Forty-five Halloweens ago on October 28, 1978, KISS fans from all over the country gathered in anticipation for a television event that was expected to be the highlight of the year. Hanna-Barbera’s “KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park” featured the iconic rock ‘n’ roll band at the peak of their fame, showcasing their superpowers and starring in a mind-bending fantasy caper. However, despite its $3 million production value and a seasoned director at the helm, the film was met with disdain from critics, fans, and the band members themselves. This disastrous movie nearly derailed KISS’s successful career.
The storyline of this utterly bizarre film revolved around KISS performing their hits at a Six Flags Magic Mountain concert while battling animatronic lookalikes, evil robots, and a deranged scientist. The band members showcased extraordinary powers like teleportation, mind control, and laser beam shooting. Unsurprisingly, the movie has attained cult status over the years, much like another infamous holiday film released in the same year, “The Star Wars Holiday Special.” While KISS initially refused to acknowledge “Phantom” for years, especially vocalist/guitarist Paul Stanley and bassist Gene Simmons, the band members, particularly original lead guitarist Ace Frehley, have since opened up about the film.
Frehley finds the movie campy and entertaining, despite the negative reception from others. He acknowledges the humorous and cringe-worthy moments throughout the film but understands that it was created purely for KISS fans, comparing it to a silly rock ‘n’ roll movie rather than a serious drama like “Love Story.”
Stanley, on the other hand, has mixed memories of the film. He reflects on how they were persuaded to make a movie that was promised to be a mix between “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Star Wars,” only to be left with a product that didn’t meet those expectations. He emphasizes the importance of trusting one’s instincts, even when others assure you that everything will turn out great.
Frehley speculates that Stanley and Simmons may have had a more critical view of the film due to their sobriety, unlike himself and drummer Peter Criss, who indulged in drugs and alcohol at the time. Frehley even reveals that cocaine was often on set, serving as a pick-me-up for himself, but it affected Criss to the point where his voice had to be dubbed in every scene.
Frehley continues to recount an amusing incident where Criss struggled with the word “talisman” during a scene, resulting in multiple takes and eventually having Frehley stepping in to deliver the line. In post-production, they decided to replace Criss’s voice in the whole film, a situation Frehley finds somewhat amusing, given his ability to speak clearly despite his Bronx accent.
Originally, Frehley was meant to have minimal dialogue in the movie. However, he pushed for more lines and successfully had his character rewritten. This was just one of the many setbacks during filming, including Frehley and Criss frequently disappearing from set. Stanley recalls instances where he turned around on stage during a performance only to see someone else dressed as a band member, adding to the chaos and hilarity.
The biggest mishap occurred when Frehley, frustrated after a particularly early call time, stormed off set and spent time at the King Tut exhibit at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, sipping beer and regaining composure. He eventually returned to the set, and though it caused continuity issues, it marked a turning point in the production.
Nearly fifty years have passed since “Phantom,” and Frehley has been sober since 2006. Nevertheless, even the most level-headed person would find it challenging to decipher the plot of “KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park.” Frehley admits to having no idea but emphasizes that the film should be viewed with a lighthearted perspective. Stanley and Simmons have also found humor in the movie after all these years. Simmons jokes about watching the film with current KISS members Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer, while Stanley reflects on the experience, acknowledging both the positive and negative aspects. Despite the initial disappointment, the movie has endured and continues to captivate audiences. It may not have been what KISS expected, but it remains a quintessential cult classic.
