Michael Crawford on Sunday Morning

This is a clip that shows the Phantom makeup being applied to Michael Crawford as well as other behind-the-scenes footage as he prepares to perform on the Bob Hope Show. A must-have for any Crawford fan. Enjoy!

[@raarotongaaruffin3546]

MICHAEL CRAWFORD, THE GREATEST "PHANTOM OF THE OPERA"--------

[@DameHaha2011]

I think MC had the greatest transformation if all of the Phantoms, he's absolutely unrecognisable. Who agrees?

[@amandac9894]

I love a lot of things about the way Crawford portrays the phantom but one of my most favourite things is his hands - I can tell he studied Chaney’s version of Phantom because just like him he relies on his hands to express emotion. What a fantastic man! I could write essays on how amazing he portrayed this phantom :)

[@theluckynames]

Michael is the best Phantom ever. There is NO topping him.

[@stephenculpepper9970]

Gerard Butler

[@courtroomegg]

@@stephenculpepper9970genuinely the most insane thing you could ever say

[@strangastrange]

I thought it was beautiful when the interviewer asked Michael if he'd prefer an easier job and Michael said, "Well, yeah. But I'd miss 'him'. I'd miss him when I leave him behind. He's been a good friend."

[@54spiritedwill54]

I love the way how he actually feels the character of the Phantom. He seems to have a deep understanding for him.

[@LOVxxE]

HE IS AMAZING.....soooo passionate about the role, its how every phantom should be! HE GIVES ME SHIVERS everytime he sings....BEST PHANTOM EVERRR!!

[@MTknitter22]

MC is so grateful and really humbled by the phenomenon the show has become. It is clear his humility is genuine too - every actor hopes for that one part that will make HIS interpretation of it live long long after he is gone. Mr. Crawford knows what a gift that is and he made the most of that opportunity. What a hard working man too.

[@TeamRainbowAirsoft]

He is the Angel of Music.

[@runswithscissors86]

OMG. No one tops this man. And they zoomed in on his hands. *faints* I know that sounds weird, but I always watched Michael's hands during "Music of the Night," and apparently someone else does, too. This is a keeper. Thanks for posting it!

[@serahblair8116]

just some quotes that pulled at my heartstrings: "I have to dive into this imaginary character, deep into his soul. I've found that I care about what I've found in there. And I have a genuine love playing him. And for the love he has for the girl... and for his music. He has such wonderful passion. He suffers rejection, which we all do in one form or another at some point in our lives, if we're brave enough to love. If you can dive that deep, and then hear that overture with the music and the dialogue you have available to you, I think they'll go along on that journey with you because they listen. They can hear how deep it's coming from." [Interviewer: You ever think to yourself, 'When I get done with this I'm gonna get myself a nice show that involves maybe ten minutes of makeup a night and then comes off with cold cream and that's it?'] "Um, well, yes but I'd miss... I'd miss him. I'll miss him when I leave him behind. Yeah 'cause he's been a... a good friend."

[@bananaboo]

What a wonderful man! You can really tell how much he loves and understands the character. Oh, how I love Michael Crawford! Definitely my favorite Phantom!

[@imisstoronto3121]

My biggest regret is that I was never able to see him perform this part on stage.

[@tomtalker2000]

God bless you Michael. You were the first i saw along with Sarah Brightman. And then i saw two performances one with John Owen-Jones and one with Ramin Karimloo BOTH with Sierra Boggess. So i feel blessed that i got to see THE BEST phantoms and christine's perform there respective parts.

[@bawoman]

Ah, that wistful look in his eyes when asked if he's going to be happy having a more comfortable, less grueling job after leaving the Phantom is not only why Michael Crawford has owned a good portion of my heart since I have been lucky enough to know of him, but the very reason that majestic character will remain his, forever, and ever . Despite him literally wincing in pain 2 seconds before and clearly exhausted, he clearly is not ready to let go of his Phantom, his friend.I very much hope despite all the years that have come and gone he has never fully let go of him yet.

[@haniyehlavoi3070]

I love this man ❤

[@haniyehlavoi3070]

Best Phantom ever ❤

[@Jeannekm126]

5:10 I'm dying.

[@keelieak]

1:07 -that Phantomy laugh!! :)

[@xxmusicfashionlove]

"I'll miss him, because he's been a good friend." Aw, I love MC.

