- Actors: Danny Kaye, Glynis Johns, Basil Rathbone, Angela Lansbury, Cecil Parker
- Directors: Melvin Frank, Norman Panama
- Writers: Melvin Frank, Norman Panama
- Producers: Danny Kaye, Melvin Frank, Norman Panama, Sylvia Fine
- Language English
- Classification: U
- Studio: Paramount
- VHS Release Date: 9 Mar 1992
- Run Time: 101 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004CM0Z
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 4,776 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Danny Kaye spoofs Robin Hood and Scaramouche in this inventive slapstick swashbuckler. Portraying the clownish but good-hearted entertainer Hawkins, he infiltrates the court of the corrupt Basil Rathbone (up to his usual brand of cruel villainy) disguised as the legendary king of jesters, Giacomo. After a court sorceress hypnotises Hawkins into believing he is also a legendary assassin, Hawkins has more identities than he can keep straight, and Kaye zips back and forth between them at, literally, a snap of the fingers. Comic highlights include a wonderful sword fight with Rathbone in which he constantly switches identities, and the classic "chalice from the palace/vessel with pestle" wordplay as Hawkins plays "hide the poison" and forgets where it is. With comely Glynis Johns as his spy-in-arms love interest, Angela Lansbury as the scheming princess, and Mildred Natwick as the dotty spellcaster, this is Danny Kaye at his comic best. --Sean Axmaker, Amazon.com
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
53 of 53 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is one of those films that stays in your psyche as nothing more than pure fun and entertainment and when seen again does not disappoint. Anyone who recalls the phrases "the pellet with the poison/the vessel with the pestle/flagon with the dragon/chalice from the palace" will remember how funny this delightful Danny Kaye vehicle can be.
Yes, Kaye at his least annoying and most endearing in a colourful period comedy with lots of memorable scenes and a typically wonderful villainous performance from the inimitable Basil Rathbone. So throw away those old grainy VHS copies taped from analogue tv and bask in sumptuous digitally restored (we hope!) technicolor and enjoy what Leonard Maltin called "one of the best comedies ever made"! A classic - Enjoy!!
Yes, Kaye at his least annoying and most endearing in a colourful period comedy with lots of memorable scenes and a typically wonderful villainous performance from the inimitable Basil Rathbone. So throw away those old grainy VHS copies taped from analogue tv and bask in sumptuous digitally restored (we hope!) technicolor and enjoy what Leonard Maltin called "one of the best comedies ever made"! A classic - Enjoy!!
39 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Possibly the funniest musical comedy ever made. Even if you are not a Danny Kaye fan, you should try this film. Don't be put off by the opening sequence, which looks rather dated now. The film contains some excruciatingly funny scenes, including the classic "Flagon with the dragon" routine. This is Kaye at his brilliant best.
The story (set in a mediaeval England which cheerfully makes no attempt at historical accuracy) is remarkably solid and complex, which helps maintain the film's brisk pace.
So when you are in the mood for some good old-fashioned fun, put your feet up and summon "The Court Jester".
Update: I saw this DVD again recently and I think I was too mean with my original 4 stars. This is a 5-star classic.
The story (set in a mediaeval England which cheerfully makes no attempt at historical accuracy) is remarkably solid and complex, which helps maintain the film's brisk pace.
So when you are in the mood for some good old-fashioned fun, put your feet up and summon "The Court Jester".
Update: I saw this DVD again recently and I think I was too mean with my original 4 stars. This is a 5-star classic.
26 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
One of Danny Kaye's finer hours, this farce stands the test of time pretty well. Kaye was the Jim Carrey of his time - if you don't like his pratfalling style of physical comedy once, you won't ever like it - but even if not a fan of his particular brand of tomfoolery, the verbal patter alone is worth the price of admission.
The plot should be brushed over - it's intricate and daft as a good farce should be, revolving around mistaken identities and wooing the girl, and multiple characters up to nefarious deeds. Complications arise when Kaye tries to pretend he is the Jester, and is then hypnotised to believe he is a great swordsman and lover, and changes between identities at the snap of a finger. It is the wonderful script that makes the difference, particularly in Kaye's verbally dextrous moments. This is the movie that first did the `The vessel with the pestle has the brew that is true, the chalice from the palace has the pellet with the poison' sketch, which is still classic these many years later. However, there are plenty of other classic scenes such as `When the Doge did his duty and the Duke didn't, that's when the Duchess did the dirt to the Duke with the Doge.' speech, and any scenes with the incomparable Basil Rathbone - still the dashing figure and fencer even at 63.
