Tongue twister song danny kaye biography

But Kaye soon came to feel that he was being treated as a specialty act rather than as an actor. Kaye restricted himself to one film a year, devoting the rest of his time to performing on radio, on records "Civilization" with the Andrews Sisters was a particular delightand on the stage. He was determined to take over control and direction of his film career, forming with his wife Sylvia their own production company, Dena, named after their daughter.

They hired the writing-directing-producing team of Norman Panama and Melvin Frank, who conjured up Kaye's two finest films and for the first time fashioned characters for him that audiences could really care about. The first was Knock on Woodwith Kaye as a ventriloquist who finds himself caught up in international espionage and at the climax eludes his pursuers at a ballet.

Kaye plays a member of the underground protecting the rightful king of England, an infant who bears the birthmark of the purple pimpernel on his bottom. Kaye is forced to impersonate Giacomo, the King of Jesters and Jester of Kings, who it turns out is the upsurper's Basil Rathbone secret assassin. Unforgettable are Sylvia Fine's version of "The Jester's Lament," the witch's warning "The pellet with the poison's in the vessel with the pestle; the chalice from the palace is the brew that is true!

In between, Kaye appeared in Paramount's White Christmas as Bing Crosby 's buddy; together they seek to boost the popularity of Dean Jagger's winter resort. Despite the film's mediocrity, it proved his biggest hit. Kaye received a special Oscar in "for his unique talents, his service to the Academy, the motion picture industry, and the American people.

Kaye tried another musical biography in Mel Shavelson's The Five Pennieswhere he played bandleader Red Nichols, but once Danny Kaye routines were written into the storyline, the film made it seem as if Nichols was impersonating Danny Kaye. The film's one true highlight was Kaye's dynamic duet with Louis Armstrong. Kaye returned to form in On the Doublewhere he was once more in a dual role as an American GI asked to impersonate a British military martinet.

Television beckoned and Kaye dropped his film career to embark on his own television variety program, The Danny Kaye Show, which ran from He returned to film once more to play the philosophical Ragpicker in The Madwoman of Chaillotbut while his "trial" scene performance in which he "defends" the knaves of the world was outstanding, the rest of this adaptation of Jean Giradoux's play was decidedly lackluster.

Despite his lack of formal training, Kaye had an interest in trying his hand at conducting and was given various gigs as a comic guest conductor at various city orchestras. The last of Kaye's great work was done for television. He appeared in two television specials inas Geppetto in Pinocchio and as Captain Hook in Peter Pan, as a concentration camp survivor who protests street demonstrations by Neo-Nazis in Skokieand as a mysterious old man who possesses a watch holding Earth's last hour in Harlan Ellison's "Paladin of the Lost Hour" for the revived Twilight Zone series Kaye leaves behind a legacy of entertaining performances on Decca Records, several show-stopping comedy routines and songs in various films where he usually played shy but lovable schnooks who won the girl at the endan increased awareness of the aims of UNICEF, and a pair of powerful dramatic performances on television.

Rise to Film Stardom In the early s, Danny Kaye made his film debut, and his breakthrough performance came in Up in Armswhere his fast-talking, high-energy comedic style immediately captivated audiences. Hans Christian Andersen : A fictionalized musical biography where Kaye brought to life the famous Danish storyteller, capturing the hearts of audiences.

White Christmas : Starring alongside Bing Crosby, Kaye was part of one of the most beloved holiday films ever made. The Court Jester : Considered one of his finest performances, this film blended musical comedy and swashbuckling adventure, and showcased his famous "vessel with the pestle" tongue twister. The Inspector General : A period comedy where Kaye's role as an illiterate fool mistaken for a powerful inspector allowed him to demonstrate his gift for slapstick humor.

Personal Life and Passions Danny Kaye's marriage to Sylvia Fine was long-lasting, although it was not without challenges. Later Years and Death Kaye's film career slowed in the s, as he shifted focus toward tongue twister song danny kaye biography, stage performances, and charity work. Danny Kaye Boxing Scene Vibrant Acting Style of Danny Kaye Danny Kaye's acting style was unique, vibrant, and often described as a brilliant fusion of comedy, musicality, and physicality.

Physical Comedy and Slapstick At the core of Danny Kaye's acting style was his gift for physical comedy. Fast-Talking Verbal Humor One of Kaye's signature skills was his ability to deliver rapid-fire, tongue-twisting dialogue. Musicality and Song Unlike many comedians of his era, Danny Kaye had a natural musical talent that became an integral part of his performances.

Energy and Versatility Danny Kaye was known for his boundless energy, which seemed to power every aspect of his performances. Quotes from Danny Kaye On Life and Humor: "Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint you can on it.

Tongue twister song danny kaye biography

It took work to get this way. On Performing: "An entertainer should in his public performance keep himself out of any controversy or partisanship. His role is to amuse, interest, and inspire. He can do anything—sing, dance, act, and make people laugh without even trying. Bob Hope : "Danny Kaye was the greatest tongue twister song danny kaye biography I ever knew.

