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Danny Kaye, Farley Granger, Zizi Jeanmaire, Philip Tonge, Erik Bruhn ... see more see more... , Roland Petit , John Brown , John Qualen , Jeanne Lafayette , Robert Malcolm Young , George Chandler , Fred Kelsey , Gil Perkins , Peter J. Votrian , Karolyn Grimes , Joseph Walsh , Jeanmarie

Hans Christian Andersen was Sam Goldwyn's final production for RKO Radio release, and also the producer's last Danny Kaye vehicle. The Moss Hart-Myles Connolly screenplay largely disregards the facts ... read more read more...concerning Denmark's great storyteller, opting for a fanciful blend of comedy, fantasy, romance and music. As played by Kaye, Hans Christian Andersen starts out as a small-town cobbler whose gift for spinning fairy tales is keeping the local kids from attending school. Asked to leave town, Hans heads to Copenhagen to seek his fortune as a writer. After having his heart broken by the beautiful ballerina Doro (Jeanmaire), Hans finds solace--and happiness--in the knowledge that hundreds of thousands of children the world over are devoted to his enchanting fantasy stories. The lilting Frank Loesser score includes such tunes as "No Two People," "The King's New Clothes," "Wonderful Copenhagen," "Inchworm," "The Ugly Duckling," "Thumbelina," and the title song. Though Hans Christian Andersen was a smashing box-office success, and as a bonus earned five Oscar nominations. Originally released at 112 minutes, the film is generally available in its 104-minute TV-release form. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

72% liked it

6,504 ratings

Critics

80% liked it

5 critics

G, 1 hr. 52 min.

Directed by: Charles Vidor

Release Date: November 25, 1952

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DVD Release Date: March 6, 2001

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Stats: 208 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (208)

  • SirPant
    September 30, 2009
    SirPant
    I've loved this film since childhood. If I wasn't at work right now i would probably start singing one of the songs! Danny Kaye at his best!
  • Redlats
    February 18, 2009
    Redlats
    I found this movie ho-hum. Sure, it is fun to watch Danny Kaye do a great job. I wasn't as impressed when I was busy watching the story of Hans the Cobbler and a 20 minute ballet broke out.
  • maskedbunny
    July 12, 2011
    maskedbunny
    I love Danny Kaye, and he was brilliant in this. Very sweet film with great songs. An excellent choice for family movie night!
  • magloaf
    July 24, 2007
    magloaf
    great music. movie is slow and lacks Danny Kaye's usual wackiness. the ballet component is nice but not fully explained...
  • terris85017
    May 20, 2007
    terris85017
    (Jan. 1952 Director: Charles Vidor) Wonderful with Danny Kaye!(wonderful dancer & actor)! I miss his humor and presence.... Thanks for reminding me of this wonderful story put on the big screen, Amanda!
  • wizardoftacoma
    December 27, 2006
    wizardoftacoma
    this an musical biography of the legendary Hans Christian storyteller the performer's range far beyond his usual comic shtick
  • Drewbacca
    April 20, 2006
    Drewbacca
    I barely remember this movie, but I remember loving it; and as a big Danny Kaye fan, I'm sure I still do. Thumbs up!

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Critic Reviews

Ken Hanke
August 22, 2002
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

As with all Danny Kaye movies my response is to wish for a tranqulizer gun

August 6, 2008
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

March 25, 2006
New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
January 1, 2000
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
June 26, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Carol Cling
January 23, 2004
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal

No review available.

Philip Martin
December 30, 2002
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

No review available.

Bob Grimm
August 1, 2002
Bob Grimm, Las Vegas Mercury

No review available.

Derek Adams
June 24, 2006
Derek Adams, Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

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Hans Christian Andersen Trivia

  • The original fairy tale, The Little Sea-Maid, by Hans Christian Andersen was first slated by Walt Disney to be a Silly Symphonies short. (It was replaced by another of Andersen's classics, The Ugly Duckling.)   Answer »
  • Name the 1952 movie about a shoemaker who writes children's stories and falls in love with a ballerina.  Answer »
  • "The Little Mermaid" is loosely based on a fairy tale by which author?   Answer »
  • Origins! Hans Christian Andersen  Answer »
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