Who Knows Danny Kaye? Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Court Jester

The movie was released in 1955. It is a comedic, adventure film, directed by Melvin Frank and Norman Panama, starring Danny Kaye in the role of a jester named Hubert Hawkins. The story is set in medieval times. The songs in the movie are all sung by Danny Kaye.
Other well-known characters in the cast are Basil Rathbone as Lord Ravenhurst and Angela Lansbury as Gwendolyn, the Princess of England.

The main plot revolves around a power struggle for the throne, with an evil villain trying to take control. Hubert Hawkins, the jester, finds himself caught up in the midst of this political intrigue and decides to assist the rebels in restoring the rightful king to power. To do so, he must adopt various disguises and roles, including pretending to be a revolutionary, in order to gain access to the palace and protect the young king.

Answer: Merry Andrew

The movie was released in 1958 and directed by Michael Kidd. The movie is based on the story "The Romance of Henry Manafee".

As the story unfolds, Andrew's life takes a comedic turn when he stumbles upon a circus during his bicycle travels. Due to a series of misunderstandings, the circus performers mistake him for a famous circus entertainer known as "Merry Andrew".
Unaware of the confusion, Andrew becomes involved in the circus and begins performing as the new act. Embracing this unexpected role, he discovers newfound confidence and charisma. At the end of the movie a wedding is celebrated as he marries Selena, played by Pier Angeli.

Songs in the movie are "Pipes of Pan", "You Can't Always Have What You Want" and "The Square of the Hypotenuse" all performed by Danny Kaye.

Answer: Wonder Man

The movie was released in 1945 and directed by H. Bruce Humberstone.
Edwin Dingle is a shy and introverted bookworm who owns a failing nightclub.
Buzzy Bellew is a famous and successful nightclub entertainer with a lively and outgoing personality.

When Buzzy Bellew is tragically murdered, his ghost appears to his twin brother Edwin and convinces him to pose as Buzzy in order to solve the mystery of his murder. As Edwin assumes Buzzy's identity, he must adapt to the world of show business and navigate various comedic situations. Throughout the film, there are musical numbers, comedic performances, and a blend of mystery and comedy.

The movie is known for showcasing Danny Kaye's exceptional talents as a comedian and entertainer, and it remains one of his popular works from the 1940s.

Answer: The Inspector General

The movie was released in 1949 and directed by Henry Koster.

Due to a series of misunderstandings, the townspeople mistake Georgi (Kaye) for a high-ranking government inspector who is coming to assess the town's efficiency and uncover any corruption. Georgi, unaware of the mistake, goes along with the assumption, and the townspeople try to impress him and cover up their wrongdoings.

As the plot unfolds, Georgi finds himself entangled in various comedic situations as he pretends to be the Inspector General. He uses his wits, humor, and charisma to navigate the web of deceit and corruption while endearing himself to the townspeople. Throughout the movie, there are musical performances, witty dialogue, and hilarious moments that showcase Danny Kaye's comedic talents.

"The Inspector General" is a classic comedy film, loosely based on the play "The Government Inspector" by Nikolai Gogol. It remains one of Danny Kaye's most beloved and memorable performances.

Answer: A Song is Born

The movie was released in 1948 and is a remake of movie "Ball of Fire", also directed by Howard Hawks.

In the movie, Danny Kaye plays the character of Professor Hobart Frisbee. The group spends their time studying and preserving various musical styles and traditions.

When Professor Frisbee meets the beautiful and talented nightclub singer, Honey Swanson, portrayed by Virginia Mayo, he falls in love with her. His infatuation with Honey leads to a series of comedic and chaotic events, disrupting the otherwise scholarly and orderly lives of the music professors.

The film combines elements of comedy, romance, and music, with a strong focus on jazz and swing music. It features musical performances from some renowned musicians of the time, including Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey, and Lionel Hampton.

Answer: False

"White Christmas" (1954), starring Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen, is a heartwarming musical film.

The story revolves around Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye), a successful song-and-dance duo. They meet sisters Betty (Rosemary Clooney) and Judy Haynes (Vera-Ellen) and follow them to an inn in Vermont, owned by their former World War II commanding officer, General Waverly.

