Total: 9800 Guests
The Michael Crawford Phantom Movie Campaign Guestbook
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| E-Mail: | Phantom102750@aol.com | ||
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| Where are you from?: | North Carolina | ||
| Referred By: | From a Friend | ||
| Comments: | Welllllll I cant
believe my ears!! I just reviewed the sound track from the movie Tiny Tim
might have done a better Job than Gerard did it was tired to say the least I
will not see the movie if you cant sing the part then you sure as hell cant
act the part this is a shame to the name Phantom I have been collecting
Phantom articles now for years music boxes all of michaels cds and anything
that refers to the Phantom of the Opera and just so Gerard and the rest of
the world know he cant sing a note my dog sings better than him ha thats why
its #9 at the box office here in north carolina right now and will slide out
of the top ten this weekend well maybe someday they will understand what
andrew has done to the name and the man and his music of the night long live
the real music of the night!!!!!!
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| E-Mail: | Houston, Tx | ||
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| Referred By: | Just Surfed On In | ||
| Comments: | People keep
making age an issue regarding MC playing the role of the Phantom in the
movie. If you read the book, you realize that the Phantom is the same age or
a bit younger than Mme. Giry. This would make the Phantom quite a bit older
than Christine since she is about the same age as Meg. There's no reason MC
couldn't play the Phantom now. The real issue would be if SB would be cast
as Christine in the movie - she's the one who's too old for the part (But,
as beautiful as she is and sings, it wouldn't bother me!)
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| E-Mail: | CrStickel@aol.com | ||
| Homepage Title: | Cory's Fantasy Kingdom | ||
| Homepage URL: | geocities.com/corydragon99/index.html | ||
| Where are you from?: | Michigan | ||
| Referred By: | Just Surfed On In | ||
| Comments: | As a former
campaigner, I just HAD to stop by the site again after hearing the news that
the movie bombed on opening weekend (only pulled $4.8 Mil.) and is already
being called one of the biggest cinematic flops in history. My response to
the news (besides a great big "WE TOLD YOU SO!!!" to ALW): one last song
parody for The Michael Crawford Phantom Movie Campaign.
Bless all of you. It has been a pleasure fighting by your side. We may not have gotten a faithful movie version in the end, but by our lack of acceptance for the final product, we've proven to The Powers That Be that we were right. And that is all the victory that we need. ~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~ WHERE DID WE GO WRONG? (to the tune of Where Did We Go Right? from The Producers) ALW: Look at these reviews! "A masterpiece lost!" JOEL: Why?... ALW: "A surprise flop!" JOEL: Why?... ALW: "It was glitzy, young, sexy...and I hated every minute of it!" JOEL: Why?... ALW: How could this happen? The film was stunning and long; The music was strong... Where did we go wrong? JOEL: "Hollywood brought new movies for Christmas, but guess who left coal in our stocking: Schumacher and Webber!" ALW: It had class, Christine half-nude... Why would the audience have booed? Where did we go wrong? JOEL: "Some thoughts on last night's opening: the Phantom movie is bleep bleep bleep bleep bleep bleep bleep-bleep bleep-bleep. And that's being kind!..." BOTH: We searched high schools on and off For a Christine we could show off. Who needs try-outs and auditions? They're a bore! And we tripped the light fantastic For an Erik who could hack it. If the phans voiced their dismay, We dismayed them out the door! ALW: They should all have cried hooray For Christine's thigh out on display. Where did we go wrong? JOEL: Our leading man was so gay He nearly flew away. Where did we go wrong? ALW: A show so difficult to dispise... JOEL: Now it's up for the "Worst Film" prize! BOTH: Oh where, oh where, Tell us: where did we go wrong? ALW: "The biggest cinematic flop in history. Andrew Lloyd Webber is a complete idiot!" ...They HATE me?!?! Oh, we knew we couldn't lose BOTH: 'Coz M.C. we did not choose... JOEL: It's the end of our careers! ALW: Should be the hit film of the year! BOTH: Tell us: where did we go wrong?! (The PHANS know where you went wrong. Ya ready to listen to us now?...)
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| E-Mail: | Houston, Tx | ||
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| Referred By: | Just Surfed On In | ||
| Comments: | People keep
making age an issue regarding MC playing the role of the Phantom in the
movie. If you read the book, you realize that the Phantom is the same age or
a bit younger than Mme. Giry. This would make the Phantom quite a bit older
than Christine since she is about the same age as Meg. There's no reason MC
couldn't play the Phantom now. The real issue would be if SB would be cast
as Christine in the movie - she's the one who's too old for the part (But,
as beautiful as she is and sings, it wouldn't bother me!)
