The Court Jester

1955 101 min ★ 7.3 Music, Adventure, Comedy

A hapless carnival performer masquerades as the court jester as part of a plot against a usurper who has overthrown the rightful king of England.

▶ Watch Trailer

Cast

Danny Kaye

Hubert Hawkins

Glynis Johns

Maid Jean

Basil Rathbone

Sir Ravenhurst

Angela Lansbury

Princess Gwendolyn

Cecil Parker

King Roderick I

Mildred Natwick

Griselda

Robert Middleton

Sir Griswold

Michael Pate

Sir Locksley

Herbert Rudley

Captain of the Guard

Noel Drayton

Fergus

Details

Director

Melvin Frank

Screenplay

Norman Panama

Tagline

"We asked Shakespeare and Francis Bacon would they declare which one wrote this and they both said, “Get outta here!”"

Status

Released

Original Language

EN

Budget

$4,000,000

Production

Dena Enterprises, Paramount Pictures

Reviews

J

John Chard

August 2, 2019

★ 8/10

Discretion is for fools and simpletons. From the opening credits as Danny Kaye sings dressed as a harlequin jester you get the impression that this film will be a joyous romp, and so it is. Perhaps the most talked about film in Kaye's CV (even though it lost close to two million dollars on release), The Court Jester is a perfect vehicle for his blend of madcap showboating and serene warbling. H...

J

JPV852

January 16, 2021

★ 8/10

Really entertaining and all around fun musical parody featuring a charismatic performance from David Kaye and also has Basil Rathbone serviceable as the villain. Also nice having Glynis Johns and Angela Lansbury in there, Johns particularly stunning. **3.75/5**

S

sykobanana

May 13, 2021

★ 9/10

Oh, this is a gem of celluloid that just keeps giving joy. An adventure, comedy, romance, musical made for the whole family. A movie written specifically for one actor (who then agrees to play the central part) doesnt happen often, let alone have that role portrayed with perfection....But Danny Kaye is that special kind of actor. A spoof of The Adventures Of Robin Hood that even managed t...