The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (1939)

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  • THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME


    DIRECTED BY WILLIAM DIERERLE
    PRODUCED BY PANDRO S. BERMAN
    MUSIC BY ALFRED NEWMAN
    RKO RADIO PICTURES


    hunchback-of-notre-dame-1939_1.jpg


    Information from IMDb


    Plot Summary
    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 Quasimoto to catch her.
    Quasimoto, with the girl, is captured by Phoebus, Captain of the Guards,
    who frees the girl.
    The courts sentence Quasimoto 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 the Husband of Esmeralda,
    and Quasimoto, the bellringer, all try different ways to save her from the gallows.
    Written by Tony Fontana


    Full Cast
    Charles Laughton .... 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 Whitney .... Fleur de Lys
    Minna Gombell .... Queen of Beggars (as Mina Gombell)
    Arthur Hohl .... Olivier
    Curt Bois .... Student
    George Tobias .... Beggar
    Rod La Rocque .... Phillippe (as Rod LaRocque)
    Spencer Charters .... Court Clerk
    Kathryn Adams .... Fleur's Companion
    Diane Hunter .... Fleur's Companion (as Dianne Hunter)
    Sig Arno .... Tailor (as Siegfried Arno)
    Lionel Belmore .... Judge at Esmeralda's Trial/Clergy in Play
    Earl Clyde .... Festival Juggler (uncredited)
    Edmund Cobb .... Soldier (uncredited)
    Alan Copeland .... Choirboy (uncredited)
    Harry Cording .... Soldier on Horseback (uncredited)
    Jack Curtis .... (uncredited)
    Charles Drake .... Bit (uncredited)
    Ralph Dunn .... Soldier (uncredited)
    James Fawcett .... Festival Ball-walker (uncredited)
    Peter Godfrey .... Monk (uncredited)
    Alexander Granach .... Soldier (uncredited)
    Charles Halton .... Fisher the Printer (uncredited)
    Rondo Hatton .... First 'Ugly Man' Contestant (uncredited)
    Otto Hoffman .... Deaf Judge (uncredited)
    Cy Kendall .... Nobleman signing Petition (uncredited)
    Victor Kilian .... Esmeralda's hangman (uncredited)
    Mike Lally .... Beggar (uncredited)
    Elmo Lincoln .... (uncredited)
    Ray Long .... Festival Skeleton Dancer (uncredited)
    Angela Malmos .... Helene, first to see Quasimodo (uncredited)
    Frank Mills .... Townsman (uncredited)
    Paul Newlan .... Quasimodo's Flogger (uncredited)
    Nestor Paiva .... Man In Street When Gypsies Arrive
    Jack Perrin .... Extra (uncredited)
    Russ Powell .... Second 'Ugly Man' Contestant (uncredited)
    Dewey Robinson .... Butcher (uncredited)
    Norbert Schiller .... Saturn (uncredited)
    Ward Shattuck .... Festival Juggler (uncredited)
    Alan Spear .... Festival Contortionist (uncredited)
    Gisela Werbisek .... Grandmother (uncredited)


    Writing Credits
    Bruno Frank adaptation
    Victor Hugo novel "Notre Dame de Paris"
    Sonya Levien


    Cinematography
    Joseph H. August


    Original Music
    Alfred Newman
    Tomás Luis de Victoria (song "Ave María") (uncredited)


    Trivia
    The only movie screened at the very first Cannes Film Festival (the remainder of the festival was canceled when Adolf Hitler's Nazi forces invaded Poland on 1 September 1939).


    Charles Laughton's makeup took two-and-a-half hours to apply each day.


    The film required the use of 2,500 wigs.


    At a cost of $1.8 million, this was one of the most expensive films ever made by RKO Pictures. The Notre Dame replica alone cost $250,000.


    Irving Thalberg first presented the project to Charles Laughton in 1934. But plans didn't materialize until Laughton signed with RKO and chose this film as his first assignment at that studio.


    Having worked with her in London, Charles Laughton insisted that 'Maureen O'Hara' would be the perfect Esmeralda for the film.


    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.


    This was noted Shakespearean actor-manager Walter Hampden's first sound film.


    This was RKO's last release for 1939 (and second costliest in its history, next to Gunga Din). Although it premiered about the same time as Gone with the Wind, it held its own at the box office, grossing an impressive $3.155 million.


    Pandro S. Berman offered Basil Rathbone a principal part in this film but Universal refused to release him.


    'Edmund O'Brien''s movie debut.


    American Film Institute Catalog of Feature Films 1931-1939 includes Gail Patrick and Laura Hope Crews among the uncredited players, without role designations. Neither actress appears in the film in any role of prominence, which their status in the industry at that time would have dictated. It's possible, however, they participated anonymously as extras, just for the experience, as many of their contemporaries often did.


    Sound from King Kong is used in the film: when Esmeralda is being tortured, some of her screams we hear belong to Fay Wray. Also, when Quasimodo is defending the cathedral, some of the screams of the wounded attackers belong to the sailors from King Kong; and when Frollo falls to his death, his scream belongs to one of the sailors as well.


    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.


    Well aware of the war raging in Europe, Charles Laughton chose a lull in the day's shooting to recite, in full Quasimodo costume, Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, as he had done in the film Ruggles of Red Gap. As in the previous film, it stunned the cast and crew for the rest of the shooting day.


    Goofs
    Revealing mistakes: After Quasimodo dumps the molten metal on the crowd below him, he sits on the wall with the sky in the background. Creases in the painted backdrop are clearly visible, as well as the backdrop fabric.


    Revealing mistakes: Quasimodo's misplaced eye never moves or blinks, belying the fact that it is a prosthetic.


