The Court Jester

19551955
ApprovedApproved
1h 41min

Danny Kaye, Angela Lansbury, and Glynis Johns in The Court Jester (1955)

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Adventure Comedy Family

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

Directors
- Melvin Frank
- Norman Panama
Writers
- Norman Panama
- Melvin Frank
Stars

See production, box office & company info

See more at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win & 1 nomination

Videos2

Trailer

The Court Jester

The Court Jester

Danny Kaye in "Court Jester," Paramount 1955.

Danny Kaye, Angela Lansbury, and Glynis Johns in The Court Jester (1955)

Danny Kaye and Angela Lansbury in The Court Jester (1955)

Danny Kaye in The Court Jester (1955)

Danny Kaye in The Court Jester (1955)

The Court Jester (1955)

The Court Jester (1955)

The Court Jester (1955)

The Court Jester (1955)

The Court Jester (1955)

The Court Jester (1955)

The Court Jester (1955)

Hubert Hawkinsas Hubert Hawkins

Maid Jeanas Maid Jean

Sir Ravenhurstas Sir Ravenhurst

Angela Lansbury

Princess Gwendolynas Princess Gwendolyn

King Roderick Ias King Roderick I

Mildred Natwick

Griseldaas Griselda

Robert Middleton

Sir Griswoldas Sir Griswold

Sir Locksleyas Sir Locksley

Captain of the Guardas Captain of the Guard

Fergusas Fergus

Giacomoas Giacomo

Black Foxas Black Fox

Sir Brockhurstas Sir Brockhurst

Sir Finsdaleas Sir Finsdale

Sir Pertweeas Sir Pertwee

Archbishopas Archbishop

Hermine's Midgets

Ensembleas Ensemble

The Jackson Michigan Zouave Drill Team

Marching Knights - Knighthood Ceremonyas Marching Knights - Knighthood Ceremony
(as The American Legion Zouaves Of Richard F. Smith Post No. 29 Jackson Michigan)

Directors
- Melvin Frank
- Norman Panama
Writers
- Norman Panama
- Melvin Frank
All cast & crew
See more cast details at IMDbPro

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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). 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. And while he's trying to steal it, someone has to change the King's diapers. The task falls to Hubert Hawkins (Danny Kaye), the gentlest member of the Fox's band. 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. 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, and a witch with very effective spells (and poison pellets) begins to interfere. —Kathy Li

king jester key birthmark little person 72 more

Taglines
- The Musical Romantic Adventure Of This Or Any Year!
Genres
Certificate
- Approved
Parents guide

Trivia
Danny Kaye's daughter, Dena Kaye, said for the rest of his life, when people recognized Danny in a restaurant, they would walk up and spout the entire "brew that is true" speech.

Goofs
During the tournament between Sir Griswold and Hawkins, when Sir Griswold lops off Hawkins' helmet, the helmet's visor opens and a head can be seen inside the helmet. Then Hawkins' head is shown emerging from his armor.

Quotes
Hawkins: I've got it! I've got it! The pellet with the poison's in the vessel with the pestle; the chalice from the palace has the brew that is true! Right?
Griselda: Right. But there's been a change: they broke the chalice from the palace!
Hawkins: They *broke* the chalice from the palace?
Griselda: And replaced it with a flagon.
Hawkins: A flagon...?
Griselda: With the figure of a dragon.
Hawkins: Flagon with a dragon.
Griselda: Right.
Hawkins: But did you put the pellet with the poison in the vessel with the pestle?
Griselda: No! The pellet with the poison's in the flagon with the dragon! The vessel with the pestle has the brew that is true!
Hawkins: The pellet with the poison's in the flagon with the dragon; the vessel with the pestle has the brew that is true.
Griselda: Just remember that.

Crazy credits
The opening credits are a musical number where Hawkins dances around the credits as they appear. This is also the manner of a medieval theatre where an actor serves as a prologue to introduce the story.

Connections
Featured in The Dick Cavett Show: Danny Kaye (1971)

Soundtracks
The Maladjusted Jester
Written by Sylvia Fine
Performed by Danny Kaye

Top review

I love this movie!

I have seen this movie literally hundreds of times but everytime it is on TV, I sit and watch it again. This is a sweet, funny, light-hearted movie that the entire family can watch--no gratuitous sex, no four-letter words--just fun. They don't make them like this anymore. I still laugh about the "pistol with the poison is in the flagon with the dragon, the chalice from the palace has the brew that is true". Danny Kaye is a genius, no one can utter tongue twisters like he can. This movie also features a very young and beautiful Angela Lansbury (for you "Murder, She Wrote" fans). Of course there is Basil Rathbone, who is of course, suave and dashing. What more could you ask of a movie? Watch this movie--you'll be glad you did.

helpful•42

3

ShariRN3
Mar 26, 2004

Release date
- January 27, 1956 (United States)
Country of origin
- United States
Language
- English
Also known as
- Dvorska luda
Filming locations
- Palos Verdes, California, USA
Production company
- Dena Enterprises
See more company credits at IMDbPro

Budget
- $4,000,000 (estimated)

See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

Runtime
- 1h 41min
Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1

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Danny Kaye, Angela Lansbury, and Glynis Johns in The Court Jester (1955)

Top Gap

By what name was The Court Jester (1955) officially released in India in English?

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