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| Where are you from?: | Leeds | ||
| Referred By: | Just Surfed On In | ||
| Comments: | I tried so hard
to stay away from the cinema over the Christmas break... I promised myself
that I would not support the movie because of the casting. I ended up seeing
the film twice, I thought I had dreamed it really was bad the first time and
I had to go back to confirm my eyes were telling the truth.
Apart from the obvious missing Michael Crawford, what the hell was wrong with Masquerade? The song is about colours and the whole cast were dressed in black and white. This number was the second biggest disappointment of this dreadful film, the stage version of Masquerade is lavish, thick with a wealth of vibrant colours and life. I'm not going to mention Music of the Night or pass comment on Mr Butler's performance as I don't hold him responsible, although he could have done us all a favour and turned the part down. I would also like to blame the make up department for adding their 2 peneth of damage to this fine show... this is the 21st century isn't it? I though Warner Bros had advanced CGI techniques in the bag (care of the Matrix), yet they couldn't turn a mildly handsome gent in to a disfigured monster. When the mask was removed I though "Oh! he's got something in his eye". Please, please, please. If Lord Lloyd Webber or any of his minions surf these pages, would you pass on an idea. I think that a Video/DVD version of the live stage show (like the ones available of Cats, Oklahoma and Barnum etc) featuring Michael Crawford as the Phantom should be made available. I don't know if it was filmed at the time Michael first appeared in the show, or whether Michael could be tempted back to record a special version of it? I think it would be a good way to thank and reward all the loyal "Phan's" and Michael Crawford himself that have brought the Billions of $ in on this wonderful stage show... Many thanks
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| E-Mail: | klasbury@frontiernet.net | ||
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| Where are you from?: | Lk.Havasu City,Arizona | ||
| Referred By: | Just Surfed On In | ||
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| Where are you from?: | Atlanta | ||
| Referred By: | Just Surfed On In | ||
| Comments: | Have you ever had
to go to the bathroom right in the middle of a movie and it aggravated you
because you thought you might miss something? I had to go during Phantom and
it didn't bother me!
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| E-Mail: | jeepshadow@hotmail.com | ||
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| Referred By: | Just Surfed On In | ||
| Comments: | I completely
agree with this website. Noone could, or ever will be able to capture the
Phantom role like Crawford. He truly completes what is the mystery, the
voice, the passion and yearnings of the Phantom.
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| Where are you from?: | Tampa, Florida | ||
| Referred By: | Just Surfed On In | ||
| Comments: | At the end of
what would be the first act of the stage version, the Phantom is crouched in
the darkness watching Raoul and Christine pledge their love for one another
(..say you'll share with me...). When the Phantom begins singing at that
point (...he was bound to love you...), I'm expecting to see real emotion on
his face - where the heck were the tears, the anguished looks, the fury at
the end of the song, etc?!?!?!? His wooden acting was just as bad as his
singing.
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| Where are you from?: | San Francisco | ||
| Referred By: | From a Friend | ||
| Comments: | Butler should be
arrested for impersonating a Phantom! Raoul was mediocre at best; I liked
Christine. The sets and cinematography were stunning.
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| Where are you from?: | ,Arizona | ||
| Referred By: | Search Engine | ||
| Comments: | I saw the play in
San Francisco twice and was taken by it so much that I went out and bought
the CD and listened to it all the time. The music is so beautiful. It puts
you in a magical dream world. I just saw the movie and I must say it was
good, but did not even come close to the stage play. Mini Driver did a very
good job. I think she stole the show. The special effects were great, then
the Phantom, Mr. Butler, opened his mouth. I couldn't believe it. Why, oh
why did ALWebber choose him over Michael Crawford or at least someone who
could sing like him?? This I will never understand. What a dissappointment.
I've been waiting for this film to come out for such a long time and
then.....no comment. Sorry, too bad they can't redo it. I'm too old to wait
for the next version. Guess I'll just have to go back and see the Broadway
version.
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| Referred By: | Just Surfed On In | ||
| Comments: | I suppose there
are many reasons for loving the ALW stage play of POTO. I would like to give
a few of mine. Later I will make some observations about the movie version.
