![]() ![]() Gwendolyn is completely opposed to this arrangement. The scene changes to the castle where King Roderick (Cecil Parker) is considering an alliance with Griswold of McElwaine in which the King would offer his daughter, Gwendolyn (Angela Lansbury), as Griswold's bride. This band of loyalists to the throne is lead by a Robin Hood-type outlaw, the Black Fox (Edward Ashley). A narrator introduces the film while the audience sees a cadre of horsemen riding along the English coastline: "This is the story of how the destiny of a nation was changed by a birthmark, a royal birthmark, on the royal posterior of a royal infant child." Roderick the Tyrant had killed all of the royal family except for a baby boy who survived and has been cared for by a group in the forest. Kathy Liĭuring the main titles, Danny Kaye, dressed as a jester, sings the clever song, Life Could Not Better Be, with lyrics that are apropos to the actors or technicians who are being introduced. But things begin to get zany when the King's daughter falls for Giacomo, the King falls for Jean, people randomly sing what are supposed to be recognition codes, and a witch with very effective spells (and poison pellets) begins to interfere. So, humble Hawkins becomes Giacomo: the King of jesters and jester to the King. The Fox's Lieutenant, Maid Jean (Glynis Johns), guards Hawkins and the baby while they travel, but when they meet the King's new jester on the road, they decide to initiate a daring plan for Hawkins to replace him, become an intimate at the court, and steal the key. The task falls to Hubert Hawkins (Danny Kaye), the gentlest member of the Fox's band. And while he's trying to steal it, someone has to change the King's diapers. ![]() Only the Black Fox (Edward Ashley) can restore the true King to the throne - and all he needs is the King's key to a secret tunnel. I am half agony, half hope.The throne of rightful King of England, the small baby with the purple pimpernel birthmark, has been usurped by the evil King Roderick I (Cecil Parker). “The stuff that dreams are made of.” ROMANCE RATING Where to Watch: The Court Jester is available on Netflix and can be bought to stream or on DVD at Amazon. Fans of Princess Bride should definitely give it a go.Ĭontent Note: The film has an Approved rating in the US. The Court Jester is a fun film with action, romance, intrigue, comedy and great costumes. Then there is Princess Gwendolyn who dreams of marrying for love, whom Hubert romances, while under hypnosis. First, there is the fondness between Hubert and his female Captain who has put aside her own happiness until the mission is successfully carried out. This was an unusual stance for a film to take at the time. It is also interesting that Jean is attracted to Hubert precisely because he is not a typical action hero but a kind and good man. The roles of the female characters stood out as being surprisingly active for the time. Besides, this film is set in a non-specific Hollywood Middle Ages that many similar films use, so accuracy isn’t all that important. While they are in no way historically accurate, they are gorgeous. The costumes are colorful and suit the tone of the film perfectly. I don’t generally like musicals but I enjoyed this one a great deal. He takes easily to swordplay and was famous for his ability to mimic. Kaye is on familiar ground here, having also starred in films like White Christmas and Hans Christian Anderson. This is certainly an old-fashioned musical in the big sense. RELATED POST – Vintage Film Review: I Was a Male War Bride (1949) – A Saucy Romantic Comedy with Slapstick There is wordplay, slapstick, farce and much more. Both women are excellent in their roles with excellent comedic timing. The Court Jester also stars Glynis Jones and Angela Lansbury who are much younger than we are used to seeing them. His performance is versatile and full of heart. Danny Kaye is the talented center of the film and carries it well. This is largely due to the writing and the performance of the stars. Seizing the opportunity to place a spy in the King’s court, Jean knocks him out and convinces Hawkins to impersonate him. On the way, they run into Giacomo, a Jester who is traveling to serve King Roderick. Hubert and Captain Jean are instructed to bring the baby safely to an Abbey where he can be protected. ![]() Hubert Hawkins is an ordinary man following The Black Fox, an outlaw hero fighting to return the true heir to power. The baby prince survived and was smuggled away by loyalists. King Roderick has usurped the throne of England, killing the entire royal family, save one. The whole thing is played tongue-in-cheek, however, for maximum comedy. There are dashing swordfights, romantic trysts, and devious plots. It is a good-natured comedy that takes full advantage of the trappings of the genre. The Court Jester is a musical parody of popular old swashbuckling films starring the likes of Errol Flynn. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |