The definitive podcast about “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (“Notre-Dame de Paris”) by Victor Hugo and its many adaptations! Reviews, interviews, commentaries, and more.
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On this episode of the definitive “Hunchback of Notre Dame” podcast, we discuss “The Hunchdog of Notre Dame,” the fourteenth episode of the show “Wishbone,” which aired on PBS in 1995.
“Wishbone” follows a Jack Russell Terrier who imagines himself as the hero of classic novels. In “The Hunchdog of Notre Dame,” a roller hockey game inspires Wishbone to see himself as Quasimodo in Victor Hugo’s “Notre-Dame de Paris” (“The Hunchback of Notre Dame”).
Is this dog the best actor who ever portrayed Quasimodo? Has anyone played roller hockey in the 21st century? Who the heck is Dam Cloud Froyo? Plus, cultural literacy! Hair ribbons! Texas! Taxpayer funding!
Join us to learn about all these topics and more!
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“The Hunchcast of Notre Dame” is a production of 1482 Media. All rights reserved.
Disney’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996) ft. Emily of Notre Dame
Episode 10
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 • Duration 02:27:49
Acclaimed Notre Dame tour guide Emily MacKinnon joins us to discuss Disney’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” which celebrates its 30th birthday this month!
Often called Disney's darkest animated movie, this black sheep of the Disney renaissance spawned a multi-million-dollar merchandising campaign, a direct-to-video sequel, a live show at the Disney parks, two stage musicals, and an announced but quietly canceled live-action remake.
Whose idea was it to turn “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” by Victor Hugo into a Disney movie? Why didn’t Quasimodo and Esmeralda end up together? Are we ever getting a live-action remake of this film, and should we?
Listen along to learn the answers to these questions and more!
Watch our LIVE Q&A with lyricist Stephen Schwartz, producer Don Hahn, directors Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, story writer Tab Murphy, and supervising animator Kathy Zielenski on SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 11 AM PT / 2 PM ET on https://www.YouTube.com/@Hunchback30thAnniversary!
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Books 1 & 2: “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” by Victor Hugo
Episode 1
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 • Duration 01:05:07
Cross of God! The world’s first podcast about “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (“Notre-Dame de Paris”) is here, and what better way to begin than with an in-depth series about Victor Hugo’s classic novel?
In part one of a comprehensive five-episode series, we’re discussing Books 1 and 2 of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” by Victor Hugo. Why did Hugo decide to write a book about a hunchback living in a church? Is this Pierre Gringoire guy the greatest loser who ever lived? And what does Cardi B have to do with any of this?
Listen to our inaugural episode for the answers to these questions and more!
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(04:38) Minute of History: The Novel's Origin Story
(10:52) Book I
(33:23) Book II
(57:10) Overall Thoughts
(1:00:13) A Game: Inn, Dust, Throw
(1:03:59) Outro
Discussing “La Esmeralda” (1836) with musicologist Dr. Denise Boneau
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 • Duration 01:11:41
On this special episode of the definitive podcast about “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (“Notre-Dame de Paris”), we sit down with musicologist Dr. Denise Boneau, the world’s leading expert on composer Louise Bertin, for an exclusive interview about the opera “La Esmeralda” (1836), the subject of our previous episode.
A graduate of the University of Chicago, Dr. Boneau’s doctoral dissertation revived academic interest in Louise Bertin, who by that point had faded from public memory. Her passion for Bertin’s work has taken to France to see the first productions of Bertin’s operas in nearly 200 years, none of which would have been possible if Dr. Boneau hadn’t brought Bertin’s work back into public view.
We’d like to express our sincerest thanks to Dr. Boneau for generously offering her time and expertise!
On this episode of the world’s first podcast about “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (“Notre-Dame de Paris”), we discuss RKO’s feature film of the same name, released in 1939!
Made during the Holocaust and the Great Depression, this remake of Universal’s feature film speaks to the difficult state of the world in the 1930s by refocusing Victor Hugo’s story on themes of social justice. Academy Award winner Charles Laughton and then-eighteen-year-old Maureen O’Hara turn in career-best performances.
