The Court Jester (1956)
Average Rating: 7.7/10
Reviews Counted: 23
Fresh: 22 | Rotten: 1
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 7/10
Critic Reviews: 5
Fresh: 4 | Rotten: 1
No consensus yet.
liked it
Average Rating: 4.1/5
User Ratings: 8,885
Movie Info
Danny Kaye spoofs medieval swashbucklers in this classic musical comedy. While the infant King of England awaits his rightful place as leader of the British Empire, his rule is usurped by Roderick (Cecil Parker), an evil pretender to the throne. Brave rebel leader The Black Fox (Edward Ashley) intends to remove Roderick from the palace and bring the crown back to its true owner, but in the meantime the baby king needs to be looked after, which is the job of a man named Hawkins (Kaye). The Black
Jan 27, 1956 Wide
Mar 30, 1999
Paramount Home Video
Watch It Now
Cast
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Danny Kaye
Hawkins -
Glynis Johns
Maid Jean -
Basil Rathbone
Sir Ravenhurst -
Angela Lansbury
Princess Gwendolyn -
Cecil Parker
King Roderick -
Mildred Natwick
Griselda -
Robert Middleton
Sir Griswold -
Michael Pate
Sir Locksley -
Herbert Rudley
Captain of the Guard -
Noel Drayton
Fergus -
Edward Ashley
Black Fox -
John Carradine
Giacomo -
Alan Napier
Sir Brockhurst -
Lewis Martin
Sir Finsdale -
Patrick Aherne
Sir Pertwee -
Richard Kean
Archbishop -
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Larry Pennell
Novice Knight -
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Michael Mahoney
[uncredited] -
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All Critics (23) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (22) | Rotten (1) | DVD (2)
Costumed swashbucklers undergo a happy spoofing in The Court Jester with Danny Kaye heading the fun-poking.
In The Court Jester, Funnyman Kaye takes all the laughs he needs, but he takes them when they do not stop the show.
Top CriticSome accomplished slapstick, but nothing special.
Whether it's really watchable depends on what you feel about the charmless Kaye, whose vehicle this is from start to finish.
It's good fun.
A flawlessly executed, beautifully designed genre parody.
A cracking jest, wonderfully enjoyable.
Terrific family fun.
With most comedies that were still reveling in the world of Vaudeville despite three decades of separation, The Court Jester throws the kitchen sink at the audience.
The cleverly written plot is suitable for Kaye's talent.
If Danny Kaye doesn't find you wishing you had a gun on you, this is one of his better efforts.
See Errol Flynn in Robin Hood — and then see Kaye in Court Jester. The former is the ultimate swashbuckler; the latter the ultimate swashbuckler spoof.
Comedy co-producers directors writers Frank and Panama gave Kaye his funniest role since The Secret Life of Walter Mitty/
The film has a few classic moments.
Audience Reviews for The Court Jester
Super Reviewer
I film I loved as a child and this is my first viewing since and was full of Nostalgia for me. No doubt about it that Danny Kaye was a great showman and he was very entertaining throughout. Clever witty songs, along with some great comical scenes such as the Vessel with the Pestle. A feel good film.
Super Reviewer
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- Hawkins: The pellet with the poison's in the vessel with the pestle. The chalice from the palace has the brew that is true.
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Movie: ID: 18105 Title: The Court Jester Release Date: 1956-01-27 00:00:00.0 MPAA: 6 Status: 1
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Foreign Titles
- Der Hofnarr (DE)
- Court Jester (1956) (UK)
