Classic Movies - Fabulous Films of 1939: The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Charles Laughton as The Hunchback

Maureen O'Hara as Esmeralda

Today, let’s talk Classic Dramatic Epic-The Hunchback of Notre Dame! Considered the best of all the versions of the immortal Victor Hugo tale, 1939’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame cast wonderful Charles Laughton as Quasimodo, the hideously deformed bell-ringer of Notre Dame Cathedral. Fresh from her screen debut in Laughton’s British film Jamaica Inn (1939), beautiful Maureen O’ Hara was brought by him to RKO Studios to make her American debut as the gypsy temptress, Esmeralda. Rounding out the incredible cast were Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Edmond O’Brien, Alan Marshal, Thomas Mitchell, and Harry Davenport.

The film takes place in Paris, France in the fifteenth century. It is a time of superstition and ignorance. King Louis XI (Davenport) reigns and refuses to have the printing press destroyed as his Chief Justice, Frollo (Hardwicke), urges him to do, claiming it to be a wicked invention and afraid it will encourage the people to think for themselves. Frollo himself is a wicked man who becomes enamored with Esmeralda, the beautiful gypsy girl. He later accuses her of “bewitching” him and tries to have her executed for the murder of Phoebus (Marshal), the Captain of the Guard and one of her admirers. In reality, Frollo jealously killed Phoebus himself.

Throughout the story, Esmeralda is aided by the poet, Gringoire (O’Brien), whom she married to save from death at Beggars Court and by Quasimodo, to whom she gave water when no one else would. (On Frollo’s orders, Quasimodo had pursued her through the streets and was publicly beaten for it on the pillory.) Although initially appalled by his appearance, Esmeralda is moved to show him compassion and kindness. A smitten Quasimodo befriends and rescues Esmeralda from Frollo’s evil clutches by taking her to Notre Dame and the “sanctuary” of the church. Eventually, after the people storm the cathedral, Frollo is killed by Quasimodo and Esmeralda is able to leave the church with Gringoire. Quasimodo is left to lament among the architectural gargoyles, “Why was I not made of stone like thee?”

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a great motion picture and one that evokes tremendous empathy for Quasimodo and all who suffer ridicule for such deformities of face and figure. Charles Laughton’s portrayal of the hunchback is amazingly moving and quite memorable. All of the cast’s performances are outstanding. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a true classic of the silver screen and another Fabulous Film of 1939.

More scenes from The Hunchback of Notre Dame 1939:














**Trivia Question for Today: Who played Quasimodo in Hollywood’s silent screen version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: In the film, Beau Geste, “Beau” was given a “Viking Funeral” by his brother, Digby. The corpse of Sgt. Markoff was the “dog” laid at Beau’s feet before all was set afire.