Guest Blogger Jeremy Myerson discusses Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame!

Below is a contribution from guest blogger Jeremy Myerson, in which he discusses his favorite Disney movie.

Everyone remembers the villain in the Scream films asking, “What’s your favorite scary movie?” just before he claims a victim. Easy enough question, as everyone can answer it. As a former employee of the Walt Disney Company (where I worked for 7 years), I’m often asked “What’s your favorite Disney movie?” And it seems that everyone has an answer to this one, too…

My answer is easily The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Granted, this film hit the theaters the same week as my high school graduation, and I was hardly a ‘kid’ when I saw it. Perhaps it’s this reason why I enjoy the film. To me, this animated classic had some really deep themes that spoke to me.

Many of you, I’m sure, remember the summer between the end of High School and the start of College. I was a young idealist who believed in ‘equality for all.’ And Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame shared this ideal. Like much of Victor Hugo’s fiction, the story is about the hypocrisy and dichotomy of the authoritative Church versus the will of the people.

This film dives into the theme with contradicting songs… the Church appointed Law Enforcement authority of Frollo tells his ward, Quasimodo, that the world is cruel and its safest if he stays “In Here” (referring to the bell tower of the Parisian Cathedral). Upon his departure, the song sung by Quasimodo is “Out There.” One lyric in particular has always had a profound impact on me. As Quasimodo is a prisoner of the bell tower, he sings of the townspeople below:

“Everyday they shout and scold and go about their lives,
Heedless of the gift it is to be them!”

Later in the film, as both Frollo and Quasimodo find themselves enchanted by the gypsy Esmerelda, Quasimodo refers to his infatuation as “Heaven’s Light.” Frollo calls it “Hell’s Fire,” in a song that remains one of the most creepy and villainous songs of all Disney animation.

Aside from the deep messages, this film has some great humor to it! Seinfeld star Jason Alexander voices Hugo, one of the comical gargoyles. Kevin Kline, who seems to be in some of the funniest movies ever (A Fish Called Wanda), brings life to Phoebus, the gallant hero. And Paul Kandel, who has done little else, is brilliant as my favorite Disney character… Clopin, the gypsy leader and unofficial storyteller.

Disney’s animation was a great storytelling medium for these characters. And as always, the work is masterful. The bird’s eye views of Paris are breathtaking. The animation during the song “Out There” is used in countless montages as it represents some of the most astounding examples of traditional hand animation.

While this film was part of Disney’s great animated feature run of the late 80’s through the 90’s, its not frequently found in most homes. If it’s been awhile, or if you’ve never seen it… do yourself a favor and re-watch the film. Brilliant!

Editorial Note: It occurred to me, as I was writing this post, that I first saw this film in western Massachusetts. That same summer, I was a Camp Counselor at Camp Ramah in New England. And I believe our MotionPicturesComics.com host, Josh Edelglass, was with me, chaperoning our 8 and 9 year old campers to see this movie!

Jeremy Myerson is the Training Manager for Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort in Orlando, Florida.  He performs regularly with SAK Comedy Lab, Orlando’s longest running comedy venue, and suffers continually as a fan of the New York Metropolitans. You can read his previous guest blog for Motion Pictures, in which he discusses his favorite movie of all time, The Sandlot, by clicking here.