Hyperkinetic funnyman Danny Kaye turned his antics to spoofing Arthurian films in the 1956 classic The Court Jester. Switching personalities as deftly as he shuffled his dancing feet, Kaye used his comic gifts to tweak the notions of chivalry, magic and more.
Wicked King Roderick has usurped the throne from the rightful king, a baby with a purple birthmark. A gang of peasant warriors, led by the masked Black Fox, determines to restore the true monarch, by any means necessary.
As part of the plan, lowly peasant Hawkins (Kaye) disguises himself as the king’s new jester to gain access to the court. What follows is a non-stop barrage of comic bits, including a madcap swordfight, a ludicrous knighting ceremony and the famous “poison pellet” mix-up.
Kaye’s talent as a song and dance man served him well in the film, which included several memorable musical numbers.
To give a bit of swashbuckling legitimacy to the proceedings, Basil Rathbone (Sir Guy in 1938’s The Adventures of Robin Hood) took the part of the wicked Sir Ravenhurst, while Angela Lansbury (Queen Anne in 1948’s The Three Musketeers) played the beautiful Princess Gwendolyn.
The combination was a winner, as many fans consider this to be the best (and funniest) of Danny Kaye’s film work.
The best comic moment comes when, as a reluctant participant in a joust, Hawkins is provided with knockout drops for this antagonist, but must remember in which cup they have been put.
Thus the mnemonic: “The pellet with the poison’s in the vessel with the pestle, the chalice from the palace has the brew that is true”.
Norman Panama and Melvin Frank took equal credit for the direction and the screenplay.
Hubert Hawkins
Danny Kaye
Maid Jean
Glynis Johns
Sir Ravenhurst
Basil Rathbone
Princess Gwendolyn
Angela Lansbury
King Roderick
Cecil Parker
Griselda
Mildred Natwick
Sir Griswold
Robert Middleton
Sir Locksley
Michael Pate
Captain of the Guard
Herbert Rudley
Fergus
Noel Drayton
Giacomo
John Carradine
Black Fox
Edward Ashley
Sir Brockhurst
Alan Napier
Sir Finsdale
Lewis Martin
Sir Pertwee
Patrick Aherne
Director
Melvin Frank
Norman Panama
