The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) | |
| Director(s) | William Dieterle |
| Producer(s) | Pandro S. Berman |
| Top Genres | Drama, Film Adaptation |
| Top Topics | Book-Based, Paris |
Featured Cast:
The Hunchback of Notre Dame Overview:
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) was a Drama - Film Adaptation Film directed by William Dieterle and produced by Pandro S. Berman.
The film was based on the novel Notre-Dame de Paris (The Hunchback of Notre-Dame) written by Victor Hugo published in 1831.
SYNOPSIS
The second and best version of Hugo's tale of the benevolent but hideous bell-ringer of Notre Dame, Quasimodo, who rescues a beautiful Gypsy girl (O'Hara) from the clutches of a sadistic bishop. Laughton evokes both pity and fear in one of his greatest performances. The Hollywood debut for O'Hara and O'Brien. Remade for TV in 1982, and as an odd Disney animated feature in 1996.
(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).
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Academy Awards 1939 --- Ceremony Number 12 (source: AMPAS)
| Award | Recipient | Result |
| Best Music - Scoring | Alfred Newman | Nominated |
BlogHub Articles:
Silents are Golden: A Closer Look At ? The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)
By Lea Stans on Jun 15, 2023 From Classic Movie Hub BlogSilents are Golden: A Closer Look At ? The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923) The silent era is synonymous with many things: tenderly-lit romances, wacky silent comedies, edgy German Expressionism, and, of course, big-budget spectacles. From Intolerance (1916) to Metropolis (1927), silent era epics a... Read full article
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) and The Rejected Cornerstone
By 4 Star Film Fan on Sep 22, 2020 From 4 Star FilmsNote: This post was originally written a few days after the Notre Dame fire on April 15th, 2019. “All over France, in every city there stand cathedrals like this one, triumphant monuments of the past. They tower over the homes of our people like mighty guardians keeping alive the invincible fa... Read full article
The Essential Films of 1939: The Hunchback of Notre Dame
By Amanda Garrett on Jul 21, 2015 From Old Hollywood FilmsCharles Laughton plays a lonely bell ringer in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The Director: William Dieterle. The Stars: Charles Laughton, Maureen O'Hara, and Sir Cedric Hardwicke. Source Material: Victor Hugo's 1831 novel, Notre Dame de Paris. Maureen O'Hara plays the gypsy Esm... Read full article
The hunchback of notre dame
By Joey on Sep 15, 2014 From WolffianclassicmoviesdigestThe hunchback of notre dame(1939) review https://www.facebook.com/Wolffianclassicmoviesdigest The hunchback of notre dame is hollywood at its best as RKO’s biggest budgeted and most successful film that year in both critical acclaim and box office. Under the direction of the German-born Will... Read full article
The hunchback of notre dame
By Joey on Sep 15, 2014 From WolffianclassicmoviesdigestThe hunchback of notre dame(1939) review https://www.facebook.com/Wolffianclassicmoviesdigest The hunchback of notre dame is hollywood at its best as RKO’s biggest budgeted and most successful film that year in both critical acclaim and box office. Under the direction of the German-born Will... Read full article
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Quotes from
Gringoire: And then?
Clopin: And then you hang!
Gringoire: [pondering for a moment] Can you do it?
Clopin: I'm above that sort of thing. I cut throats. I don't cut purses.
Gringoire: Your hands are like ice. You're not afraid are you?
Esmeralda: Not now oh Gringoire, Why did I ever come to paris?
Gringoire: Don't cry darling
Esmeralda: I keep thinking and thinking How I came here to soften the king heart towards my people until my silly heart betrayed me for that I deserve to die.
Gringoire: You will not! I will get you free
Esmeralda: You will look out after my people when I am gone
Clopin: [to Gringoire immediately following flogging of Quasimodo] Never trust a man with pinched nostrils and thin lips.
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Facts about
Two actors in the film play two different roles, one credited, one not. Thomas Mitchell plays Clopin (credited) and also plays the deaf judge that sentences Quasimodo to the pillory. George Tobias plays the beggar who wants to hang Gringoire (credited as "Beggar"), and also plays one of the workmen in the cathedral who sees Quasimodo ringing the bells in his joy of Esmeralda.
RKO specifically wanted to outdo the 1923 silent version of the story, so a vigorous campaign that spared no expense was undertaken. Much attention was given to advance publicity; no pictures of Charles Laughton in full Quasimodo makeup and costume were allowed to be seen so that a first-time viewing would be a guaranteed shock. Also, the studio hired (at Laughton's request) leading makeup artist Perc Westmore to supervise makeup. Unfortunately, Westmore and Laughton had heated quarrels before a final image for Quasimodo was agreed upon.
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