Best "Cult" Cult Musicals
The way I see it, there are several levels of musicals. You have your mainstream ones that your Nan (and practically everyone) likes that pop and lock with feathers and sequins such as West Side Story, Grease and Chicago. Then you have your cult musicals, ones that didn’t make that big a splash to begin with then accumulated a larger and wider fan base; otherwise known as Rocky Horror Picture Show. And then you have your unknown musicals, the ones peering in from the outskirts singing “let me in!” as they hammer the door down to your heart. Scooping up just a small amount of audiences (mainly independent movie bloggers), these “what are you talking about?” movies are actually better than those with glitz, fame and glamour. Otherwise known as the cult “cult” musicals. And they deserve a larger fanbase than given.
Phantom of the Paradise
Paul Williams is a mastermind and has created some legendary movie musicals. More famed for Bugsy Malone, and The Muppets (and sound-tracking our childhoods), Paul Williams actually created some of his best work with the Phantom of the Paradise. With an epic seventies flare, it focuses on songwriter Winslow Leach who aspires to work for famed but devilish Swan (Williams himself). All Swan wants is the music, so causes the downfall of Winslow who soon becomes scarred in an accident and vows revenge.
With some amazing songs that are a mix of poignant and fun, this fantastic musical combines the stories of Phantom of the Opera, Faust and The Portrait of Dorian Gray. The finale is sorrow-filled but throughout the musical there is tongue in cheek black humour and larger than life moments. It is utterly captivating and brilliantly done. It is also directed by Brian De Palma so now it is imperative for you all to watch it.
Happiness of the Katakuris
This is a Zombie Japanese Horror Musical. You read that right: a Zombie Japanese Horror Musical. Coming from the warped mind of Takashi Miike, the man behindAudition and Ichi The Killer, Happiness of the Katakuris has so many “what the hell” moments that it is impossible not to fall in love with it. Based on a Korean film titled The Quiet Family, this musical is far from silent. It centres on the titular family who own a hotel way out near Mount Fuji that, due to its unfortunate location, attracts no one. When a guest comes to stay, they are thrilled but the man is only there to kill himself. And slowly, one by one, all of their limited guests start to die.
This is a completely insane musical that mixes CGI, special effects and Claymation. Craziness pursues even in song and it’s that good kind of folie a deux that keeps you watching. From the moment a Japanese American Secret Serviceman (or more specifically british secret serviceman) to the random moment when the dead come back to life; please go seek it out to unearth the mayhem.
Cannibal! The Musical
More famed now for The Book of Mormon and the foul mouthed kiddies in South Park, Matt Park and Trey Stone discovered their genius for musicals in Cannibal! The Musical which is their first movie ever. Parker is at the helm here in order to produce this student film that gave them an already hungry fan-base. Cannibal! The Musical centres on the true story of Alfred Packer who is being tried for eating his travel party after they are found dead. But there is more to the tale than meets the eye and Packer tries his best to explain his story; all in a toe tapping song and dance.
I dare you not to listen to ‘It’s A Shpadoinkle Day’ and not be singing it for years after. And yes, it is technically a student film so some of the production value suffers. Not to say that the black comedy isn’t as strong in Parker and Stone’s effort as it is now; it will have you laughing and squirming in equal measure. It’s also worth looking out for the infamous alien that appears in all their works.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
This movie started already as a cult musical when it appeared on stage in an Off Broadway production. John Cameron Mitchell made a truly astonishing creation that he later translated onto film with the epic Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Revolving around the band of the film title, the lead singer Hedwig is touring them around sea food restaurants adjacent to her ex’s gigs after he stole all their songs. Not to mention that a botched sex change surgery left her with one inch genitalia. But true to the rock and roll form, Hedwig is never giving up.
This film has everything you will ever need from a musical. With a wicked glam rock soundtrack of original songs that is reminiscent of Janis Joplin and David Bowie, it’s hard not to fall in love with Hedwig and her angry inch. Check out the finale because it is soul crushing and hopeful all at the same time that strips your breath away. Despite its critical acclaim on stage and off, Hedwig is still not a famous musical but maybe that will change with the new Broadway production premiering this year with Neil Patrick Harris as lead.
Repo! The Genetic Opera
As if I couldn’t talk about this musical enough, I have managed to sandwich it in here because frankly, not enough people have seen this film. It’s sad to see such a superb musical with all the juicy cult bits have a waning fanbase when it really should be soaring. Repo! The Genetic Opera is iconic, gory and harps of all that operatic goodness; combining blood and ballads to a terrific effect. Set in the distant future, it revolves around a man named Nathan Wallace who is a Repo Man; collecting synthetic organs when debtors cannot pay the hospital bills. Yikes. His boss Rotti Largo still has a grudge against him and will use Nathan’s daughter Shiloh in a pawn for revenge.
With the sultry tones of Anthony Stewart Head and Terence Zdunich (who co-created the musical with Darren Lynn Bousman,) this musical is all kinds of awesome. It has catchy songs and a blood bath to boot that places it firmly in the cult category. And yes, that is Paris Hilton but she actually works in this movie hamming it up. Repo! is a great piece of cinema that will enter your heart….then tear it still beating from your chest.