The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939)

RKO's lavish mounting of the 1831 novel by Victor Hugo. Charles Laughton anchors the film with his simple but soulful portrayal of the titular lopsided 15th century bell ringer. I also really liked Harry Davenport as the liberal minded Louis XI, I have no idea if the real Louis was this magnanimous a type. This movie was also Maureen O'Hara's American film debut. The scenes of throngs of extras viewed from the bell tower are still impressive, this movie is a great example of 'Golden Era' Hollywood spectacle at its finest, and with literary merit to boot. ****