only seeing girls today.

- But I have to see him. - Don't give me a hard time.

If you want to see Swan, call and make an appointment.

- I did that, and they threw me out. - Then they don't want to see you.

But I wrote the music.

Look, why don't you just get out of here!

- Winslow, I'll tell him you're out here. - OK. I'll wait for you.

Good luck.

Why won't he just let me sing?

- That was awful! - What's the matter?

Philbin tried to... I just can't do it. I came here to sing.

- That doesn't sound like an audition. - Leave me alone!

Did you tell him who I am? What's your name?

Hey, come here, buddy!

Do you guys know where a good department store is?

Yeah. We'll take you. We'll go right now.

When do we get to sing?

I don't think much singing goes on around here.

I've been here 12 times and I still don't get to sing.

I just get to come back.

- What do you do here? - You'll see.

- Can't you sing on your back? - I've never tried.

Well, if you can sing standing up, you can sing lying down.

- Oh! Ah! - Why don't you take your slip off?

No, I'm saving it for Swan.

He won't miss anything if you do it now.

- You're being auditioned right now. - What do you mean?

- The whole place is bugged. - You're kidding.

No, Swan's watching us right now.

- Come here. - What are you doing?

- Swan likes to watch us. - Watch us doing what?

- Doing each other. - Really?

- That's how he gets turned on. - Does he like blondes?

I like blondes.

Do you mind? I hate to bother you,

but, that's right... oh, just hold me close.

I just... Oh, I just need someone to help me warm my voice up.

- Swan! - Swan!

Oh, Mr Swan. You remember me. I'm Winslow Leach.

Swan! Swan!

Swan!

Over here, Swan.

Swan! Swan!

Oh, Swan! Swan! Oh, Swan!

Get this fag out of here.

Mr Swan, it's me, Winslow. Don't you remember?

I gave Mr Philbin a copy of my cantata... you know, "Faust".

You were supposed to look at it and do it.

And you're auditioning girls for my cantata!

I'm Winslow Leach! I wrote it!

Hey, where are you going with me? Hey, Swan!

- Oh, Swan. - Telephone.

Hey! Hey!

- That's him! - What do you think you're doing?

- Nothing. - What are you, some kind of pervert?

No, sir. I'm, I'm... I'm Winslow Leach, the composer.

What are you doing outside the Swanage?

Listen, officers you've gotta help me.

Mr Swan's got my music, and he's pretending he doesn't know me.

He had me thrown out of the mansion and beaten up.

Didn't want to buy what you had to sell, did he?

He... He didn't say anything about buying anything.

Hey, Jack, what's that he got in his purse?

I don't know, Joe. Why don't you take a look?

- I think I will. - Mr Swan said he had it on him.

What do you know? Smack, Jack.

Do you know what you could get for pushing in this state?

Life!

But I'm innocent! Swan stole my music and framed me!

One, two, three, four! One, two, three, four!

Welcome to Sing Sing.

We are very fortunate to be included here

in the Dental Health Research program.

This is a volunteer program me funded by the Swan Foundation.

You are all volunteers.

All your teeth will be pulled.

Teeth are a source of infection,

and it pays to be on the safe side.

Sir, pardon me? I'm not a volunteer.

I'm innocent. I don't want you to take my teeth out.

Oh. How many men here are innocent?

Raise your hands.

All innocent.

And good morning, everybody.

This is Windy Greg here on WCHT.

Well, Swan has another golden disc to deposit in Fort Knox.

His fabulous group, the Juicy Fruits, on the Death label,

has taken the charts by storm.

And get this, kids. Friday night, you can see the Juicy Fruits live

at the grand opening of the Paradise.

That's right. Swan's rock palace is scheduled to open at last,

and with this dynamite sound.

So let's hear it again. The Juicy Fruits singing Swan's "Faust".

Never!

Never!

Hey, get away from that record press!

OK, let's move this ladder.

