I'll start off by saying that (1) I've never been a big fan of Danny Kaye, and (2) I wouldn't have believed that, by 1955, anything in a musical besides gimmicks like VistaVision or Stereophonic Sound could be considered "new". The characters are amusing (especially the Glynis Johns character, who's delightfully butch); the songs are cute but not memorable; and the plot, involving mistaken identities, has been used over and over again. Danny Kaye's performance is more charming and less annoying than in other pictures.
But, what really won me over is the choreography. I kept rewinding "Outfox the Fox" (Danny with Hermine's Midgets) and the knighthood ritual (Danny with some seriously straightfaced knights), watching them over and over again. I'm surprised that there isn't much mention of the staging of these numbers in what I've read about this film-- they're totally enjoyable.
But, what really won me over is the choreography. I kept rewinding "Outfox the Fox" (Danny with Hermine's Midgets) and the knighthood ritual (Danny with some seriously straightfaced knights), watching them over and over again. I'm surprised that there isn't much mention of the staging of these numbers in what I've read about this film-- they're totally enjoyable.
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