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Danny Kaye, Glynis Johns, Basil Rathbone, Angela Lansbury, Cecil Parker ... see more see more... , Mildred Natwick , Robert Middleton , Michael Pate , Herbert Rudley , Noel Drayton , Edward Ashley , John Carradine , Alan Napier , Lewis Martin , Patrick Aherne , Richard Kean , Eric Alden , Leo Britt , Bill Cartledge , Billy Curtis , Frank Delfino , Leslie Denison , Irving Fulton , Russell Gaige , Len Hendry , Robin Hughes , Charles Irwin , Lloyd Nelson , Paul Newlan , Tudor Owen , Larry Pennell , William Pullen , Trevor Ward , Phyllis Coughlan , Harry Monty , Joel N. Smith , Robert Smith , Ray Kellogg , Michael Mahoney , John O'Malley , Robert E Smith

Danny Kaye spoofs medieval swashbucklers in this classic musical comedy. While the infant King of England awaits his rightful place as leader of the British Empire, his rule is usurped by Roderick (Ce... read more read more...cil Parker), an evil pretender to the throne. Brave rebel leader The Black Fox (Edward Ashley) intends to remove Roderick from the palace and bring the crown back to its true owner, but in the meantime the baby king needs to be looked after, which is the job of a man named Hawkins (Kaye). The Black Fox travels with the little king and his rebels as they search for the key to a secret tunnel that will allow them passage into the castle. Maid Jean (Glynis Johns), one of the rebels, meets a man en route to the Castle who is to be Roderick's new jester. The rebels quickly hatch a plan: detain the jester and send Hawkins in his place; the king can then find the key and initiate the overthrow. Hawkins is able to persuade Roderick and his men that he is indeed a jester, but his espionage work gets complicated when Princess Gwendolyn (Angela Lansbury) falls in love with him, and he runs afoul of Sir Ravenhurst (Basil Rathbone), the evil genius behind Roderick. Court Jester features Kaye's famous "Pellet with the Poison" routine. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

91% liked it

8,711 ratings

Critics

96% liked it

23 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 41 min.

Directed by: Melvin Frank, Norman Panama

Release Date: January 27, 1956

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DVD Release Date: March 30, 1999

Stats: 942 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (942)

  • ironclad1609
    November 29, 2011
    ironclad1609
    Danny Kaye's mistaken identity comedy set on the medieval British court is nothing less than one of the funniest films of all times. Sure, it starts out slowly and with a couple of old-fashioned yet catchy musical pieces. But once things are moving and the innocent bard starts pl... read moreaying the court jester's role, it's a joy to watch the mix-ups, puns and jokes that come with it. That's so cleverly written and charming that you can't help but smile for 90 minutes. It also helps that Danny Kaye is simply incredibly funny, with the sped-up knighting process and poisoned goblet sequence being the outrageous highlights. The old castle and ramparts sets from the classic knight adventures of that era are oozing with nostalgia. During the hilarious showdown things get particularly wacky and hilarious. You just have to love a film where dwarfs juggle grown men on their feet and the hero's fencing skills depend on a snap of the fingers. And you know you've just watched a feel good film when even the evil king sings along to the happy ending tune. A timeless masterpiece of comedy.
  • 76Majikat
    November 4, 2011
    76Majikat
    [Rewatch]

    I film I loved as a child and this is my first viewing since and was full of Nostalgia for me. No doubt about it that Danny Kaye was a great showman and he was very entertaining throughout. Clever witty songs, along with some great comical scenes such as the Vessel w... read moreith the Pestle. A feel good film.
  • kenstachnik
    March 23, 2010
    kenstachnik
    Good old fashion fun. They jump the shark a little when the midget circus comes to the rescue, but the final sword fight is makes up for it.

    and Angela Lansbury used to be HOT!
  • moonrivers
    July 18, 2007
    moonrivers
    the tongue twisters in one scene will keep you in stitches for awhile
  • garyX
    July 14, 2007
    garyX
    Good natured vaudevillean slapstick swashbuckler from the old school, Danny Kaye was one of my favourites as a kid. It probably all looks very lame in today's cynical times, but I'd like to see it again for old times' sake.
  • jjnxn
    March 27, 2007
    jjnxn
    Danny Kaye's best
  • smith44
    September 7, 2006
    smith44
    The Court Jester is a comic classic, with its hillarious plot, take off of the medieval genre and manic performance by the great comedian Danny Kaye. A garrenteed barrel of laughs that the whole family can enjoy. Get it, got it, good.
  • michaelneumann
    March 30, 2007
    michaelneumann
    My bi-annual participation in this thing has again resurfaced. Battle of the Posters... time to vote, people. Apparently my round is already almost over and I barely even caught it (still in China - returning tomorrow - if I win, I post Tibet pics. If I lose... well, I'd better n... read moreot lose. Facing a fellow RT veteran in [b]TaxiDriver[/b], but my tremendous coolness should prevail, though it be underspoken. Come, vote, be happy.):

    http://www.rottentomatoes.com/vine/showthread.php?t=546568
  • Doctor0Quinzel
    April 29, 2010
    Doctor0Quinzel
    I really liked it. The songs can be a little lengthy, but overall it's a good fun watch.
  • hawkledge
    May 26, 2009
    hawkledge
    Wonderfully deconstructing the swashbuckler genre, poking fun at the films of Errol Flynn in particular, and featuring one of Danny Kaye's best performances, a catalogue of satirical delights, highlighted by Kaye's "pellet with the Poison" bit.

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Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
January 28, 2011
Variety Staff, Variety

Costumed swashbucklers undergo a happy spoofing in The Court Jester with Danny Kaye heading the fun-poking. Full Review

January 28, 2011
TIME Magazine

In The Court Jester, Funnyman Kaye takes all the laughs he needs, but he takes them when they do not stop the show. Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 28, 2011
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Some accomplished slapstick, but nothing special. Full Review

Bosley Crowther
March 25, 2006
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

It's good fun. Full Review

January 28, 2011
TV Guide's Movie Guide

A flawlessly executed, beautifully designed genre parody. Full Review

David Parkinson
January 28, 2011
David Parkinson, Empire Magazine

A cracking jest, wonderfully enjoyable. Full Review

Nell Minow
December 28, 2010
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media

Terrific family fun. Full Review

Cole Abaius
February 11, 2009
Cole Abaius, Film School Rejects

With most comedies that were still reveling in the world of Vaudeville despite three decades of separation, The Court Jester throws the kitchen sink at the audience. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
March 23, 2008
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

The cleverly written plot is suitable for Kaye's talent. Full Review

Geoff Andrew
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

Whether it's really watchable depends on what you feel about the charmless Kaye, whose vehicle this is from start to finish. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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    • Hawkins: The pellet with the poison's in the vessel with the pestle. The chalice from the palace has the brew that is true.
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The Court Jester Trivia

  • Who connects these classic films : The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty, Hans Christian Anderson, White Christmas, The Court Jester ?   Answer »
  • Danny Kaye accidently strewed a stunt man with his sword in The Court Jester ?  Answer »
  • In what oldie musical does Danny Kaye sing 'Life could not better be'?  Answer »
  • What 1950s film starred Danny Kaye in a case of medieval mistaken identity and featured a Robin-Hoodian character called the Black Fox?  Answer »
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