Does this movie contain the best version of the character Pierre Gringoire? Why did RKO purchase the rights to make a movie based on a public-domain book? Is Charles Laughton God? Plus, Coldplay! Yo mama! Progresso soup! Aldi! The seven liberal arts!
Join us as we discuss these topics and more!
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“Man of a Thousand Faces” (1957), the Lon Chaney biopic
Episode 8
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 • Duration 56:35
On this episode of the definitive podcast about “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (“Notre-Dame de Paris”), we discuss the Lon Chaney biopic “Man of a Thousand Faces” (1957)!
While this movie isn’t a direct “Hunchback” adaptation, it contains recreation scenes of Universal’s 1923 movie (the topic of our previous episode) and provides valuable insight into Lon Chaney’s (Quasimodo’s) life at the time of filming.
How much of this movie is historically accurate? Why is 58-year-old James Cagney playing a 22-year-old? And why, why, WHY does the Quasimodo makeup look so terrible?
Join us as we answer these questions and more!
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On this episode of the definitive podcast about “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (“Notre-Dame de Paris”), we’re discussing Universal’s silent film “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” released in 1923!
Arguably the most important “Hunchback” adaptation (though not the first), this movie, one of the most expensive ever made during its time, kicked off the Universal Monsters franchise, turned Lon Chaney, the Man of a Thousand Faces, into an internationally-recognized star, and legitimized Universal as a major film studio.
But for all its fame, this film is shrouded in mystery. What happened to the scenes and subplots that were cut? Was Quasimodo’s hump actually 70 pounds? Who REALLY directed this movie?
“La Esmeralda” (1836), an opera by Louise Bertin & Victor Hugo
Episode 6
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 • Duration 01:17:40
Tune in next week for an exclusive interview with the world's leading expert on Louise Bertin, musicologist Dr. Denise Boneau!
On this episode of the world’s first podcast about “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (“Notre-Dame de Paris”), we discuss the opera “La Esmeralda” (1836), the only “Hunchback” adaptation Victor Hugo participated in creating.
Composed by Louise Bertin, a young disabled woman, this controversial opera was only performed six times during its original run. Bertin was so traumatized by the backlash against it that she never composed another opera.
What’s to blame for the failure of “La Esmeralda”? Government censorship? Sexist critics? Audiences of hecklers, including “The Three Musketeers” author Alexandre Dumas? Joins us as we grapple with this nearly 200-year-old question.
Books 10 & 11: “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” by Victor Hugo
Episode 5
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 • Duration 01:31:20
“We have achieved levels of back never dreamed possible.” (―Quasimodo, probably)
On this episode of the world’s first podcast about “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (“Notre-Dame de Paris”), we’re covering Books 10 and 11 of Victor Hugo’s classic novel!
How did Notre-Dame de Paris save Notre-Dame de Paris? Did the Sack Woman end racism? Why doesn't Esmeralda ever recognize Claude Frollo? Plus, Jabba the Hut! Pet rocks! Johnny Cash! Freddy Kruger! Uggs! The AP News bulletin!
This week’s episode of “The Hunchcast of Notre Dame” covers all these topics and more.
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(00:22) Minute of History: Notre Dame’s Restoration
(06:16) Book X
(39:39) Book XI
(01:19:07) Overall Thoughts
(01:24:20) Inn, Dust, Throw
Books 8 & 9: “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” by Victor Hugo
Episode 4
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 • Duration 01:30:04
Far-off places, daring swordfights, magic spells, a priest in disguise!
On this installment of the world’s first podcast about “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (“Notre-Dame de Paris”), we’re covering Books 8 and 9 of Victor Hugo’s classic novel!
Is Claude Frollo running a multi-level marketing scheme? Who was Victor Hugo’s biggest hater? Is putting animals on trial ethical or barbaric? Plus, Shakespeare! Incels! Stop & Shop! The suffering of Job! Wyoming! “Sold to One Direction” fanfiction! Cryptocurrency!
This week’s episode of “The Hunchcast of Notre Dame” covers all these topics and more.
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