What's that?

I take the tyre and I shove it right in his mouth.

Then he really gets mad at me, you know?

Look.

All right, this is the last time we're gonna go through it.

You see Swan up there? He's listening.

He's watching this whole thing, so don't make me look bad again.

All right, watch the microphones.

I want to see plenty of movement up there.

Harold, you leave her alone. Put her down!

All right, come on, let's get going. Will ya, please?

All right, look...

♪ Carburettors, man. ♪

♪ That's what life is all about. ♪

♪ That's what life is all about ♪

♪ That's what life is all about ♪

♪ That's what life is all about ♪

♪ That's what it's all about ♪

Come on, let's get it going over here.

Come on, that's it. Get the car over there.

All right, girls. Just a second, Linda.

You got a very nice body and everything, and you're wearing a bikini.

We wanna see some skin, Linda.

Hey, it's cold. This is just a rehearsal.

- You're not getting paid to be clothed. - Don't touch me, Philbin!

- Look, you wanna get paid? - Yeah, I wanna get paid.

Get back on the car.

All right, come on, let's move it out here.

- That's it. Come on. Let's get it on. - ♪ ...close to me ♪

That's it.

Gotta get some clean girls, here.

- Where do you think you're going? - I gotta get out of here.

- What are you talking about? - What sign are you?

- Leo. So what? - You're OK.

- I gotta get out of here. - Come on. Come with me.

I swear to God. You see Swan sitting in that box up there?

- Yeah, right. - Well, he doesn't show it or anything,

but right now he's thinking, "Why isn't Harold in the car?"

Now, if he comes down here, do you really want me to tell him

that it's not in the stars for you to ride off the stage in this car, Harold?

No, Philbin, I just don't feel good, man.

You're gonna feel a lot worse, Harold, if you don't do what I tell ya.

I've got this headache, and I hear this ticking going on, you know?

Ticking? Maybe something's loose up there.

No, there's something weird round here.

Here, take one of these.

Do you have any water I can take these with?

Just take the pills. Come on, get it down.

- You feeling better? - Yeah, I feel better now.

No more ticking? All right, get out there.

All right, come on, get this car out, let's go, come on!

All right, girls, I want big smiles now. Look out at the audience.

That's it. Big smile.

Sing the song. That's it.

♪ That's supposed to be what our life is all about ♪

♪ Upholstery ♪

♪ When my baby sits up close to me ♪

♪ that's supposed to be... ♪

♪ What life is all about ♪

♪ Upholstery ♪

♪ When my baby sits up close to me ♪

♪ That's supposed to be ♪

Why, Winslow, good to see you.

Been looking for you everywhere.

Killing me won't help you.

My God, you're horrible. Don't rush off.

Look at yourself. Look at yourself!

What's that horrible sound you're making? Can't you talk?

Look around you, Winslow.

You've destroyed your face, your voice...

And now you're trying to destroy the Paradise.

Haven't we all had enough?

I can give you the power to create again.

I can make you somebody.

We're going to have to start all over again, Winslow,

only this time working together instead of against each other.

The time for your sound is now.

People are going to want to hear your music.

I mean what I say.

Tomorrow I'll put a whole new group together who'll do your songs your way.

You don't have to believe me.

Come to the auditions and see for yourself.

Trust me!

Trust me.

♪ Caught up in your simple feelin' ♪

♪ Got no time for simple feelin' ♪

- Next. - ♪ Thought I knew you, but I don't... ♪

- Now, what's your name, sweetheart? - Phoenix.

All right, let's see what you got.

Do I get to sing this time?

Oh, you mean you're really a singer?

- Yes, I'm a singer. - Well, try to forget it.

We're not looking for singers. We're looking for screamers.

I'm not a screamer. I'm a singer.

Phoenix.

Swan here.

I want you to answer a question for me.

Yes?

What would you give me to sing?

Anything you wanted.

Anything?

