The Court Jester Overview:

The Court Jester (1956) was a Adventure - Comedy Film directed by Melvin Frank and Norman Panama and produced by Melvin Frank, Norman Panama, Danny Kaye and Sylvia Fine.

SYNOPSIS

A 12th-century court jester in England becomes involved with a desperate band of outlaws who are attempting to overthrow the king.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

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The Court Jester was inducted into the National Film Registry in 2004.

BlogHub Articles:

Silver Screen Standards: The Court Jester (1955)

By Jennifer Garlen on Jan 14, 2020 From Classic Movie Hub Blog

Silver Screen Standards: The Court Jester (1955) I turn to colorful, upbeat musicals whenever I feel sick or depressed, especially in the winter, when I most need a bright escape from dark, dreary days stuck indoors. Recently I found myself revisiting one of my very favorite examples of the genre... Read full article


The Court Jester (1956): The Brew That Is True

By 4 Star Film Fan on Jul 10, 2019 From 4 Star Films

Maybe I’m simply partial to Medieval forms of entertainment but it’s hard to imagine a finer vehicle for Danny Kaye than The Court Jester. It needs to be lithe enough to accommodate his goofy even acrobatic brand of song-and-dance buffoonery. What better arena for Kaye than the king̵... Read full article


The Court Jester (1955): The Brew That Is True

By 4 Star Film Fan on Jul 10, 2019 From 4 Star Films

Maybe I’m simply partial to Medieval forms of entertainment but it’s hard to imagine a finer vehicle for Danny Kaye than The Court Jester. It needs to be lithe enough to accommodate his goofy even acrobatic brand of song-and-dance buffoonery. What better arena for Kaye than the king̵... Read full article


Is "The Court Jester" the Best Classic Movie Comedy?

By Rick29 on Feb 15, 2019 From Classic Film & TV Cafe

I recently watched The Court Jester (1955) for perhaps the tenth time--and laughed just as much as the first time. I realize comedy is very subjective as some folks prefer broad laughs and others opt for dark humor. But I'm hard pressed to think of a classic film comedy that's as nearly perfect as T... Read full article


NATIONAL CLASSIC MOVIE DAY, THE CLASSIC COMFORT MOVIE BLOGATHON: The Court Jester (1955)

on May 16, 2018 From Caftan Woman

For the fourth consecutive year, the Classic Film and TV Cafe is celebrating National Classic Movie Day on May 16th by hosting a blogathon. This year the spotlight shines on those movies that we can reliably turn to for comfort. The Classic Comfort Movie Blogathon contributions can be found HERE. ... Read full article


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Quotes from

Princess Gwendolyn: [to Griselda] Remember, if he dies, you die!


[picking his weapon for the joust against Griswold]
Hubert Hawkins: I'll take one of those, one of those, ooh, a couple of those.
[he pauses and glances over at Griswold]
Hubert Hawkins: I'd better take them all.


Griselda: I bring you a message from the princess.
Hubert Hawkins: The royal princess?
Griselda: Yes, she finds you most attractive and would like to meet you.
Hubert Hawkins: Me?
Griselda: She finds you passing fair, passing gracefully.
Hubert Hawkins: Tell her, "Thank you very much, but I'm just passing through."


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Facts about

Basil Rathbone was a world-class fencer and it was due to his efforts that the hilarious fencing scene was filmed without injury. He later admitted that several times he was almost skewered by Danny Kaye's sword.
Unimpressed with him in tights, producers of the film made Danny Kaye wear 'leg falsies' to improve the shape of his legs. This adds a touch of irony when Hubert Hawkins offers the princess all of him, including his legs and calves.
Some songs that were written but not heard in the film are "I Live To Love" (sung by Danny Kaye to Angela Lansbury when he swings into her bedroom) and an extended "Pass the Basket" number when Kaye appears before the King (just prior to the famous "Maladjusted Jester"). Both songs were, however, recorded and released on the film's companion record.
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National Film Registry

The Court Jester

Released 1956
Inducted 2004
(Sound)




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Also directed by Melvin Frank




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Also produced by Melvin Frank




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Also released in 1956




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More "Slapstick" films



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