In April of 1998, a concerned fan started a small web page in support for the casting of Michael Crawford in the Phantom movie.  Over the next few months she was contacted by other concerned fans, we organized in June of 1998 and "The Michael Crawford Phantom Movie Campaign" was born.

Thousands of people have signed our guestbooks from countries all over the world, and our web site receives many thousands of visitors a week. In addition, thousands of flyers have been distributed and petitions circulated all over the UK, US, Australia, and New Zealand. We know that many of those people have written letters without being in contact with the campaign organizers.

Yes!!! We truly believe that a group of sincerely dedicated individuals working toward a common goal can move mountains. Fan campaigns have saved television shows and other movies such as Star Trek, and we intend to save this film.

We care because we have seen too many of our favorite musicals ruined by Hollywood, usually because of ridiculous casting. We care because we are devoted and sincere fans of Phantom of the Opera, and we don't want to see *it* also ruined by Hollywood; we want it to be the most successful movie of a musical ever made, so that we, and the rest of the world, can enjoy it again and again. We care because we love movies and musicals, and a great film adaptation will bring audiences back to musicals, and musicals back to movies. We care because Crawford is the Phantom personified and no matter what script changes, directorial liberties, and special effects do, the essence of the show will be there if Crawford is there. And we care because we believe Crawford deserves the chance to bring his legendary performance to film like Brynner and Harrison did, especially because he was originally cast when the film was first planned in 1990-91. We wouldn't support him if he were an unknown and would hurt box office potential. Michael Crawford's stature, international popularity, and association with Phantom are enough for Warner Bros. to make a huge profit with him in the title role.

Speculation over a possible film of Phantom has been a hot topic among fans for years, both in fanzines and Internet sites. All along Crawford was by far the leading name, but when first Travolta and later Banderas became possibilities most fans united behind Michael Crawford. This has been true in poll after poll after poll.

NO, we have seen the best and will settle for nothing less. When you know how great a movie this could be, seeing something less than that is unacceptable. Hollywood gets away with making just "okay" movies when they could make great movies, and in many cases it is only because people don't realize what they could be. But when you have a show like POTO millions of people do know how great it could be and will be very disappointed. POTO rises or falls on the voice of the Phantom. If the voice of the Phantom can not reach down and grab your emotions the show will fail. The role of the Phantom is not an easy thing to perform successfully. We will not go to see any mediocre Phantoms.

Mr. Crawford has talked repeatedly of his connection to the character of the Phantom and that he never tires of performing the music. On the December 16th airing of The Howie Mandel Show he was asked by the shows host, "They are doing a movie of The Phantom of the Opera and YOU should play the Phantom of the Opera, right?" Crawford's response, "I would love to do it, yes." Throughout the past few years he has continued to confirm to the media that he would be very interested in doing the film if asked.

It is not that we DO NOT want any other actor because of lack of talent--it is that Mr. Crawford's Tony Award winning role needs to be immortalized. Other competent actors have successfully performed the Phantom. Mr. Crawford's interpretation is legendary and defined the character. His performance is what made the musical the international sensation it has become. That is the performance we want to see and would like for others to experience and remember.

By adding their voices to the thousands who have already written to The Really Useful Group and Warner Bros. The addresses are available on our web site. People can also sign our guestbook, join our monthly newsletter and get involved with the projects the campaign is developing to support Michael Crawford's casting. Most importantly, we ask that those who want to see Mr. Crawford as the Phantom spread the word and get involved. Let Hollywood know that you will not be ignored.

The campaign will continue our letter writing efforts to Warner Bros. and the Really Useful Group, and letters and advertisements to media all around the world. In short, we will not go away.

    The movie moguls may think that casting John Travolta, an A-list star, or Antonio Banderas will be box office insurance, but they haven't really thought through ALL the odds. Such well known stars would probably generate some publicity from their celebrity alone, which would probably help at the box office *the first week*.  But what about afterwards, when lukewarm reviews and lukewarm word-of-mouth and possible media-covered protests by disappointed phans have taken their toll?  By week 2 or 3 box office receipts will drop off, and soon the film could be playing at the dollar houses.  In other words, by pursuing this shortsighted policy, ALW and WB are cutting off their nose to spite their face.

    This is even more inexcusable because there is so much past history of filmed musicals to learn from.  With a few exceptions, when Hollywood substituted film stars unqualified in musical theatre, it didn't work.  And when Hollywood replaced performers who, like Crawford, had become *legendary* in their roles, it didn't work.

Proof:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Who Loses? By Jane Woodside

Here are a couple of other submissions from Campaign Member Maggie Birge
Thanks Maggie!

Gone with the Wind, A Lesson from History

More Movie History

And here is a submission from Melinda: