Hunchback of Notre Dame The (1939)
Hunchback of Notre Dame The (1939)
This is a fantastic drama (another from 1939!) not to be missed based on the Victor Hugo novel adapted by Bruno Frank with a screenplay by Sonya Levien (State Fair (1933)) and starring the gorgeous Maureen O’Hara Cedric Hardwicke Thomas Mitchell Edmond O’Brien Harry Davenport and featuring Charles Laughton’s classic performance (in the title role) as Quasimodo. It was directed by William Dieterle (The Life of Emile Zola (1937)). The film’s Sound (by John Aalberg) and Alfred Newman’s Score received Academy Award nominations. O’Hara is the beautiful Esmeralda Hardwicke the wicked Frollo who covets her Davenport the aging manipulated King Louis XI and Mitchell is the underclass’s leader. This remake subsequently remade many times is one of the best adaptations of Hugo’s classic story. #98 on AFI’s 100 Greatest Love Stories list.
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