Phantom Lyrics with a Hunchback Twist

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Disney Esmeralda and Quasimodo on the Phantom's Boat picture image

Disney Esmeralda and Quasimodo on the Phantom’s Boat

{Esmeralda}
Atop the Cathedral, He’s always there
And rings the Large Big Bells that go Ding-Dong
And do I Dance again for now I find
The Hunchback of the Notre Dame is quite Ugly

{Quasimodo}
Dance once again with me our Strange Chasse
My Tower is quite  nice in the Summer Time
And though you’re quite Shallow to see Beyond
The Hunchback of the Notre Dame is Lovely Inside

{Esmeralda}
Those who have seen your Face draw back in Fear
I’m one of those People

{Quasimodo}
It’s me they Fear

{Together}
Your Face and my Dance in one combine
The Hunchback of the Notre Dame is quite ugly

{Background Vocals}
He’s ugly,  The Hunchback of the Notre Dame

{Quasimodo}
In all you Fantasies, you always knew
You like Men on Horseback

{Esmeralda}
Like my Phoebus

{Together}
And in this Cathedral
That Scraps the Sky
The Hunchback of the Notre Dame is quite ugly

{Quasimodo}
Dance my Lady of Paris

{Esmeralda}
He’s ugly,  The Hunchback of the Notre Dame

(Dances)

{Quasimodo}
Dance, Dance
Dance for me
Dance, My lady of Paris
Dance for me

 

Revised Lyrics by Me,
I used the book as a basis for this but there is a Notre Dame de Paris reference in there, see if you can find it. Also it’s not perfect but try singing these lyrics with the tune of The Phantom Of The Opera.

(Source)
http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/thephantomoftheopera/phantomoftheopera.htm

Is the 1923 version of Hunchback Good?

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Hunchback of Notre Dame 1923 Lon Chaney picture image

Hunchback of Notre Dame 1923 Lon Chaney

Is the highly regarded 1923 version of the Hunchback of Notre Dame a good version and a good movie? I think it’s an admirable version but I don’t think it’s a  good movie.

 

Quasimodo (Lon Chaney), Esmeralda (Patsy Ruth Miller) and Gudule (Gladya Brockwell) Hunchback of Notre Dame 1923 picture image

Quasimodo (Lon Chaney), Esmeralda (Patsy Ruth Miller) and Gudule (Gladya Brockwell) Hunchback of Notre Dame 1923

It’s an admirable version because it’s one of the few versions where we see a somewhat moody Quasimodo. Quasimodo has a edge to him in the book and this version showcases that aspect. It also has an Esmeralda who is winsome and innocent. She is  not really concerned for blight of the gyspy  but she does has a does have a concern for social justice but not to the same extent that the Disney version or the 1939 version have.  But despite her more care-free attitude she is still likable. I also appreciate that they tried to do something with Esmeralda’s mother even if it was very little.   I also enjoy the Clopin in this version.

 

Jehan Frollo (Brandon Hurst) Hunchback of Notre Dame 1923 picture image

Jehan Frollo (Brandon Hurst) Hunchback of Notre Dame 1923

 

I don’t find it a great version because the characters lack any depth or complexity they  had in the book especially with depiction of Frollo. Frollo in the book is fueled by sexual impulse but he  had had an internal conflict that made him interesting.  This Frollo, who  is more charateristically Jehan than Claude with the Esmeralda obsession tacked on, is just a old pervert who lacks any internal struggle. Since Frollo’s obession is core of story and fuels the plot  having Frollo who not interesting makes the story less interesting.

 

Esmeralda Rejecting Phoebus Hunchback of Notre Dame Patsy Ruth Miller 1923 picture Image

Esmeralda Rejecting Phoebus Hunchback of Notre Dame Patsy Ruth Miller 1923

So because the story lacks interest the film suffers. There is nothing to really to pull the viewer into the world and since the characters lack complexity and depth there is nothing to make us really care about the characters. But what really kills this movie is the pacing. The pacing of this movie is terrible, it’s slow and very boring. It just lacks any substance that the book has. I found watching this movie a chore.

 

Notre Dame de Paris set from the 1923 version of Hunchback picture image

Notre Dame de Paris Set from the 1923 version of Hunchback

This movie gets a pass for being good for a few reasons. Number one it launched Lon Chaney’s career as one of the most famous actors of the silent era. Number two the production values. The production was well done. Number three, the movie was a big deal in 1923. Back in the 20’s movies were created quickly and were made to make a quick buck. The 1923 version was created with care and it did pave the for bigger movies.  But despite these reasons it’s not a very enjoyable to sit through.

 

Patsy Ruth Miller as Esmeralda 1923 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Patsy Ruth Miller as Esmeralda 1923 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Next -Conclusion

Patsy Ruth Miller as Esmeralda 1923 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Patsy Ruth Miller as Esmeralda 1923 Hunchback of Notre Dame

What do Notre Dame de Paris and Phantom of the Opera Musical have in Common?

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Shirel as Esmeralda in the Red with Laurent Ban as Phoesbus Notre Dame de Paris 2001 French Cast picture image

Shirel as Esmeralda in the Red with Laurent Ban as Phoesbus Notre Dame de Paris 2001 French Cast

Answer Laurent Ban. Ban played Phoebus in 2001 Morgdor Cast, 2005 Asian tour cast and in the 2005 cast in France. He also dubbed the Phantom in the 2004 movie version of the Phantom of the Opera in Frnech.

Laurent Ban singing Dechire in a 2005 performance of Notre Dame de Paris

 

Bonus – Cecilia Cara dubbed Christine Daae in french and she played Juliette along side Damien Sargue in Romeo et Juliette. Sargue was an understudy in the original cast for Gringoire and Pheobus

Fan Art Friday 8/24/12

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This is the second of two  of  three piece by  Ida Christensen. It’s Gringoire balancing a chair in this mouth. One of the best parts form the book

Gringoire by Ida Christensen picture image

Gringoire by Ida Christensen