Steve Harley would have been a disaster as the Phantom, all one has to do is listen to him sing. At no time did he present the range, tone and skill needed to play the Phantom. He still thinks he should have gotten the part, a joke. Webb
Wow, Steve Harley, will you stop? It's been 23 years (from the time this was posted) and you didn't get the role for a reason. Michael isn't my favorite Phantom, but at the time he was by far the best choice for the role. He's great :)
@JAyala7293 You do realize he was asked to talk about how he felt at the time. If you knew anything about him outside this video, you'd know he almost never talks about it unless directly asked. Did you want him to lie and say "Oh I felt wonderful wonderful about losing the role." He doesn't care now, he's just honest.
As much as I love and appreciate Gerry I think he was far too handsome to play the role of the Phantom. Michael Crawford did an amazing job-- Andrew Lloyd Webber made the perfect choice.
@ItheSwick As I told another user, did you want him to lie about how he felt back then? He's just being honest about how he felt. Do you want him to lie and give platitudes? He's moved on since then 100%
@DAisbetter Picture this will you? On broadway in the 1980's Michael Crawford had to perform 6 days a week there was no voice editing and there was no retakes on Broadway. He had one chance per night to do an amazing performance! Unlike Gerard. Just think about that.
Lon Chaney gave the best acting performance and face for the Phantom
Michael Crawford gave the best singing voice (to be fair Chaney worked in the silent era but he was more of a physical actor and michael's voice is everything I imagine he should sound like). Together they make the perfect Erik.
Joel Schumacher didnt want the phantom to be old in the movie. He agreed to direct it on the condition that the cast was much younger, so it had more appeal to a younger audience as well as the older fans of phantom.
and anyway, the movie was going to be made much earlier than it was, with Michael and Sarah playing the Phantom and Christine, but it had to be put on hold for a while because of Sarah and Andrew's split.
I'm so glad he made these "doubters" eat their words.....especially Steve Harley. Thanks to Andrew Lloyd Webber his star will shine forever. No one will ever surpass him .................
to be honest... I think Stever was just jealous and annoyed he didn't get the part. And If I'm honest, its just as well he didnt, I've not heard him sing anythign outside of Phantom, but from whatI had hear.. he wouldnt suit the character
@FilmRangers I'm not going to say Steve's voice is perfect, but fitting for the character? I'd have to say very. Over the years, especially in the songs he did before he was cast here, his work was orchestral, soaring, gothic, tender and romantic. Search Death Trip, Ritz, Sebastian. I think in a different time, he would have made a great Erik, just maybe not for ALW. I think he *was* disappointed, but he's moved on completely. I'm a phan of 18 years, btw. Go give him a chance. ;)
Steve Harley's reaction is hilarious. It's obvious he's still bitter (not that I blame him; the Phantom is now one of the most iconic roles in musical theater history) but it's like, "Dude, it's been *20 years*, get over it". :)
I love Michael as Erik. Absolutely love him. His voice is indescribably beautiful. Amazing.
I fell in LOVE with Michael as well after seeing him in Phantom! MC literally bacame the Phantom as apposed to just doing a good job singing and acting the role. I truly hope , thru these clips, that people will finally realize just how much Michael Crawford contributed to the creation of the character of Erk as we know it today. I've seen a lot of shows and performers and Michael just blew me out of the water like no one before and after him. A truly stunning performer and great guy to boot!
I think they chose not to cast him because he's about 60-something now and Emmy Rossum (Christine) was only about 17. That would have been a bit weird.
Michael Crawford could not be able to be in the movie because Andrew Lloyd Webbed divorce Sarah Brightman in 1990. It was played for 1990 to make the movie.Then he was offered EFX which brought 2million a show, then he broke his hip. Then he was offered the Woman in White during movie was made.
Well I dont think he was a choice to begin with. But ALW wanted to "rock it up" a little to make it more attractive to younger people. He succeeded, and ruined the character while he was at it. He could have used Howard McGillin, Gary Mauer, and many, many others that would have been WAY better than Gerard Butler. But he didn't, and Phantom went from one of the most critically acclaimed shows on the stage to one of the most critically lauded movies in the box office. Utter dissapointment.