[@lLadyAszneth]

Every time I watch this or ANY clip showing any of HIS performances, for HE - Michael Crawford - will be my ONLY real phantom, I can't ever stop the many tears that I have NO power to stop. I was not fortunate enough to see him live and to my knowledge MacIntosh or none of the other producers ever bothered filming live stage performances for US POOR SOULS who were never able to see HIM, playing the dear DEAR Erik! I've lost SO many tears over this, my all-time biggest regret of my life (I'm 50 now) and was just about to turn 18 when he landed on Broadway, and had spent a year learning Christine's part at the behest of my teacher for the sole purpose of training my voice more. And once I'd finally hit Christine's top high E, I was instantly "her." Also, my connection to it all is more deep as my birthday is in the original novel I'd done a book rpt on in early school yrs and left me sobbing by its end. So once I'd learned ALL of her notes, hearing Erik (AND Michael) singing to ME, the Christine who truly loved him, with his angelic voice; and my plans to get to NYC and corner Hal Prince to sing for him, fell through. I have no words for the grief and actual PANGS I felt and I wish I could tell Michael. (Sigh) (: ' (

[@serahblair8116]

I'm almost eighteen and I also get upset over the fact that I will never see the Greatest Phantom perform :'(

[@lLadyAszneth]

@@serahblair8116 We two then, Ms Serah, are rowing the same sad boat! I was SO close, I could taste it and this, my BIGGEST regret is one I'll never truly get over and I've been writing a letter to send him, coz of all the POTO stories he may have heard, not one like mine. And I'm gonna send it to his agent so I'll make sure it gets into HIS hands and lost in 1,000's of other fan letters. And really once he sees my parchment paper sealed with wax, I doubt he'd be able to resist not reading it, right? I weep with you Serah. 😞😢

[@knightridernina]

I'm 40. I became addicted to POTO when my 4th grade teacher introduced me to both the book and OLC. I was 9. Michael was playing Phantom at the time (1990) but it's not like my parents were going to take me 1000s of miles to see it. I'm sitting here crying (again) at the realization that I (and so many others) will never get this opportunity and we don't even have a damn decent video to see him in the role. It's truly devastating. I would pay literally any amount of money to see him just one time as Phantom.

[@lLadyAszneth]

@@knightridernina I can totally relate Nina! Someone said there IS a filmed version of him but is apparently buried in the archives of the NYC library website but I've never been able to find it! And yes, I too, would pay any amount. When the film was released, I was incensed at the AWFUL casting knowing that IRL Michael would've been the correct age of Erik and by then his voice was even better AND even though he's never said so, I believe one of the reasons he left the show in LA was not only to have a much-needed rest but Andrew and others had dangled and promised the film role over his head for years and then he was properly denied! Butler BUTCHERED MOTN and the rest of the score! I wasn't impressed with the choice for Christine either! 😭😭😭 PS Ms. Nina, in case you've never seen this, it's his Final Lair scene where you can hear him change his lines in tribute to his departure "Christine, I LOVED you." instead of "I love you." Made me weep all the more. You also see him use his "magick" on her during the DJT part, to make her more sensual. I know you'll love it as I do. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pX2slaiDnN-Sqa8 Take care, Aszneth

[@PhanaticalEponine]

i never every get tired of watching this vid. it's my favorite MC one by far. =] oh michael, how i love thee.

[@Kris-fq9bi]

This is why i love youtube and other similar sites! I LOOOVE MC, but was born too late to even have the possibility of seeing him play this part. Thank goodness for vid!

[@cjaccardi]

the original and still the best of all time , bring michael back for one more tour!!!

[@veecee3669]

Thank you for posting this video, it was lovely to reminisce about the Phantom as portrayed by the magnificent Michael be Crawford.

[@oldschoolcollodion]

That clip from angel of music 🤩🤩🤩

[@desertann]

Oh man, he's so sexy when he sings! I would never guess that voice would come out of him. He's such a nice and normal guy with the voice of an angel.

[@TheBigandSkinny]

Who knew that all these years later we would all have to say good bye to such a powerful character Michael created for the world. This show inspired so many people. It's been a monumental piece of the theater world.

