Hans Christian Andersen

The Samuel Goldwyn Company, 1952
Starring Danny Kaye, Zizi Jeanmaire, Farley Granger, and Joseph Walsh
Directed by Charles Vidor
Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesseur

This week, we're going to explore the world of fantasy with two very different retellings of favorite fairy tales. Danny Kaye was at the height of his popularity as a beloved comedian when he appeared in this supposed version of the life of the famous Danish author of The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, and other romantic tales. How well does Kaye do with Hans and his stories? Let's head to tiny Odense, Denmark, in the 1830's to hear a story from Hans himself and find out...

The Story: Hans the Cobbler (Kaye) loves telling stories to the children of the town. He keeps doing it during school hours, upsetting the school master (John Brown). Trying to avoid being thrown out of town, Hans' apprentice Peter (Walsh) suggests they take their wares to Copehagen and try their luck there.

Upon their arrival, Hans is arrested for dancing on a statue of the king. Peter gets him out by offering their services to the Royal Danish Ballet. Hans falls hard for its prima ballerina Doro (Zizi Jeanmaire), but despite their seemingly antagonistic relationship, she's really in love with her husband Niels (Granger), the dance master. He even writes her a story, The Little Mermaid, which they turn into a ballet. Peter tries to tell Hans that Doro isn't interested in him, but he's too smitten to listen. His love life may not be all he hoped, but his stories become better-known after they're printed in Copenhagen's newspaper, finally making him a real writer.

The Song and Dance: This is probably Kaye's best-known solo vehicle, and I can understand why. He's a wonderfully warm Andersen, sweet with Jeanmaire and adorable with the children. This was Jeanmaire's debut; she's a fabulous dancer, is very funny sparring with the grumpy Granger, and is so sensual and flirtatious, you can understand why Hans became smitten.

This is also a really beautiful movie. Goldwyn went all-out in bringing Andersen's world to life. The color is exquisite, the costumes delicate and gorgeous, especially the stunning ballet outfits. My favorites are the unique transparent tutus seen on Jeanmaire and the ladies in the "No Two People" number and the colorful peasant outfits in Odense.

Favorite Number: I saw this a lot on independent TV stations when I was little, and it was my introduction to the delights of ballet and Frank Loesser. Of the three ballets in the film, by far the best is the lovely "Little Mermaid" in the finale. This may have been my first "Little Mermaid," well before the Disney film came out, and it's touching, romantic, and gorgeously danced.

Loesser wrote what may be his finest full movie score here. Kaye scores with the short but charming "Inchworm," sung in counterpoint with the children in school, the sweet "Thumbelina" in the prison with a little girl outside, and the gorgeous ballad "Anywhere I Wander" as he dreams of his adored Doro.

Trivia: Goldwyn had been working on this since 1936, and even considered doing it with Walt Disney at one point.

It was nominated for six Oscars, including Best Song for "Thumbelina."

What I Don't Like: Um, the spiel in the opening isn't kidding about this being "a fairy tale about a spinner of fairy tales." Other than him being Danish and a cobbler, this has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with Andersen's real life. The idea of him being in love with a ballerina is sweet, but it's also pure Hollywood fantasy.

The Big Finale: If you have children of your own, or you love ballet, Loesser, Kaye, or the real Andersen's stories, you'll want to dance on over and check this one out.

Home Media: The Blu-Ray is out of print, but it can still be found fairly easily on DVD.

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