Angelkay7, you have never read the Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux, The Phantom is 50 to 60+, a father figure relationship as well possible romance with Christine is 20, Raoul 21.
Steve Harley would have been a disaster as the Phantom, all one has to do is listen to him sing. At no time did he present the range, tone and skill needed to play the Phantom. He still thinks he should have gotten the part, a joke. Webb
N4bpp1 1 month ago
lol I laughed at 0:58 ( repeat)
I think I missed the point of this clip?
Pallikarva96 4 months ago
Wow, Steve Harley, will you stop? It's been 23 years (from the time this was posted) and you didn't get the role for a reason. Michael isn't my favorite Phantom, but at the time he was by far the best choice for the role. He's great :)
JAyala7293 4 months ago
@JAyala7293 You do realize he was asked to talk about how he felt at the time. If you knew anything about him outside this video, you'd know he almost never talks about it unless directly asked. Did you want him to lie and say "Oh I felt wonderful wonderful about losing the role." He doesn't care now, he's just honest.
geligniteandlilies 2 weeks ago
Michael went from being: A Comedy Star, to Barnum, to The Phantom. I love Michael so much, and he's a brilliant actor. :33
RosesNightengales 5 months ago
"why did they put him in" Steve
Music of the night starts playing...
yeah, thats why.
jacci004 8 months ago 4
Without question, the "Greatest" Phantom.
robertdamico1 8 months ago 2
What I heard of Steve Harley made me think he had a fine voice for a pop singer or rock n roller -- but for the phantom? He didn't have the range.
BeckEis 8 months ago 3
As much as I love and appreciate Gerry I think he was far too handsome to play the role of the Phantom. Michael Crawford did an amazing job-- Andrew Lloyd Webber made the perfect choice.
LesFleurrouge 11 months ago
WTF is this a trailer for? Michael Crawford was NOT in the movie.
calamitylauren 11 months ago
@calamitylauren hahahaha ur obviously american...all that culture and knowledge...
samsmantha1 10 months ago
@calamitylauren
it's a part of the making of the musical included in the second DVD of the 2 DVD set of the movie.
HingYok 9 months ago
Steve Harley... Sour Grapes much?
ItheSwick 1 year ago 5
@ItheSwick As I told another user, did you want him to lie about how he felt back then? He's just being honest about how he felt. Do you want him to lie and give platitudes? He's moved on since then 100%
geligniteandlilies 2 weeks ago
I'm sorry but Gerard Butler has and always will be my phantom.
DAisbetter 1 year ago
@DAisbetter Picture this will you? On broadway in the 1980's Michael Crawford had to perform 6 days a week there was no voice editing and there was no retakes on Broadway. He had one chance per night to do an amazing performance! Unlike Gerard. Just think about that.
Galygal77 1 year ago 6
look up rach aka frank spencer if you want to see an Australian female Frank Spencer.
TheElvisaka 1 year ago
Lon Chaney gave the best acting performance and face for the Phantom
Michael Crawford gave the best singing voice (to be fair Chaney worked in the silent era but he was more of a physical actor and michael's voice is everything I imagine he should sound like). Together they make the perfect Erik.
balrog13571 2 years ago
I love this. Michael's look in the beginning to the man next to him his look is priceless. Was like "WTH are you doing man?" But this is amazing.
RosesNightengales 2 years ago 7
The phantom is 50-60 in the book? WOW! he's a sexy old man lol but really when christine is so young? hmm you never know i guess back then...
iamdiva 2 years ago 8
Mr. HARRIOT!
bkire2009 2 years ago
Joel Schumacher didnt want the phantom to be old in the movie. He agreed to direct it on the condition that the cast was much younger, so it had more appeal to a younger audience as well as the older fans of phantom.
and anyway, the movie was going to be made much earlier than it was, with Michael and Sarah playing the Phantom and Christine, but it had to be put on hold for a while because of Sarah and Andrew's split.
samwhore 2 years ago 4
The Phantom is supposed to be old! The character is not young, so age was no excuse for not putting Michael in the movie!
pegcage 2 years ago 18
I'm so glad he made these "doubters" eat their words.....especially Steve Harley. Thanks to Andrew Lloyd Webber his star will shine forever. No one will ever surpass him .................