Would you give me... your voice?

Try me.

♪ Caught up in your wheelin', dealin' ♪

♪ You've got no time left for simple feelin' ♪

♪ I thought I knew you ♪

♪ But I didn't know you at all ♪

♪ Trapped inside your world of worry ♪

♪ You miss so much when you always hurry ♪

♪ Well, slow down, baby ♪

♪ You'll only get hurt if you fall ♪

♪ Well, you told me one time that you'd be somebody ♪

♪ That you weren't workin' just to survive ♪

♪ But you're workin' so hard ♪

♪ That you don't even know you're alive ♪

♪ Workin' so hard to be somebody special ♪

♪ Well, you're special to me, babe ♪

♪ And what I don't see, babe ♪

♪ Is where you go once you arrive ♪

♪ Where we go once we arrive ♪

♪ Then all the evil that takes possession ♪

♪ Until your pipe dreams become obsessions ♪

♪ You scare me, baby ♪

♪ And we should have nothing to fear ♪

♪ I'm no child but I can't help wonderin' ♪

♪ It seems like some kind of spell you're under ♪

♪ You're listening, baby ♪

♪ But somehow you don't really hear ♪

♪ Well, you told me one time that you'd be somebody ♪

♪ That you weren't workin' just to survive ♪

♪ But you're workin' so hard ♪

♪ That you don't even know you're alive ♪

♪ Workin' so hard to be somebody special ♪

♪ Well, you're special to me, babe ♪

♪ But what I don't see, babe ♪

- ♪ Is where we go once we arrive ♪ - She's good, isn't she?

- ♪ Where you go once you arrive ♪ - Then let's talk.

♪ Out of place as a cryin' clown who could only frown ♪

♪ And the play went on for hours ♪

♪ And as I lived my role ♪

♪ I swore I'd sell my soul for one love ♪

♪ Who would stand by me ♪

♪ And give me back the gift of laughter ♪

♪ One love ♪

♪ Who would stand by me ♪

♪ And after makin' love we'd dream ♪

♪ A bit of style ♪

♪ Dream a bunch of friends ♪

♪ Dream each other's smiles ♪

♪ Dream it never ends ♪

Filters.

♪ I was not myself last night in the morning light ♪

♪ I could see the change was showing ♪

Dolby's.

♪ Like a child who was always Poor, reaching out for more ♪

- Perfect. - ♪ I could feel The hunger growing ♪

♪ And as I lost control ♪

♪ I swore I'd sell my soul... ♪

How's that? Try it.

Phoenix.

- Try it again. - Phoenix.

- And again. - Phoenix.

Well, at least you can talk with this.

You can plug yourself into the console for singing.

You really think she's that good?

She's too good for you.

I'll hire her anyway.

She could be my voice now.

- Oh, could she? Really? - Yes.

Then let's get down to business.

I want you to stop terrorising the Paradise

and rewrite your cantata for Phoenix.

That way we both get what we want.

You get your cantata sung by the right singer,

- and I open Paradise. - Rewrite my cantata?

We have no time to waste. Just one week.

You must lock yourself up in here and do nothing but write.

I could write it for her.

Yes, it will be performed here live, and Phoenix will star.

My cantata? For her?

I'll get fantastic musicians. The hall has great acoustics.

I don't trust you, Swan. You've ruined my music before.

Forget about the Juicy Fruits.

Who wants nostalgia anymore?

- I don't trust you. - You don't have to.

Here's a contract. Everything I've said and more is in it.

- I'll read it. - At your leisure.

"Party of the first part gives the party of the second part and his associates"

"full power to do with him at their pleasure,"

"to rule, to send, to fetch, or carry him or his,"

"be it either body, soul, flesh, blood or goods."

- What does that mean? - That's a transportation clause.

"All art..."

"All articles which are excluded shall be deemed included."

What does that mean?

That's a clause to protect you, Winslow.

Anyway, what difference does it make?

