Quasimodo in Animaniacs
It’s another Hunchback of Notre Dame reference from Animaniacs. This one occurs in Season 1 episode 4 called Hooked on a Ceiling. The episode is the Yakko, Wakko and Dot help Michelangelo help painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. During the episode the bells start ringing which annoys Michelangelo and he goes to yell at the hunchback bell ringer who is claiming Sanctuary. You can tell it going to be Quasimodo the second the bells ring.
Lune (Moon)
Gingoire and the moon
Lune
Gringoire sings this song as part of his storyteller role and it about the dangers and the all consuming nature of love. Gringoire asks the moon to bear witness to Quasimodo who suffers from love.
There is so much power and pathos in this song. The melody is delicate and melancholic. It’s perfect!
Je te laisse un sifflet (I leave you a whistle)
Garou as Quasimodo and Helene Segara as Esmeralda
Two words; Chekov’s Gun! If you introduced a prop, you better damn use it or why bother. This song is the biggest misstep in the show. In this song Quasimodo gives Esmeralda a whistle much like in the book however she never uses it in the show and it is never used ever.
I sort of HAVE to assume that the production cut at least one song cut that would have made this song make sense because the transition between Vivre and The Attack on Notre Dame is very jarring and most of the songs in the show have a bridge song is a transition.
The production should fixed this song up so that there was no whistle mentioned because it’s stupid. I mean it’s one line that could have been fix as the most of the songs is rather sing-song and Quasimodo just gives Esmeralda the load down of the cathedral. But even with that line about the useless whistle, I have no problem saying that this is the most forgettable song in the musical by far.
2022 Edit- Hi, I’m editing a 7 year old post. With regards to Je te laisse un siffle, I changed the wording from worse to just forgettable. I really doubt this anyone favorite song but “worse” seemed harsh for a small transition song.
But I was thinking that the production could use the a whistle or a sound effect right before Esmeralda is hanged or maybe as Phoebus sentences her and this would alert Quasimodo to try to help her by means of asking Frollo to stop it. I don’t know though the show is over two decades old so why would they why changing it now as this only really bothers me sometimes like when I watch the show in its entirety as I don’t listen to this song otherwise.
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Happy Mother’s Day from Quaismodo
Today’s Fan-art is by Mimitchki. It’s traditional drawing of Esmeralda and Quasimdo from the 1939 version. At first glance as a thumbnail, I thought this was a screen-cap but then I noticed the background and knew it wasn’t. I find this rendering on this stunning. It looks so lifelike but you can definitely see the artist’s style. I love the play of light and shadows.
Hunchback Of Notre Dame by Mimitchki
http://mimitchki.deviantart.com/art/Hunchback-Of-Notre-Dame-140312631
Check out more from Mimitchki
Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame
Without a doubt this is Esmeralda’s movie. This is made very clear by her 3 minute long dance scene that only cuts away to Frollo staring at her but you can still see her in a reflection. Many consider the 1956 version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame Esmeralda to be one of the best Esmeraldas. Many feel she has the right look, grace and free-spirited nature that Esmeralda should have. I personally have a few issues with this version of Esmeralda.
Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) dances, 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame
First off, I feel like I’m being lied to with this Esmeralda.What she says and how she acts feel in opposition to how she looks and her mannerisms. I feel like this Esmeralda was written to be played by a young actress but then Gina Lollobridga was cast and the sensuality was turn up.
Lollobridga reads too mature and sultry but then she tries to act innocence and carefree. I don’t believe her when she says that she “has never known men before.” I don’t buy it.
Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) with Phoebus (Jean Danet), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame
Although I admit, my issue with Esmeralda’s duality could be because of her costume. Color aside, her two main costumes age her. I will get to costumes in a later post so I won’t so into too much detail but I feel the veil, the very define corset waistline and the 1950’s cat eye age her.
She looks far more believable as a young women when she in the simple prisoner shift at the end of the movie.
Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame
Since Esmeralda is the main focus of this movie you would think that the dynamic between Esmeralda and Frollo would be really strong but Esmeralda and Frollo don’t really have many interactions with each other in this movie.
Esmeralda admits that she afraid of him but she seems to be more uncomfortable around him which robs the would-be drama from their interactions. It fact there scene are a pretty dull.
Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) with Phoebus (Jean Danet), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame
I think the dance scene sums up her character in this movie perfectly. She is aloof, mysterious, very sensual and slightly exuberant. I mean her personality is there I’m just not sure if it’s the costume, Lollobridga’s mannerism or her natural sex appeal that holds back this Esmeralda as being a great depiction of the character.
Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame
Next 1956 Article – Quasimodo
Anthony Quinn as Quasimodo
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
Next -Conclusion
Patsy Ruth Miller as Esmeralda 1923 Hunchback of Notre Dame
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
I’ve been a fan of Animaniacs since the begining, but like some many children a lot of the joke went right over my head. I was watching Volume 2
Ok, so the opening has a line that is varied, this line has to end with an “Y” sound and one of these lines is “Where Lon Chaney” and the visual is Wakko is dressed as Quasimodo and not as Phantom of the Opera 
Wakko as Quasimodo Animaniacs
Isn’t he cute?
Quasimodo is once again a bachelor. He dumped Madeline as her need of constant validation that she was more than just a pretty face got of his nerves. Now Quasimodo has one notch on his bedpost and he looking for more. He started by re-doing the whole Bell-tower into a swinging Bachelor pad complete with all latest stuff.
Quasimodo new and improved Bell Tower Loft
So what does Quasimodo have in his pad. Well he has a wonderful big screen TV
, a monster sound system
(he’s currently enjoying Skyrim
Quasimodo is here for the ladies so if your intersted Quasimodo address is;
6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Place Jean-Paul II
75004 Paris
and his digits are +33 (0)1 42 34 56 10.
Call or visit anytime and I do mean anytime ^_~,
He loves to love and he’ll love you. After all he’s French! And just for you he’ll break out his finest bottle of Champagne
