Paw is a reviewer for musicals on That Guy with the Glasses.  The show is called Music Movies. Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame has been on the Dartboard (his method of selection) for a while and he finally got to it so let’s take a look at his review.

Paw reviewing Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Paw reviewing Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame

Right off bat Paw calls into question what Disney was thinking in making the movie. He then  makes a joke about how much architecture is a theme in the book. I think that he is poking fun at the chapter in Hunchback that goes through long description of Notre Dame but that chapter is nothing compare to the long chapter that just about Paris.

 

Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame pitcure image

Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Review-wise Paw doesn’t really add anything new.  He loves Hellfire, Bells of Notre dame and the overall score. He hates the gargoyles and their song. So no surprises there. He also brings up the issue of tone.

Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Hugo in drag Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Hugo in drag Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

This  is the third review I have looked that remarks on the changing tone of the film. This  is making me question why I don’t have an issue with it. I mean if we look at the novel the scene where Phoebus gets stab a lot of humor leading up to it but judging this movie on it’s own merits I personally don’t see the big deal. I mean this movie isn’t really that dark and nor is the book. Yes, for a Disney movie, yes it is but Disney movies have anyways had shifting tones. Perhaps I’m desensitized to changing tones as result of years of watching anime and Bollywood movies where tones change often.

Janine Masse played Esmeralda in the Las Vegas cast picture image

Janine Masse as Esmeralda in the Las Vegas cast

My biggest issue with Paw’s review is the lack of fact-checking just to set up a few jokes. The first one he makes wasn’t for a joke set-up. He mentions that there have been two musical versions of Hunchback but only were performed in Europe. I’m guessing he means Notre Dame de Paris and Der Glockner von Notre Dame. However if he did mean those two or at least Notre Dame de Paris than he is wrong  about Notre Dame de Paris has only been performed in Europe. Notre Dame de Paris was performed in Las Vegas and Canada in 1999 a year before the London cast and two years before the Italian version.

Esmeralda Demo Reel of Someday Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Esmeralda Demo Reel of Someday Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Another fact he didn’t check was claiming that Someday was meant to be an upbeat Pop song from its’ conception. This means that he didn’t look at the demo reel of Heidi Mollenhaur singing. Now I can forgive him not looking at this as it’s not in the film but I mean Disney taking a song from the film and making into a cheesy Pop song for the credits is nothing new but for him to make the assumption that Someday was conceived as a Pop song is an oversight.

Frollo and Quasimodo during Out There Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Frollo and Quasimodo during Out There Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Now it seems that he read the book at some point or at least read a summary but there one little quip he makes that bugs me. He said that at the point in the film during the first part of Out There i.e. Frollo’s part, that at the same point in the “book proper” Hugo was still describing Notre Dame. Well first since this scene doesn’t exist in the book that a stupid joke but let’s give this joke more a chance. Since he correlates this part to the “book proper” let’s do that too. Since this scene is before the Feast of Fool that would mean Hugo had to make his description of Notre Dame prior to that in order for Paw’s accretion to be correct. In the “book proper”  the core of the descriptions of Notre Dame occur after Feast of Fools. So this quip about the book’s preoccupation with architecture doesn’t work.

Paw reviewing Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Paw reviewing Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

I do give Paw credit, the review is entertaining and well-thought albeit his fact checking is not the greatest. I also give him props for counting how many times the Hellfire motif was used in the film. The correct answer is 14 times.

 

Click here to watch Paw’s review.

Clopin Court of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Clopin Court of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

For today’s Horoscope we’re going to consultant the all knowing score from the Disney movie.  And the horoscope is “To reveal what you’ve found.” How profound indeed, so beware what you find today.

Besides Quaismodo’s make-up and Lon Chaney is there anything else that this movie has going for it? Yes, yes there is, the Sets. The sets are well done.

