Merry Andrew

I saw this film with the help of a student back in the eighties, who had taped it and had heard me mention the Pythagorean Theorem Song. It's pleasant and funny. With a song about the Pythagorean Theorem, how can you go wrong? "Mr. Chips", it is not, but nonetheless it is an enjoyable film. Hope they bring it to DVD someday. I've practically worn out my 4th generation VHS tape, showing my geometry classes the "Pythagorean Theorem Song".

Directed by top choreographer Michael Kidd, Merry Andrew makes for wonderful entertainment. By the late 50's,the golden era of movie musicals was practically over(Kidd himself starred in another great, late-period MGM musical-It's Always Fair Weather with Gene Kelly & Dan Dailey) Danny Kaye's film career was also in decline by 1958-amazingly 1956's The Court Jester was a costly financial failure, he never had another real hit and his film career was pretty much over by 1963. Merry Andrew isn't a typical Kaye vehicle (I wonder if it was even written with the star in mind?) There are no Sylvia Fine 'patter' songs and very little of the zany comedy at which the star excelled. Instead there are a handful of wonderful Johnny Mercer-Saul Chaplin songs, some great set-piece dance numbers courtesy of Michael Kidd and one of the most charming performances ever captured on film(from Danny of course) Danny Kaye is a treasure- without him this film would have been a minor movie, with him it's a classic.

This film should be made available on DVD. Why has Danny Kaye neglected when it comes to DVD? So few of his films are available.

Michael Kidd's "Merry Andrew" is one of my favorite musicals. I like it very much. It's funny, it's simple, the musical numbers are good, and we even have the circus. A person who likes comedy and musicals shouldn't miss this film. Danny Kaye is very good in it.

This is definitely my favorite Danny Kaye film. When I was a child, I was always amused by his antics. When I got older, his silly-ness was 'over-the-top' and completely lost on me. Except, of course, for MERRY ANDREW. It still shines.

The circus provides ample fodder for his comedy. He is a fish out of water, completely lost in this simple world. The story is a down-to-earth, believe-able comedy of errors. A nice love story, an escape from his family's stodgy academic life, lots of music, and a happy ending. To me, less is more. KAYE didn't seem to try as hard for laughs in MERRY ANDREW and the relaxed performance was one of his best.....

One of Danny Kaye's best, without the need to twist his tongue. The sheer innocence of life shines throughout this film. It needs to be added to the D.V.D. arena, as it deserves to be. It was an unexpected delight to observe, as a child, and to share as time passed on. Graceful as ever, be he swinging around with clowns, or dancing to the skills shared by Micheal Kidd, Danny is a joy to behold. It doesn't matter that this film was produced prior to my birth, for it stands on it's own values, as valid entertainment. It continues to prove that love and laughter remain timeless. Joshing along, and learning to sing with these adorable songs grew so easy, as well. There might be more to this little musical the second time around, for the next viewer, as well.