Public Domain Movies

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923), Starring Lon Chaney

Movie Review

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)

Lon Chaney Sr. stars in this adaptation of Victor Hugo’s classic tale The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Hugo’s story has been adapted many times since this version was released in 1923.  RKO’s 1939 movie is probably the most famous, but this one comes a close second. It was Universal Studios’ most successful silent movie and grossed over $3 million.

Lon Chaney as The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)
Lon Chaney as The Hunchback of Notre Dame

It has to be said, the movie was very well produced, but it is likely that the real reason behind its success lies with Lon Chaney playing the hunchback. He was a perfect choice to play Quasimodo and it is worth noting that Chaney, who was known as The Man of 1,000 faces, applied all of his own makeup.

Wallace Worsley directed the movie. Chaney and Worsley worked together several times and were known to have enjoyed a very good professional relationship. In fact, just a year earlier, they combined their talents for the 1922 horror movie A Blind Bargain. Sadly this is now considered to be a lost film.

This 1923 production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame often finds its way onto horror-related websites, probably due to Lon Chaney’s frightening appearance in the film, but I had to think twice about adding it to this site. Despite Chaney’s monstrous appearance, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is probably better categorised as a drama, or possibly a romance. Either way, there is a lot happening that cannot be called horror. What the heck! I added it anyway. If you want to watch it, just hit the play button on the player at the top of the page.

Additional Information

Directed by Wallace Worsley

Cast

Lon Chaney
Patsy Ruth Miller
Norman Kerry
Kate Lester

Winifred Bryson
Nigel De Brulier
Brandon Hurst
Ernest Torrence

Tully Marshall
Harry von Meter
Raymond Hatton
Nick De Ruiz

Eulalie Jensen
Roy Laidlaw
Ray Myers
William Parke

Gladys Brockwell
John Cossar
Edwin Wallock

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Quasimodo
Esmeralda
Phoebus de Chateaupers
Madame de Condelaurier

Fleur de Lys
Don Claudio
Jehan
Clopin

El Rey Luis XI
Mons. Neufchatel
Gringoire
Mons. Le Torteru

Marie
Charmolu
Charmolu’s Assistant
Josephus

Sister Gudule
Judge of the Court
King’s Chamberlain