What choice do you have?

I'll rewrite my cantata.

But you best play what I write.

Ink isn't worth anything to me, Winslow.

Now sign.

Excellent.

And now we're in business.

Together... forever.

I'll rewrite my cantata,

but you best play what I write.

Ink isn't worth anything to me, Winslow.

Now sign.

Excellent.

Now we're in business together... forever.

♪ Half asleep I hear a voice ♪

♪ Is it only in my mind ♪

♪ Or is it someone calling me ♪

♪ Someone I failed and left behind ♪

♪ To work it out I let them in ♪

♪ All the good guys and the bad guys ♪

♪ That I've been ♪

♪ All the devils that disturb me ♪

♪ And the angels that defeated them somehow ♪

- ♪ Come together in me now ♪ - Tasty, Winslow. Tasty.

I know, boss, but I thought you liked her.

I do. She's perfect.

But you know how I abhor perfection in anyone but myself.

Then Phoenix is out?

No, not out, just a backup singer.

No, my cantata needs something really... heavy.

♪ Half asleep I hear a voice ♪

♪ I hear a voice ♪ ♪ I hear a voice ♪

♪ Is it only in my mind ♪

- No, no. - ♪ Or is there someone calling me ♪

- ♪ Someone I've failed and left behind ♪ - Wrong. Wrong again.

♪ To work it out I let them in ♪

♪ All the good guys and the bad guys ♪

♪ That I've been ♪

Pretty, but... no.

♪ All the devils that disturb me ♪

♪ And the angels that defeated ♪

♪ Them somehow ♪

No.

♪ Come together in me now ♪

There's something he'll like.

♪ Like a circus ♪

♪ On parade ♪

♪ Seldom close enough to see ♪

♪ I wander through an angry crowd ♪

♪ And wonder what's become of me ♪

♪ To work it out I let them in ♪

♪ All the good guys and the bad guys ♪

♪ That I've been ♪

♪ All the devils that disturb me ♪

♪ And the angels that defeated them somehow ♪

♪ Come together in me now ♪

How come they get to shoot Swan and we don't get to take any pictures?

Because they've got exclusive rights to his life.

Where's he coming in from?

Transylvania. My boss'll go anywhere for a new sound.

Remember, no pictures of Swan!

Gentlemen, I want to tell you of our latest work.

It's an opera. A kind of pop cantata.

It was written by the late Winslow Leach.

It tells the story of a young man who sells his soul to the devil

to become a pop star.

It will be the first rock version of "Faust".

We'll be recording at the Paradise, uh, Friday night.

Live on the Death label.

- Mr Swan, Mr Swan... - Mr Preiser.

Yeah, Mr Swan, who's gonna be singing this - the Juicy Fruits?

No, no. They're a reflection of the past.

Gentlemen, I give you the future.

Beef.

Winslow.

- Winslow. - What?

- Good morning. - Hi.

- What day is it? - Thursday. Today is Thursday.

- Breakfast. - Ah.

A little pick-me-up.

Uh, how's it coming? I don't mean to rush you, of course.

Don't worry. It'll be finished.

How's Phoenix doing? I can't wait to hear her sing.

Phoenix is doing beautifully. Can't wait to meet you, by the way.

Tomorrow night's the big night.

Tomorrow night.

♪ Why do you try ♪

♪ Why you got to ♪

Man, you better get yourself a castrato for this,

'cause it's a little out of my range.

Something bothering you, Beef?

Swan, this was scored for a chick!

I'm not doing it in drag.

You can sing it better than any bitch.

You don't know how right you are, Goliath.

OK, boys. From the bridge. Hit it.

♪ Our paths crossed and parted ♪

♪ ♪ This love affair was started

♪ Long, long ago ♪

♪ Oh, this love survives the ages ♪

♪ And in its story lives are pages ♪

♪ Fill 'em up may ours turn slow ♪

♪ Whoa, whoa ♪

- Who says I can't sing it? - I like it. Keep working on it.

