Movies - The Hunchback of Notre Dame

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	Movies - The Hunchback of Notre Dame

The 1923 film version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, starring Lon Chaney, Sr. as Quasimodo and Patsy Ruth Miller as Esmeralda, and directed by Wallace Worsley, is one of the more famous adaptations of Victor Hugo's novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The film was Universal Studio's "Super Jewel" of 1923 and was their most successful silent film, grossing over three-million dollars. The film is most notable for the grand sets that recall 15th century Paris as well as Lon Chaney's spectacular makeup as the tortured bell-ringer of Notre Dame.

Synopsis

The locale of the story is in the city of Paris ten years before Columbus discovered America, and is a serious, tragic production throughout.

The story centers on the life of "Quasimodo," the deformed bell-ringer of the famous Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. He is prevailed upon by Jehan, the Archdeacon's evil brother, to kidnap the fair Esmeralda, the ward of the King of the underworld, Clopin. Esmeralda is rescued by dashing Phoebus, and taken under his wing. Quasimodo is sentenced to be lashed in the public square. While he is suffering under the sting of the whip, Esmeralda comes and brings him water. From that time on he is her devoted slave. Jehan and Clopin learn that Captain Phoebus plans to wed Esmeralda, and do all in their power to break up the affair, but fail. Jehan then stabs Phoebus and lays the blame on Esmeralda. She is sentenced to die, but is rescued by Quasimodo and escapes to the Cathedral, where she takes refuge. Clopin, egged on by Jehan, tries to storm the Cathedral while the crafty Jehan uses the time to loot the treasure vaults. Quasimodo, single handed, battles off the invaders with streams of molten lead, but gives his life in saving Esmeralda from Jehan. Phoebus, who was only wounded, comes to the rescue and saves the Church and his sweetheart. As they clasp each other to their hearts, Quasimodo rings their happiness and his own dirge.

Preservation

Original prints of the film were on cellulose nitrate film stock and were either worn out, decomposed or were destroyed by the studio (mostly the latter). Original prints were on tinted film stock in various colors, including sunshine, amber, rose, lavender and blue.

The only surviving prints of the film are 16mm "show-at-home" prints that were distributed by Universal in the 1920s and 1930s for home-movie purposes. Most video editions of the film are derived from 16mm duplicate prints that were distributed by Blackhawk Films in the 1960s and 1970s.

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