[@MrDavey2010]

I saw Michael Crawford as the original Phantom in London in the early 1980s. Mesmerising & memorable.

[@phantomlover1467]

You Are So Lucky!!!

[@amandac9894]

MrDavey2010 you’re so lucky 😭 I wish I was born at a time when I could see Crawford in his iconic role

[@chantelle5219]

just absoloutely amazing in every way he is such a perfectionist at his work with the opera love him ...

[@Genevieve.Spring]

I completely agree. 20 and 15 second notes being held out in Gethsemane. On either An A or G. Simply amazing.

[@Lillian2167]

I love that note he holds at the end of Music of the Night! ^_^ his voice is so wonderful to listen to!

[@topper4936]

Thank you for posting this video. It's one of my favorites on Michael. His comments on how he personally feels about the Phantom, gives insight to how sensitive a person he is. The closeup of his face as he takes off the cape, gives me chills cause I can see how he becomes the Phantom. I especially like the informal scenes where he's talking while made up as the Phantom. I can't remember seeing any other video where he does it.

[@lperr]

What an amazing video, thanks do much for posting. I've been everywhere to what Michael Crawford looked liked under the mask with the makeup done!That's the only thing i've found!

[@PhanaticalEponine]

this was one of the best MC videos i've seen to date (and i've watched just about all of them several times lol)! lol that "i am your angel of music" was hott, i'm not gonna lie lol. thx so much!

[@phantomvideowatcher]

thanks so much for posting this. i was a real treasure. michael is just amazing.not just w/ his talent in the show but his heart and his humor. he's one of a kind i tell you. and i love him dearly!

[@kaylaelizabeth2076]

The best and forever the best, followed by Hugh Parnaro and Peter Joback.

[@lkblondie8061]

Kayla Elizabeth couldnt agree more

[@InkJuggler]

Kayla Elizabeth Omg yes, a million times yes

[@bawoman]

Yes, my second favorite after Michael is Hugh too

[@shaheenahmad90]

the best phantoms in my book 1.Michael Crawford 2.Ramin Karimloo

[@Folkmann]

Thank for posting this..it's really great!

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

I agree with the many voices on here, I love Michael Crawford and his portrayal of the Phantom. I've heard many others sing and perform the role, and IMHO, no other actor played the role (either in the musical or even the film version) better than he did. Plus, he is, outside of costume, so funny and shy. It was nice seeing this, thank you to whoever posted it. I wish the visual quality was better - but nevertheless I loved seeing this. :D

[@Candys-Killer]

Aww XD Michale Crawford is such a nice and funny guy, I love him ^^, great video!!

[@Cutekitty22]

omg...i wish this movie did come out!

[@xanaminx]

Oh, what a gem! Love this1

[@christinewells-leddon9287]

The Phantom I first knew...and my sentimental favorite.

[@sYcHoFrEaK360]

I would love to meet him.

[@FelizNAVIDad293]

Please play the phantom one more time :(

[@PhanaticalEponine]

the movie was originally supposed to be made in 1990 -- when Michael was still the Phantom. but for some reason it never got made and now we sadly have to deal w/ the crap that was made in '04.

[@reneejeanne]

Anyone see him in "How I Won the War"? Also, listgen to him sing "Gethesemane" on one of the "Best of" albums - obviously very different from the original, more "rock" version from the album - but what amazing vocal abilities - the amount of breath control, the number of notes he can hold at full volume! Truly amazing!

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

Plus, I forgot to add - it was very sweet of him to say that his inspiration for his version of the character was mostly from the novel and by watching Lon Chaney (who is the only other actor I loved in the role). Thank you again.

[@Aussie1276]

My mother saw Michael in London as the Phantom

[@jcpdloco]

I'm sorry if you misunderstood me about my comment, I know after seeing these interviews with Crawford that it did mean a alot to him thats why I wrote that a "wish" I could have seen the stage show but after reading my comment again I left out "original cast" in it. If only I had a time machine! All I can get my hands on now is the original cast recordings which is phenomenal! Being there in person would be a dream come true for me! :)

[@thephantom1946]

@audiesgirl also Michael had already starred in 3 West End musicals, winning an Olivier Award for the title role in Barnum. ALW just waited for him to finish his commitment to it and immediately tapped him for the Phantom. He was classically trained vocally. Thank goodness for all of us!

