Quasi Quasimodo; The 1956 version of Quasimodo

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Quasimodo (Anthony Quinn), 1956 The Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Quasimodo (Anthony Quinn), 1956 The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Gotta say the 1956 version of Quasimodo was quite a disappointment. For a version that works so hard to maintain the plot of the book it really failed with Quasimodo’s character.

Quasimodo (Anthony Quinn) & Frollo (Alain Cuny), 1956 The Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Quasimodo (Anthony Quinn) & Frollo (Alain Cuny), 1956 The Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

First off this Quasimodo isn’t a Hunchback, he is a slouch-back. He stands up fairly straight. I’m not sure if was this was the director trying to make Quasimodo more human or Anthony Quinn being lazy. My guess this was the director’s decision and I don’t agree.

You can’t really have the Hunchback of Notre Dame without the Hunch. If the director wanted to humanize Quasimodo he could have done it with the make-up but I think he missed the point. The point of Quasimodo is he the most human character but he looks like a monster. Having him not have the hunch takes away a big part of his character instead of being deformed he is just ugly.  Although in the pillory scene you do see a hunch,  too bad it disappears when he puts his shirt back on.

 

Quasimodo (Anthony Quinn) giving flowers to Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) 1956 The Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Quasimodo (Anthony Quinn) giving flowers to Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) 1956 The Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

That is not it though, Quasimodo’s personality is very watered down to point where I’m not quite sure if he has one. He makes comments about people being bad but he spends most of his time mumbling and giggling. He just comes off a childish but with zero charm or interest.

You don’t feel for him; his pain, his love, his despair, nothing. So when we get the the original ending to the book in a movie you can’t feel anything because you have sent two hours not feeling anything for the emotional core of the movie.

 

Quasimodo (Anthony Quinn) laying down next to Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) 1956 The Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Quasimodo (Anthony Quinn) laying down next to Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) 1956 The Hunchback of Notre Dame

The movie tries to make you feel for Quasimodo but due the performance you really can’t connect with this Quasimodo and that does weaken the second half of the movie. It’s like all the pieces are there to make an good Quasimodo but they don’t connect right and we’re left with a  half-form Quasimodo.

Quasimodo (Anthony Quinn) on the Pillory 1956 The Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Quasimodo (Anthony Quinn) on the Pillory 1956 The Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

The only good thing to come from this Quasimodo is after Esmeralda gives him water he says ‘beautiful” or “Belle” and that inspired one of the greatest Hunchback songs ever.

Quasimodo (Anthony Quinn) with a cat, 1956 The Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Quasimodo (Anthony Quinn) with a cat, 1956 The Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

Also why is Quasimodo holding a cat? What’s up with Hunchback versions instering cats into shots?

Next 1956 Article – Frollo

Frollo (Alain Cuny), 1956 The Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Frollo (Alain Cuny), 1956 The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Asian Tour Pictures

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Fan Art Friday 1/25/13

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Today’s Fan-art was composed by me using the Heroine Creator on Azalea Dolls

It was inspired by Gina Lollobridga’s Esmeralda in the 1956 version.

Inspired by Gina Lollobridga's Esmeralda using the Heroine Creator on Azalea Dolls picture image

Inspired by Gina Lollobridga’s Esmeralda using the Heroine Creator on Azalea Dolls

Too Sexy for the Role; The 1956 Esmeralda

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Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

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 picture image

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 picture image

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 picture image

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 picture image

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 picture image

Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

Next 1956 Article – Quasimodo

Anthony Quinn as Quasimodo

Anthony Quinn as Quasimodo

 

Esmeralda in LittleBigPlanet

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LittleBigPlanet Esmeralda image picture

LittleBigPlanet Esmeralda

This fine picture was taken off my television with my old cell phone. It is Esmeralda that I made in LittleBigPlanet for a level I was creativing based on the Hunchback of Notre Dame. I made all the characters but I never made the level. This was before I started blogging so it was a while ago.

So for those who play LittleBigPlanet

[poll id=”9″]

And for those who don’t play, you should, it’s an awesome and fun  game series ^^

Candice Parise sings in French

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Here are two videos of Candice Parise singing as Juliette and as Eponine. Parsie played Esmeralda in the 2011-2012 Asian Tour cast of  Notre Dame de Paris as Esmeralda. That cast sang in English but watching these video makes me want to hear her sing Esmeralda in French.

 

World Tour Crocus City Picture

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