Movies and books

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) is so tremendous. I've not seen any of the other versions, or read Hugo's novel, but I can't imagine a more moving or exciting screening. Charles Laughton was riveting as Quasimodo, in such a enormous contrast to the fresh innocent beauty of Maureen O'Hara, in her American debut. Her young champion Edmond O'Brien as Gringoire also stands in hearty, enthusiastic contrast to her persecutor Frollo, the Chief Justice, played in icy menace by Cedric Hardwicke. The sets, the medieval Paris and it's gem, Notre Dame -- superb! "Why was I not made of stone like thee?" Unforgettable. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031455/