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

Notre Dame de Paris Set from the 1923 version of Hunchback

The sets for the 1923 version of the Hunchback were built on the back-lot of universal. To create the cathedral they built the set up to the row of statues. The upper portions of Notre Dame in the long shots were the results of a floating miniature. A floating miniature means that they would hang the model in front on the camera to force the miniature to match up with the set to look like a whole. It’s a trick of the camera that isn’t used to much these days.  But the result look seamless.

 

A Matte Painting used 1923 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

A Matte Painting used 1923 Hunchback of Notre Dame

The production also used age old film tricks like matte painting to give the sets more depth. In the picture above, everything beyond the chest is a painting

Group cluster together 1923 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture imageg

Group cluster together

Also strategic positioning of extras helped to give the sets more scale.

 

The Notre Dame Set in the Chaney version of the Phantom of the Opera picture image

The Notre Dame Set in the Chaney version of the Phantom of the Opera

 

According to the DVD commentary, the Notre Dame set was used at the end of Chaney’s Phantom of the Opera. Notice how you don’t seen the upper portion of the church that was filled in bu the floating miniature

 

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

 

So the set are great but  does that couple by Chaney, his make-up and one of my favorite Esmerladas make this a Good movie?

Find out Next time

Patsy Ruth Miller as Esmeralda 1923 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Patsy Ruth Miller as Esmeralda 1923 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Kingdom Hearts 3D; Dream Drop Distance picture image

Kingdom Hearts 3d; Dream Drop Distance

Kingdom Hearts 3D Dream Drop Distance is realsed today and this the first time they Franchise will go to the Disney Hunchback world. So if you can check it out. It is available on the Nitendo 3DS and the PSP. Or Just enjoy a trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdQrYSG_cAg
This trailer starts inside Notre Dame. The song in the tailer is called Sanctuary. It was from the second game and is performed by Hikaru Utada, who has been singing the songs for Kingdom Hearts since the beginning.

A friendly reminder that is only a week to vote for which Hunchback movie the site will review next. At this pint in time (as I’m writing this) it looks like the 1982 version will win but not by very much . So if you haven’t voted yet please do or tell your friends to vote.

What Hunchback version should I review next?

  • The Jetlag version (29%, 6 Votes)
  • The 1956 version (24%, 5 Votes)
  • The 1982 version (24%, 5 Votes)
  • The Secret of the Hunchback (19%, 4 Votes)
  • Enchanted Tales (5%, 1 Votes)
  • Wishbone (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 21

