It was a huge tragedy when Paris’ Notre Dame caught on fire. The cathedral was over 800 years old and is considered a French cultural icon. Therefore, Notre Dame has been featured in some of the most famous pieces of French media, including Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel, Notre-Dame de Paris or as it is known in English, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. 

Since its publication, Hugo’s novel has been adapted into film several different times, including a 1939 movie directed by William Dieterle, but the most famous adaptation is probably Disney’s animated movie that came out in the 90’s. Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and its adaptations have added to the cathedral’s fame. So people who never got the chance to experience Notre Dame in person might still have a connection to it after seeing it in media.

As a tribute to Notre Dame, Alamo Drafthouse is having free screenings of the 1939 film adaptation of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME for the cinema’s Victory members. By holding these screenings, the Alamo Drafthouse is trying to honor Notre Dame and expose more people to classic cinema. As mentioned above, this film adaptation was directed by William Dieterle, who was a prolific director but is probably best known for directing this movie and an adaptation of The Devil and Daniel Webster. The movie starred Charles Laughton as the titular hunchback, Quasimodo, and Maureen O’Hara as Esmeralda.