The Court Jester1955The Court Jester
1955
Hubert Hawkins, a humble entertainer in a band of rebels, has one job: guard the infant who is England's rightful king. When he's forced to impersonate a famous jester and slip into the usurper's castle, he gets tangled in hypnosis, romance, knighthood, and a joust he has no business surviving.
The default: films the whole family can watch together; any scary or intense moments for the littlest viewers are flagged in the Context Notes.
Why it’s here
A meek entertainer stumbles into heroism to restore a rightful king. Danny Kaye's wordplay ("the pellet with the poison's in the vessel with the pestle") is comedy of real craft.
Context notes
For parents, before you press play.
Comic battles, a joust, swordfights, and a hypnosis gag. The hero's impersonation of a jester is for a righteous cause and played for comedy.
The Court Jester (1955)
Discussion questions
When the credits end, go around the room. Each person gives the film a score out of ten and says why.
- Was Hubert brave or just lucky? Or both?
- Can you remember the pellet-with-the-poison rhyme?
- Who was the real hero, Hubert or Maid Jean?
- What was the funniest moment?
Content advisory
Common Sense Media 6+: comic battles, a joust, and swordfights; nothing else significant flagged.
Trailer
Best edition
The disc comes first.
The Court Jester Blu-ray (Paramount Presents #13)
Blu-ray · January 26, 2021
Coming later
Where to stream
Streaming services are not listed yet. When they are, this note stays secondary to the disc.