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1.) You know every line from the book by heart.
2.) You’ve seen every movie and have at least heard every song from every musical adaptation.
3.) You’ve gone to visit Notre-Dame Cathedral and asked one of the priests if his name is Claude and if he knows any dancing girls.
4.) You’ve changed your name and have taken up dancing in front of random churches.
5.) Your boyfriend needs to dress up as one of the male NDDP characters to get your attention. (Or if you are a male, then your girlfriend needs to dress as an NDDP character to get your attention.)
6.) Your wallpaper in your house consists mainly of pictures of NDDP/HOND.
7.) You’re a “Fresme” fan.
8.) You know what a “Fresme” fan is.
9.) You know that in no matter what adaptation Phoebus is a jerk.
10.) If it’s movie night and your turn to choose the movie your friends all groan because they know what you have chosen.
11.) You’ve dressed as any NDDP/HOND character at least 5yrs. in a row.
12.) You base your wardrobe on your favorite NDDP character.
13.) You talk about guys or girls in this manner,”That guy was a total Quasimodo” “She was a total Fleur.”
14.) For any/all book reports or essays you have chosen NDDP and if the book report/essay had nothing to do with any themes, motives, French, French history,etc. you somehow found a way to sneak something NDDP related into the report/essay.
15.) You have turned cartoon and other adaptations where there was a VERY liberal use of artistic license into drinking games.
16.) You’ve had NDDP themed parties.
17.) You’ve written at least one “what if,” scenario involving Esmeralda and Claude Frollo.
18.) You can name at least 5 actresses who have played Esmeralda,and at least 5 actors who have played Claude Frollo,and at least 5 actors who have played Quasimodo.
19.) You sit up late at night wondering, “Who would win in a cat fight Fleur or Esme?”
20.) You have named a pet after an NDDP character.
21.) On January 6th you have an NDDP/HOND marathon.
22.) Instead of seeing a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other, you see Claude Frollo on one shoulder and Jehan Frollo on the other.
23.) You know that Pierre Gringoire was based off a real person.
24.) You know where the Court of Miracles was located.
25.) When someone says “Hell” you need to follow it up with “Fire” and break out into song.
26.) You describe your feelings as characters of NDDP/HOND
Ex: “I’m feeling kinda Jehanish today.”
27.) You know exactly which character you are/are most like.
28.) You’ve posted on at least 3 fansites.
29.) You are jazzed that in KH3D there will be a HOND world.
30.) You search the internet for any information regarding the upcoming adaptations from Josh Brolin and Tim Burton and the little talked about Paramount adaptation. This is also true for searches regarding when Der Glockner Von Notre Dame will be coming to Broadway.
31.) You have a shrine devoted to your favorite character.
32.) You have painted your room with chalk board paint and scribbled odd quotes on your walls.
33.) For a science project you’ve tried alchemy.
34.) You have at least one website/bog/glog devoted to NDDP or at least a character.
35.) When you hear church bells, Quasimodo automatically comes to mind.
36.) When someone tells you they’re studying poetry or philosophy you want to ask them if they have a fondness for goats.
37.) You own a pet goat.
38.) You own a pet goat her/his name is Djali.
39.) You just refer to goats as “Djali” and no longer even call them goats.
40.) (Refers to 39.) Your friends know what you’re talking about.
41.) You own at least 2 copies of the book.
42.) You think the song “For The Holidays” should be played throughout stores during the conventional holiday season.
43.) All the questions/answers for your security questions are NDDP/HOND related.
44.) Why was 3 afraid of four? Because one four eight two. If you started laughing before that joke,’nough said.
45.) To you the events of 1492 don’t matter. After all they didn’t take place in 1482.
46.) You’ve done the math and know all the ages of the characters and somehow Fleur is older than Esmeralda.
47.) You’ve read the book so many times that you see the semi-direct connection between Quasimodo and Fleur-De-Lys.
48.) You’ve seen at least one episode of the short lived cartoon TV series, “The Magical Adventures of Quasimodo.”
49.) For some odd reason you’ve watched “The Secret of The Hunchback.” And wondered just how stoned those writers were.
50.) You’ve picked out the perfect jug for your wedding.
51.) NDDP/HOND has inspired you to find out more about the Romani culture.
52.) Everything you’ve ever learned about Catholicism is thanks to NDDP.
53.) You have created at least one work of art devoted to NDDP/HOND.
54.) (Refers to 53.) That piece of art is proudly displayed on every possible NDDP/HOND site known to man.
55.) When someone asks you to choose, you suddenly hear “La tombe ou mon lit” in your head.
1-55 is by Esmeralda Gibert

56.) You know every world of Belle in French but you can’t say “Hello.”
57.) You complain that Esmeralda wears red too much.
58.) You Notice the doors on the pillars in Notre Dame de Paris
59.) You Judge EVERY Hunchback by the jail scene
60.) You only date, Poets, Soldiers, Jugglers, Bell-ringers
56-60 by Me

A Big Thanks to Esme Gibert for putting this together.

That’s right, I’m letting you guys pick which  version is the next one up for  review.

The secret of the hunchback, 1956, enchated tales, jetlag, 1982, wishbone picture image

Poll # 2

What Hunchback version should I review next?

  • The Jetlag version (29%, 6 Votes)
  • The 1956 version (24%, 5 Votes)
  • The 1982 version (24%, 5 Votes)
  • The Secret of the Hunchback (19%, 4 Votes)
  • Enchanted Tales (5%, 1 Votes)
  • Wishbone (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 21

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Poll closes August, 1, 2012 at 11:59 Eastern Standard Time.

I’m holding off on Notre Dame de Paris for now, just case anyone is wondering why I didn’t include it.