Hans Christian Andersen (1952)

Enjoyment for all ages!

At first when I bought this movie, I was really excited since I remember watching this when I was little. I thought to buy this so that my family could enjoy it with me. The children hemmmmmed and hawwwwwed they wanted a different movie, this looked boring. I ignored them, put the movie on, and left to wash dishes. All of a sudden silence, the children were entranced by this movie and did not budge until it was over and then wanted to watch it again! May 17, 2008

One of my all time favorites

I personally think this is one of Danny Kaye's best films, even though it's certainly not his most famous or popular. There are so many classic songs in here (Inchworm/2 and 2 are 4; Ugly Duckling; etc.) and Danny Kaye is a charmer here, much better than his more slapstick style in other movies.

The only part that I found somewhat tedious was the long scene where he's trapped in a storage room at the ballet and can only imagine what the dancing must be like based on the music he hears (I admit I sometimes fast forward past this bit). But otherwise it's a 5-star-plus movie for me! April 9, 2008

A Classic

I find the the film has a few deficiencies, like some of the dramatic scenes are a bit long. But it is indeed a children's-well really a family movie.I have no children, yet I enjoy this movie very much! I loaned it to my friend and her (very hyper) children were glued to it. I especially enjoyed the toning down of Danny Kaye, there is none of his over-the-top silliness that really bothers me at times. This movie is labelled at the outset as a fairy tale in it's own right, it's not meant to be factual. It features his happier tales indeed, but they are small parts of the overall tale; the larger tale features a man who seeks to entertain and to teach, yet is subject to a bit of vanity as are most of us...it also illustrates the danger of living too much in fantasy!

This is a movie that is positive, well acted (mostly...the bit parts are pretty weak) and has a wonderful score that I was still able to sing or hum despite the passing of 20-30 years between viewings...how many movies can you say that about?
February 18, 2008

Great for all ages

This film is a delight, wonderful to be enjoyed by kids from 3-4 years and older by themselves or with parents or grandparents. A true classic. January 27, 2008

danny kaye

this movie was a child hood favorite
my mother use to make my brothers and i sit and watch certain family classics and this was one of them, my mother is now passed and my husband has been helping me save precious memories by buying me all those old classics! received this one for christmas this year.
i have found that many many people my age(mid 40's) never heard of this movie and i think it is one to watch with your little ones! ages 5-12 especially with the garbage they watch on todays TV. 13-the older teens would probably not enjoy it as much unless they come from a very sheltered and disciplined home life.
this is clean language and i would class it as a musical. December 27, 2007

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