The court jester black fox gang movie#

Danny Kaye plays Hawkins, a minor member of the Black Fox's gang, who is given the mission of smuggling the baby into the palace and getting the key to a secret passageway to the Black Fox. But I'm hard pressed to think of a classic film comedy that's as nearly perfect as The Court Jester.įor the uninitiated, it's a medieval tale in which the Black Fox (a sort of Robin Hood) plots to restore the rightful heir to the throne: a royal baby with a purple pimpernel birthmark on his posterior. I realize comedy is very subjective as some folks prefer broad laughs and others opt for dark humor. 'Because I hear that they do, you know.I recently watched The Court Jester (1955) for perhaps the tenth time-and laughed just as much as the first time. This same friend and I led a group in The Scarlet Pimpernel's 'They seek him here, they seek him there, those Frenchies seek him everywhere.' in a bookstore cafe recently. I have a friend that knows all the words to 'The vessel with the pestle has the pellet with the poison, the chalice from the palace has the brew that is true.' I'm completely shocked this is your first viewing! You clearly didn't have WGN access as a kid. Oh my, The Court Jester! This used to be on the WGN Weekend Matinee at least once every other year! I haven't watched it in years. THE COURT JESTER is must viewing for the entire family.

Paramount films are not often shown on TCM, but they have aired the film in the past, so perhaps it will turn up again, especially as there are plans for TCM to show more Paramount films in the future. The DVD print is beautiful the only extra is the trailer, which is available at the TCM website.

This film has been released on VHS and DVD. THE COURT JESTER was produced, written, and directed by Melvin Frank and Norman Panama. She is wonderful in this - not to mention absolutely gorgeous - as the resourceful, fearless Jean. I've been enjoying a mini Glynis Johns festival in recent weeks, also seeing her as the title mermaid in MIRANDA (1948) and as a sympathetic stewardess in NO HIGHWAY IN THE SKY (1951). There are many memorable scenes, including Hubert crooning a lullaby to the baby king, dueling with Ravenhurst (there's a priceless bit with candles), and trying to remember 'The vessel with the pestle has the pellet with the poison, the chalice from the palace has the brew that is true.' Or was it 'the flagon with the dragon'? (Kaye's wife, Sylvia Fine, wrote the tongue-twisting songs along with Sammy Cahn.) This film features Danny Kaye in very top form. My children saw this years ago and loved it I can't believe it took me so long to catch up with it myself! As the plot complications grow over the film's 101 minutes, it becomes ever funnier. After that, however, the film really takes off it's colorful, funny, and filled with outstanding performers and clever set pieces.

The court jester black fox gang movie#

The film's first few minutes are the weakest in the movie the opening credits didn't do much for me, nor did Kaye singing 'Outfox the Fox' on an unattractive set. Alan Napier and Patrick Aherne (brother of Brian) play knights. The excellent cast also includes Basil Rathbone (bringing to mind his 1938 ROBIN HOOD role as Sir Guy of Gisbourne) and Michael Pate as Sir Ravenhurst and Sir Locksley, who believe the court jester is an assassin they secretly hired Mildred Natwick as a witch whose spells constantly confuse matters and Robert Middleton as 'grizzly, gruesome' Sir Griswold, who wants to marry Gwendolyn. Perhaps most problematic is that Roderick's daughter, Princess Gwendolyn (beautiful Angela Lansbury), wants to marry the court jester! Hubert and Jean find themselves entangled in all sorts of intrigue while they attempt to gain possession of the key. Hubert Hawkins (Danny Kaye), a former carnival performer who is one of the Fox's men, replaces Giacomo (John Carradine), the king's newly hired court jester, in order to obtain the key to a secret passageway which will enable the Black Fox to overthrow the pretender to the throne. King Roderick (Cecil Parker) has usurped the throne, but an infant who is the rightful heir to the throne has been hidden away by the Black Fox (Edward Ashley) and his band of merry men.and women, including lovely Jean (Glynis Johns).

THE COURT JESTER is a colorful medieval comedy which shows off the talents of a fine cast headed by Danny Kaye and Glynis Johns.

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