The Phantom of the Opera 1987 Cartoon

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1987 Animated cartoon Phantom of the Opera picture image

Erik, 1987 Animated cartoon Phantom of the Opera

That’s Right, my friends, In 1987 Emerald City Production made a straight to Video animated version of Phantom of the Opera riding the coat-tails of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. It’s a really good thing Disney didn’t make a Phantom in the mid-90’s because otherwise we would have gotten stuff on the line with all Hunchback knock-offs. Can you imagine a version of Phantom were he isn’t ugly, oh wait, they already did that (sort of), but enough about that, how is the animated version?

Compared to all the other versions, this version follows the book albeit really simplified, is about 40 minutes long. The character does have much development or even interest BUT Erik does get his redemptions and dies after Christine kisses him.  Though instead of just a straight-up broken heart, he plays his organ in such a way that it makes the ceiling fall and crush him.

Also this version on the technical end of this is terrible. It’s cleared they had no budget. They is A TON of receptive animation and the movement on the character is so wooden that actually wood would have moved better. That being said I would rather watch this than the majority of the Hunchback knock-offs because this version of Phantom doesn’t speak down to it’s audience.

 

It’s a cheap yet by the book versions of Phantom. Would I recommend it? If you’re a fan of the book yeah but otherwise meh. It’s not a good version but nor is so bad that one should experience.   Though it the most accurate version to Leroux’s novel.

 

The Hunchback of Nowhere

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Seeing how this is the month of frights and ghoulish delights, I thought we would look at a true American horror depiction of Quasimodo. I course mean the season 1 episode 8 episode of Courage the Cowardly Dog entitled “The Hunchback of Nowhere.” Courage the Cowardly Dog, is an comedy horror cartoon that aired on Cartoon Network.

Courage the Cowardly Dog picture image

Courage the Cowardly Dog

It’s about a dog named Courage who lives Eustace and Muriel Bagge, an elderly couple who in Nowhere. The show revolves around them getting into bizarre paranormal and supernatural misadventures. Courage is overly frighted, Eustace is mean and selfish and usually mocks Courage while Muriel is sweet and kind.

So let’s not waste this glorious month, let’s just drive into the plot now.

Quasimodo, Courage the Cowardly Dog, The Hunchback of Nowhere picture image

Quasimodo, Courage the Cowardly Dog, The Hunchback of Nowhere

It’s starts on a dark and stormy night as an ugly Hunchback, i.e Quasimodo, looks for a place to stay but is continuously rejected because of his appearance. He reaches Courage’s house and Eustace, in his normal fashion, callously turns him away. Courage however feels for the lonely Hunchback. Eustace then orders Courage to fetch his raincoat which is in the barn. Courage ventures to the barn where he hears bells.

Courage, Quasimodo & the handbells, Courage the Cowardly Dog, The Hunchback of Nowhere picture image

Courage, Quasimodo & the handbells, Courage the Cowardly Dog, The Hunchback of Nowhere

 

As it turns out, Quasimodo has taken refuge in the barn and has set up an array handbells. Courage and Quasimodo quickly become friends. Their merriment is interrupted when Eustace comes into the barn and demands his raincoat. Eustace then harasses and scares Courage with scary eyes. After Eustace leaves Quasimodo cheers Courage up with some impressive shadow puppets.

Quasimodo reading an insult, Courage the Cowardly Dog, The Hunchback of Nowhere picture image

Quasimodo reading an insult, Courage the Cowardly Dog, The Hunchback of Nowhere

The next dog Courage invites Quasimodo into the house. Muriel is welcoming to a friend of Courage but when Eustace finds Quasimodo, he orders him to leave but is overruled by Muriel. Eustace proceeds to insult Quasimodo’s ugliness. Courage however feeds Quasimodo insults targeting Eustace’s baldness. Muriel then sends Eustace to eat in hen house since he being inhospitable to a guest.

Quasimodo wearing a Eustace mask, Courage the Cowardly Dog, The Hunchback of Nowhere picture image

Quasimodo wearing a Eustace mask, Courage the Cowardly Dog, The Hunchback of Nowhere

Later, Eustace is demanding dinner and finds Muriel watching a handbell concert performed by Quasimodo and Courage on the roof of the barn. Eustace becomes enrages when he sees Quasimodo wearing his precious raincoat. Quasimodo takes it off and Eustace orders Quasimodo to leave. As Quasimodo leaves, Eustace calls Courage stupid and scares him with the scary eyes again. Quasimodo then stands up to Eustace and shows him the true face of ugliness, a mask of Eustace. Eustace becomes so terrified that he falls off the roof but is fine.

Quasimodo and Courage playing bells, Courage the Cowardly Dog, The Hunchback of Nowhere picture image

Quasimodo and Courage playing bells, Courage the Cowardly Dog, The Hunchback of Nowhere

After the rain passes, Quasimodo decides to leave. Courage pulls out a handbell and Quasimodo pulls out a cathedral-size bell and then two have a laugh. Quasimodo thanks Courage and Muriel for their kindness and hope he find people like them out there.

Next time- Quasimodo’s Depiction

Quasimodo, Courage the Cowardly Dog, The Hunchback of Nowhere picture image

Quasimodo, Courage the Cowardly Dog, The Hunchback of Nowhere