Merry Andrew (1958) starring Danny Kaye | clown ministry | Reviews

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Merry Andrew is an old English term for a clown. In the movie Merry Andrew , Danny Kaye plays Andrew Larabee, a slightly stuffy professor, who has received permission for an archeological dig at a site in England. The land is owned by an old school friend of his, who is planning to build a dairy on the spot. However, the travelling Circus Gallini is planning on performing on the spot, causing tension, as well as a small fight with the local police. Larabee’s arrival, with a slight bit of blackmail, postpones the building of the dairy for a week, giving him time to dig for the artifact that he needs (in order to marry his fiancee), as well as for the circus to complete their engagement. Of course, there’s the slight problem of Danny Kaye’s character falling in love with Selena Gallini, the circus owner’s niece ...

Merry Andrew is a very funny film, and very sweet as well, with several wonderful scenes. For instance, while excavating at his site, there’s a cave-in, and Danny Kaye emerges in the lion cage, in the middle of a performance. The circus audience (and ourselves) find Danny Kaye’s fearful attempts to get out alive hilarious. Later, when the ringmaster loses his voice, Danny Kaye’s character is talked into taking his place, wearing a comedy wig and mustache as well as an inflated costume, which results in his floating about the circus tent ... while his fiancee is watching in the circus audience. Later, when another cave-in strands Danny Kaye’s Andrew Larabee and Selena alone, her relatives assume the worst, and force them to get engaged. A wonderful scene follows, with a large engagement party with a hilarious singing and dancing routine, "Bona Fortuna." Danny Kaye ‘escapes’ the engagement (and the circus), to return home to his family and fiancee and teaching responsibilities ... only to realize that the circus has gotten into his blood.

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Danny Kaye/Merry Andrew returns to his fiancee, only to realize that he doesn’t love her ... and that his brother, Dudley, does. He returns to his teaching, only to brighten up his lessons with bits and pieces of circus skills. Danny Keye/Merry Andrew is scheduled to get married on Saturday morning ... the same day he was supposed to marry Selena. After a late night visit from Angelina the chimpanzee (and Selena), his students run away the next day (Saturday, of course) to see the circus. Danny Kaye/Merry Andrew runs after them, only to be kidnapped from the audience by Selena’s five jealous male cousins, with a hilarious, madcap circus routine following, as Danny Kaye/Merry Andrew tries to escape. Danny Kaye/Merry Andrew’s family and fiancee show up at the circus in search of Andrew, and Danny Kaye/Merry Andrew explains the situation with the following bittersweet statement: "Selena, this is the girl that I’m going to marry. Letitia, this is the girl I love."

Of course, things get straightened out, with a happy ending all around. An excellent movie, both romantic and hilarious that gives Danny Kaye a chance to be a clown, a singer, a dancer, and a very good actor as well. Highly recommended, I rate it 4 clowns. Unfortunately, at the time of this writing it is unavailable on either DVD or VHS.

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About the Author

Tom Raymond, aka. Raynbow the Clown, is a professional clown working out of Madison, Wisconsin, and is available for ministry events, conventions and conferences.

Posted by Tom Raymond, aka Raynbow on 01/24 at 09:10 AM
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