[@caprice6]

Michael had won London Olivier Award for the Phantom 1986. The Guardian, Michael Billington Michael Crawford as the Phantom, above all, brings out the characters 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.

[@desertann]

It seems that most interviews with Michael were in America. I haven't found a decent interview when he was in London. And he was there a full year as the Phantom.

[@jcpdloco]

Heck yeah! that would be cool! :D

[@Chrisrex83]

I LOVE MC Phantom! Simply the best! He and Sarah were cast to do the movie in 1992, but they cancelled it and re-cast with the 2004 movie cast. A terrible shame. I think the movie would have done so much better if they had of kept the originals in it. My opinion-If you truely want to experience "Phantom" go see the stage show-NOT the movie.

[@thephantom1946]

@Dirschbag Dale Kristien played Christine on Broadway and LA with Crawford. There is a performance of Crawford's Phantom, but it isn't available to the public. Only to the cast of POTO in NY and researchers. It's located in the Lincoln Center Library. What a shame it was restricted to the public.

[@Disneylover2023]

one word wow

[@ChildOfTheWilderness]

There has been talk of Michael Crawford being recalled to play the Phantom when Andrew Lloyd Webber has finished writing his sequel. He still has the voice, it's just a question of whether he can endure a starring role for a long period at his age.

[@thephantom1946]

@hapey123 Dale was in both the LA and Broadway production. She and Michael came to LA for that run. She was the longest playing Christine with Michael Crawford.

[@Gandalf914]

I always thought Crawford was the best ALW Phantom not just because he was “first”, but because of his combination of aesthetic, body language, and vocals. The actors after him were brilliant, but they seemed to miss the original aesthetic. The Phantom was always supposed to be a menacing dungeon-dweller with a underlying sensitive side, not a masked playboy-looking bad boy like in later interpretations. Take this video for example: the way Crawford tilts his head and moves his hands while menacingly singing “I am your Angel of Music!” He nailed the Chaney feel.

[@jcpdloco]

I wish I could have seen the original show. The movie was very awesome but I've heard the stage was fantastic! I play guitar and love music of all types, the music is just very moving and I only just discovered it 2 yrs. ago!

[@FelizNAVIDad293]

My top 5 phantoms 1. Michael Crawford 2. Timothy Nolen 3. Peter Hofmann 4. Mark Mckerracher 5. Colin Wilkinson

[@voodoogirl89]

colinmcphan: "and met up close" *-* oooooooooooooooooooooohhhh... *O*

[@grnday11700]

See, I knew it would be someone like that. lol. Actually, about a week later I found the link to the story where I read that but had already forgotten about this. Thanks for correcting me there! :)

[@NRP589]

Agreed

[@audiesgirl]

Was the mask used on both sides of the face? I imagine the skin gets tired of the goo day after day. We'll never see the likes of this again, thanks, Michael, for bringing such joy to so many.

[@jonniephantom]

Is that a red death clip of Michael from the Los Angeles show or the original Broadway cast?

[@jcpdloco]

Yeah thats what I hear. Only, I wish I could have seen the "original cast" with my own eyes. but I dont think its gonna happen and this makes me very sad.

[@thephantom1946]

@liamblackere The makeup isn't on the wrong side, the camera is behind him, shooting him in the mirror.

[@Gerryluver]

they are terrific, but now, they're pretty good.

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

Lucille Ball was the person who advised him not to wear them, otherwise he'd destroy his eyesight.

[@DarthxErik]

lemme just say that at 5:08 my heart just about stopped beating.

[@thephantom1946]

@audiesgirl No, it was only used on the right side of his face. It never changes sides. He admits how claustrophobic it feels with all the prosthetics and mask, and how he would just be pouring sweat and had to change shirt and collar at least 4 times during the show. He had to replace fluid, but he could only drink through a straw while made up.

[@SteinerneReiter]

Odd how he's wearing an opaque contact lens in the right eye. Not only would that cut his depth perception but I think he usually wore just a light blue lens on that side?

[@amyclarke41]

😎 thank god he was phantom

[@PrincessSolitaire]

There used to be at least 100 people or more at the stage door every night he was in the show. The L.A. Times used to call it Michael Mania. He was the hottest ticket in town. That was the extraordinary thing - he was so unremarkable as his normal self, but put him in the makeup and costume, and he was electric on the stage.