The inn is struggling, lacking snow and guests, so the four entertainers decide to put on a dazzling musical show to attract visitors and ensure a good Christmas for the general. Romantic entanglements, misunderstandings, and a host of musical numbers ensue as they work to save the inn and rekindle the spirit of the season. The film is a celebration of friendship, love, and the magic of Christmas, with memorable performances of classic songs like "White Christmas" and joyful dance routines.

Answer: On the Double

The movie was released in 1961, starring Danny Kaye and Wilfrid Hyde-White and directed by Melville Shavelson.

In the movie, Danny Kaye plays the dual role of Private Ernie Williams, a timid and awkward soldier, and General Sir Lawrence MacKenzie-Smith, a famous British general. Wilfrid Hyde-White portrays Colonel Somerset, who teaches Ernie Williams how to impersonate General MacKenzie-Smith.

The plot revolves around Ernie Williams, a lowly Army private during World War II, who bears a striking resemblance to General MacKenzie-Smith, a high-ranking British officer. The military authorities discover this resemblance and decide to exploit it to their advantage.

Colonel Somerset, played by Wilfrid Hyde-White, recruits Ernie Williams to impersonate the general in a dangerous mission. The real General MacKenzie-Smith is targeted for assassination, and Ernie's impersonation is meant to mislead the enemy and protect the general.

As Ernie assumes the role of the general, he faces various comedic situations, and his transformation from a timid private to a confident impersonator forms the core of the film's humor.

Answer: Hans Christian Andersen

"Hans Christian Andersen" is a 1952 musical film, directed by Charles Vidor, starring Danny Kaye in the titular role of the famous Danish fairy tale writer. The movie is a fictionalized and romanticized account of Andersen's life, interweaving elements of his beloved fairy tales into the narrative.

The film follows the life of Hans Christian Andersen as he leaves his home in Denmark and travels to the bustling city of Copenhagen to seek his fortune as a writer. Upon arrival, he faces numerous rejections and struggles to gain recognition for his work.

Throughout the movie, Danny Kaye's character enchants the children of Copenhagen by telling them his imaginative and magical fairy tales, such as "The Little Mermaid", "The Ugly Duckling", "The Emperor's New Clothes" and others. These fairy tales are portrayed as flashbacks and are beautifully woven into the storyline.

As Hans Christian Andersen's storytelling captures the hearts of the townspeople, he also becomes enamored with a beautiful ballerina named Doro (played by Zizi Jeanmaire). The film's romantic subplot revolves around Andersen's unrequited love for Doro and his journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

"Hans Christian Andersen" is known for its colorful cinematography, delightful musical numbers, and Danny Kaye's charismatic performance. The film includes several memorable songs, such as "Inchworm", "The Ugly Duckling" and "Wonderful Copenhagen".

The movie received four Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Original Song ("Thumbelina") and another for Best Costume Design.

Answer: Up in arms

"Up in Arms" is a 1944 musical comedy film starring Danny Kaye. The film was directed by Elliott Nugent and produced by Samuel Goldwyn Productions. The movie was nominated for two Academy Awards.

"Up in Arms" is a zany comedy that follows the misadventures of Danny Weems (played by Danny Kaye), a hypochondriac who works as an elevator operator. When he's drafted into the Army during World War II his wild imagination leads to all sorts of hilarious situations. The film combines Kaye's energetic physical comedy with musical performances and comedic set pieces.

Answer: The Five Pennies

The movie was released in 1959, starring Danny Kaye, Barbara Bel Geddes, Louis Armstrong and Bing Crosby, among others.

Danny Kaye played the real-life jazz cornetist, Loring "Red" Nichols. Red Nichols was a renowned bandleader and musician during the 1920s and 1930s. The film is a biographical drama that follows Red Nichols' career and personal life.

The film includes a subplot involving his daughter, Dorothy, played by Susan Gordon, who contracts polio. The movie delves into the challenges and emotional struggles faced by Red and his wife, Bobbie, as they cope with their daughter's illness and the impact it has on their family life.

The film was well-received by audiences and critics and was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Original Song for "The Five Pennies" and Best Original Score.