The Hunchback of Notre Dame | Hollywood Yesterday

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

One of the all-time great cinematic masterpieces, The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939, wonderfully directed by William Dieterle), airs on TCM tonight (please check your local listings for time). Charles Laughton simply does NOT get enough credit today. The man was an absolute powerhouse of an actor and blows me away each time I see this film.

As a VERY emphatic person (meaning I literally FEEL what others are going through… fictional or not), this is a difficult movie for me to watch. However, as someone who loves old movies, Maureen O’Hara, and great acting, it’s a difficult movie for me not to watch.

Maureen O’Hara and Charles Laughton

Be sure to watch the movie on TCM tonight or, at the very least, record it on dvr. While I have a huge dvd collection, I love watching films live on TCM – not only does it feel as though I’m supporting a very important channel (let’s make that vital and essential channel!), I love the commentary their wonderful hosts give before and after a movie. It feels as though I’m watching it with them and that’s pretty darn cool.

And I don’t even have to share my popcorn! Also cool.

You can find The Hunchback of Notre Dame on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Charles Laughton as Quasimodo, The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Maureen O’Hara

I have many favorite actresses and actors (one glance at my About page certainly backs up this claim). However, if push came to shove and I was forced to name my number one ride-or-die favorite actress… well, you’re looking at her.

There’s just something about her talent, beauty, charisma, and extemporary character that resonates with me. It has since I was a little girl and saw my first Maureen O’Hara movie, Miracle on 34th Street and it does today, many years and many Maureen O’Hara movies later.

While I love Maureen and Charles Laughton’s performances in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939), I don’t rewatch this one as often as I do her other films. As someone who is incredibly emphatic (meaning I STRONGLY feel other people’s emotions – whether they’re real or fictional), sad movies/books actually break my heart a little and cause a black cloud to follow me around for a bit.

Who has time for that?!

It is, however, an extraordinary movie and I do schedule “re-watches” every now and again because the performances are so very strong. I simply make sure I follow it up (quickly!) with a light comedy or musical. Elvis movies always hit the spot.

You can find The Hunchback of Notre Dame (link to the dvd on Amazon) on dvd or watch it on Prime Video. Be prepared for the great Charles Laughton to both amaze you and break your heart a little. The man was such a phenomenal actor.