Court Jester (Widescreen) | 
| Directors: Norman Panama, Melvin Frank
Actors: Danny Kaye, Glynis Johns, Basil Rathbone, Angela Lansbury, Cecil Parker
Studio: Paramount
Category: DVD
List Price: CDN$ 17.99
Buy New: CDN$ 6.92
You Save: CDN$ 11.07 (62%)
New (13) Used (2) from CDN$ 6.92
Rating:  60 reviews
Sales Rank: 3074
Format: Ntsc, Widescreen
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
DVD Layers: 1
DVD Sides: 1
Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: PARD055127D
ISBN: 079215519X
UPC: 097360551273
EAN: 9780792155195
ASIN: 079215519X
Theatrical Release Date: January 27, 1956
Release Date: May 11, 2004
Availability: Usually ships within 1 - 2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand new Item, factory Sealed. Buy direct from the U.S. and save! We only ship airmail to Canada (7-15 days).Caiman, les prix qu'on aime! Tous nos produits sont neufs. Envoi par avion des Etats-Unis
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| Editorial Reviews:
From Amazon.com
Danny Kaye spoofs IRobin Hood/I and IScaramouche/I in this inventive slapstick swashbuckler. Portraying the clownish but good-hearted entertainer Hawkins, he infiltrates the court of the corrupt Basil Rathbone (up to his usual brand of cruel villainy) disguised as the legendary king of jesters, Giacomo. After a court sorceress hypnotizes Hawkins into believing he is also a legendary assassin, Hawkins has more identities than he can keep straight, and Kaye zips back and forth between them at, literally, a snap of the fingers. Comic highlights include a wonderful sword fight with Rathbone in which he constantly switches identities, and the classic "chalice from the palace/vessel with pestle" wordplay as Hawkins plays "hide the poison" and forgets where it is. With comely Glynis Johns as his spy-in-arms love interest, Angela Lansbury as the scheming princess, and Mildred Natwick as the dotty spellcaster, this is Danny Kaye at his comic best. I--Sean Axmaker/I
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| Customer Reviews: Read 55 more reviews...
Comedy Could Not Better Be! May 29, 2004
Deborah Earle (USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
In the history of the movies, fewer things are more amusing than watching Danny Kaye behave as Danny Kaye. Watching his films was a wonderful part of my childhood,and I remember being at home from High School on the day of his passing. I'm very glad for the legacy he has left us to enjoy. br In "The Court Jester" he couldn't be more in his element as he amuses us with his usual patter numbers clever, tounge-twisting lyrics and sword play, and moves us with his loving care of the orphaned infant heir to the English throne. The scene of his lullabying the baby was shown as a tribute to him at the end of "Entertainment Tonight" the weekend after his death and it was a fitting tribute to him, his love of children, and the childlike sense of wonder he brought to all of his films.br As Kaye's love interest, Jean, a charismatic Glynis Johns is highly complimentary.She is not the sterotypical woman of medeival times, but having been raised as a boy, has a lot of cunning, ingenuity, and an occassional bit of brawn as the leader of those in rebellion against Cecil Parker's evil King.br Angela Lansbury's Princess Gwendolyn longs for true love rather than an arranged marriage. She is firm and decisive in many ways, as she helps bring the tale to a positive conclusion.br As the sourceress, Mildred Natwick leads into some of the film's funniest scenes, including the notorious "Pellet with the poison is in the vessel with the pestle" routine that has become a classic.br Hubert Hawkins' cleverness in seizing the real Court Jester,(John Carradine, a man whom I could never really think of as funny) who was very arrogant, disguising himself in his clothes, and using his tounge-twisting dialogue with the King to cover his tracks is also a riot.br Basil Rathbone as the evil henchmen is a refined villian. It's amusing the way Kaye kept pushing his name out of the way during the opening credits, and I have wondered how often Hawkins' accelerated knighthood ceremony had to be rehearsed before those on the set could stop laughing.brbr Although the film overlooks the fact that a person can't be hypnotized against their will, the way Hubert Hawkins is, the comedy is generally light, and goofy, doesen't get any saucier than the exposure of an infant's backside, and children will love it.br And as Hawkins reassures us at the beginning,"What starts like a scary tale ends like a fairy tale, and life couldn't possibly better be!"
