Danny Kaye would have been even more appropriate casting for Willy Wonka in 1970, as a childless man reaching the far side of middle age looking for a successor. A younger Gene Wilder did an excellent job in the role, but just imagine what if.
The Emperor has to be Cyril Ritchard, I recognize that voice anywhere. I grew up watching re-runs of him as Captain Hook in Peter Pan, and loved him ever since.
This just popped up on my YT feed. I'm almost 60 years old and I don't remember ever watching this Rankin Bass animated special. Better late than never, I guess😄
I just turned 31 and thought I'd seen all the Rankin Bass specials out there, even the TV shorts not listed as part of their official line-up. I'd never seen this one either and I'm a big Danny Kaye fan. It's like 2 of my fave classic things smooshed together :D
I've watched cartoon and claymation movies made by Rackin Bass, but I've seen one that would have both, plus human live scenes put together in this movie. Very creative.
My sister and I grew up watching Rankin/Bass christmas specials on video. Nowadays we watch them on DVD. However, seeing this, made me very surprised and happy. This is also a reference to another movie Rankin/Bass did on Hans Christian Andersen called "The Daydreamer" and a reference to a movie called "Hans Christian Andersen" that starred Danny Kaye in the title role. This is overall, adorable.
Wow this sure is a trippy romp through HCA's classic short story. It's quite novel in that the princess is an athletic woman who doesn't care about money or social station. She's outspoken, strong-willed, independent and is bored with her father's pompous ways. She defies him and, most importantly, is NOT punished for her behavior. She is even rewarded for tricking her father and the jester by marriage to her real love. Talk about some girl power! What a great message too-don't get too full of yourself! Thanks for posting!
Those poor people. Can't believe the Emperor just threw them in there like that, including that poor little boy. I thought the Emperor was a total jerk, but Jasper the jester takes the cake.
I'm loving Princess Jane! Now there's a fairy tale princess with some personality! She looks so lovely and dainty, but she could probably hold her own in a bar fight!
It's odd how R/B tends to re-use some of their assets. For instance, the music in 17:02 and the "Jessica Claus" character model are both from "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town", and Danny Kaye's transformation music at 6:07 was later used in "Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July".
Que lindo se siente ver este clásico de la animación, Rankin and Bass eran unos genios en esto de hacer un trabajo memorable y difícil de olvidar, recuerdo en mi maravillosa infancia que el canal del Estado en el horario infantil y vespertino pasaba todas las comiquitas de estos grandes ideadores, yo creo que nadie los podrá igualar y me encantaría que en una canal de esos que pasan programación vieja se dedicara a pasar todas las comiquitas, series, programas, etc. de esta productora. si ambos estuviesen vivos les diera un beso en la frente porque hicieron mi infancia muy feliz y mi adolescencia, porque recuerdo que pasaron esos clásicos hasta el Diciembre del 2002 en el canal del Estado. Extraño esto :"), quiero que vuelva esto!
I loved watching all the Rankin-Bass shows as a kid and I still love watching them! I saw this when it first came out on TV but have never seen it since. Thanks for finding it for everybody to watch and enjoy. :D
One of the things I like about Marmaduke and Jane's relationship is how she willingly overlooked his less than attractive appearance to find a man who was willing to listen,someone she could confide in.Ain't that beautiful?
Who would've thought Rankin/Bass made an adaptation where the antagonist was upgraded to protagonist, despite being a con-artist, and made a new villain to fit the change. But yeah, Jane likes Marmaduke because he's interested in her as a person; while she hates Jasper, because of he was only after her wealth.
And because Bibbentucker had outlawed child marriage 200 years prior, Jasper was labeled a pedophile and sent to the guillotine where they cut off his head... both of them.
I totally forgot about this! I saw this as a kid but it's been YEARS since this has been on TV. I highly doubt that this would ever be on TV now, compared to the classic holiday specials, since the live action sequences looks dated. And one segment after the emperor realizes that he's naked might have to be snipped. But other than that, I'm so happy to see this! I love it when the web allows me to relive parts of my childhood! Thank heavens for RU-vid!
I mean, using the Emperor's grief just to take all that money? And not giving any to those poor overworked tailors. That jester should be ashamed of himself.
Today my local PBS station is showing the Danny Kaye show. It is a collection of song, dance, and guest stars. The show was on the air from 1963-1967 on CBS. All shows were taped at CBS television City studios at 7800 Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles California and aired at 10pm Pacific and Eastern Time zone and at 9pm for the Mountain and Central Time zone. He was very popular with children and was an ambassador to UNICEF.
She also had a returning role on Bewitched. I think, but I'm not certain, but I think she played the Tooth Fairy. She was a great character actor. I do believe she was Jan Brandy's namesake. That was a funny episode, too.
The scene where Jasper the Jester is tricked into marrying the little apprentice boy (whom he thinks is Princess Jane) reminds me of an almost similar scenario in the Laurel and Hardy movie "Babes In Toyland" (1934), which was loosely based on the operetta by Victor Herbert (the film was later retitled "The March Of The Wooden Soldiers"). In the film, Little Bo Peep (Charlotte Henry) reluctantly agrees to marry the wicked Silas Barnaby (Henry Brandon) because she feels it's the only way to keep her and her mother from being evicted from their home, which Barnaby holds a mortgage against (Bo Peep is actually in love with Tom Tom, the Pipers' son). Stan and Ollie, who are tenants in Mrs. Peep's house devise a plan to keep their friend from marrying Barnaby. Ollie, who is to be the Best Man for the wedding, escorts someone covered in a wedding veil into Barnaby's home, where the Justice Of The Peace performs the ceremony, pronouncing the pair man and wife. Just as Barnaby is about to kiss his new bride, Ollie reminds him that he promised to hand over the mortgage as his "wedding present." He gives the mortgage to Ollie, who promptly tears it up. "And now," says Ollie, "you may kiss the bride!" He quickly removes the veil, revealing that the "bride" is--Stanley! Barnaby is foiled.
Usually the crazy king has a too perfect daughter. Having the princess kind of goofy with a goofy laugh makes it much more believable that the loony emperor is really her father.
This show was the pilot for a mini series of tv specials for the family..but..sadly..it only presented this one shot special that aired on ABC TV in 1973.
Thanks so much. Of course now, with this rare collection of tales, I'll be hot on the search for more. I love Danny Kaye and his wit and charm. Makes me feel like I'm seven again.
aarons channel Danny Kaye is one one our national treasures! He was the red headed guy in White Christmas. His very best film I think was "Cory Jester" you should check it out.
I never seen this before but i have seen cartoons by Rankin-Bass like santa claus is comin to town,Rudolph the red nosed reindeer and Rudolph's shiny new year and Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in july,the easter bunny is comin to town and peter cottontail.
Seeing this Rankin/Bass film, Jasper the Clown is now one of my favorite cartoon villains, as well as one of my favorite Rankin/Bass villains. How about any of you...?
Thank you for sharing this. I hope you don't mind my sharing it. I was so glad to come across it felt destined to find this right before Christmas and all the animation programs.