Support from the brilliant Cecil Parker as the King and even Angela Lansbury as the King's daughter elevate proceedings to make this worth watching, as all of the cast are faultless in their comic timing.
In vivid Technicolour, and with a clean print and clear sound, this is a great buy - shame it is presented as a vanilla disc (no extras) but even so, worth acquiring for repeated viewing. This is the quintessential light hearted and high spirited swashbuckler spoof, with appeal to both kids and adults.
The plot should be brushed over - it's intricate and daft as a good farce should be, revolving around mistaken identities and wooing the girl, and multiple characters up to nefarious deeds. Complications arise when Kaye tries to pretend he is the Jester, and is then hypnotised to believe he is a great swordsman and lover, and changes between identities at the snap of a finger. It is the wonderful script that makes the difference, particularly in Kaye's verbally dextrous moments. This is the movie that first did the `The vessel with the pestle has the brew that is true, the chalice from the palace has the pellet with the poison' sketch, which is still classic these many years later. However, there are plenty of other classic scenes such as `When the Doge did his duty and the Duke didn't, that's when the Duchess did the dirt to the Duke with the Doge.' speech, and any scenes with the incomparable Basil Rathbone - still the dashing figure and fencer even at 63.
Support from the brilliant Cecil Parker as the King and even Angela Lansbury as the King's daughter elevate proceedings to make this worth watching, as all of the cast are faultless in their comic timing.
In vivid Technicolour, and with a clean print and clear sound, this is a great buy - shame it is presented as a vanilla disc (no extras) but even so, worth acquiring for repeated viewing. This is the quintessential light hearted and high spirited swashbuckler spoof, with appeal to both kids and adults.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Court Jester
Great film, it brings back memories of my childhood. Danny Kaye has a wonderful silky voice & I love his humour.
Published 5 days ago by Ms. Marilyn Erb
Very funny
an old film, bought it because I remembered it. Danny Kaye as funny as I remembered. It suitable for all ages
Published 19 days ago by Joan O Ireland
A laugh a minute
This is one of the all time classic Danny Kaye films, with basil Rathbone as the baddy. Its fantastic to watch over and over again, with a few years break between, so you forget... Read more
Published 1 month ago by H P Sauce
Tongue-twisting, Medieval style!
Crossed between The Scarlet Pimpernel and Charles Laughton in Henry VIII plus 1938's Robin Hood's jousting lies Danny Kaye's sublime 'The Court Jester'. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Tim Kidner
Childhood memories
Great film!
reminds me of my childhood when you could get into a cinema for "1/9"(That's about 9p in today's money). Read more
reminds me of my childhood when you could get into a cinema for "1/9"(That's about 9p in today's money). Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr. Graham Ferrier
Danny Kaye
This film is even funnier than I remembered. The famous jousting scene is just one part that will have you laughing out loud
Published 3 months ago by P&D
Wonderfully funny and clever
Bought this for myself, another old and corny movie, but it will make you laugh and Danny Kaye is brilliant in it. Price and delivery very good too.
Published 4 months ago by Sue
Court Jester
I SAW THIS FILM IN THE 50'S AND IT WAS HILLARIOUS, IT HAS NEVER BEEN SHOWN ON TV. SO I BOUGHT IT AND IT IS STILL VERY FUNNY ESPECIALLY THE KNIGHTING CEREMONY. Read more
Published 6 months ago by shirleyann
"The Court Jester (1955) ... Danny Kaye ... Classic Among Classic...
Paramount Pictures presents "THE COURT JESTER" (1955 101 min/Color) -- Starring: Danny Kaye, Glynis Johns, Basil Rathbone, Angela Lansbury, Cecil Parker, Mildred Natwick, Robert... Read more
Published 7 months ago by J. Lovins
Comedy GOLD
My Mother absolutely loved seeing this highly amusing comedy once again. It is a testimony to the actors and actresses involved that the, 'vessell with the pestle etc,' is as... Read more
Published 8 months ago by spaceboy
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