Esmeralda and her Earring

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Question; Why does Esmeralda only wear one earring?

An Esmeralda that wears one earring clearly indicates the Disney Esmeralda.

Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

This question was answered in the commentary. According to commentary, Esmeralda wears one earring because Djali wears the other one in the set. This links them in together. It’s unclear if this reason was invented after Esmeralda and Djali were designed it probably was the case.

Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Djali Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

News on the 2013 Notre Dame de Paris Crocus City Performances

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It would seem  that the performances of Notre Dame de Paris that were going to be at Crocus City Hall in November have been canceled.

Edited – It will be at the Kremlin Palace, November 13th to the 17th. The “World” Tour Cast will be reprising their roles. I can’t help being a little disappointed  that it’s the same cast. I want so new blood in the roles.

Source – https://www.songkick.com/concerts/16276264-notre-dame-de-paris-at-crocus-city-hall

Source – http://www.crocus-hall.ru/en/events/ (not listed anymore)

 

Jerk-Face Womanizer; The 1982 Version of Phoebus

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Phoebus in the 1982 version is a straight-up jerk face. Which makes him a whole new depiction as there is NOTHING redeemable about him, NOTHING!

Robert Powell as Phoebus, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Robert Powell as Phoebus, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

First off, Phoebus in the novel is a handsome womanizer but is this movie his is just a womanizer. He is not very attractive and he seems old for the role.

Robert Powell as Phoebus & Lesley-Anne Down as Esmeralda, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Robert Powell as Phoebus & Lesley-Anne Down as Esmeralda, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

So as was mention before Phoebus is a jerk with no redeeming quality. He first meets Esmeralda and woos her and as soon as he gets in the room he starts acting stand-off and doesn’t really try to continue the seduction. Then the ball drops, Phoebus in this version is married. Upon hearing this Esmeralda leaves and then Phoebus, who is unremorseful, berates her. So when he gets stabs she is leaving anyway but the catharsis is there.

Phoebus getting stab, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Phoebus getting stab, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Of course the joy of his stabbing is short lived as he lives and his near death experience doesn’t make him a better like in the book. As he is recovering he is still a big jerk as he believe Esmeralda should die as she tried to kill him, of course he is looking at her when Frollo stabs him so we can add idiot to his personality.

Robert Powell as Phoebus, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Robert Powell as Phoebus, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

He’s just a jerk with no personality or likability. He also has stupid hat.

Robert Powell as Phoebus, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Robert Powell as Phoebus, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Next 1982 Article; Clopin

David Suchet as Clopin, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame, picture image

David Suchet as Clopin, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Theme for September 2013

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Notre Dame De Paris picture image

Notre Dame De Paris

Since I took a survey of Architecture once in college this clearly makes me an expert in the subject. Every Monday in September the Hunchblog is going to look at the building behind the book Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral.

Which is more Miserable?

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Les Miserables and Notre Dame de Paris are both originally by Victor Hugo, both have been  given the popular musical treatment and they have very similar endings. Both endings deal with death and dying  But which one is more tragic or dare I say “Miserable?”

Les Miserables Finale picture image

Les Miserables Finale

If you want to get all technical, it’s Les Miz because they tote the name but when I first saw it I thought, “Dear god, this ending is pretty uplifting!” So at the end Jean Valjean is dying and he seems pretty cool with it. Cossette doesn’t want him to die but Fantine, who is a like a vision, is all like Jean you have been awesome now come to Heaven it’s awesome here.  Sure Jean is dying but he’s not sad, in fact this musical makes death look pretty nice. Everyone who is died seems pretty happy and they’re super hopeful. I guess the Miserable people are still alive?  This musical promised me Miserable people and you  don’t really get it at the end. Don’t misunderstand, I love the ending and it’s great but miserable it is not.

Garou as Quasimodo & Helene Segara Danse mon Esmeralda, Notre Dame de Paris picture image

Notre Dame de Paris Ending

Now if we compare it to the Notre Dame de Paris ending proper, Le Miz is even more upbeat.  Esmeralda has just been executed and Quasimodo is mourning her while asking her to dance once again and heavily implies his own impending death. This ending is so sad that after the curtain call the tradition is to have the cast reprise the opening song while smiling so that audience is totally bummed.

Which ending do you find more Tragic? Clearly, I’m in the NDdP camp.

Can you Spot the Difference?

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There are Ten Differences, and I think it’s pretty easy ^^

Hunchback Spot the Difference Game picture image

Hunchback Spot the Difference Game

Original Picture

Esmeralda singing God Help the Outcast Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda singing God Help the Outcast Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

I will do a harder one next month.

Lovestruck Real Guy; The 1982 Version of Gringoire

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Gerry Sundquist as Gringoire, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame oicture image

Gerry Sundquist as Gringoire, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Essentially, the 1982 Gringoire function the same of he does in the 1939 movie as the lovestruck poet who falls in love with Esmeralda and is desperate to save her. However the 1982 Gringoire employs different means than his 1939 counterpart to save her. The 1982 Gringoire doesn’t use words and the printing press to save Esmeralda. Instead he uses a speech. He also suggests to Frollo that he could switch places with Esmeralda and that he will be willing to die in her place. This was in the book except it was Frollo that suggested the idea and Gringoire rejected it.

Gerry Sundquist as Gringoire & Robert Powell as Phoebus, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Gerry Sundquist as Gringoire & Robert Powell as Phoebus, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

The 1982 Gringoire has some new facets to the characters. First we see Gringoire trying to sell some sonnets. I think this is the first and only time we see him doing this. he also is the only Gringoire to write a poem for Esmeralda. He is also the first and only Gringoire to get very jealous at Esmeralda’s adoration for Phoebus.

Gerry Sundquist as Gringoire, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Gerry Sundquist as Gringoire, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

Aside from these instances of character the 82 Gringoire is very much like 1939 version. However, the 1982 version of Gringoire feels more like a real person. The 1939 version was a bit too nice and perfect. He doesn’t seem as in control the same way as the1939 version. This one gets jealous and petty in regards to Phoebus and his utter desperation to save Esmeralda while really expecting nothing makes him compelling.

Gerry Sundquist as Gringoire & Lesley-Anne Down as Esmeralda, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Gerry Sundquist as Gringoire & Lesley-Anne Down as Esmeralda, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Is it the 1982 version of Gringoire greatest bestest Gringoire ever? No but it’s not an offensive depiction and it’s solid which consider most adaptation of the story is a very good thing (having flashbacks to Enchanted Tales version of Gringoire).

Next 1982 version Article; Jerky Jerk Phoebus

Robert Powell as Phoebus, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Robert Powell as Phoebus, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Hottest Cartoon Characters

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I was watching Screen Junkies Hottest Animated characters (watch here) and the first group they discussed were Disney Princesses and this picture came out

Disney Princess Line UP with Esmeralda, Megara and Kida

Disney Princess Line UP with Esmeralda, Megara and Kida taken from Screen Junkies

My first thought was “Is Esmeralda a Princess now?” But the Host, Hal Rudnick picked her, so shrugs on that one. they also didn’t quite get Esmeralda character down.  But where is that picture come from? I would venture it’s photoshopped.

Esmeralda as a Disney Princess picture image

Esmeralda as a Disney Princess

But  I think it’s high time Esmeralda,  Megara and Kida joined the ranks or Disney should create a brand for older girls. I mean come on Disney, you’re wasting a demographic opportunity here.