Product: The Court Jester [VHS] (1956)
Rating: 5.0
This movie helped me appreciate Danny Kaye & Angela Lansbury
What we have here is a classic (culture) film of incredible talent by an impressive string of very talented actors and actresses, really great sets, fantastic costumes, and although whimsical, certain elements abound throughout the film to generate a lifetime of memorable scenes and quotes that more than entertain the viewer. Danny Kaye may be better known as the sidekick to Bing Crosby in "White Christmas" but this sleeper film will amaze you whether or not you knew that much about Danny Kaye before. Mildred Natwick plays Griselda (personal servant maid to Princess Gwendolyn) in this film and she displays such talent that she rivals Angela Lansbury (Princess Gwendolyn). Mildred Natwick starred earlier in "The Quiet Man" as the landowner that sold John Wayne the wee humble cottage John Wayne's character returned to Ireland to reclaim. Basil Rathbone shows in "The Court Jester" why he starred in so many films by his acting prowess, and no reviewer can ever say enough about the character Maid Jean played by Glynis Johns. Glynis Johns must have popped many corks back there in 1955 when this movie first came out; what an absolutely delightful woman. This old classic film made me smile when I realize most of the players in this film weren't headliners yet, and none of them were overpaid like today's spoiled egotistical Hollywood icons. "The Court Jester" is simply an epic story done in grand extravagant splendor and without computer special effects or the trickery editing modern day movies are embellished with. It is almost impossible to pick out a favorite part. Danny Kaye has all the flamboyancy of Errol Flynn, the comic genius to equal anything before or since, and his facial tics along with body language is on peer with anything done by Jim Carrey 50 years later than this film came out. I can't imagine anybody not liking this film if you are a fan of Camelot and Knights of the Round Table genre, or if you like comedy that has adventure and drama packed in there with it. A great family film with plenty of music for the ladies, but robust and hearty action for the guys. BTW, crossword puzzle fans know this film is referred back to, and legends of a character of the Black Fox being like Robin Hood, well that just never gets old. Especially not with Danny Kaye involved too. I recommend this film for all ages, all viewing tastes, and echo what other reviewers have said, don't let the opening credits put you off. Get into the movie and give it a chance. You won't be disappointed. Great stuff, and I like this film better than 1947's "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," also starring Danny Kaye. His daughter Dena Kaye said "The Court Jester" was a defining film for Danny, and fans would recite lines from this film to Danny more than any other film or show he was part of during his entire career. In most of Danny Kaye's biographies you'll find one of his more famous quotes, "I became an entertainer not because I wanted to but because I was meant to."