The Inspector General (1949)

The corrupt mayor (Gene Lockhart) of a small village in an unspecified country under French rule hears that an Inspector General from Paris is investigating corruption through out the empire and that he is most likely in disguise. Enter an illiterate shill (Danny Kaye) working with a traveling Gypsy (Walter Slezak) and the mayor mistakes him for the Inspector General. Loosely based on the play by Nikolai Gogol and directed by Henry Koster (THE ROBE). One of Danny Kaye's better vehicles, it moves quickly with the laughs consistent and frequent. Of course, there's the usual amount of musical numbers written by Kaye's wife Sylvia Fine that allow Kaye to show off his talent for mimicry and patter songs. Even if you're not a Kaye fan (I adore him but I understand he rubs some people the wrong way), there's a good chance you'll be entertained. The movie benefits from a slew of fine character actors who shine. In addition to Slezak and Lockhart, there's Elsa Lanchester, Alan Hale, Walter Catlett and Rhys Williams with Barbara Bates (ALL ABOUT EVE) providing the romantic interest.