"The Hunchback of Notre Dame"-Wallace Worsley-1923
This film was adapted from a novel by Victor Hugo. Hugo's novel was published in 1831. Hugo used the novel as part of his campaign to save gothic architecture. The novel was quite popular. Hugo wrote the libretto for an opera L'Esmeralda, and a ballet followed shortly. New musical compositions using the basic story have been appearing even as recently as two years ago. the 1923 Universal Film wasn't the first film treatment, but this film version had the backing of a major studio and Lon Chaney in the title role.
I'm breaking with my normal practice to discuss options for viewing. The 35 mm print has vanished, so whatever versions are available come from 16 mm. Since the the copyright lapsed, there are dozens of versions available. You have several options for free streaming. The quality of all of the options I've seen is pretty poor.
There is a blueray version by Flicker; I've seen clips. This is much the best version available, but it retails for $28 on Amazon.
Given that the quality is poor and this is a silent film, why is it worth viewing? The Universal technicians did an amazing job constructing the sets. They hired a thousand extras for crowd scenes, and they employed 50 Pinkerton detectives to police the extras. The costume department created nearly 3,000 costumes. They spent six months filming; there were 17 other films in production on the Universal lot while "Hunchback" was shot.
It was one of the most expensive films of its day, and Universal used some unique promotions including a contest to write the score. This score would be played in theaters while the film ran. The also developed -a walki-talki system with Western Electric to co-ordinate the shooting. The studio re-issued the film twice in rapid succession. The 1929 sound version didn't have Chaney speaking. The sound was so bad that when Kino did a version; the found the soundtrack so flawed that they couldn't use it. Still the versions available today all come from the visuals of the 1929 version.
It is suggested that Frank Borzage was set to direct the film, He was a first rate studio staff director, but Wallace Worsley ended up directing the film. It is clear that Chaney had a big say in what went on. He did his own make-up, but he also gave direction to Patsy Ruth Miller (Esmeralda). There are numerous stories about the weight of the hump; estimates of 50 to 60 pounds can be found on some sites. Best information puts the weight at about 15 pounds. It took upwards of 4 1/2 hours to complete the make-up.
Chaney commands the screen when he first appears looking over a parapet, and he commands the film's end when he dies. I've mentioned the Chaney bio-pic before, "Man of a Thousand Faces," but it is not only his face which changes. His whole being changes. Chaney would probably object to that characterization; he believed he acted his roles rather than becoming the characters. Don Claudio, the Cathedral rector, is well played, but the remainder of the cast is a little above adequate. The crowd scenes are very well done, and the cathedral looks great. You can see the massive set in close-ups when Quasimodo is climbing the cathedral.
The plot is convoluted and verges significantly from the novel. The Hunchback version which hews to the novel is the one starring Anthony Quinn. Quasimodo is the slave of Jehan, brother of Don Claudio. He is deaf and partially blind. He rings the cathedral's great bells. Esmeralda is supposedly a gypsy,but the gypsies kidnapped her when she was a toddler. She is protected by Clopin, the king of the beggars. She has a secret crush on Phoebus, captain of the city guard. Jehan wants Esmeralda; he orders Quasimodo to kidnap her. The attempt fails, Jehan escapes, but Quasimodo is arrested. Esmeralda is saved by Phoebus, and a major attraction develops between them. Esmeralda tends to Quasimodo after his public whipping.
Things go from bad to worse; Clopin musters his followers from the Court of Miracles first to rescue Esmeralda from Phoebus while they are together at a ball. Esmeralda arranges a secret meeting at the cathedral with Phoebus. Jehan is watching; he stabs Phoebus, but Esmeralda is arrested. She is convicted and sentenced to death. Quasimodo rescues her while she is doing penance before the cathedral. Quasimodo rescues her and takes her to sanctuary inside the cathedral.
Despite the limitations of available viewing options; I highly recommend this film. For all the reasons stated before and, because it serves as a valuable introduction to the 1939 Charles Laughton version.
