Thanks for your learned insights, Jack and Tom. I wasn't aware of the chronology of events surrounding this production, thinking its production planning was closer to the eventual 1943 release, and unaware that it went back as early as 1940. Still, I find it pretty incredible that Broderick Crawford was ever seriously considered for the role! Apparently, he was regarded very highly as a character actor to be deemed an acceptable substitute for Charles Laughton (another casting choice that I was completely unaware of!). And, as superlative as Laughton was as Quasimodo, it's hard for me to imagine him as the Phantom, although I'm sure his take on the role would have been nothing if intriguing! Two very curious casting choices, indeed!

Last Edited By: federal operator 99 Dec 29 08 7:46 PM. Edited 1 times.