The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a 1939 American romantic drama film starring Charles Laughton and Maureen O'Hara. Directed by William Dieterle and produced by Pandro S. Berman, the film is based on Victor Hugo's 1831 novel. It is also noted for being the only film shown at the newly established Cannes Film Festival; the rest of the festival was cancelled due to the start of World War II.
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Quasimodo (/ˌkwɒzɪˈmoʊdoʊ/ KWOZ-im-OH-doh, UK also /ˌkwɔːz-/ KWAWZ-; from Quasimodo Sunday) is the titular protagonist of the French novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (1831) by Victor Hugo. Born with numerous deformities, most notably a hunched back, Quasimodo serves as the bell-ringer for Notre Dame cathedral in fifteenth century Paris. Although his appearance causes others to treat him cruelly, he ultimately finds sanctuary in an unlikely love that is fulfilled only in death.
The role of Quasimodo has been played by many actors in film adaptations, including Lon Chaney (1923), Charles Laughton (1939), Anthony Quinn (1956), and Anthony Hopkins (1982). In addition, he was voiced by Tom Hulce in a Disney animated feature (1996); was parodied by Steve Lemme in the comedy Quasi (2023); and most recently was portrayed by Angelo Del Vecchio in a revival of the French-language musical Notre Dame de Paris.
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (French: Notre-Dame de Paris, lit. 'Our Lady of Paris', originally titled Notre-Dame de Paris. 1482) is a French Gothic novel by Victor Hugo, published in 1831. The title refers to the Notre-Dame Cathedral, which features prominently throughout the novel. It focuses on the unfortunate story of Quasimodo, the Romani street dancer Esmeralda, and Quasimodo's guardian the Archdeacon Claude Frollo in 15th-century Paris. All its elements—the Renaissance setting, impossible love affairs and marginalised characters—make the work a model of the literary themes of Romanticism.
The novel is considered a classic of French literature and has been adapted repeatedly for film, stage and television. Some prominent examples include a 1923 silent film with Lon Chaney, a 1939 sound film with Charles Laughton, a 1956 film with Anthony Quinn, and a 1996 Disney animated film with Tom Hulce.
Charles Laughton (/ˈlɔːtən/; 1 July 1899 – 15 December 1962) was a British and American actor. He was trained in London at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and first appeared professionally on the stage in 1926. Over his career he received an Academy Award and a Grammy Award as well as nominations for two BAFTAs and a Golden Globe. He earned a motion picture star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.
Laughton played a wide range of classical and modern roles both on West End and Off West End, making an impact in Shakespeare at the Old Vic. His acting career took him to Broadway and then Hollywood, where he portrayed everything from monsters and misfits to kings. He earned the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of the title character in the historical drama The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933). He was further Oscar-nominated for his roles as Captain William Bligh in the action adventure Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) and an irascible barrister in the courtroom drama Witness for the Prosecution (1957). Among Laughton's biggest film hits were The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1934), Ruggles of Red Gap (1935), Rembrandt (1936), Jamaica Inn (1939), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939), The Big Clock (1948), Young Bess (1953), Hobson's Choice (1954) and Spartacus (1960). His final film role was in Advise & Consent (1962).