The stunning Italian beauty, Gina Lollobrigida passed away on January 16 at the age of 96. We monster fans remember her as the seductive gypsy Esmeralda in the 1957 version of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME starring alongside Anthony Quinn in the title role. But she was more than that, having a second successful career as a photojournalist. She also was active in the Italian American community and supported their causes as a member of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF). Rest in peace, Gina.
I don' know that I've seen that version of Hunchback. Time to seek it out. Rest in peace Ms. Lollobridida. (Fantastic name.)
ReplyDeleteQuinn's Hunchback is often cited as third behind Chaney's and Laughton's versions. Gina's Esmeralda,however, is the most beautiful and seductive of the three (which works better with the motivations of Frollo) and is closer to the looks of a Romany gypsy than the other two, who were white.
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