Starring Danny Kaye, Glynis Johns, Angela Lansbury, and Basil Rathbone
Directed by Melvin Frank and Norman Panama
Music by Sammy Cahn; Lyrics by Sylvia Fine
One of the Golden Age of Hollywood's last living legends, Lansbury passed away on October 11th. I'm surprised she didn't do more film musicals. She may have been too unique a character for the Golden Age, which preferred more traditional beauties. Danny Kaye came off the blockbuster success of White Christmas and into this, the most expensive comic musical made to that point. It wasn't a hit then, but does it deserve recognition from royalty nowadays? Let's begin with the jester of the title, Hubert Hawkins (Kaye), singing and clowning under the credits as he explains what's about to happen, and find out...
The Story: Hawkins is minstrel to the Black Fox (Edward Ashley), the dashing bandit who continually robs and harasses the court of King Roderick (Cecil Parker) and his court. He protects the infant heir to the throne of England, whom the king usurped. Hawkins would love to be a legitimate member of the Black Fox's group and impress lovely Maid Jean (Johns), but the Black Fox considers him to be little more than a fool.
They're the only ones who can take the baby to safety when the Black Fox's hideout is discovered. They pass themselves as wine merchants, until they run into the surly jester Giacomo (John Carradine) on the road. Jean knocks him out and encourages Hawkins to take his identity. The king's advisor Lord Ravenhurst (Rathbone) actually hired Giacomo to kill the other three advisors.
Meanwhile, Princess Gwendolyn (Lansbury) refuses to marry Sir Griswold (Robert Middleton). Her lady-in-waiting, the witch Griselda (Mildred Natwick), claims her true love is coming. Griselda hypnotizes Hawkins to be the robust lover Gwendolyn wants. However, there's also Jean, who was brought to the castle with the baby, and the fact that he can't hide his identity from Ravenhust forever. He'll have to play the role of his life to get out of this wild mess!
The Song and Dance: Danny Kaye is one of the few major comedians of the Golden Age of Hollywood who could pull off historical roles. He's just as funny at the court as he is dueling with Rathbone in the end or wooing Princess Gwendolyn. He's not the only one having a great time. Everyone puts in delightful performances, especially Lansbury as the strong-willed princess, Natwick as the crafty witch, and Rathbone as the oily Ravenhurst. Colorful sets and costumes show where all the money went as they ably show off a fairy-tale medieval England. The castle in particular is wonderful, with its many nooks and crannies.
This is also a marvelous showcase for Kaye's tongue-twisting dexterity. "The pestle with the vestle" routine at the joust near the end is probably the most famous of Kaye's patter routines, and almost every character in the movie gets in on it. (Oh, and for the record, they broke the chalice from the palace.)
Favorite Number: We open with Hawkins singing and dancing directly the audience under the credits, explaining why "Life Could Not Better Be." He continues as the Black Fox in the whirling opening number "Outfox the Fox" with his band of little people, until the real Black Fox comes in. He impresses the court with his whirlwind performance of "The Maladjusted Jester," a glum man who was so dreary, becoming a jester was the only way he could cheer up himself. He has two ballads, the gentler "I'll Take You Dreaming" to Maid Jean and "My Heart Knows a Love Song" later. "Ritual of Knighthood" is the big chorus routine, with all the knights doing a noisy Riverdance-style stomp before the court.
Trivia: Rathbone's last sword fight on film.
"Life Could Not Better Be" was used as part of the theme song for Kaye's TV variety show in 1963.
Two numbers were dropped from the film, a duet for Kaye and Lansbury, "I Live to Love," and a longer version of the "Pass the Basket" routine. Both are on the soundtrack.
What I Don't Like: Perhaps a bit long for a comedy, and very complicated! Kaye's not kidding in the beginning when he sings "plot we got." They got enough plot for six swashbucklers. It may have been a bit much for many audiences in the mid-50's to take in.
The Big Finale: If you love Kaye, Lansbury, Rathbone, swashbucklers, or 50's musicals, then this movie could not possibly better be.
Home Media: Thanks to this being one of Kaye's most popular and well-regarded vehicles, it can be found easily in almost every format, usually for under $10.
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