“The Court Jester” (1955) starring Danny Kaye, Glynis Johns, Basil Rathbone, Angela Lansbury and Cecil Parker / Z-View

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The Court Jester (1955)

Director: Norman Panama, Melvin Frank

Screenplay:  Norman Panama, Melvin Frank

Stars:  Danny Kaye, Glynis Johns, Basil Rathbone, Angela Lansbury, Cecil Parker,
Mildred Natwick, Robert Middleton, Michael Pate, Alan Napier and John Carradine.

Tagline: The Musical Romantic Adventure Of This Or Any Year!

The Plot…

King Roderick usurped the throne by killing the royal family.  Or so he thought.  A baby survived.  There is no doubt that the infant is of royal blood, as he possesses the inherited “purple pimpernel” birthmark on his bottom.  The baby is safely hidden away by The Black Fox and his rebel band.

Hubert Hawkins, a minstrel, joined the rebels.  He wanted to be a warrior fighting to overthrow King Roderick.  Unfortunately, Hubert is small, weak and not overly brave.

Roderick has barricaded himself in the King’s castle.  Unaware that a true heir to the throne survives, the king’s army provides support.  The Black Fox knows that their alliegence will change once they see the royal birthmark on the infant.  If they could only get a key to the king’s secret tunnel that would allow them access to the castle.

By chance, the rebels learn that Giacomo is on his way to the castle.  He will begin his new job as the King’s Jester!  A risky plan is quickly put together.  Hubert Hawkins will assume the role of Giacomo the Jester!  He will gain the king’s confidence, steal the key to the tunnel and The Black Fox and his rebels will take it from there.

Of course there are many things that can go wrong… all of them and more will.

Get it?  Got it?  Good!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Court Jester is one of my all time favorite musical/comedies.  There are so many truly funny scenes.  It is well written, well directed and perfectly cast.

Basil Rathbone was a two-time British Army fencing champion.  He was considered by many to be Hollywood’s best sword fighter. As such Rathbone had many famous on-screen sword fights.  His most famous were against Errol Flynn in Captain Blood and The Adventures of Robin Hood;  versus John Barrymore in Romeo and Juliet;  against Richard Plantagenet in Tower of London; against Tyrone Power in The Mark of Zorro and in his last on-screen battle versus Danny Kaye in The Court Jester.

The Court Jester (1955) rates 5 of 5 stars.