So funny your cheeks will ache from laughing!! April 22, 2004
Teresa (Santa Rosa, CA USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is one of Danny Kaye's best. He was so talented and his comic timing is impeccable. The chalice from the palace scene is so funny that I have not forgotten it over the years. This movie will get you out of the blues in no time.
You will go and buy this movie and do it like that (snap)! March 12, 2004
Joseph J. Slevin (Carlsbad, CA United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is my favorite movie of all time. When I was a kid Danny Kaye movies played every Sunday morning and we would wait the few months until it came around again.pI have never stopped laughing at the scenes, the funny interplay between Danny Kaye and the court and his continual buffonery. pEven kids will love this movie. It starts with a dance routine which is almost like Robin Hood Men in Tights. That is quaint, yet the next scene will take you in and take you on the funniest rides of all time. pKaye, disquised as an old man who is hard of hearing having a scream fest with the captain of the guard. This few minutes is one of the funniest scenes I have ever witnessed. Then there are just funny scenes that will make you split your sides with laughter from there on out.pThe wit it took to bring together this cast and the concept of the movie seems that it will never be outdated. pWhat Danny Kaye and the rest do here is ascend age and time making this movie appeal to any age group, young or old. I have seen a young family start off thinking this was a silly movie then, taken by the first comedic interaction, launch into continuous laughter. I laugh getting a kick out of watching everyone else laugh too.pThis movie is a must for any DVD or VHS library. Share it with your friends, watch it when you are a little too stressed out to do anything else to lighten up your day. pThe plays on words, the different fast paced situational scenes that will have you thinking; 'how clever...,' even when you think that Hawkins/Giacommo is at his end, then it gets even funnier. The Chalis with the poisly has the pellet with the pesly...... pThis movie is so fast paced that you cannot believe you have sat there and laughed for the better part of 90 minutes. The great thing about the DVD, you do not have to worry about watching this over and over again and wearing it out. pThis movie has great color and scenery. The imagery is wonderful. You wonder if they really were in a castle. pLaugh and love this movie......I recommend it for school, church and family activities. It is a classic that may become more well known with time.
 DANNY KAYE, A VERY TALENTED GUY. March 3, 2004
Alejandro Cortes (Mexico)
"The Court Jester" is one of the most original comedies that one can see: the film combines quick dialogues, physical stunts and tricks, very original jokes, screwball, slapstick and really memorable characters. Without a doubt Danny Kaye was one of the most resourceful comedians in the comedy universe, he sang with style and humor, he performed physical stunts, he said light-speed dialogues and jokes, well, he had the profile of a possible fifth Marx Brother.p"The Court Jester" has characters that can make that the audience feels comfortable, interested and identified with them. Besides, most of the scenes have at least one very funny and imaginative sequence. Danny Kaye really is one of the most underrated comedic actors, and really was a talented guy.p"The Court Jester" is recommendable for those who enjoy classic comedies.
Jest Wonderful February 11, 2004
Peter Reeve (Thousand Oaks, CA USA)
Possibly the funniest musical comedy ever made. Even if you are not a Danny Kaye fan, you should try this movie. Don't be put off by the opening sequence, which looks rather dated now. The film contains some excruciatingly funny scenes, including the classic "Flagon with the dragon" routine. This is Kaye at his brilliant best.The story (set in a mediaeval England which cheerfully makes no attempt at historical accuracy) is remarkably solid and complex, which helps maintain the film's brisk pace. So when you are in the mood for some good old-fashioned fun, put your feet up and summon "The Court Jester".
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