Drop an octave here, change a line there.

Give it a beat. Make it completely yours.

- Let's go. - Far out.

Doesn't that kind of change the whole thing?

You heard what he said. Make it yours.

As long as it sounds good, nobody's gonna care what it's about.

- Is that so? - Nobody cares what anything's about.

- Is that right? - Who the hell listens to lyrics anyway?

Dry up, tubbo.

Seal it now.

This creep gets no comps.

My music! Swan!

- What was that? - What was what?

Oh, I knew I shouldn't be screwing around with a dead man's music.

This place is... possessed.

What are you talking about?

You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek?

That was something trying to get out of its premature grave,

and I don't want to be here when it does.

Opening night prima Donnas.

Look. Iron man, if you're so uptight, take a shower and cool off.

My pleasure... Bones.

♪ Life at last ♪

♪ Salutations from the other side ♪

♪ I can see that you're the devil's pride ♪

♪ Do you realize that all of you donated something horrible ♪

♪ You hated that was part of you ♪

♪ Well, I'm your nightmares comin' true ♪

♪ I am your crime ♪

♪ Whoo, life at last ♪

♪ Sit and listen while the fun begins ♪

♪ Hearts are broken bad guy wins ♪

♪ Sit and listen all the cuttin' up is easy ♪

♪ And it isn't for the queasy or the weak of heart ♪

♪ Well, you had better start for home ♪

♪ While there's still time... ♪

Never sing my music again. Not here, not anywhere.

Do you understand? Never again.

My music is for Phoenix. Only she can sing it.

Anyone else that tries, dies.

All right, tickets. Come on, let's see your tickets.

This is a ticket holders' line. Everybody's got to have a ticket here.

Everybody have a ticket? You, you got a ticket?

- Sure, I have a ticket. - All right, get back in line.

Take care of the rest of this line. Frank, open that gate.

Where the hell do you think you're going, Tinkerbell?

Cincinnati, to see my mother.

You're gonna miss the show.

- Ain't gonna be no show. - What?

Listen, Philbin,

there really is a phantom.

He was just in my shower.

He threatened my life.

He said his music is just for Phoenix.

Only she can sing it.

Anyone else who tries... dies.

What the hell are you talking about?

Look, Philbin,

I am a professional.

I have been in this business a long time.

Now, if I don't want to do a show, it's not because I got stage fright.

It's because some creature from beyond doesn't want me to do the show!

Now, gangway!

Bullshit. Now, how did that really happen?

Can't you feel the vibes in your own house?

Bad, sport. Real bad.

I mean, the karma's so thick around here,

you need an Aqua-Lung to breathe.

- I know what it is. - Oh, you do, huh?

- You wanna know what it is? - Why don't you tell me what it is?

- Speed, that's what it is. - Speed? What do you know about it?

You just pass the stuff out! I take it!

I know drug real from real real!

Do me a favour and take this.

No! That'll bring me down.

Well, listen, my friend, you better come down.

You better get yourself together.

You got a show to do. This is opening night.

Can you still sing?

Sure, I can still sing.

Help! The phantom! Help!

