The Court Jester

"You spent some time in the Italian court?"
"Why, yes. What better place to court Italians?"

When the royal family is killed, Roderick the Tyrant (Parker) assumes the duties of king.  Meanwhile, a band of rebels, led by the Black Fox (Edward Ashley), protect the real heir to the throne: a baby with the family birthmark.  While the king's men search for the child, the Black Fox assigns entertainer Hubert Hawkins (Kaye) and the Captain of the Black Fox Army, Maid Jean (Johns), to transport and protect the baby.  While on the road, they encounter the king's new jester, Giacomo (David Carradine).. and Jean gets an idea: Hawkins could impersonate Giacomo and end their battle sooner.

At the court, Hawkins makes a good impression.  King Roderick laughs with Hawkins, and gives him the task of selecting a date for the king.  The king's lead counselor, Sir Ravenhurst (Rathbone), hired the real Giacomo to assassinate the king.  The Princess Gwendolyn (Lansbury) threatens to kill herself and her maid, Griselda the witch (Natwick), unless she meets her true love.  And the king is set on an allegiance with Sir Griswold (Middleton) by forcing a marriage with the princess.  With the Black Fox on the way, can Hawkins outsmart the usurpers to the throne and save the day?


This is the perfect film for Danny Kaye, playing to his strengths.  He sings all the songs, gets some dance numbers, and makes crazy faces.  The film features fast paced dialogue and several memorable exchanges: "the pellet with the poison" speech.  He has the ability to change personalities in a second: going from nervous to courageous, etc.  And he gets an iconic sword fight with world-class fencing expert Basil Rathbone.

The rest of the cast works well, but it is obviously Kaye's show.

Find it, watch it, adore it.  And look for my other favorite film from Kaye's repertoire (besides "White Christmas")  "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty".

The Court Jester (1955) 101 minutes
Director: Melvin Frank & Norman Panama
Starring: Danny Kaye as Hubert Hawkins
Glynis Johns as Jean
Basil Rathbone as Sir Ravenhurst
Angela Lansbury as Princess Gwendolyn
Cecil Parker as King Roderick
Mildred Natwick as Griselda
Robert Middleton as Sir Griswold