![]() The rightful king of England, a baby bearing the birthmark of the purple pimpernel, is hiding in the forest for fear of being killed by the false King Roderick (Cecil Parker). Just be sure to remember “The pellet with the poison’s in the flagon with the dragon the vessel with the pestle has the brew that is true.” Almost sixty years later, and The Court Jester retains its humor. I was ambivalent about my response to the film, but the more I think about it my enjoyment increases. Unfortunately, the linguistic gymnastics of my opening line are nothing compared to the verbal tongue-twisters Kaye is known for, and none more so than in The Court Jester. It succeeds at exactly what it set out to do -make us laugh.I once called Danny Kaye a discount Donald O’Connor, but now I’m wondering if Donald O’Connor isn’t a discount Danny Kaye. Nonetheless, time has proven the film a classic. The most expensive comedy of its time the $4 million production only made back half of its budget. It’s a wonder that the film produced by Kaye’s own independent production company actually was a flop. Peppered throughout are also a host of rememberable songs that actually advance the plot and develop character. The film shows that a pratfall isn’t the fall that’s funny but the context. Kaye throughout the film pulls laughs out of thin air with his great timing. Timing is essential in this part and Kaye, Johns and Natwick pull it off brilliantly. ![]() The “vessel with the pestle” sequence is remarkable. The screenplay also contains great dialogue. You get a joust and a sword duel - most films would have one or the other. The film skillfully weaves in many of the set pieces of a swashbuckler seamlessly. It’s how we get there that’s the mystery. ![]() With a romantic comedy you kind of know that Hubert and Jean will end up together and the heir to the throne will take his rightful place. It keeps us guessing on how things will turn out. With each predicament, poor Hubert gets deeper and deeper into trouble and harm’s way. The plot is convoluted, but in a hilarious way. Disguised as the new court jester Giacomo, he infiltrates the palace to get the key to the secret passage into the castle.Īlong the way he has fallen in love with the female fighter Maid Jean (Glynis Johns, MARY POPPINS), who is kidnapped as a wench for the king, who is arranging an unwanted marriage for his daughter Gwendolyn (Angela Lansbury, TV’s MURDER, SHE WROTE), who threatens to kill herself along with her witchcraft welding maid Griselda (Mildred Natwick, SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON), who ends up bewitching Hubert, who is mistaken by conniving Sir Ravenhurst (Basil Rathbone, THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD) as the real Giacomo, an assassin sent to kill the King so Ravenhurst can take the thrown. Hubert Hawkins (Kaye, THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY) is part of the rebels trying to the get the true heir on the thrown. King Roderick I (Cecil Parker, SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON) has usurped the throne of England from the rightful heir, an infant boy with the family birthmark of a purple pimpernel on his bottom. This Danny Kaye swashbuckler spoof is driven by a complicated, yet ingenious, plot, highlighted by stellar dialogue.
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