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      The Court Jester

      1955, Musical/Comedy, 1h 41m

      31 Reviews 5,000+ Ratings

      What to know

      Critics Consensus

      A witty spoof of medieval swashbuckler movies, The Court Jester showcases Danny Kaye at his nimble, tongue-twisting best. Read critic reviews

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      The Court Jester  Photos

      "The Court Jester photo 1" "The Court Jester photo 2" "The Court Jester photo 3" "The Court Jester photo 4" "The Court Jester photo 5" "The Court Jester photo 6" The Court Jester (1956) The Court Jester (1956) The Court Jester (1956) The Court Jester (1956) The Court Jester (1956) The Court Jester (1956) The Court Jester (1956) The Court Jester (1956) "The Court Jester photo 11" "The Court Jester photo 12" "The Court Jester photo 13" The Court Jester (1956) The Court Jester (1956) The Court Jester (1956) The Court Jester (1956)

      Movie Info

      Former carnival performer Hubert Hawkins (Danny Kaye) and maid Jean (Glynis Johns) are assigned to protect the infant royal heir from tyrannical King Roderick I (Cecil Parker). While Jean takes the baby to an abbey, Hawkins gains access to the court by impersonating the king's jester, unaware that the jester is really an assassin hired by scheming Sir Ravenhurst (Basil Rathbone). When Princess Gwendolyn (Angela Lansbury), falls for Hawkins, a witch secretly aids him in becoming a knight.

      Cast & Crew

      Danny Kaye
      Basil Rathbone
      Angela Lansbury
      Cecil Parker
      Michael Pate
      Herbert Rudley
      Alan Napier
      Lewis Martin
      Richard Kean
      Larry Pennell
      Melvin Frank
      Norman Panama
      Sylvia Fine
      Danny Kaye
      Ray June
      Ray Rennahan
      Tom McAdoo
      Walter Scharf
      Vic Schoen
      Roland Anderson
      Hal Pereira
      Sam Comer
      Arthur Krams
      Edith Head
      Yvonne Wood

      News & Interviews for The Court Jester

      Critic Reviews for The Court Jester

      Audience Reviews for The Court Jester

      • Jan 03, 2020
        An insane vehicle for Danny Kaye. Each scene slowly adds more and more outrageous farce elements until the frenzied finale. Its often quite funny but the movie is a little exhausting.
        Super Reviewer
      • May 26, 2009
        Wonderfully deconstructing the swashbuckler genre, poking fun at the films of Errol Flynn in particular, and featuring one of Danny Kaye's best performances, a catalogue of satirical delights, highlighted by Kaye's "pellet with the Poison" bit.
        Super Reviewer
      • Sep 23, 2007
        Danny Kaye's mistaken identity comedy set on the medieval British court is nothing less than one of the funniest films of all times. Sure, it starts out slowly and with a couple of old-fashioned yet catchy musical pieces. But once things are moving and the innocent bard starts playing the court jester's role, it's a joy to watch the mix-ups, puns and jokes that come with it. That's so cleverly written and charming that you can't help but smile for 90 minutes. It also helps that Danny Kaye is simply incredibly funny, with the sped-up knighting process and poisoned goblet sequence being the outrageous highlights. The old castle and ramparts sets from the classic knight adventures of that era are oozing with nostalgia. During the hilarious showdown things get particularly wacky and hilarious. You just have to love a film where dwarfs juggle grown men on their feet and the hero's fencing skills depend on a snap of the fingers. And you know you've just watched a feel good film when even the evil king sings along to the happy ending tune. A timeless masterpiece of comedy.
        Super Reviewer
      • Jul 18, 2007
        the tongue twisters in one scene will keep you in stitches for awhile
        kevin w Super Reviewer

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