THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 20, 1996 TAG: 9606200028
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: [Mal Vincent]
LENGTH: 59 lines
WHICH OF DISNEY'S newest animated characters will be under your Christmas tree in December?
If you are the parent of a ``Disney age'' tyke, the chances that one of them will be there are better than even. Belle, the Beast and Pocahontas all became folk heroes soon after the release of their films.
Surprisingly, supporting characters like Flounder (the fish from ``The Little Mermaid'') also often are turned into the best-selling toys. Heroes and heroines are usually not nearly as much fun as supporting characters.
Here's the run-down on the cast of ``The Hunchback of Notre Dame'' which premiered in New Orleans before an audience of 65,000 Wednesday night and will open at local theaters Friday.
Quasimodo - The short, compact bellringer of Notre Dame Cathedral in Medieval Paris is the hero, and yet the underdog, of the film. He is gentle, lovable, yet unloved. He has been played in previous film versions by Lon Chaney, Charles Laughton and Anthony Quinn. Here, he has the voice of Tom Hulce (Oscar nominee for ``Amadeus'').
Clopin - The narrator of the story is the master of ceremonies for the ``Feast of Fools'' celebration and has the song ``Topsy Turvy.'' Clopin is thin and ultra-animated - a kind of vaudeville performer mixed with a touch of French-style Chevalier. He has the voice of Broadway actor Paul Kandel (Uncle Ernie in The Who's ``Tommy,'' next appearing in the Disney production of ``Aida.'')
Esmeralda - The latest in a parade of shapely Disney babes, Esmeralda's a sassy gypsy dancing girl who doesn't need to be saved by the hero. (Keeping up the feminist ways of Belle, but becoming more physical about it). The animators said she was a particular challenge because the folds of her dress, swirling in dance, were difficult to capture. She has the speaking voice of Demi Moore but the singing voice of cabaret singer Heidi Mollenhauer.
Frollo - The most complex of all Disney villains, he is repressed and elegantly sinister, lifting an eyebrow with a sneer rather than lifting his voice in rage. Tony Jay, the British actor who came to America with the eight-hour production of ``Nicolas Nickleby,'' has the role and vowed that ``he's similar to Anthony Hopkins in `The Silence of the Lambs.' He controls by a look. He wants to control everyone, except himself.''
Phoebus - Phoebus is the young military man who is in love with Esmeralda. He has the comedic voice of Kevin Kline to ensure that he's not the usual stiff Prince Charming. For the record, he's the first Disney hero with facial hair.
Victor, Hugo and Laverne - The three gargoyles atop Notre Dame cathedral are the film's comic relief. The animators wanted to name them Chaney, Laughton and Quinn after the three actors who previously played Quasimodo but it was thought the reference was too obscure. Hugo is outgoing and fun-loving. Victor is reserved and stuffy. Laverne is wise. The animators claim that bringing them to life was no stretch because Hugo (the writer, not the gargoyle) suggested that Quasimodo thought they were live creatures.
Djali - Every Disney film has a mute character. Here, it's a goat. Esmeralda's Djali is, according to animator Ron Husband, ``the little brother who is trying to protect his older sister.''
Our prediction: No. 1 in the comfy, stuffed animal sales will be (drum roll) Djali. by CNB