Mythological - POTO exists in one of the lesser-explored mythologies - though "Beauty and the Beast" seems to border on this theme as well. The basic idea of a beautiful soul within a tortured soul is really cool. Everyone has a beautiful core, IMO - some people never get a chance to explore their angelic side. For others (like "the Beast") it takes an enchantment for them to find their beautiful/gentle side. The Phantom was always seeking balance between his curse and genius. Balance is really tough some times and stories that explore this balance resonate with me at a very deep level. Mystical - the ALW play handled the mystical elements of the original story very well (and maybe embellished them a bit - but that is OK in my book). The Phantom of the AWL play and book was something more than just a man. The magic was always with him. Musical - this is the first production that was completely music centered. Wonderful singers have historically played the role of Phantom. I recently got the Dutch Cast Highlights recording. Henk Poort is amazing (!) Comedic - A little comedy is welcomed, even in a tragedy such as the POTO. Piangi is a delight in the play - perhaps this is set up to lighten the potential clash between the Phantom (a baritone for the most part) and Piangi's tenor. I thought the Don Juan rehearsal scene was a hoot. Horror - Let's face it, this is a movie about a guy so ugly at birth that his own mother could not even look at him. Hey - that's pretty darn ugly, OK? While nothing short of people fainting from the sight is really gonna make me happy (see also the Lon Channey version), the ALW play did a credible job of creating a stage makeup which addressed both the requirement that (1) the actor be able to sing and (2) the audience was at least repulsed. Did I mention he was supposed to be REALLY UGLY? Where are these elements in the movie? Mythological / Mystical - the film story goes out of its way to reveal and even trivialize the magic that was everywhere in the play. Example: Does the Phantom disappear into thin air at the end of the movie? Nope - he exits behind a curtain. Sort of like a reverse of the Wizard of Oz, only worse. Musical - M. Butler can't sing. People who protest this assessment are either tone-deaf or female He is awfully good looking ... Comedic - I loved Minnie Driver as Carlotta but Piangi was nearly written out of the movie. What's up with that? Horror - M.Butler's Phantom seems to have an asymmetrically receding hairline and a mild case of post-pubescent acne. And then they filmed his unmasked face through some sort of softening lens. No horror - except from the more discerning members of the audience who must have felt completely betrayed. Fact: The phantom was a murderer. He was not nice. He was not pretty in any sense of the word. He will not be on the cover of GQ - ever. Yes, we are supposed to pity him, but the movie phantom was a wimp; he couldn't even beat Raoul in a sword fight. And don't even let me get started on Raoul In short, the movie fails to deliver in every aspect of the play that I loved so dearly. Could we get a do-over please?
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| E-Mail: | punkinhead00@msn.com | ||
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| Where are you from?: | Indianapolis, IN | ||
| Referred By: | Just Surfed On In | ||
| Comments: | I originally
signed the guest book a few months ago, before the movie's release, but had
to sign it again, now that I've seen the film. I must say I agree with Sandy
Rawls from Virgina. I enjoyed the film very much and loved Emmy Rossum and
Patrick Wilson, but the Phantom was clearly the weakest link. I would have
preferred him to be portrayed as he was on stage - an older man with more
extensive disfigurement and a half-mask, no open-shirted costumes, not so
gruff and angry, and with the ability to draw Christine to him through his
voice alone. (Unfortunately, this was not how Joel Schumacher envisioned the
character.) I believe Gerard Butler did the best he could, but clearly he
was cast mostly on his looks, and certainly not on his vocal ability. His
acting was very good in spots, but uneven overall. It's a shame the Phantom
was the biggest weakness in a film that was good, but could have been so
much better. Obviously, I wish they could have used Michael Crawford - the
original and best - in the role, but if they had to go with someone else, it
should at least have been an age-appropriate actor who's a trained singer.
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| E-Mail: | ,sandy.rawls@vdot.virginia.gov | ||
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| Where are you from?: | ,Richmond, Virginia | ||
| Referred By: | Just Surfed On In | ||
| Comments: | Well, to add to
my first posting, I gritted my teeth and saw the movie. Visually it was
Stunning,atmosphere great. Sets, costumes etc. breath taking. I could have
been a perfect 10, except Gerald Butler had to open his mouth, Look, I give
him a bit of credit, he tried, my patience. He was a bit too menacing,too
psychotic. The 3 productions I have seen of POTO, 2 in Norfolk Va, and once
on Broadway(with Gaines Davies) The rare video footage of Michael, The
Phantom was seductive,driven, and misunderstood,with just an undercurrent of
menace. They could have gotten Michael to sing it, and dubbed over Butler's
assaination of the songs, Heck, if an actress of the caliber of Minnie
Driver was honest enough and smart to let someone sing for her,well Butler
ain't that great an actor to begin with, Maybe he's an ok Vampire, but he is
no Phantom. Oh, and word to Mr.Butler, You sir could never begin to compete
with Michael, and FYI, Michael turns 63 this month January 19, 1942, read
his Autobiography, at least be accurate. On a whole the movie was
excellent,could've been perfect,if Gerald Butler had not done his own
singing
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| Where are you from?: | Miami | ||
| Referred By: | Just Surfed On In | ||
| Comments: | When I saw the
opening special effects of the wind blowing the dust off the chairs in the
theater (rather than just seeing the drapes fall in the stage version), I
thought, "Wow, this is going to be something good!" Unfortunately, it went
downhill after that - the Phantom's "singing" sounded like the REAL Phantom
had cursed him with the same affliction as Carlotta! the poor fool really
had me laughing!!! Or cringing if the truth be told!
