Esmeralda using the Barnes and Noble Book for see into the Future
Today’s Hunchback Horoscope from my Barnes and Noble version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame
“Now, I wanted to speak with him; but I could not get him on account of the crowd, which annoys me mightily, for I am in need of money” (Book VIII Chapter I, The Crowned Piece changed to a Dry Leaf pg 291)
Ah, the book doesn’t lie, proceed with caution
A Video that had to be made, it was also made by me. Song is Bang Bang Bang by Group X
(it’s just the first segment though) Enjoy ^^
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvAyDnfzykk
A Behind-the-Scenes Fun Fact – I have 28 folders of Pictures of this Cast alone. I didn’t always have this many, originally I had 11 folders and then I looking to see when the cast was performing in Taipei or if they even are performing there (I think they are though) and I found about 200 pictures. And just so everyone knows these pictures in this post are only from folder #9. I don’t know why I latch on to this cast I haven’t heard enough them to glean any insight of how good the cast is.
Enjoy the Pictures
Today’s Fan-art is by Howlingmojo and it Esmeralda and Frollo. It’s inspired by Mucha’s the Dance
I think it’s very pretty, very soft, gentle and a little cold, like early spring.
Cherry Blossom Girl by Howlingmojo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55TD1NXVX5Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ed-9ySvBE5E
This is the music from the Hunchback word (La Cite des Cloches) from the thrid installment of Kingdom Hearts; Dream Drop Distance
It’s composed by Yoko Shimomura. You can tell that Shimomura took inspiration from Menken’s score especially from Sanctuary
or those of you who don’t know the Kingdom Hearts Franchise is a co-venture with Disney and Square Enix. Square Enix is the owner of The Final Fantasy Franchise, of which I am a fan, I like Final Fantasy IX
There are three basic problems with the plot the 1923 version of the Hunchback of Notre Dame; its strong adherence to parts that don’t make any sense in the scope of the movie, the changes that had to be made to appease the almighty censors, and Lon Chaney.
Quasimodo (Lon Chaney) Hunchback of Notre Dame 1923
The last problem really isn’t a problem but if you watch the opening scene you can see what I mean. The opening scene starts with the Feast of Fool and then it cuts away to Lon Chaney as Quasimodo basically mocking people from atop Notre Dame. I do appreciate that this is the only version to have Quasimodo that has a basic dislike for people like he does in the book which this scene shows nicely but to just an awkward way to introduce Lon Chaney as Quasimodo to the viewers and it ruins the pacing and makes the beginning boring.
Jehan Frollo (Brandon Hurst) Hunchback of Notre Dame 1923
The second issue has to do with censorship laws of the time. The law that pertains to Hunchback is a movie couldn’t cast a priest in a negative light, meaning we can’t have a Priest lusting after a women. So much like the 1939 the role of the Frollo sinner is cast on the “Jehan” character the “Claude” character is the saintly priest. Unlike the 1939 version Jehan in this version has no reason why he can’t make a straight up move on Esmeralda. Nothing is stopping him; no conflict of her being a Gypsy or no implied religious morality getting in the way. He’s just a coward with no real personality or motivation.
Esmeralda (Pasty Ruth Miller) and Jehan Frollo (Brandon Hurst) Hunchback of Notre Dame 1923
There is no confliction for this Jehan so there is no interest. The plot of the book is hinged on Frollo’s obsession with Esmeralda so if there is no torment where does the interest to the plot lie? Well in this case the interest to the plot is Lon Chaney’s Quasimodo, so back to that issue, remember this film started the “Quasimodo is main character” mentality that the many of the films buy in to .
Gudule (Gladya Brockwell) Hunchback of Notre Dame 1923
The finally issue is a weird one to be an issue because when we compare movies to book there is a part of us that wishes that the movie would follow the book perfectly and we get up annoy by what the movie misses or adds. However it is hard to make a movie follow the book perfectly as they are two different median for story telling. One aspect of the book that I wish made into more movies is the Sister Gudule sub-plot. Sister Gudule is Esmeralda’s mother. The 1923 version is one of the few version to have this sub-plot however it goes no where. We get the back story of how Esmeralda was taken and we see Gudule curse her and then as Esmeralda is about to die Gudule realizes Esmeralda is her child and then I guess she dies. So Esmeralda doesn’t learn this, it amounts to nothing. It was just there because it was in the book but if Esmeralda doesn’t learns this and where is the emotion in the end what was the point?