    Revealing mistakes: SPOILER: Obvious stunt double for Frollo as he struggles with Quasimodo near the end of the film.


    Memorable Quotes


    Filming Locations
    Los Angeles, California, USA
    Mudd Hall of Philosophy - 3709 Trousdale Parkway, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
    (interiors: bell tower)
    RKO Encino Ranch - Balboa Boulevard & Burbank Boulevard, Encino, Los Angeles, California, USA


    [extendedmedia]

    [/extendedmedia]

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

    Edited 8 times, last by ethanedwards ().

  • The Hunchback of Notre Dame the 1939 American monochrome film,
    is considered by some reviewers to be the best
    of the many film versions of Victor Hugo's classic novel.


    This was Maureen's first film she made in the US,
    with her mentor Charles Laughton.



    I wonder how many of us,
    especially the more 'mature' members,
    remember seeing this one when they were kids.
    At the time, it was quite frightening, an early 'horror' movie!!
    Now of course it's all harmless fun,
    spoilt I suppose, by the fact that, we now, all notice
    the creaky sets, although, at the time it cost
    a fortune to make!!


    A couple of Duke co-stars to look out for,
    Thomas Mitchell, and Cedric Hardwicke
    and an un-credited Cy Kendall.



    User Review


    Author: Robert Reynolds from Tucson AZ

    Quote

    The best of the many versions of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, for my money, is this one, although Lon Chaney's is a close second. Despite a Hollywood tendancy to change the novel's ending so as not to depress the cash customers (although, pray tell, if you're going to change the ending, why does no one ever see Quasimodo sailing off to Tahiti with the girl?
    Rule # 1: strong, handsome poets beat out disfigured cripples every time, even if they're heroes. This is more true in real life than in the movies. Take my word for this, I know from painful experience *sigh*)


    Charles Laughton is exceptional and Maureen O'Hara would make any man swoon and is perfect for the part of Esmerelda. The support includes the usual suspects-Thomas Mitchell, Harry Davenport and many other familiar character actors. Strike up the band and start the parade. Thunderous applause. Most highly recommended.

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

    Edited 2 times, last by ethanedwards ().

  • 1939 certainly was a remarkable year for movie making. Thomas Michell was quite busy this year starring in the following 5 classic movies:


    1. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) Clopin
    2. Gone with the Wind (1939) .... Gerald O'Hara
    3. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) Diz Moore
    4. Only Angels Have Wings (1939) Kid Dabb
    5. Stagecoach (1939) Doc Boone


    Not to be outdone in the same year Ward Bond was in 21 pictures and many of them classics as well, they are as follows:


    1. The Cisco Kid and the Lady (1939) .... Walton
    2. Gone with the Wind (1939) .... Tom (Yankee captain)
    3. Heaven with a Barbed Wire Fence (1939) .... Hunk
    4. Drums Along the Mohawk (1939) .... Adam Hartman
    5. Dust Be My Destiny (1939) (uncredited) .... Thug
    6. Frontier Marshal (1939) .... Town Marshal
    7. Waterfront (1939) .... Mart Hendler
    8. The Girl from Mexico (1939) .... Mexican Pete, the Wrestler
    9. Young Mr. Lincoln (1939) .... John Palmer Cass
    10. The Kid from Kokomo (1939) .... Ladislaw Klewicki
    11. Return of the Cisco Kid (1939) .... Accused rustler
    12. Union Pacific (1939) (uncredited) .... Tracklayer
    13. Confessions of a Nazi Spy (1939) (uncredited) American Legionnaire
    14. Mr. Moto in Danger Island (1939) .... Sailor Sam (wrestler)
    15. Dodge City (1939) .... Bud Taylor
    16. Trouble in Sundown (1939) .... Henchman Dusty
    17. The Oklahoma Kid (1939) .... Wes Handley
    18. Pardon Our Nerve (1939) .... Kid Ramsey
    19. Made for Each Other (1939) (uncredited) .... Jim Hatton (pilot)
    20. They Made Me a Criminal (1939) .... Lenihan (fight promoter)
    21. Son of Frankenstein (1939) (uncredited) .... Gendarme at gate


    Robbie
    :agent:

    Regards
    Robbie

  • Hi all,
    Inspired by this new forum went to the local DVD store to see whic Maureen movies they have. And found this one.
    Watched it for the first time. It's great! And the best thing it is very close to the Hugo novel.
    And cast is great. Of course Maureen. But I like very much Louton (saw him before only once in Captain Kidd) and Thomas Mitchell.


    By the way this movie wasn't shoot in Paris. The whole replica was built and Maureen herself said it was perfect. Know this from the DVD feachers.


    Regards,
    Senta :rolleyes:

  • :wink_smile:

    Big disappointment for Maureen at the end of the shoot. Alfred Hitchcock offered him the lead for his film Rebecca, but the director Dieterle did not want to give up Maureen and this is Joan Fontaine was chosen and received an Oscar ...

    The filming of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" began in August 1939, near Los Angeles, in a oppressive heat.

    To complete the original trailer, here's a short video ...

    Good reading

    Unconditional's Maureen O'Hara !
    French-English translation: poor !!!
    :blush:

    Edited 2 times, last by Romy ().

  • ........... Some pictures from the film .........





    __________

    _________

    __________

    Unconditional's Maureen O'Hara !
    French-English translation: poor !!!
    :blush:

    Edited 2 times, last by Romy ().

  • Watched this again for the first time in years.
    What a great cast, and such a lavish set.
    Still one to watch.
    However isn't it strange when you look back on a movie,
    how very much of it you can't remember!


    Quote

    Why was I not made of stone, like thee?


    Quasimodo

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

    Edited once, last by ethanedwards ().