A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court/The Emperor Waltz

Customer Reviews:

A great Movie adaptation.......2007-06-17

The adaptation of Mark Twain's book "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" to the screen left in the fun parts of the story and took out all the point of the book. The book contains many lessons and thoughts that did not make it into the movie; one of the subjects is that the amount of money you make is only relevant to the price of a loaf of bread. However the movie is fun to watch and can be quite funny.

An auto mechanic and inventor Hank (Bing Crosby) is transported back to A.D. 528 with his almanac. After realizing where he is, he uses his wits and knowledge of the future to survive. He has many adventures. He helps a King (Cedric Hardwicke) to understand his people, overcomes a tyrant and finds a loyal friend (William Bendix). Naturally being Bing there is music and incantations to blot out the sun. Eventually there is true love Alisande (Rhonda Fleming). The movie leaves the questions: Will Hank settle down with his love or will he be dispatched with one of his own inventions?

attached to this film is a second "the Emperor Waltz"
Another Billy Wilder film

Sort of Bing Crosby formula film. Acted with Bing Crosby, Joan Fontaine, Roland Culver, Lucile Watson, Richard Haydn, and Sig Ruman. Filming Location is Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Virgil Smith (Bing Crosby), traveling gramophone salesman has a special customer in mind, Emperor Franz Joseph (Richard Haydn). On the way his purpose is mistaken, correcting that he has a politically improper love interest with Austrian Countess Johanna Augusta Franziska (Joan Fontaine). And they both fall in love with a little fuzzy pooch. Who gets the girl? Who gets the pooch? Who knew the plot before it even started

No classics, but a satisfying double-bill.......2007-02-12

The Emperor Waltz has the unenviable reputation of being regarded as Billy Wilder's worst film, and while it certainly isn't good, it isn't THAT bad. Unfortunately the script is rarely very witty despite the Wilder-Charles Brackett pedigree and Bing Crosby and an unflatteringly photographed Joan Fontaine have almost zero screen chemistry, their hatred for much of the movie far more convincing than their inevitable romance. The real triumphs of this Viennese romance between a travelling salesman and an aristocrat are the lavish production design and the gorgeous Technicolor photography that are occasionally impressive enough to take your mind off what's happening in the paper-thin story. Still, the dancing chauffeur is fun.

More successful by far is A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. It's not a particularly good picture anymore than it's a particularly bad one: it's lavishly staged in Technicolor with a decent cast and inoffensive but, with one exception, unmemorable songs. But it does have one of cinema's great moments of delight, as Bing, William Bendix (one of film noir's greatest thugs here cast in a very different guise as a blustering knight) and Sir Cedric Hardwicke's elderly King Arthur join forces for the delightful 'Busy Doing Nothing' - which is more than worth the price on its own.

The two films are gorgeously restored, boasting great color and definition, though the only extra is the original trailer for Yankee.

"A Connecticut Yahkee In King Arthur's Court".......2006-11-10

One of the cutist movies ever made. It's a feel good movie. The theme is delightful and Bing Crosby sings some really exceptional songs that add to the fun and gayety of the film. It captures attention from start to finish. They really don't make movies like this one anymore. I purchased this on VHS some time ago and had to have it on DVD since it is full screen and safe to view on standard picture tubes.

Unplayable.......2006-08-06

Disc would not play here in Australia...due to wrong regional code. I suggest future offers of DVD's include warnings that some might not play in certain countries. I have had to return this item. W.Patey Queensland Australia

Connecticut Yankee hits homerun.......2005-08-27

Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court is a movie that comes by only a few times. It combines just about everything a classic movie watcher would want.
a. A great story by the master american writer, Mark Twain.
b. A great musical score in the classic music era of hollywood.
c. A great cast led by Bing Crosby.

This movie is a must for anyone who loves Mark Twain, Bing Crosby, a good musical, and good family fun.

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