[@hapey123]

@Dirschbag I am pretty sure that is L.A. clips seeing that Dale is in all of them.

[@tmm-animusician978]

Where did the video of the title song come from?

[@Dirschbag]

Where did this news station get the Broadway clips of the performance from????

[@UltimateMoose]

@liamblackere Because the camera is filming the mirror not his face. :)

[@ChildOfTheWilderness]

Crikey, I'm suprised at the amount of people who don't know this, it's all Webber has been talking about for months and in the interviews he's had. He is writing a Phantom sequel, we may not like it but he is.

[@Haunter_Who88]

Two questions... What kind of wig (aside from it being Theatrical) is that, It seems too thin & in place for it being a wig & what kind of styled Fedora does he wear?

[@Dirschbag]

@hapey123 First off, who's Dale? And is there any full stage performance with Michael Crawford available?

[@kaylaelizabeth2076]

Dirschbag, the woman playing Christine. Her name is Kristen Dale. There are performances of him but they're not clear. Just type in "Michael Crawford, live phantom of the opera" and you'll get videos. all separate clips but they work.

[@thephantom1946]

Her name is Dale Kristien.

[@thephantomshadow]

I don't like the idea of a Phantom sequel, but I will see it only if Michael is in it. That's my only condition.

[@Arachne55]

There's going to be a sequel???!!!

[@user-mq5dr1jh5t]

even if others thought he stunk in dotv it didnt destroy me as a fan

[@ChildOfTheWilderness]

It is scheduled for release in 2009. Dunno who is doing the lyrics yet.

[@bitchass7198]

Richie 1138 here we are 10 years later and it’s fairly successful and on tour

[@janetaylor6574]

The ONLY Phantom! Also only one Kuralt.

[@phantomofopera91]

Some type of adhesive which i guess you could refer to as glue. Probably a lot more potent than spirit gum

[@PhanaticalEponine]

i swear...ALW's already gotten me pretty mad the past few years. if he screws the sequel up (which is bound to happen) idk what i'll do. but if and ONLY IF he gets MC, i'd tolerate it. for his sake.

[@ChildOfTheWilderness]

Yes, it will called The Phantom of Manhattan. It is based on the book that came out some years back. I am worried this will fail, the book wasn't very good and Webber could use one of his new reality casting shows to get the star, which would ruin it.

[@hranf]

wat r u talking about sequel?

[@ChildOfTheWilderness]

No, the cat jumped inside the recording piano and it was erased from the recording drive. That just means he's going to have to re-record it again. I think the cat was bribed by the fans to ensure this sequel never happens

[@TheaterRaven]

I can't wait for Michael's special, either. I hope all goes well, and that I can get a ticket And as for "Phantom of Manhattan", it needs to die. Right now. Poor Otto tried to warn ol' ALW, but . . . And I hope Michael has nothing to do with it. I love him too much to see him in something that's just headed straight for disaster, IMO. The book is awful. Even if they just stuck to the basic plotline only, like they did with Leroux's novel for the first musical, PoM would still be terrible.

[@grnday11700]

This wasn't done for long. He eventually stopped wearing it on the advice of (I believe it was her at least) Audrey Hepburn. (If it wasn't her, it was someone on the same level of fame as her that happened to see the show.)

[@ChildOfTheWilderness]

I don't thinka sequel is a good idea either, but it's going to happen. We just have to hope it works as well as the original. But based on how the story goes I doubt it.

[@thephantom1946]

Dale Kristien

[@ChildOfTheWilderness]

Well, Michael did do Dance of the Vampires, that was pretty dodgy. But I agree, Phantom of Manhattan sucked as a novel. The basic story was weird and it was prroly written and had a bad ending. However, it has a few promising bits, and ALW has said there are major plot points he wants to re-do because he doesn't like them.

[@ChildOfTheWilderness]

Michael may not want to do it. He will be in his 70s when the sequel is stage-ready. He may not have the endurance to do lots of shows. He pulled out of The Woman in White not that long after starting it because of ill health.

[@XxNobodysAngel]

It never got made b.c Sarah and Andrew got divorced.