Danny Kaye in "The Court Jester"

The Court Jester Half Sheet

My blog title comes from the 1956 Danny Kaye film, "The Court Jester," specifically a running dialog exchange between Kaye's character Hubert Hawkins and three others. Engaged with Kaye in this repeated repartee (it occurs five times in the film) are Basil Rathbone as Ravenhurst, Angela Lansbury as Princess Gwendolyn and Cecil Parker as King Roderick I:

Hawkins: When do we start? Ravenhurst: Tonight. Hawkins: Good. I'd like to get in, get on with it, get it over with, and get out. Get it? Ravenhurst: Got it. Hawkins: Good.

Hawkins: Get me to the king's chambers. Ravenhurst: The king's chambers? Hawkins: Yes... Ravenhurst: Very well, if you say so. Hawkins: It may be the KEY to the whole plan, get it? Ravenhurst: Got it. Hawkins: Good.

Ravenhurst: It is said the incomparable Giacomo has a discerning eye for beauty. Eh, why not let him select a suitable companion for your majesty? Roderick: Excellent! Excellent! I trust the jester's reputation is based on many years of accomplishment? Hawkins: Why do you think they call me incomparable, sire? Get it? Roderick: Got it. Hawkins: Good. (snickers with Roderick)

Princess: It is a miracle! The gods who sent you have also provided a means for our escape. This is the key to the secret passageway. Hawkins: Grand. We leave at midnight. Get it? Princess: Got it. Hawkins: Good. Very good.

Ravenhurst: First, plan one. Are you sure you can dispose of my lords Brockhurst, Finsdale, and Pertry? Hawkins: Are they married? Ravenhurst: Yes... Hawkins: Order flowers for the widows. Get it? Ravenhurst: Got it. Hawkins: Good. (goes out window) Tally ho! Ho ho!

I'm sure you get it by now.

Co-starring in this classic comedy are Glynis Johns (Mrs. Banks in Mary Poppins) as Maid Jean and Mildred Natwick as Griselda. Appearing in smaller roles (but still recognizable to modern audiences) are Alan Napier (who portrayed Alfred in the TV's Batman) and John Carradine, who puts in a short day's work as the real court jester, Giacomo.

Those who know "The Court Jester" also know that this running dialog isn't even the most famous from the film, but I figured a blog titled "the vessel with the pestle has the pellet with the poison, the chalice from the palace has the brew that is true.com" would be a bit much. Even if I replaced it with a blog with a figure of a frog.

If you can't wait to find out where the pellet with the poison ends up, just click on the GIGIG store tab on the left, and you'll soon be toasting your friends with a chalice from the palace!