Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park

TV Movie
1978
PG
1h 36m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley, and KISS in Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park (1978)

KISS, a rock band made up of superheroes, battles an evil inventor who has plans for destruction at a California amusement park.KISS, a rock band made up of superheroes, battles an evil inventor who has plans for destruction at a California amusement park.KISS, a rock band made up of superheroes, battles an evil inventor who has plans for destruction at a California amusement park.

Director
- Gordon Hessler
Writers
- Jan Michael Sherman
- Don Buday
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

4.6/10

3.5K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Gordon Hessler
Writers
- Jan Michael Sherman
- Don Buday
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 nomination

Trivia
Anthony Zerbe (Abner Devereaux) does not list this movie among his filmography on his website.

Goofs
When Gene sets the mummy on fire, the flames apparently spread much faster than intended. The stunt man playing the mummy says "Shit!" as he stumbles backwards. It's a made-for-TV movie aimed at children, so the language was not intentional.

Quotes
Star Child: You're looking for someone, but it's not KISS.
Melissa: Yes. My fiance, Sam. He was taking pictures of you.
Sneed: There are dozens of photographers out there. How could anyone ever...?
Star Child: [Paul raises his hand to cut Sneed off] He was here.
Sneed: This is ridiculous.
The Demon: [Growls]
Star Child: Sam's still in the park.

Alternate versions
The Spanish version of "KISS Meets The Phantom of the Park" (usually known as "Attack of the Phantoms") has totally different editing. Many various scenes/elements not in the US version (while many in the US version are not in the Spanish version). Among of the differences are:
Devereaux's Civil War robots are seen attacking the security guard's office.
Calvin and Devereaux have a discussion on the Magic Mountain monorail and continue it as they get off the ride.
There are additional live shots of KISS, including some from overhead, including one where you can clearly see a cameraman on stage.
KISS' promotional videos from 1979, "I Was Made For Loving You" and "Sure Know Something," from their "Dynasty" album, are inserted in the movie as live concert performances, despite the completely different costumes and staging from the previous shot before the songs begin.
The entire movie uses different music, especially a lot of KISS solo album music, and even a little bit of an instrumental of KISS' "Almost Human."
Paul Stanley shoots Sam's remote control with his eye laser. In the US version, he simply takes it out of Sam's skin with his hand.
There are additional shots during most of the KISS fight scenes, as well as many quick scenes throughout the film. Just one example of many, the guy staring at Melissa at the snack bar wipes the table with his hand, while in the US version he does not.
This version ends with a shot of Devereaux walking in the park (the scene after Calvin fired him) and then going into the credits which scroll, while the US version ends with KISS performing "God of Thunder."

Connections
Featured in Kissology: The Ultimate Kiss Collection Vol. 2 1978-1991 (2007)

Soundtracks
Radioactive
Composed by Gene Simmons

User reviews95

Review

Featured review

Nice Cheesy Film...

If you are looking for monstrous special effects (even by 1970's standards), this is not the film for you...

If you are a KISS fan, it is definitely worth a watching. Especially if you are a classic KISS fan.

Brief synopsis: KISS is about to play for an amusement park. The brains behind this park (Abner Deveraux played by Anthony Zerbe) grows resentful that a rock-n-roll band is overshadowing the technical expertise that he created at this park. He vows all-out war against the band using his creations to attack the band members. And their secret talisman which gives them powers.

BTW, Gene Simmons does most of his own stunts, probably preparing himself for a future theatrical career (which he did, in the 1980's). Peter Criss's lines are dubbed in by a voice guy from Hanna Barbera. Strange how Peter Criss sounds the same as Dirk Daring from G-Force.

Anthony Zerbe does a great job in acting as the villain in this one. His best IMHO is in North and South as General Grant.

Ok, this is not an epic adventure that got critical acclaim, yet after a few beers, it is good entertainment.