Today’s quick review: The Court Jester. In an England ruled by an usurper king, the Black Fox and his band of rebels seek to restore the infant royal heir to the throne. To gain access to the castle, Hawkins (Danny Kaye), an entertainer in the Fox’s band, assumes the identity of Giacomo, the king’s new jester. But as soon as he reaches the castle, he becomes tangled in a web of chivalry, political intrigue, and romance.
The Court Jester is a musical comedy set in medieval England. The Court Jester features charming music, a witty script, a touch of swashbuckling, and an outstanding performance from Danny Kaye. The cast includes Basil Rathbone as Sir Ravenhurst, the king’s right-hand man; Glynis Johns as Jean, Hawkins’ ally and love interest; and Angela Lansbury as Princess Gwendolyn, who sees Giacomo as a way out of her arranged marriage.
The Court Jester delivers comedy in the classical style. The movie slips expertly between wordplay, swordplay, singing, dancing, and slapstick. Danny Kaye is in fine form, adroitly portraying the many layers of Hawkins’ character. The plot is chaotic in clever ways and does an excellent job of toying with its characters’ plans. The movie is tied together by an enjoyable suite of songs that run gamut from lullaby to tongue-twister.
The Court Jester relies heavily on classic comedic devices like coincidence, mistaken identity, and hypnotism. The film puts these devices to great use, but they are still contrivances. The Court Jester also tends to abandon its jokes rather than resolve them properly. No good gag is shortchanged this way, but a new bit will often take an old one’s place without a send-off. These flaws are minor, but they make The Court Jester best for a specific taste.
Give The Court Jester a shot if you are a fan of classic musicals. Its sharp writing, light tone, and great performances make The Court Jester a hidden gem for fans of the genre. Those looking for drama or a modern-style comedy should look elsewhere. For another, more sentimental Danny Kaye classic, check out White Christmas. For a raunchier musical with a similarly breezy tone, check out A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
7.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for being a delightful, endearing musical.