Black Cloak held up to the eyes, Classic Evil Acting
The performance in the 1923 version are for the most part are good. There are some delightful moments of hammy 1920’s acting. Like when Jehan walks in with the cape up to his eyes. The only thing hammier would have been if he twisted his mustache and tied Esmeralda to a train track.
Lon Chaney as Quasimodo 1923 Hunchback of Notre Dame
Chaney excels as Quasimodo. His best moments are when he is watching Esmeralda dance and she shun him for his ugliness, Esmeralda giving him water on the pillory, and his death scene.
Patsy Ruth Miller as Esmeralda 1923 Hunchback of Notre Dame
In her book, Pasty Ruth Miller told a story about how Chaney told her that it wasn’t important for her to live the role but to make the audience feel the emotion the character. So Chaney wasn’t a much a of method actor.
Gringoire (Raymond Hatton) & Phoebus (Norman Kerry) 1923 Hunchback of Notre Dame
What it really comes down to in the 1923 version of Hunchback, is with the exception of Chaney, is that acting is good, not amazing, not terrible, it’s just good. I’m not offended by it but nor I’m particularly moved by it except for a few instances.
Quasimodo dying Hunchback of Notre Dame 1923 Lon Chaney
Next Time – Costumes
Esmeralda Hunchback of Notre Dame Patsy Ruth Miller 1923