The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)

In fifteenth century Paris, the brother of the archdeacon plots with the gypsy king to foment a peasant revolt. Meanwhile, a freakish hunchback falls in love with the gypsy queen.

Director:

Wallace Worsley

Writers:

Victor Hugo (novel), Perley Poore Sheehan (adaptation) (as Perley Poor Sheehan)

Stars:

Lon Chaney, Patsy Ruth Miller, Norman Kerry

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lon Chaney	...	Quasimodo
Patsy Ruth Miller	...	Esmeralda
Norman Kerry	...	Phoebus de Chateaupers
Kate Lester	...	Madame de Condelaurier
Winifred Bryson	...	Fleur de Lys
Nigel De Brulier	...	Don Claudio (as Nigel de Brulier)
Brandon Hurst	...	Jehan
Ernest Torrence	...	Clopin (as Ernest Torrance)
Tully Marshall	...	El Rey Luis XI
Harry von Meter	...	Mons. Neufchatel (as Harry Van Meter)
Raymond Hatton	...	Gringoire
Nick De Ruiz	...	Mons. Le Torteru (as Nick de Ruiz)
Eulalie Jensen	...	Marie
Roy Laidlaw	...	Charmolu
Ray Myers	...	Charmolu's Assistant (as W. Ray Meyers)

Storyline

Clopin bought Esmeralda from the gypsies when she was young. Dancing in the square at the festival, Esmeralda is spotted by Jehan, the evil brother of the good archdeacon Claude Frollo. When he sets Quasimodo out to kidnap Esmeralda, Phoebus, Captain of the Guards, rescues her and captures Quasimodo. The courts sentence Quasimodo to be flogged, and the only one who will give him water while he is tied in the square is Esmeralda. After Clopin forces Esmeralda to leave Phoebus at the ball, she sends a note to Phoebus to meet her at Notre-Dame. In the garden, Phoebus is stabbed in the back by Jehan. Esmeralda is accused of stabbing Phoebus, convicted by the courts and sentenced to hang. When Esmeralda again rejects Jehan, he tells her that Phoebus is dead, even though it is not true. Clopin, Phoebus and Quasimodo all try different ways to save Esmeralda.

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Plot Keywords:

monster | hunchback | gypsy queen | gypsy king | cathedral | 

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Taglines:

Victor Hugo's Immortal Classic

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Romance

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

USA

Release Date:

6 September 1923 (USA)

Also Known As:

El jorobado de Notre Dame

Filming Locations:

Court of Miracles, Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,250,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$2,223,160, 31 December 1924

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$7,630,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min (Ontario) 98 min (TCM Print) 117 min (2006 alternate) 133 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White Color (tinted)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Lon Chaney's salary on the film was $2,500 a week. Shooting began in December of 1922, and was completed in June of 1923. Chaney ended up making close to $60,000 plus contract bonuses from the picture, which was the longest shoot in his career.

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Goofs

The hair on the back of the Hunchback's hands appears early in the film and later disappears.

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Quotes

Quasimodo: Why was I not made of stone, like thee?

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Crazy Credits

Tully Marshall is billed erroneously as "El Rey Luis XI" which is Spanish for "King Louis XI". He should have been billed as "Le Roi Louis XI" which is French for "King Louis XI".

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Alternate Versions

In 2006, Film Preservation Associates, Inc. copyrighted a 117-minute version of this film with a music score compiled by Donald Hunsberger and performed by the Robert Israel Orchestra (Europe), Robert Israel conducting.

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Connections

Featured in Scream Greats, Volume I: Tom Savini (1986)

User Reviews

A True Classic of the Silent Screen

"The Hunchback of Notre Dame" is the often filmed Victor Hugo classic tale of the tragic Quasimodo and his love for the lovely Esmeralda in 15th century Paris.

Lon Chaney in perhaps his greatest role, plays the title character to perfection. Even through the grotesque make up that he created for the character, he can still elicit the sympathy of the audience through his touching portrayal. Chaney is barely recognizable through the 40 pounds of make up and appliances that went to create Quasimodo for the screen. You have to remember that this was 1923 and Chaney did not have the benefit of today's make up techniques.

Patsy Ruth Miller brings youth, beauty and innocence to the role of Esmeralda, a perfect contrast to the hunchback. Norman Kerry plays Phoebus, the nominal hero of the tale who is Esmeralda's true love. Brandon Hurst is the chief villain, Jehan, who wants Esmeralda for himself. Ernest Torrence plays Clopin the "King of the Beggars". In the role of Gringoire is Raymond Hatton, who "B" western fans will remember as the comical sidekick in several westerns of the 30s and 40s.

However, this movie truly belongs to Lon Chaney. It is truly a pity that he died before he could manifest his genius in sound films. (He died in 1930 and made just one sound film).

After almost 80 years, Lon Chaney's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" remains the definitive version and a true classic of American cinema.