Introduction to the Jetlag Version

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Quasimodo from the Jetlag version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Quasimodo from the Jetlag version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame

At first glance you would think  that the Jetlag version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame is just a cheap Disney knock-off. And while it’s is indeed very, very cheap it’s not actually a Disney knock-off. While I’m  sure it’s conception was to capitalize of the Disney version the truth is that the Jetlag version follows the book pretty closely.

 

Frollo and Esmeralda from the Jetlag version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Frollo and Esmeralda from the Jetlag version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

I mean it still has a happy ending and  the whole “beauty is on the inside” moral that the kiddies versions love, but Frollo is a priest and they don’t shy away too much from his obession with Esmeralda, Quasimodo is deaf, Phoebus is a jerk, Fleur de Lys is present, Djali spells, ect.

 

Esmeralda from the Jetlag version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda from the Jetlag version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame

So while it is very cheaply done, the music is laughable and the pacing is slow and padded out despite its 46 minute running time it does slightly redeem its self for following the book fairy closely though not enough to make it a good movie by any means.

 

Phoebus and Fleur de Lys from the Jetlag version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Phoebus and Fleur de Lys from the Jetlag version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

Get your own copy of  the Jetlag Version

Next Time – The Plot

Gringoire from the Jetlag version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Gringoire from the Jetlag version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Live for the One I Love Music Video

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This is a Music Video of Tina Arena singing “Live from the One I Love.” Which is   the English version of Vivre. Arena played Esmeralda in the first London  cast.  This video reminds me so much of Jim Henson’s 1986 movie The Labyrinth.  She sings it in a Labyrinth  and there is a white owl.

However this may have be a connect to Notre Dame de Chartes which has a Labyrinth and Chartes is considered the Seat of Mary, as it’s believed that her veil is housed there.  Also all the water imagery relates to Mary too.

Or it could that a labyrinth stands for  the singer being trapped and lost without it being a apparent that the song is from a musical.

For the most the video is kind of cheesy with its blues tones, CGs, weird overlays,  weird cross fades and odd costumes. However despite the clunky lyrics, Arena sounds great.

Phantom Lyrics with a Hunchback Twist

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Disney Esmeralda and Quasimodo on the Phantom's Boat picture image

Disney Esmeralda and Quasimodo on the Phantom’s Boat

{Esmeralda}
Atop the Cathedral, He’s always there
And rings the Large Big Bells that go Ding-Dong
And do I Dance again for now I find
The Hunchback of the Notre Dame is quite Ugly

{Quasimodo}
Dance once again with me our Strange Chasse
My Tower is quite  nice in the Summer Time
And though you’re quite Shallow to see Beyond
The Hunchback of the Notre Dame is Lovely Inside

{Esmeralda}
Those who have seen your Face draw back in Fear
I’m one of those People

{Quasimodo}
It’s me they Fear

{Together}
Your Face and my Dance in one combine
The Hunchback of the Notre Dame is quite ugly

{Background Vocals}
He’s ugly,  The Hunchback of the Notre Dame

{Quasimodo}
In all you Fantasies, you always knew
You like Men on Horseback

{Esmeralda}
Like my Phoebus

{Together}
And in this Cathedral
That Scraps the Sky
The Hunchback of the Notre Dame is quite ugly

{Quasimodo}
Dance my Lady of Paris

{Esmeralda}
He’s ugly,  The Hunchback of the Notre Dame

(Dances)

{Quasimodo}
Dance, Dance
Dance for me
Dance, My lady of Paris
Dance for me

 

Revised Lyrics by Me,
I used the book as a basis for this but there is a Notre Dame de Paris reference in there, see if you can find it. Also it’s not perfect but try singing these lyrics with the tune of The Phantom Of The Opera.

(Source)
http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/thephantomoftheopera/phantomoftheopera.htm

Is the 1923 version of Hunchback Good?

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Hunchback of Notre Dame 1923 Lon Chaney picture image

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 picture image

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 picture image

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 picture Image

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 picture image

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

Patsy Ruth Miller as Esmeralda 1923 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Next -Conclusion

Patsy Ruth Miller as Esmeralda 1923 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Patsy Ruth Miller as Esmeralda 1923 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Fan-art Friday 8/10/12

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Today’s Fan-art is  by Ida Christensen. It is Gringoire & Esmeralda. I love the details. This one of three sketchs by her.

Gringoire & Esmeralda by Ida Christensen picture image

Gringoire & Esmeralda by Ida Christensen

More Asian Tour Pictures

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Fan-art 8/3/12

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Today’s fan-art was created by Alan Smithee and certainly not me……

Isn’t it….. just….umm….. a drawing? ^^’

Frollo's Perfect Date

Frollo’s Perfect Date

I confess, I can’t draw at all. 

Fan-Art Friday Pokemon Edition

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This weekend is Otakon, which is the largest Anime Convention on the East Coast of the USA (and I’m attending), I though this Fan-art Friday I would use Pokemon in the Belle staging (with some liberties) from Notre Dame de Paris.

Pokemon performing Belle Notre dame de Paris picture image

Pokemon performing Belle Notre dame de Paris made by me

Esmeralda – Bellossom
Quasimodo – Snubbull
Frollo – Gengar
Phoebus – Rapidash

Petition for a DVD of the 2012 Italian

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Federica Callori 2011-2012 Italian Esmeralda Notre Dame de Paris picture image

Federica Callori 2011-2012 Italian Esmeralda Notre Dame de Paris

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a Petition to get  a DVD made for the 2012 Italian cast of Notre Dame de Paris. While it’s not my favorite cast of Notre Dame de Paris a lot people love them I’m all in favor of more DVDs of Notre Dame de Paris which mean decent recording and footage.

If you would like to sign Click here, you need to registrar. I did,

I sign it with a “^^b”