He could do it all and did it better than anyone. He was a one-man show, a one-man orchestra, and a one-man riot. He was a joy to watch, a joy to work with, and a joy to know. George Burns comedian and actor : "He was a genius at what he did. There was no one quite like him, and I doubt there ever will be. David Rockefeller philanthropist and banker : "Danny Kaye was not only a brilliant entertainer but a man of deep compassion and generosity.

He had a spirit that touched everyone he met, whether on stage or in the farthest corners of the world where he worked to help children. Lucille Ball actress and comedian : "Danny was so full of life and energy that it was infectious. Judy Garland actress and singer : "Danny was like a ray of sunshine, always bright, always making you feel like everything would be alright.

He had the gift of laughter, and he shared it with the world. He made the world a better place through both his performances and his tireless work for children in need. Steven Spielberg director and filmmaker : "He was a storyteller in every sense of the word, whether through his films or through his humanitarian efforts. He touched lives on screen and off, and his impact will never fade.

Academy Awards Oscars : Honorary Academy Award — Presented for "his unique talents, his service to the Academy, the motion picture industry, and the American people. Special Recognition and Humanitarian Awards : Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award — This special award is presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to an individual in the film industry whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry.

He was instrumental in bringing global attention to children's issues, and this recognition marked the beginning of a long relationship with UNICEF. Screen Actors Guild Awards : Life Achievement Award — This prestigious award was given to Kaye for his career accomplishments and humanitarian work, recognizing his lasting impact on the entertainment industry and his efforts to improve the lives of others.

This award celebrated his versatility as an entertainer and his impact on film, music, and television. French Legion of Honor — In recognition of his achievements in the arts and his humanitarian work, Kaye was awarded the French Legion of Honor, one of France's highest distinctions. Golden Apple Award — Kaye was given the Golden Apple Award for being the "Most Cooperative Actor," acknowledging his positive relationships within the entertainment industry.

Even the Danish government recognized Kaye's unstinting labors for the cause, awarding him knighthood in For Kaye, however, it was all about the kids. Some found Kaye a thorny man, demanding and temperamental. He was, for instance, famously particular about punctuality, believing that being late indicated a lack of respect for the other person's time.

His relationship with his wife was allegedly turbulent as well, although Fine met that supposition with wry wit in a New York Herald Tribune interview, cited by William A. Henry III of Time. What is difficult about expecting percent if you give percent? In the early s, despite his inability to read music, Kaye began conducting symphonies at the behest of noted conductor Eugene Ormandy.

He went on to pick up the baton for more than 50 orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic. While he could not help but incorporate some wacky antics, such as conducting "The Flight of the Bumblebee" with a flyswatter, Kaye gained the respect of such luminaries as violinists Zubin Mehta and Itzhak Perlmanalong with raising money for various charitable causes.

Kaye also was licensed as a commercial pilot, starting with small planes and graduating to s, and he often flew his UNICEF missions himself. Echoing his childhood dream of being a doctor, he also nursed a lifelong interest in medicine, often donning a mask and gown to observe surgeons in the operating theater. It all intensely interested him. For all his absorbing outside activities and pastimes, Kaye's greatest legacy was as a performer.

His ability to connect with an audience and bring people into his world was unparalleled. Not coincidentally, his sense of responsibility to the public was equally great. Although he injured himself during the show's run, he carried on with his performance for ten months, using either crutches or a wheelchair. Although some found it disruptive, it was the kind of dedication that professionals of Kaye's ilk would admire and understand.

One of the most beloved and admired entertainers of his time, Kaye died in Los AngelesCalifornia on March 3,with his wife and daughter at his side. That's the highest form of creative energy. He has become one, using what is considered the best medicine. John F. Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. January 8, Retrieved January 08, from Encyclopedia.

Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list. Because each style has its own formatting nuances that evolve over time and not all information is available for every reference entry or article, Encyclopedia. Nationality: American. Family: Married Sylvia Fine,one daughter. Died: Of a heart attackin Los Angeles3 March Hans Christian Andersen Charles Vidor title role.

Baker, P. The films of Danny Kaye comprise only one aspect of his overall career as a comedian. Kaye's initial rise to fame came on the stage, in various revues and on Broadway. He also was extremely successful on the New York nightclub circuit. Reportedly, it was in one of these nightclubs that Sam Goldwyn caught Kaye's act and offered him a film contract.

This was not his first contact with the motion picture business. In the late s he appeared in a few two-reelers for Educational Pictures which were not particularly entertaining or successful. B Jaden. C Justin Beiber. D Ludacris. Our awesome collection of Promoted Songs ». Eagles Fly to the Super …. My Empire. Nune Aka Mr. Propane feat. Gucci Mane.

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