For the last few days I been trying to do a Phantom of the Opera/Hunchback theme week so here is a little photo manipulation I made. Enjoy
The Phantom with Christine in the grope scene from Hunchback of Notre Dame
I’m not a big fan of The 2004 version of The Phantom of the Opera 
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
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
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
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
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
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Patsy Ruth Miller as Esmeralda 1923 Hunchback of Notre Dame
I wonder if the Phantom and Quasimodo were created for the Jolie-laide archetype or was the Jolie-laide archetype created for them?
Two Ugly Frenchmen
Frollo and Quasimodo singing Puttin on the Ritz
You can catch their act at the Lush Room.
Original picture is from the Puttin of the Ritz scene from Mel’s Brooks’ Young Frankenstein
Hunchback of Notre Dame Graphic Novel by Tim A Conrad
Today marks the release of Tim Conrad’s Graphic Novel version of Hunchback of Notre Dame. So far it’s gotten mixed reviews but I’ll you be the judge of it that till I get my hands on it and find something the comment on (other than Esmeralda’s red hair).
Click here to order it from Amazon
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MTV’s Movie Blog back in May had an interview with Josh Brolin regarding the the rumors around the new Hunchback movie. According to Brolin, he woke up one fine day and decided he wanted to make a Hunchback movie. He also says that Tim Burton will be involved in some form and the script is brilliant. Though what actor would diss their own vanity project by saying the script is a piece of crap? And this is a vanity project for Brolin since he is putting himself in the role of Quasimodo, a role that fine actors have been playing since the 20s.
Now from the book’s perspective Brolin, who is in his 40s is way too old to play Quasimodo but from a film history perspective he is not. Of the actors who have played Quasimodo in films since 1923 the average age of the them is 42. So while I can’t really disparage Brolin for playing a character 20 year younger than himself, I do blame the film industry as a whole for this warp-ness especially when actress playing Esmeralda that have less of an age gap are deem too old.
Another issue I have is that Brolin mentions a few times (in the space of a minute and a half) how fun the movie will be. Hunchback has a connotation for being dark and depressing and while it’s true that most of the character die in the book the films are never as bleak. The way Brolin makes it known that this movie will be “jazzy” makes it seem like he feels that all the movies are depressing and never fun. However the last two major movie versions have been a Disney movie and a modern-retelling that was a parody. The world doesn’t really need a another fun version of Hunchback. Making it fun is a marketing ploy to get people to watch the movie since people in general don’t like sad movies. So making the Hunchback of Notre Dame (a book people know very little about other than it’s “depressing”) fun is a way to make money off of the book. Hollywood doesn’t have the balls to make a version of the movie that keeps in line with the book.
This movie is also going to focus on Gringoire, so it’s like the 1939 version and the 1997 version where Gringoire is Esmeralda’s major love interest. While I it find this interesting I also think it’s a major cop-out out. He is a safe character to follow as he not controversial or deep .
All that being said the prospect of new Hunchback movie is exciting and I can’t wait to see how it the film takes shape but my exceptions are low.
Additional nites.
Ages of Actors who have played Quasimodo in films (ages may not be exact)
Chaney born 1883 – 40 in 1923
Laughton born 1899 – 40 in 1939
Quinn born 1915 – 41 in 1956
Hopkins born in 1937 – 45 in 1982
Hulce born in 1953- 43 in 1996
Patinkin born in 1952 – 45 in 1997
Timsit born in 1959 – 40 in 1999
Brolin born 1968 – will be 45 in 2013
The average age is 42 and the character is 20 that a 22 year different between the actors and the actual character.
A Fan Music Video using Disney’s Hunchback with the Italian version of Belle (Bella) from Notre Dame de Paris. Singers (in order) Giò Di Tonno (Quasimodo), Vittorio Matteucci (Frollo), Grazino Galatone (Febo/Phoebus)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3AiK1vLJ3o
He maybe ugly as sin but remember ladies, Quasimodo is a Frenchmen so looks don’t matter. Not when he’s armed with that Beret, that Mustache, those Baguettes and that Red Wine. No woman can resist the charms of a Frenchmen even the ugly ones.
Frenchmen Quasimodo
