Hans Christian Andersen (1952)

Director:

Charles Vidor

Writers:

Myles Connolly (story)
Moss Hart (screenplay)

Release Date:

14 August 1953 (France)

Genre:

Biography | Family | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

The glorious story of the greatest storyteller of them all!

Plot:

A completely fabricated biography of the famous Danish fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen featuring...

Plot Keywords:

Hans Christian Andersen | Ballet | Schoolgirl | Home | Sitting

Awards:

Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 4 nominations

Cast

Danny Kaye	...	Hans Christian Andersen
Farley Granger	...	Niels
Zizi Jeanmaire	...	Doro (as Jeanmaire)
Joseph Walsh	...	Peter (as Joey Walsh)
Philip Tonge	...	Otto
Erik Bruhn	...	The Hussar in "Ice Skating Ballet"
Roland Petit	...	The Prince in 'The Little Mermaid' Ballet
John Brown	...	Schoolmaster
John Qualen	...	Burgomaster
Jeanne Lafayette	...	Celine
Robert Malcolm	...	Stage Doorman
George Chandler	...	Gerta's Father
Fred Kelsey	...	First Gendarme
Gil Perkins	...	Second Gendarme
Peter J. Votrian	...	Lars (as Peter Votrian)

Runtime:

112 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

USA:Approved (certificate #15971) | UK:U | New Zealand:G | Australia:G | Australia:PG (alternate rating) | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl

Filming Locations:

Samuel Goldwyn/Warner Hollywood Studios - 1041 N. Formosa Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Samuel Goldwyn Company, The

Trivia:

Danny Kaye's re-creation of eight songs from the Frank Loesser score, released on a Decca album with accompaniment by Gordon Jenkins and His Orchestra and Chorus, zoomed to the number-one spot on the "Billboard" album chart in January 1953. The LP reigned in first place for an impressive 17 weeks. Rerecording the delightful patter duet, "No Two People," Mr. Kaye was joined on record by Jane Wyman, who substituted for Danny's film partner, Zizi Jeanmaire.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: When Hans Christien Andersen and Peter crosses the Great Belt Peter spots Copenhagen on the other side of the belt. But Copenhagen is located on the other side of Zealand and cannot be seen from a boat on the Great Belt.

Quotes:

Hans: You know I like to think that shoes have a mind of their own. The ones that squeak don't want to leave the shop, and the ones that don't fit don't like the person that's wearing them.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Heart & Soul: The Life and Music of Frank Loesser (2006) (TV)

Soundtrack:

I'm Hans Christian Andersen

I could not disagree more with the Maltin review!!!

Whoever reviewed this film for Maltin's Guide (I wish they'd indicate who the reviewer is by initials or something. It'd make the book more useful) does not share my tastes. I personally don't care that it bears no relation to Andersen's life. They admit it up front. Judge a film by itself, not on it's supposed relation to reality! Given Andersen's real life and his moody, pessemistic nature, I doubt being more accurate would have been a good thing. The score is beautiful, the sets and Costumes are great and Danny Kaye was wonderful! I haven't seen the movie for a couple of years and I stll remember most of the score! Granted, it's not one of the all-time greats, but it's better than the Maltin review implies. A worthy effort. Recommended.