http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qG_8axLqFEU
Philippe Clay as Clopin, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
The 1956 version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame is one of the only times where Clopin and the Duke of Egypt are separate characters. He is a leader of the Court of Miracle and is the King of Beggars. His duties include preceding over the “King”of Fools” crowning, yelling “charity” at random points, hanging poets, leading the charge to save to Esmeralda and just hanging out.
Philippe Clay as Clopin, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
Clopin doesn’t really do too much in this film beside those things. He gets a few good lines here and there. He has respect for Esmeralda as he tries to convince Esmeralda that she is too good for Gringoire and he is there when she dies and begs for mercy on her behalf.
Philippe Clay as Clopin, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
Clopin also yells ‘charity” at various points which does get annoying but provides insight to the viewpoints of the common people and King Louis. So it’s an interesting mechanic but the way he says “charity” is really annoying and grating.
It would have been interesting if he had more of commentary on society or some kind of conviction like the 1939 version or Notre Dame de Paris but he really doesn’t. He is not even that entertaining, so he is kind of wasted.
Philippe Clay as Clopin, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
He doesn’t have that much character to him and the movie isn’t to concerned with developing him as character and thus he is more of a mechanic for the plot.
But unlike other Clopins he doesn’t have heart and therefore for you can’t really feel for him and he is not that memorable.
Philippe Clay as Clopin, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
Next 1956 Article – Fleur de Lys
Danielle Dumont as Fleur de Lys, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
This is a video for a Korean musical version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame . You can see the influences of Notre Dame de Paris and the Disney version. It was done by the N.A Company and it premiered in August 2012. It seems to have great energy and maybe more light-hearted than other stage versions. And I think there may even be Sister Gudule in this version.
Poster for the Korean Hunchback Musical
Robert Hirsch as Gringoire, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
Gringoire is another character that can be a lot of different things pending on the needs of the version. He can be the hero, comic relief, narrator or a useless poet.
The 1956 version of Gringoire is the useless poet variety. That’s not to say he isn’t enjoyable. He gets a few funny lines but not enough to say he is the comic relief.
Robert Hirsch as Gringoire, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
So what does this Gringoire do in this version? Well, this Gringoire pretty much acts like he does in the book. He write a play that no cares about, he knows Frollo, he is smitten with Esmeralda, he almost gets hanged and marries her but doesn’t push the relationship and is just happy that she knows his name. He does want to help save Esmeralda for the removal of sanctuary but he told to stay behind and so he writes instead. And we never see again.
His character gets no resolution. I mean did he write that poem of the Court of Miracle’s victory with Jean as the hero? We’ll never know and I guess that makes him tragic.
Robert Hirsch as Gringoire, Alain Cuny as Phoebus, & Gina Lollobrigida as Esmeralda, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
All kidding a side, Gringoire’s depiction in this may keep to book with exception of the ending as he is not tricked by Frollo and doesn’t runs off with Djali but as he doesn’t do much that for the main plot we can’t connect with him.
He’s just a guy who goes with the flow, likes to write and hangs out with pretty ladies and goat. Maybe if we saw his reactions to Esmeralda’s death or if we saw him react to any of the drama it would have added to his character. So Gringoire is dull but he’s few silly lines make him slightly enjoyable.
Robert Hirsch as Gringoire & Gina Lollobrigida as Esmeralda, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
Next 1956 Article; Clopin
Philippe Clay as Clopin, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
European Portuguese
HunchDownton Abbey
Jean Danet as Phoebus,1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
Phoebus is a character that can fulfill many different niches. He can be a jerk or the love interest pending on the direction the version is taking.
The 1956 version of Phoebus is different, he is a sort of jerk but he does in fact care.
Jean Danet as Phoebus & Gina Lollobrigida as Esmeralda,1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
We first see Phoebus when he rescues Esmeralda from Quasimodo. He is, naturally, instantly attractive to her and proceeds to take her to an inn. After he pays for the room Esmeralda runs off. This really doesn’t bother him all that much. The owner of the inn says that Esmeralda is too beautiful and wild which is the kind of woman Phoebus always dreamed of.
Jean Danet as Phoebus & Anthony Quinn as Quasimodo, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
So it would seem that maybe Phoebus and Esmeralda could have worked out in this version if things had gone differently. I mean, yeah, he is engaged to Fleur de Lys and he seems to like her enough. But Phoebus does tell Quasimodo that he wished he could have saved Esmeralda. So he does care for Esmeralda even if he is going to be with Fleur de Lys.
Jean Danet as Phoebus & Danielle Dumont as Fleur de Lys, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
I could be reading into this a little too much or maybe I’m giving this Phoebus too much credit but it seems to me that Phoebus might have chosen Esmeralda and merely just settled for Fleur de Lys. I think if that was made more apparent in the film it would have given Phoebus a bit more pathos which makes sense as this movie has Anankh has its basis.
Plus it would make the audience connect more to him. However as it stands, two lines makes Phoebus a deeper and more interesting character than Esmeralda, Quasimodo and Frollo which is sad but still two lines isn’t enough make him sympathetic.
Jean Danet as Phoebus & Gina Lollobrigida as Esmeralda,1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
Next Article on the 1956 version: Gringoire
Robert Hirsch as Gringoire, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
Today art was done my me. It’s Marle from Chrono Trigger
in Disney Esmeralda’s costume colors.
Marle as Esmeralda
This was inspired by my sister as it’s her birthday today.
Alan Menken
Last week I wrote about how with the announcement of the Aladdin Broadway show we shouldn’t except the Hunchback musical anytime soon. However while that is true don’t loss hope that it will never happen. According to an article on Broadway.com there is a line that Alan Menken is “also eyeing bringing and The Hunchback of Notre Dame to Broadway.” This line is at the very end of the article but it shows that Menken is still on board with making the Hunchback musical happen, so maybe it will the show after Aladdin closes.
There is also another article on Broadway.com, that says that Journalist Michael Riedel reports The Hunchback Musical “could be back moving forward as well. ” So we’ll see
But in the mean time you can see a play version of the Hunchback at the Actors Youth Theatre in Glibert Arizona in May.
You can read more here;
I laughed a lot. I think I enjoy these kind of videos more than I should.