4evrmc 2 years ago 13
to be honest... I think Stever was just jealous and annoyed he didn't get the part. And If I'm honest, its just as well he didnt, I've not heard him sing anythign outside of Phantom, but from whatI had hear.. he wouldnt suit the character
FilmRangers 2 years ago 11
@FilmRangers I'm not going to say Steve's voice is perfect, but fitting for the character? I'd have to say very. Over the years, especially in the songs he did before he was cast here, his work was orchestral, soaring, gothic, tender and romantic. Search Death Trip, Ritz, Sebastian. I think in a different time, he would have made a great Erik, just maybe not for ALW. I think he *was* disappointed, but he's moved on completely. I'm a phan of 18 years, btw. Go give him a chance. ;)
geligniteandlilies 2 weeks ago
Some have it and some don't. The Phantom (to me) will always be
Michael Crawford.
sycygy46 2 years ago 68
When I listen to The Phantom of the Opera it has to be Michael Crawford as the Phantom and Sarah Brightman singing.
I cannot listen to anyone else.
Gshortland 2 years ago 10
Comedy is the hardest to play for an Actor more than drama and to play it with a straight face without breaking up into laughter.
caprice6 2 years ago 3
People imply term "light entertainer" more than once in this clip.This is absolute nonsense.
Crawford is a professional actor.
As such he should be able to play a King,a Fool a Pauper, Preacher or even a Phantom,in a most convincing way,at the drop of a hat.
That played the latter so brilliantly should be no surprise to anyone except the audience.
I expected more respect for the profession from the industry people interviewed here. They seemed only concerned with ticket sales.
neohip 2 years ago 16
2:00 = Sour grapes
Terr0rMkey 2 years ago 6
Steve Harley's reaction is hilarious. It's obvious he's still bitter (not that I blame him; the Phantom is now one of the most iconic roles in musical theater history) but it's like, "Dude, it's been *20 years*, get over it". :)
I love Michael as Erik. Absolutely love him. His voice is indescribably beautiful. Amazing.
TheaterRaven 3 years ago 50
@TheaterRaven and I think that Steve Harley's voice isn't that good! btw, love your vids! :)
P0H0A0N0T0O0M 1 year ago 3
I fell in LOVE with Michael as well after seeing him in Phantom! MC literally bacame the Phantom as apposed to just doing a good job singing and acting the role. I truly hope , thru these clips, that people will finally realize just how much Michael Crawford contributed to the creation of the character of Erk as we know it today. I've seen a lot of shows and performers and Michael just blew me out of the water like no one before and after him. A truly stunning performer and great guy to boot!
colinmcphan 3 years ago 6
Michael is THE Phantom, why he didn´t play this part in the movie you made? Gerald B. CAN NOT sing !!!
phantomsvoice 3 years ago 11
I think they chose not to cast him because he's about 60-something now and Emmy Rossum (Christine) was only about 17. That would have been a bit weird.
AngelKay7 2 years ago 3
Michael Crawford could not be able to be in the movie because Andrew Lloyd Webbed divorce Sarah Brightman in 1990. It was played for 1990 to make the movie.Then he was offered EFX which brought 2million a show, then he broke his hip. Then he was offered the Woman in White during movie was made.
caprice6 2 years ago
Universal backed out of the movie the first time. Financial reasons I think.
willydee 2 years ago
Well I dont think he was a choice to begin with. But ALW wanted to "rock it up" a little to make it more attractive to younger people. He succeeded, and ruined the character while he was at it. He could have used Howard McGillin, Gary Mauer, and many, many others that would have been WAY better than Gerard Butler. But he didn't, and Phantom went from one of the most critically acclaimed shows on the stage to one of the most critically lauded movies in the box office. Utter dissapointment.
willydee 2 years ago 2
Angelkay7, you have never read the Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux, The Phantom is 50 to 60+, a father figure relationship as well possible romance with Christine is 20, Raoul 21.
caprice6 2 years ago 6
I don't understand why I have been replaced my MC... cut to your answer... lol
RebelFounderOdogoo 3 years ago 8
---An inspired choice as strange as it might have seemed at the time. Thank goodness they made that choice.
Bric 3 years ago 10