Merry Andrew (film)

Merry Andrew is a 1958 American musical comedy film directed by Michael Kidd and starring Danny Kaye. The film is loosely based on the story "The Romance of Seville" by Paul Gallico.

Plot:

The film centers on Andrew Larabee (Danny Kaye), a mild-mannered and somewhat eccentric English schoolteacher who has a secret passion for circus arts. He inadvertently gets involved with a traveling circus after helping a beautiful bareback rider, Selena Gallini (Pier Angeli), retrieve her runaway elephant, Gregory. He soon leaves his teaching post to join the circus as a clown, adopting the persona of "Merry Andrew." Andrew's unconventional and often chaotic approach to circus performance brings both laughter and trouble, but ultimately helps to revive the struggling circus. He falls in love with Selena, and the film culminates in a spectacular circus performance that showcases his unique talents.

Cast:

• Danny Kaye as Andrew Larabee/Merry Andrew
• Pier Angeli as Selena Gallini
• Salvatore Baccaloni as Alberto Gallini
• Patricia Cutts as Letitia Fairchild
• Noel Purcell as Mr. Pettival
• Robert Coote as Dudley Larabee
• Rex Evans as Grimshaw

Production:

The film was shot in Metrocolor and Cinemascope. Michael Kidd, a renowned choreographer and dancer, made his directorial debut with Merry Andrew. The film features several elaborate musical and dance numbers, showcasing Kaye's comedic and physical talents.

Reception:

While not a major box office success, Merry Andrew received generally positive reviews for its performances, particularly Kaye's, and its colorful production design. However, some critics found the plot somewhat predictable and the humor uneven.

Music:

The film features original songs written by Saul Chaplin, Johnny Mercer, and Sammy Cahn. Some notable songs include "Chin Up, Stout Fellow," "Everything is Tickety-Boo," and "The Rules of the Road."