the inspector general

Like Jerry Lewis, Danny Kaye is one of my favorite comedians from the early film era. I can't even count how many times I've seen The Court Jester. I think that Danny Kaye is so endearing - even though I agree with critics that he uses his hands too much when he sings. He is especially good at singing tongue-twisting lyrics. Quite impressive.

One of the first Danny Kaye films that my mom bought for our family was The Inspector General (1949). It is about an illiterate stooge who is mistaken by corrupt town officials for being an inspector general. In this clip, Danny Kaye has decided to pretend that he actually is the inspector general, in an attempt to help the town get back some of the money that was stolen by the corrupt administration. During this song, Kaye imagines different personality traits that an inspector general might possess. Although this isn't the most hilarious Danny Kaye clip, it's quite fun. I watched this film so many times growing up that I have this whole song memorized. Unfortunately, the end of the song (which is quite funny!) is cut off in the clip. You'll just have to watch the whole film to see it.



This second clip is also quite fun. Here, the corrupt town officials have placed poison in Danny Kaye's drink, and they are waiting during this whole "drinking song" for him to take a sip. I think it's so funny to see the man joining in with the ladies (in the group assigned to say "ha ha ha!"). I also love when Danny Kaye stands up on the piano and puts his hands out like a little ballerina before he jumps. He hee!



If you love other Danny Kaye movies like White Christmas or Hans Christian Andersen, I think you should see The Inspector General.