♪ We need a man that is simple perfection ♪

♪ There's nothing that's harder to find ♪

♪ Someone to lead us protect us and feed us ♪

♪ And help us to make up our minds ♪

♪ We need a man that's sophisticated ♪

♪ Quiet and strong and well-educated ♪

♪ Where to go, what to do ♪

♪ Could it be somebody super like you ♪

♪ We need a man that can stand as a symbol ♪

♪ And symbols have got to be tall ♪

♪ Someone with taste and the tiniest waist ♪

♪ With his help would not life be a ball ♪

♪ If we got caught he would just explain us ♪

♪ Where to go, what to do ♪

♪ Could it be somebody super like you ♪

♪ We pledge allegiance to his gracefulness ♪

♪ And charming manners ♪

♪ With a voice that's both sides' choice ♪

♪ He'll bring us to our knees in admiration ♪

♪ He is king of all who see and hear his perfect pitch ♪

♪ And more surprises ♪

♪ When his time has come, a stallion rises ♪

♪ We need a man with a head on his shoulders ♪

♪ A nose that is simply divine ♪

♪ A Hollywood smile and a perfect profile ♪

♪ And with eyes that would sparkle and shine ♪

♪ Long flowing hair for the crowning glory ♪

♪ Where to go, what to do ♪

♪ Could it be somebody super like you ♪

♪ We pledge allegiance to his gracefulness ♪

♪ And charming manners ♪

♪ With a voice that's both sides' choice ♪

♪ He'll bring us to our knees in admiration ♪

♪ He is king of all who see and hear ♪

♪ His perfect pitch and more surprises ♪

♪ When his time has come, a stallion rises ♪

♪ Rises ♪

♪ Rises ♪

♪ Rises ♪

♪ Life at last ♪

♪ Salutations from the other side ♪

♪ I can see that you're the devil's pride ♪

♪ Do you realize that all of you donated ♪

♪ Something horrible you hated that was part of you ♪

♪ Life at last ♪

♪ Sit and listen while the fun begins ♪

♪ Hearts are broken and the bad guys win ♪

♪ Sit and listen all the cuttin' up is easy and this isn't for the queasy ♪

♪ Or the weak of heart ♪

♪ You had better start for home while there's still time ♪

♪ I'm the evil that you created ♪

♪ Gettin' horny and damn frustrated ♪

♪ Bored stiff and I want me a woman now ♪

♪ All right ♪

♪ Whoa ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh, yeah ♪

♪ Oh, yeah ♪

♪ I'm the evil that you created ♪

♪ Gettin' horny and damn frustrated ♪

♪ Each of you must stop and try me ♪

♪ All of you might satisfy me ♪

Somebody get a fire extinguisher.

We want Beef! We want Beef!

We want Beef! We want Beef!

Somebody get rid of him.

Phoenix, get out there and sing.

You're crazy.

Look, some maniac killed Beef so you could sing.

Don't disappoint him, or else there will be more bodies out there.

♪ Our love ♪

♪ Is an old love, baby ♪

♪ It's older ♪

♪ Than all our years ♪

♪ I have seen in strange young eyes ♪

♪ Familiar tears ♪

♪ We're old souls ♪

♪ In a new life, baby ♪

♪ They gave us a new life ♪

♪ To live and learn ♪

♪ Some time to touch old friends ♪

♪ And still return ♪

♪ Our paths have crossed and parted ♪

♪ This love affair was started ♪

♪ Long ♪

♪ Long ago ♪

♪ This love survives the ages ♪

♪ In its story lives are pages ♪

♪ Fill them up ♪

♪ May ours turn slow ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Our love ♪

♪ Is a strong love, baby ♪

♪ We give it all and so receive ♪

♪ And so with empty arms ♪

♪ We must still believe ♪

♪ All souls last forever ♪

♪ So we need never fear good-bye ♪

♪ A kiss ♪

♪ When I must go ♪

♪ No tears ♪

♪ In time ♪

♪ We kiss ♪

♪ Hello ♪

- Phoenix. - Swan.

- Is Beef... - Dead.

Let's not talk about that. Let's talk about you.

I like your name. We won't have to change it.

You're going to be a very big star, Phoenix.

We'll finish the cantata tomorrow night. We'll record. We'll go on tour.

And then...

There are no words to express what you're going to become.

I'll do anything you want.

I owe you everything.

Just give me that crowd again.

Tomorrow night. Tomorrow night they'll be yours.

Mine.

And all I want is your voice.

Is that all?

No. We'll go to Swanage and celebrate.

I'll wait for you in the car.

Phoenix! Phoenix!

