The Complete Phantom of the Opera

[Countess Cain]

Get it.

And that's all I've really got to say. It's a brilliant book. If you're a Phantom fan, then you need to get it. It has plenty of interesting information, pictures, and even the entire screenplay! See the magnificent transformation of Michael Crawford into the Phantom!

I got it from this (http://s1.amazon.com/exec/varzea/ts/exchange-glance/Y04Y4433460Y0832308/002-2847730-2832055) guy, by the way. It was in really good condition, and it only cost about $7.50 with shipping. Very good price. I know I learned quite a bit.

And... Does anyone else have it, by any chance? (:

[IamErik771]

This book and the original London cast recordings are what first made me a Phan. I love how detailed it is in the making of the show and many of the other films based on POTO. It also has a great section on Leroux's novel. My mom said she found a used copy in a store for only $1, but someone else had bought it before I got there. :(

[Eriks_Angel]

I think it's an awesome book. I won it off Ebay (auction had 2 copies - 1 hardcover, 1 softcover plus the seller threw in a program from the second national US tour which is pretty cool - I paid $25 for all of it). I've read it several times, and even just open it up and read sections of it here and there. I'd definitely recommend this book. :)

[The_Persian]

I would love to get this book... one of my friends has it and she loves it! I really want it, and my birthday is in 3 days so.... ::hopes::

[phantom's-angel]

so far i have the 2003 movie book and the original guston loux book (awe my soon 2 b boy friend bought it for me)
but yeah those are the ooks i have i really dont get the original but im bnot done reading it and i looked up 1 zillion others of that book i have to buy.
re-written versions!

[Flying Sea Otter]

I bought it at Half Price Books in great condition for around $7.00. It's a great book!

[Victome15]

I got this back in 1995, when I was, of course, five and was bought it during the intermission of the musical, which happenmed to be the first time I had ever seen it.....

It wasn't until I was older that I really read the details of the book....

I was five, and I could get along fine on pics, so sue me! :rolleyes:

But it is a great book, and I suggest anyone who doesn't have it to run to your nearest bookstore, and get it immediately! :D

[IamErik771]

Every time I go to the Border's bookstore near my house, if I happen to have my wallet with me, it's not there. If I forget my wallet, then it's been restocked. It's mocking me... o_O Well, my school library also has it, and I've borrowed it many many times (and read it cover to cover a lot). I especially enjoyed how he mentioned the possibility of ALW's musical coming to the big screen. :D

My only complaint is that George Perry got a few details about the 1925 film wrong. He claimed that Lon Chaney inserted celluloid discs in his cheeks and used special chemicals to make his eyes bulge. In reality, that process probably would have made Chaney seriously ill, or disfigured him for life. According to most other sources (one of which was written by Chaney's own grandson), Lon simply used specially placed fish skin and spirit gum to create his Erik's disfigurement for the film.

[welshrose]

I love this book! It's so informative. I also recommend "The Essential Phantom of the Opera" by Leonard Wolf (amazon.com has it for about $10 US). While there aren't as many pictures the book is full of footnotes and reference material.

[AAW0487]

This book really sounds worth getting! I'm very intrigued now! Sadly I was supposed to get the "Essential Phantom of the Opera," for my birthday. My boyfriend ordered it and everything, but it went out of print. And they said it would be a while...3months later still no book, so my boyfriend canceled the order. Oh well...maybe I will be able to locate this one!

[Chance_or_Destiny]

I have read my friends version several times and actually bought it off the internet, however somthing happend and i never got in, but I'm still looking for a cheap version in great shape and plan to loose myself in the book once i have it in my posssession.

[ForbiddenRomance]

I got it from the library and I loved it!

[phantomtigger]

I used to have this version many years ago. I had gotten it for Christmas one year, and LOVED it. I lost it a couple of years ago when I moved. By the time I lost it, I had worn out the spine because I looked at it so much. I loved all those pictures, especially the ones of Maria Bjornson's costume sketches and stage designs. Now I wish I had it again.

[Victoria]

Aw I want it so bad now! Is it available on Amazon or something?

[MllePaula]

I bought this when it was first published. I'd just fallen in love with the original cast recording and, when I saw this book prominently displayed in the local bookstore, I simply had to have it. It took some begging and saving, but I got it and still have it.

[Victome15]

James, did you ever get around to buying this?

[IamErik771]

Aye, I got one about 2 months ago... Amazingly enough, I found a copy at one of the local discount bookstores. I had been 'haunting' that store for months hoping they'd get something related to POTO, and it seems my patience paid off. :D

[The Countess]

I've been dying to get this (lucky for my birthday's coming up). I feel like such less of a phan by not ever reading it. Imagine all the information I could harness; I could rule the world!!!

