"Sanctuary!" - Charles Laughton as 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame'

Here is a scene from one of the greatest films of the 1930s. The gypsy girl Esmeralda (Maureen O'Hara) has been sentenced to hang for witchcraft in front of Notre Dame cathedral by the Chief Justice (Sir Cedric Hardwicke). She is saved from certain death by the cathedral bell-ringer Quasimodo (Charles Laughton) to the delight of Gringoire, who loves her (played by a young Edmond O'Brien) and given sanctuary.

Halliwell's Film Guide writes: "This superb 1939 remake is one of the best examples of Hollywood expertise at work; art direction, set construction, costumes, camera, lighting and above all direction brilliantly support an irresistible story and bravura acting."

The set of Notre Dame Cathedral was still standing from the 1923 Lon Chaney silent version, so was re-used in this picture. The director (William Dieterle) was noted for his handling of huge crowds, as here, who had to endure a Californian heatwave during the outdoor scenes. The musical score was one of Alfred Newman's finest and was nominated for an Oscar. However, there were in fact no Oscar wins for this film in 1939 but it was up against enormous competition, with 'Gone with the Wind' sweeping the board that year. Nevertheless it remains a classic movie and contains one of Laughton's very finest screen roles. (Scene uploaded from the Warner Bros. DVD with all due acknowledgements.)

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