The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939)

In 15th-century France, a gypsy girl is framed for murder by the infatuated Chief Justice, and only the deformed bellringer of Notre Dame Cathedral can save her.

Director:

William Dieterle

Writers:

Sonya Levien (screen play), Bruno Frank (adaptation)

Stars:

Charles Laughton, Maureen O'Hara, Cedric Hardwicke

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charles Laughton	...	The Hunchback Quasimodo
Cedric Hardwicke	...	Frollo (as Sir Cedric Hardwicke)
Thomas Mitchell	...	Clopin
Maureen O'Hara	...	Esmeralda
Edmond O'Brien	...	Gringoire
Alan Marshal	...	Phoebus
Walter Hampden	...	Archdeacon
Harry Davenport	...	King Louis XI
Katharine Alexander	...	Madame de Lys
George Zucco	...	Procurator
Fritz Leiber	...	Old Nobleman
Etienne Girardot	...	Doctor
Helene Reynolds	...	Fleur de Lys (as Helene Whitney)
Minna Gombell	...	Queen of Beggars (as Mina Gombell)
Arthur Hohl	...	Olivier

Storyline

King Louis XI is a wise and old king and Frollo is the Chief Justice. Frollo gazes on the gypsy girl, Esmeralda, in the church during Fool's Day and sends Quasimodo to catch her. Quasimodo, with the girl, is captured by Phoebus, Captain of the Guards, who frees the girl. 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. Later, at a party of nobles, Esmeralda again meets both Frollo, who is bewitched by her, and Phoebus. When Phoebus is stabbed to death, Esmeralda is accused of the murder, convicted by the court and sentenced to hang. Clopin, King of the Beggars; Gringoire, Esmeralda's husband; and Quasimodo, the bellringer, all try different ways to save her from the gallows.

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Plot Keywords:

15th century | catholic church | romani | disability | king | 

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Taglines:

Impact ! Power ! Pathos ! Drama !

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

Charles Laughton once remarked to George S. Kaufman, a very successful Broadway playwright, that he thought he was suited for his role as Captain Bligh in Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) because he came from a long line of seafarers. Kaufman replied that he must have also come from a long line of hunchbacks.

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Goofs

While examining the new invention of a printing press, the king is grasping a pendant around his neck. A moment later, his hands are down.

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Quotes

Gypsy: [On being stopped from entering the city...] Why do you stop us?
Soldier at Festival of Fools: Because no gypsies can enter Paris any longer without a permit. It's the new law.
Gypsy: If the others are permitted to, why can't we?
Soldier at Festival of Fools: They're Frenchmen. You're gypsies. Foreigners.
Gypsy: Foreigners! You came yesterday. We come today.

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Alternate Versions

Also available in a computer colorized version.

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Connections

Referenced in No Census, No Feeling (1940)

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Soundtracks

Ave Maria
(1572) (uncredited)
Music by Tomás Luis de Victoria
Sung by mixed chorus during opening credits

User Reviews

Notre Dame and Laughton

Losy in the monatge of 1939 films ...somewhat is a film I believe is more enriching and florid than " Gone With The Wind" and possibly just as romantic as " Wuthering Heights"

Laughton's performance is one of the most astonishing put on film ever. A Stellar cast is in place from O' Hara to O' Brien..What can I say , Thomas Mitchell who probably graced more films than any other actor is superb.

Hugo,s timeless classic is brought to life in black and white and with sets that make you feel ..you are there.

The great Cedric Hardwicke potrays the tormented one and for sure ..its 116 minutes of pure film making ..and it all takes place on fools day....

CP

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 December 1939 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Filming Locations:

RKO Studios - 780 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,800,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min (Turner library print) (copyright length)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1