[Phantom's_last_rose]

I love "The Complete Phantom of the Opera". It has lots of really good information about the stage show and awesome pics! Also if you like this book the movie companion is awesome. It was written after the 2004 movie so if you like the movie (like me:D) You should also get the 2004 companion.

[xXphantomaddictedXx]

I'm going to see Phantom for the second time on Friday night, and I plan on seeing if the theater is selling copies as one of their souvenirs. Who knows, maybe I will have my own copy soon! The main reason I want it is because it gives some information on Michael Crawford (most of you should know how I feel about him). :mask:

[MllePaula]

I'm going to see Phantom for the second time on Friday night, and I plan on seeing if the theater is selling copies as one of their souvenirs. Who knows, maybe I will have my own copy soon! The main reason I want it is because it gives some information on Michael Crawford (most of you should know how I feel about him). :mask:

I've never seen it offered for sale at the show, not on tour or on Broadway. Not the original one by George Perry - which is the one which is of interest to a Crawford fan - nor the smaller one that ties into the movie.

The Majestic's merchandise kiosk normally has a copy of the original one on display and open to the page showing Crawford undergoing the make-up process step-by-step. But that is not for sale and I don't know if they even still keep it out on display now.

[angelgirl]

I want this book so bad! I can't believe I haven't found it yet. If I'd have been really thinking, I could've used my 10.00 Amazon gift certificate for something Phantom instead of the Wes Craven's New Nightmare DVD I got instead.
Oh, well, there's always next time!
A.G.

[The Countess]

I feel complete! I got it about a week ago and it's even more informational than I thought it would be. And to my delight there was a significant article on the 1925 version. *sigh* Everything's right in the world.

[xXphantomaddictedXx]

Oh, Viktoria...how I envy you! I have a couple of questions, though. First, without being overly descriptive, could you tell me what the section about the original London performance is like? By that, I mean any section(s) that has/have information on Michael Crawford. Also, where would be a good place to order it from or buy it? I would truly love to own this book...if, admittedly, only for the (supposedly) delicious pictures of the only god in existence...Michael Crawford. ;)

[The Countess]

Oh my, Sarah my darling you will eat this book up when you get your hands on it! It has oodles of backstage and performance photos and even pics of how MC's make-up was applied. I don't want to give too much away though.

I personally got the book from Amazon (some lady was selling it) but you could also try eBay. My mom told me that it was out of print (?) but there are ways of getting it.

[Lot666]

This book is phantastic- I'm waiting for the cash so I can get my hands on it *insert evil laugh*. I borrowed it from the library and was intruiged by all of it, especially the page featuring the stage makeup. Very fascinating.

Edit: Well, Laura the genius strikes again! :C WHY? Why, Laura? You had that 25.00 Dymocks voucher and the book was 25.00. But no... you HAD to spend it on books on forensic science. *bangs head on wall*

[Madame le Courayer]

This book is a delight! My copy which I've had for many years was water-damaged due to a flood but salvagable. The dust cover is lost to eternity but the book, the pictures and everything inside is still legible and in good (if battered) shape. I love it and wouldn't part with it for the world.
And yes, it's very much for the MC fan as well!!

[Hidden Away]

I've borrowed it from the local Library and I don't want to return it! It really is a beautiful book. It even has pictures of MC, SB, and SB (ahah Sarah Brightman and Steve Barton have the same first-last initials...cute) rehearsing the graveyard scene...it's beautiful! the costumes up close (closer than you can see from stage) are so detailed and intricate. It's amazing.
I loved the way that Phantom had came about, and then Gaston's writing about it *sigh* it's great!
It made me really aggravated, when my mom was saying to me, "Patricia you should think about other things other than that man with the mask. Really he's not that interesting. Find another hobby." she just always things I'm thinking about it. I'm not obsessed, I just love the mystery that life has to offer. Phantom is the perfect example of it. *sigh* If they only knew.

[The Countess]

I've opened up this book for the first time in what seems like years and discovered that there's actaully a full libretto in the back of the book. I plan to have me and my colleagues "perform" it (basically having them dumbfonded as I speed along with the lines and songs). I feel renewed *sigh*

[Hidden Away]

Ha my friends and I got at school waiting for auditions and while waiting we decided to read the entire script, ha! We all casted each other by voting, and everything else, well you know, it's just too much fun. As far as acting goes...well the pairings and connection and chemistry....eh it was NOT put into consideration ;)