Merry Andrew (1958)

 

A British school teacher (Danny Kaye) at a boys academy carries on the family tradition of academia but his heart is with archaeology. During a school break, he attempts to locate a statue left by Roman legions but he falls in with a circus playing at the site and falls for the pretty trapeze artist (Pier Angeli). Based on the short story by Paul Gallico, this is the only film directed by the great choreographer Michael Kidd (7 BRIDES FOR 7 BROTHERS). Unfortunately, this isn't one of Danny Kaye's best vehicles. It's not bad mind you but its attempt at a cheerful family musical just limps along. The songs, save one, are a destitute bunch courtesy of Johnny Mercer and Saul Chaplin. The one good number Salud benefits from Kidd's lively choreography. Other than that, Kaye doesn't get an opportunity to show his manic energetic comedic style, he's rather anemic. With Robert Coote, Noel Purcell, Patricia Cutts, Salvatore Baccaloni, Rex Evans and Tommy Rall.