Phoenix! Phoenix!

Phoenix! Phoenix!

Phoenix!

Beef, Beef, Beef, Beef...

He wouldn't listen to me.

Where the hell is she?

Philbin, have you ever seen such a crowd?

No, and I never wanna see another one.

Look at them. They've really been entertained.

They never want the show to stop.

The Paradise is more magnificent than I ever dreamed.

Sure. How often is a rock star fried on stage?

Quite an attraction.

Don't hurt me.

I would never hurt you, Phoenix.

You know me.

I'm Winslow. Remember?

- But Winslow's dead. - No, not quite.

What do you mean? Who are you? Why do you wear that mask?

Because Swan's taken my voice, my music, and given me this!

And now he wants you. But you're all I have left.

Phoenix, no one will sing in this Paradise again.

No one's ever gonna sing my "Faust" again - no one but you.

Phoenix, leave this place, or I will destroy you too.

You're crazy. Why should I go with you?

Don't you hear them down there? Why should I give that up?

They want more now. They want much more.

They want more than you could ever give.

- I'll give them whatever they want. - No, Phoenix!

Get your hands off me!

I'm telling you, with that freak on the loose, the Paradise is finished.

The Paradise is just beginning.

Tomorrow night, Phoenix will finish "Faust".

There she is.

The freak that killed Beef is up on the roof.

Philbin, get the police.

Don't think about it.

Tonight is your night. I won't have it ruined.

Swanage.

♪ Our love ♪

♪ Is an old love, baby ♪

♪ It's older ♪

♪ Than all our years ♪

♪ I have seen in strange young eyes ♪

♪ Familiar tears ♪

♪ We're old souls ♪

♪ In a new life, baby ♪

♪ They gave us a new life ♪

♪ To live and learn ♪

♪ Some time to touch old friends ♪

♪ And still return ♪

♪ Our paths have crossed and parted ♪

♪ This love affair was started ♪

♪ Long ♪

♪ Long ago ♪

♪ This love survives the ages ♪

♪ In its story lives are pages ♪

♪ Fill them up ♪

♪ May ours turn slow ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Our love ♪

♪ Is a strong love, baby ♪

♪ We give it all and so receive ♪

♪ And so with empty arms ♪

♪ We must still believe ♪

♪ All souls last forever ♪

♪ So we need never fear good-bye ♪

♪ A kiss ♪

♪ When I must go ♪

♪ No tears ♪

♪ In time ♪

♪ We kiss ♪

- Gahhh! - ♪ Hello ♪

Winslow, what a foolish thing to do.

Didn't you read your contract closely?

See where it says "terms of agreement". Can you read what it says?

"This contract terminates with Swan."

No more suicides, Winslow.

You gave up your right to rest in peace when you signed this contract.

What if you do find a loophole? Is that what you're thinking? Forget it.

That stays sealed only as long as I have the power to bind you.

If I'm destroyed, that gaping wound opens.

You might say we terminate together. Now get back to work.

I need a whole bunch of new love songs for Phoenix.

And if you as much as say "boo" to anyone at the Paradise,

you'll never see Phoenix again.

- No! - Oh, yes.

- About the love songs, perhaps a duet. - Never!

I'm under contract too.

Hey, Swan. Are we gonna get to shoot pictures of you tonight?

What's this rumour you're gonna wear a mask on stage?

Hey, how can we shoot you if you got a mask on, man?

You can't, fools.

Philbin, it was genius making the end of the opera a wedding.

You mean Faust, instead of burning in hell, he gets the girl?

Yes. And you, Philbin, will be the priest.

I ain't never been a priest before. That's terrific.

Swan, you remember me, don't you?

You do, don't you? Swan!

Do you know him?

Well, we went steady together in high school.

You're kidding. You're old enough to be his mother.

This was taken twenty years ago.

My God. He doesn't look any different.

Saturday November 19th, 1953.

