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The Court Jester (1956)

APPROVED  101 min  -  Adventure | Comedy | Family   -  27 January 1956 (USA)
7.7
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Ratings: 7.7/10 from 6,184 users  
Reviews: 96 user | 25 critic

A hapless carnival performer masquerades as the court jester as part of a plot against an evil ruler who has overthrown the rightful king.

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Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 win See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Danny Kaye ...
Glynis Johns ...
Basil Rathbone ...
Sir Ravenhurst
Angela Lansbury ...
Cecil Parker Cecil Parker ...
Mildred Natwick Mildred Natwick ...
Robert Middleton Robert Middleton ...
Sir Griswold
Michael Pate ...
Sir Locksley
Herbert Rudley Herbert Rudley ...
Captain of the Guard
Noel Drayton Noel Drayton ...
Fergus
John Carradine ...
Giacomo
Edward Ashley Edward Ashley ...
Black Fox
Alan Napier Alan Napier ...
Sir Brockhurst
Lewis Martin Lewis Martin ...
Sir Finsdale
Patrick Aherne Patrick Aherne ...
Sir Pertwee
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Storyline

The throne of rightful king of England, the small babe with the purple pimpernel birthmark, has been usurped by the evil King Roderick. Only the Black Fox can restore the true king to the throne--and all he needs is the king's key to a secret tunnel. And while he's trying to steal it, someone has to change the king's diapers. The task falls to Hawkins, the gentlest member of the Fox's band. The Fox's lieutenant, Maid Jean, guards Hawkins and the babe 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. So, humble Hawkins becomes Giacomo: the king of jesters and jester to the king. 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... Written by Kathy Li  

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

King | Jester | Fox | Key | Poison  | See more »

Taglines:

SONGS! Where Walks My True Love -- Baby Let Me Take You Dreaming -- Life Could Not Better Be -- The Maladjusted Jester -- My Heart Knows A Lovely Song! -- Outfox The Fox See more »

Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Family | Musical

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Der Hofnarr See more »

Filming Locations:

Palos Verdes, California, USA See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dena Enterprises See more »
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Some songs that were written but not heard in the film are "I Live To Love" (sung by Danny Kaye to Angela Lansbury when he swings into her bedroom) and an extended "Pass the Basket" number when Kaye appears before the King (just prior to the famous "Maladjusted Jester"). Both songs were, however, recorded and released on the film's companion record. See more »

Goofs

Audio/visual unsynchronized: During the "They'll Never Outfox the Fox" number Hawkins finds a "most wanted" poster of the Black Fox. At 9:44 he begins ripping the paper and handing the pieces to his circus friends. On the first rip, the foley work is behind the action, so we don't hear the first rip until after Hawkins has started to tear it. On the third "rip", although we hear the sound of the rip, the paper does not actually tear. See more »

Quotes

Hawkins: He's right. Rules of chivalry, you know.
King Roderick I: Rules of chivalry be hanged! And so will you!
Hawkins: [referring to Gwendolyn] She'll jump.
See more »

Crazy Credits

During the opening credits, Danny Kaye dances around the credits while
singing a song about the movie. The lyrics of the song relate to the
credits. For instance, when the music credits go by he sings about the
music and when the screenwriter credits go by he sings about the story. See more »

Connections

Referenced in "Gilmore Girls: A Family Matter (#4.12)" (2004) See more »

Soundtracks

"I'll Take You Dreaming"
Performed by Danny Kaye
Written by Sammy Cahn and Sylvia Fine See more »