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If you have never seen him perform the part, you are missing something really amazing.

And yet, despite critic's rave reviews of Michael Crawford's performance as The Phantom, if the rumors are true Warner Bros. is now seeking a Hollywood name to play the role in its movie version.

Michael Crawford as the Phantom, above all, brings out the character’s solitary pathos rather than his demonic horror. It is the humanity under the mask that seizes the attention, not least when his flickering, desperate hands suddenly emerge from behind an Angel of Music hovering over the lovers on the Opera House rooftop.

The Really Useful Group and Warner Bros. Pictures have received thousands upon thousands of letters and petitions from Phantom fans all over the world for more than three years. These fans have worked very hard to make their voices heard and their concerns known about this upcoming film to the companies involved. This web site and all the history of their efforts will remain here for all to read in the future. No matter how this movie is now made, the fans will not be silenced..........

Will they listen to the fans?

Welcome to the Michael Crawford Phantom Movie Campaign. This Website is devoted entirely to the cause of promoting the casting of Michael Crawford as 'The Phantom' in the upcoming film version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera.

The Michael Crawford Phantom Movie Campaign is an organized group of consumers who want to make a specific purchase: Movie Tickets to a film version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera, starring Michael Crawford. Like other consumer groups, TMCPMC uses petitions, letter-writing campaigns, and group activities both to increase our membership and to make our desires known to the relevant companies. While matters of taste and emotion are certainly involved, TMCPMC's primary function is to demonstrate the financial viability of producing this film with Michael Crawford in the title role.

Will Warner Bros. listen to the fans?

-- Cherri (jessam5@home.com), April 21, 2001

Answers

I agree, Cherri, the man brings a powerful, phenomenal presence to the character. No one else can replace him in the memory of those that have experienced the electricity his being provides onstage, in this role. Words fail to represent the experience and the magic of his being in this performance. However, is there anything you can do about the bad sound link in your post? My dog is hiding, and that is after I turned off my speakers!! Your sentiment is laudable!! But the greedy folks in Hollywood always have the last word- unfortuantely. Just my experience, FWIW.

-- Aunt Bee (Aunt__Bee@hotmail.com), April 22, 2001.

I know they were considering Antonio Bandaras for the part. Antonio did a nice job playing Che in Evita, but that role..that singing part, no where near as difficult as what Michael Crawford does every night. I've had the pleasure of seeing Phantom of the Opera twice. I can still hear his voice..the notes he reached and held..how can you replace that? You can't.

-- kritter (kritter@adelphia.net), April 22, 2001.

Huzzah, Cherri!

Crawford IS the Phantom. There can be no other. Saw the new Phantom, Ted Keegan, not too long ago. Passable, and very good...but, I have seen Michael Crawford perform the role twice. His voice accounts for about 25% of his suitability to wear the mantle. The other 75%? Hmmm...just look at the tension and the placement of his hands in that photo on the left. Ladies, he could wake the dead. Give that another 50%, and the remaing 25% is something so subtle and intangible, words fail.

I've read that Banderas was signed for the role. Weber has got to be kidding! Before that, he was close to signing John Travolta! Can he really have THAT much disdain for his fans?

-- (I'm a@little.teapot), April 22, 2001.

I've heard the budget is tight and the best they can get is Pauly Shore.

-- Mr. Nice Guy (mr@nice.guy), April 22, 2001.

The "ARTS" Cannel on cable is playing "Music of the Night" Michael Crawford in this weeks offerings. The weekly fare is run from Friday to Thursday. Since it is downloaded by the cable companies at their discretion, there is not a schedule telling when it will air.

Classic Arts

-- Cherri (jessam5@home.com), April 23, 2001.

Make that "ARTS" cHannel~~~

-- Cherri (jessam5@home.com), April 23, 2001.

He also did the EFX show at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for a while, but it's hard to tell how well he sang since everything is lip- synched in the show.

-- (E@F.X), April 23, 2001.