The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923 film)
The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a 1923 American drama film[2] starring Lon Chaney, directed by Wallace Worsley, and produced by Carl Laemmle and Irving Thalberg. The supporting cast includes Patsy Ruth Miller, Norman Kerry, Nigel de Brulier, and Brandon Hurst. Distributed by Universal Pictures, the film was the studio's "Super Jewel" of 1923 and was their most successful silent film, grossing $3.5 million.[1] The film premiered on September 2, 1923 at the Astor Theatre in New York, New York, then went into release on September 6.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
1831 novel
by Victor Hugo
- Carl Laemmle
- Uncredited:
- Lon Chaney
- Irving Thalberg
- Robert Newhard
- Uncredited Effects Assistants:
- Tony Kornman
- Virgil Miller
- Stephen S. Norton
- Charles J. Stumar
- Edward Curtiss
- Maurice Pivar
- Sydney Singerman
- September 2, 1923 (Astor Theatre)
- September 6, 1923 (USA)
- 102 minutes
- 117 min (Director's cut)
- 98 min (cut edition)
United States
Silent (English intertitles)
$1,250,000 (estimated)
$3.5 million (worldwide rentals)[1]
The screenplay was written by Perley Poore Sheehan and Edward T. Lowe Jr., based on Victor Hugo's 1831 novel, and is notable for the grand sets that recall 15th century Paris as well as for Chaney's performance and make-up as the tortured hunchback bellringer Quasimodo. This was the seventh film adaptation of the novel. The film elevated Chaney, who was already a well-known character actor, to full star status in Hollywood, and also helped set a standard for many later horror films, including Chaney's The Phantom of the Opera in 1925. Two classic stills showing Chaney as Quasimodo can be seen on the internet, highlighting the makeup job,[3][4] as well as the film's program book.[5]
In 1951, the film entered the public domain in the United States because the claimants neglected to renew its copyright registration in the 28th year after publication.[6] Currently, the film is available on Blu-ray and DVD, although the existing prints (all copied from 16mm sources) are all missing at least 15 minutes of footage that was in the original 1923 35mm release print.
Reception[edit]
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported that 91% of critics have given the film a positive review based on 23 reviews, with a weighted average rating of 8.08/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "A heart-rending take on the classic book, with a legendary performance by Lon Chaney."[30]
"Here then is a picture that will live forever. Chaney's portrayal of Quasimodo the hunchback is suparb....a marvel of sympathetic acting. Chaney, in some miraculous way, awakens within us a profound feeling of sympathy and admiration for this most unfortunate and physically revolting human being." ---Motion Picture World
"Naturally there is much in this picture which is not pleasant...It is, however, a strong production, on which no pains or money have been spared to depict the seamy side of old Paris...It is a drama which will appeal to all those who are interested in fine screen acting, artistic settings and a remarkable handling of crowds who don't mind a grotesque figure and a grim atmosphere...Chaney throws his whole soul into making Quasimodo as repugnant as anything human could very well be, even to decorating his breast and back with hair" ---The New York Times
"Lon Chaney's remarkable performance as Quasimodo, the grateful hunchback, is, as it should be, easily the outstanding feature. His extraordinary make-up as a veritable living gargoyle reaches the limit of grotesquery (and at moments seems to go a shade beyond it) but his sprawling movements and frantic gestures are brilliantly conceived, and his final dance of frenzy at the defeat of Clopin's rabble is a scene of delirious passion which has seldom been equalled on the screen." ---Bioscope
"In spite of the liberties taken with the Victor Hugo novel, this picture is a superb and remarkably impressive spectacle....with the addition of some of the most stupendous and interesting settings ever shown. (Chaney's) performance transcends anything he has ever done. He is weird, almost repellent at times, but always fascinating. This picture should be placed on your list and not missed by any means." --- Photoplay
"The Quasimodo of Lon Chaney is a creature of horror, a weird monstrosity of ape-like ugliness, such a fantastically effective makeup as the screen has never known, and in all human probability will never know again." ---Exhibitors Trade Review
"The Hunchback is a two-hour nightmare. It's murderous, hideous and repulsive. Hugo's tale is immortal; Laemmle's picture is fragile as a film house commodity...[The film] is misery all of the time, nothing but misery, tiresome, loathsome misery that doesn't make you feel any the better for it. Mr. Chaney's performance entitles him to starring honors....(the film) may become a detriment to the box office it plays for." ---Variety
"The one thing that stands out in one's memory is Quasimodo. Mr. Chaney's work will live in the memory when all else will have faded away. (The Hunchback) is an accomplishment of which any producer should feel proud." ---Harrison's Reports
Vox Lumiere[edit]
Composer Kevin Saunders Hayes uses this 1923 silent film in his Vox Lumiere 2005 theatre/concert production "Vox Lumiere - The Hunchback of Notre Dame".[35]