Today I have decided to kill myself.

Being the greatest showman of my time,

I'm recording live for the Swan archives.

Why?

It's simple.

I'm getting old.

I can't bear it.

To see this beautiful face ravaged by the forces of time.

If I can't be young forever,

I'd rather end it all now.

- Why not? - What?

Stay young forever.

I'm real, and I'll leave if you want.

But you did call me.

I didn't call anybody.

You said you wanted to be young forever.

Well, here I am.

But I am stoned. You're not real.

It really doesn't matter what happens, does it?

What is going to happen?

For openers, you're going to look like me forever.

Oh, this is too much.

I guess you're supposed to be the devil.

I go by many names.

And you will make me young forever?

This image will age in your place.

This picture gets old instead of me?

Yes. And you must watch it every day just to see how lucky you are.

I'm just crazy about pictures of myself.

And the tape from which the picture comes

must be guarded at all costs.

- Why? - When it goes, you go.

- What do I have to do? - It's all here.

Read it carefully and then sign at the bottom in blood.

Blood? My blood?

Messy, I know. But it's the only way I can bind you. Tradition.

What do you have to lose?

Nothing.

I was gonna use this on my wrist.

Your soul's damned either way.

- What soul? - Don't waste it.

Now sign.

Ink isn't worth anything to me, Winslow. Now sign.

Just sign this, and it will all be legal.

Till death do us part? This is too much.

Come and sign.

You don't want to be late for your own funeral... wedding, do you, girl?

Don't you think we're rushing things a little?

- Oh, blood. - Stop wasting it.

Sign your name.

Remember. She must be hit just as Philbin says, "till death do you part."

Wait a minute. This may be none of my business or anything,

but if you're gonna kill her, why do it here tonight?

An assassination live on television coast to coast?

That's entertainment!

When it goes, you go.

Swan, Swan, Swan, Swan!

Do you, Phoenix, take Swan

to be your wedded husband to have and to hold,

from this day forward for richer, for poorer,

for better, for worse, in sickness and in health?

I do.

And do you, Swan, take Phoenix to be your wedded wife,

to have and to hold from this day forward,

for better, for worse, in sickness and in health till death...

Oh, my God. Your face, what's happened to your face?

Winslow!

I don't understand.

Your voice, remember? You promised me your voice.

Our contract, remember?

Winslow.

Winslow.

♪ Roll on, thunder shine on, lightning ♪

♪ The days are long and the nights are frightening ♪

♪ And nothing matters anyway and that's the hell of it ♪

♪ Winter comes and the winds blow colder ♪

♪ While some grow wiser you just grew older ♪

♪ You never listened anyway and that's the hell of it ♪

♪ Good for nothin bad in bed ♪

♪ Nobody likes you and you're better off dead, good-bye, good-bye ♪

♪ We've all come to say good-bye, good-bye, good-bye, good-bye ♪

♪ Born defeated died in vain ♪

♪ Super destructive you were hooked on pain ♪

♪ And though your music lingers on ♪

♪ All of us are glad you're gone ♪

♪ If I could live my life half as worthlessly as you ♪

♪ I'm convinced that I'd wind up burning too ♪

♪ Loved yourself as you loved no other ♪

♪ You'd be no man's fool you'd be no man's brother ♪

♪ We're all born to die ♪

♪ And you know, you know that's the hell of it ♪

♪ Life's a game where they're bound to beat you ♪

♪ And time's a trick that can turn to cheat you ♪

♪ And we only waste it anyway and that's the hell of it ♪

♪ Good for nothing Bad in bed ♪

♪ Nobody likes you you're better off dead ♪

♪ Good-bye, good-bye We've all come to say good-bye ♪

♪ Good-bye, good-bye Good-bye ♪

♪ Born defeated died in vain ♪

♪ Super destructive you were hooked on pain ♪

♪ And though your music lingers on ♪

♪ All of us are glad you're gone ♪