Esmeralda (Pasty Ruth Miller), Phoebus (Norman Kelly) and Clopin (Ernest Torrence) Ball Scene Hunchback of Notre Dame 1923
Another sub-plot that was added was this division of the nobel and the poor. Now this was a bigger point in the 1939 version here’s it amount to one scene where Phoebus brings Esmeralda to a party and he dresses up and tries to pass her off as a Princess and the party is broken up by Clopin and Esmeralda sadly rejects Phoebus. Like Gudule, these scene that revolve around the classes don’t add to very much to the over all plot
Esmeralda (Pasty Ruth Miller) Hunchback of Notre Dame 1923
It’s not that entire plot and pacing of the 1923 version is bad it’s just following the book too closely wrecked the pacing and the removal of Frollo’s torment ruins the emotional intensity. The “Chaney being forced” to the audiences was just the opening so it wasn’t a major problem but it’s the reason why the film doesn’t have a very strong opening scene.
Next Time- Characters starting with Quasimodo
Quasimodo (Lon Chaney), Esmeralda (Patsy Ruth Miller) and Gudule (Gladys Brockwell) Hunchback of Notre Dame 1923
As a possible Esmerada I think Jessica Findlay-Brown would make a good choice.
Jessica Findlay-Brown
She has the right look as she is has an olive skin tone, black hair and she’s young enough to pull off the role.
Jessica Findlay-Brown
She is a fairly decent actress though she hasn’t been to many thing but her most notable role was Lady Sybil Crawley on Downton Abbey
Jessica Findlay-Brown as Lady Sybil Crawley from Downton Abbey Season 2
But another great attribute she has is that she is a former ballet dancer so she can bring a dancing aspect to the role.
Jessica Findlay-Brown as Lady Sybil Crawley from Downton Abbey Season 2
watch the 1923 on youtube in one handy long video, no but serious it’s very nice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dm09QfKsOQ
Or you could buy the DVD from amazon
Which Notre Dame Character would win in race a la Mario Kart 
Hunchback Kart
I would say that Quasimdo wouldn’t because of his vision. Frollo would just follow Esmeralda so he wouldn’t win. Sister Gudule won’t win either because she too busy looking for her baby. Jehan could win but he would try to aim for coins and prizes. Esmeralda could win as she quick but she is flighty too and might get distracted by Phoebus. Gringoire might do well but he also might get distracted. Phoebus could win because he’s a no-good cheater but he might let a lady win you know in order to sleep with them later. Clopin could win but like Jehan he might go after coins and prizes. Djali could do well as she a very talented goat but I would say Fleur de Lys would win most of the time because she is cold calculating bitch who always win, let’s not forget she’s the only character in the book to have a “happy ending.”
Which Hunchback do you think would win in a battle royale kart race? I chose the book but feel free to use Disney in your response ^^
This video from the 10th anniversary Italian cast of Notre Dame de Paris from April 13th, 2012. I beilieve it’s Federica Callori as Esmeralda singing Zingara (Bohemienne).
I’m just going to say this I find a lot of casts of Notre Dame de Paris to have rather mechanical performances and it’s very noticeable in this song with Esmeralda. You can see it in run toward up stage at 0:58 and her interaction with other people. It’s not just Callori many of the Esmeraldas don’t have that ease of motion that Esmeralda should have.
Helene Segara performing Bohemienne as Esmeralda Notre Dame de Paris
Say what you want about Helene Segara’s over-all performance, at least her movements felt natural and not forced.
Lola Ponce as Esmeralda Original Italian Cast Notre Dame de Paris
Lola Ponce was probadly one the best Esmeraldas to combine the choreography and her own natural moments.
What do you think? Do you find some of the Esmeralda’s moments mechanical and overly pre-planned, I mean I know they are but it shouldn’t feel that way. Or do you disagree with me and find the moments natural and fluid? Or do you have an opinion of Callori’s performance? Your thoughts/opinions are very welcome ^_^