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| E-Mail: | emailbella@shaw.ca | ||
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| Where are you from?: | Calgary Canada | ||
| Referred By: | Just Surfed On In | ||
| Comments: | sure.
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| E-Mail: | cheery01@hotmail.com | ||
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| Referred By: | Search Engine | ||
| Comments: | Your voice has
made my mind take wings. Your music will never be over.NEVER!
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| Where are you from?: | NYC | ||
| Referred By: | Just Surfed On In | ||
| Comments: | Because of my
husband's position in the music industry, I've been able to attend many
social functions with various stars from Broadway. Two or three years back
we were introduced to Mr. Crawford at a benefit. During the course of the
conversation the idea of a movie version of Phantom came up. It was my
impression that he was not that interested in playing the role. whether or
not he would have considered it, I would have liked it had ALW at least had
the courtesy to ask! His "replacement" is abysmal.
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| Where are you from?: | Germany | ||
| Referred By: | Just Surfed On In | ||
| Comments: | I am visiting in
the US and saw the movie. I was repulsed by the acting and singing; Crawford
and Brightman were much, much better. I did appreciate the special effects
and everything else that was made possible by making the movie. I can only
think that having Crawford and Brightman in the film version would have made
for a movie that I would watch a thousand times.
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| E-Mail: | sugarnspice0003@yahoo.com | ||
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| Where are you from?: | Bowling Green, KY | ||
| Referred By: | Just Surfed On In | ||
| Comments: | Hey,all! I am a
die-hard fan of The Phantom of the Opera. I saw Michael Crawford as the
Phantom and have fallen in love with the show ever since. Go see the
show!!!! ( on Broadway)
Sincerely, Elise
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| E-Mail: | preemarose@iinet.net.au | ||
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| Where are you from?: | Western Australia | ||
| Referred By: | Search Engine | ||
| Comments: | Am looking for
the DVD version of Michael Crawford in Phantom of the Opera. Am hoping to by
it for a surprise gift for a friend.
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| Where are you from?: | Michigan | ||
| Referred By: | Just Surfed On In | ||
| Comments: | Saw the Phantom
movie the other day. He seems more suited to a soap opera than to the Paris
opera. And Christine? Lovely girl, great voice, but did someone glue her
arms to her side? And her face had only one expression thru the whole movie!
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| Where are you from?: | England | ||
| Referred By: | From a Friend | ||
| Comments: | MC would have
been a million times better than this guy - he cannot carry a tune in a
bucket. It's funny, however, as I was sitting there I thought, "ALW doesn't
care what we think - he's making money just by us being there! I think the
movie was a true adaptation of the stage show - it was the horrible acting
that made it seem so bad. Interestingly enough, the movie was more accurate
when it comes to the translation of the original book (e.g., Mme. Giry's
role in rescuing the young Phantom and the closing scene where Raoul found
the rose/engagement ring on Christine's grave). That doesn't matter though.
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| Where are you from?: | Va | ||
| Referred By: | Just Surfed On In | ||
| Comments: | The reviews I
read all said this was a true adaptation of the stage show. Baloney. The
stage show was a moving story of a deformed tortured man and his obsession
for a young opera singer. The movie is about a teenager discovering sex.
They should have renamed it Christine of the Opera. The guy playing the
phantom was so unmemorable that the Washington Post apparently didn't even
notice he was in the movie. None of the actors I've seen on stage ever let
their Christines steal the show out from under them.
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| E-Mail: | cesar.gutierrez@ericsson.com | ||
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| Where are you from?: | Spain | ||
| Referred By: | Search Engine | ||
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| E-Mail: | iarechachi@yahoo.com | ||
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| Where are you from?: | Fontana, California | ||
| Referred By: | Just Surfed On In | ||
| Comments: | I've wanted to
see the play again with many of the originals. I feel that the movie could
be way better with someone like Crawford as the Phantom and many of the
original cast. It could be more memorable with the originals if they were
casted in a movie, which people could watch many times.
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| Where are you from?: | Hanover PA | ||
| Referred By: | Search Engine | ||
| Comments: | So glad I found
this site. You have put so much into it and it shows. Please keep it going
the clips are great! They need to be preserved for posterity. I ran straight
home from that abomination of a movie to hear MC sing music of the night!
Ahhhhh.....I must have been dreaming, oh yes of course, a nightmare where
they cast some jerk who can't sing!??!!! this guy clearly should have known
he was in way over his head. It boggles the mind truly.
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| E-Mail: | michaelday_22@hotmail.com | ||
| Homepage Title: | www.hotmail.com | ||
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| Where are you from?: | Canada | ||
| Referred By: | Just Surfed On In | ||
| Comments: | It is canda sad
to see the Michael Crawford not to be cast in the movie If I were in the
movie I would do a good job better then Butler.
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