Un americano alla corte di Re Artù

I love Will Rogers. Living in Oklahoma near Claremore, his home town. . .I know just how to appreciate him. I've been to his museum/memorial many times. It's so sad to me that he couldn't have made MORE talkies. Silent picture are SO hard to watch! But A Connecticut Yankee is one of his best talkies. . . the jokes are still funny and relivent today. Who would have thought of Will Rogers as Mark Twain's American Yankee? This movie is timeless! I couldn't love it more. Having been to his museum, I've seen his costume for this film. It kind of made me realize that Will Rogers was a real person, and there was something of his that I get get close to. . . something he'd worn. It made this movie more interesting to me. Of course, not everyone can go see his costume. But at least you can watch this film, and remember one of the greatest Americans who ever lived. This movie is a must see for any Oklahoman, Will Rogers lover, or anyone who likes a good joke!

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court must have been seen by Mel Brooks because you can picture a couple movies of his ( History of the World Part One and Blazing Saddles ) taking their ideas from scenes from this movie. The problem is Brooks's films were a lot better. This movie is supposed to be funny, trust me it was not. In fairness, There is one effective scene involving Will Rogers on a horse with a rope at a joust, but except for that the only reason to watch is Myrna Loy as Morgan Le Fay. Watch Myrna's eyes they are something to behold. I have seen Myrna as the bad girl quite a few times, and this might be her most evil role. As a Myrna fan I can only imagine Will Rogers enjoyed kissing her. With the exceptions of Salma Hayak, Sophia Loren and possibly Elsa Martinelli there is no actress I would prefer to have made out with. I give the film 3/10 stars. One for inspiring better movies the other two for Myrna Loy.

Incredible as it may now seem, over ninety years ago this nonsense was a huge box office hit and actually made the 'New York Times'' ten best films of the year. Unfortunately most of Will Rogers' topical jokes would now only be funny to an expert on Depression-era America, while the many deliberate anachronisms - both verbal and visual - similarly seem merely childish rather than satirical.

The version today is substantially shorter than the film that originally hit cinemas, which probably explains the brevity of the presence of probably the film's greatest asset: Myrna Loy as Morgan Le Fay. Wearing a long slinky gown, those sloe eyes in heavy eyeliner, the preCode Myrna was a very different entity from the perfect wife as which she later officially became a star. Stills of her in costume make the film more fun to anticipate than actually to sit through.

Folksy radio announcer Will Rogers (as Hank Martin) is mysteriously propelled from modern day Connecticut to the medieval past of Great Britain's King Arthur. In Camelot, Mr. Rogers peeves William Farnum (as Arthur) and his "Knights of the Round Table" with homilies and a cigar lighter. Imprisoned with dashing young Frank Albertson (as Clarence), Rogers learns the date is "the year of our Lord" June 20, 528 - the day before a historically recorded total eclipse of the sun. Rogers cleverly promises to "blot out the sun" if he and Mr. Albertson, who likes pretty princess Maureen O'Sullivan, are not released.

Jealous magician Brandon Hurst (as Merlin) doesn't believe Rogers will eclipse the sun, but is proved wrong. Then, Rogers is elevated in the King's court, and modernizes the medieval society. He introduces Camelot to telephones and advertising, which is defined as "to spend money you haven't got, for things you don't want." Soon, the kingdom is threatened by the King's wicked sister, Myrna Loy (as Morgan le Fay). Being an early "talkie" gives this adaptation of Mark Twain's classic an unfortunate creaky quality. Rogers, an interesting cast, and a witty incongruity make relatively enjoyable.

****** A Connecticut Yankee (4/6/31) David Butler ~ Will Rogers, William Farnum, Brandon Hurst, Myrna Loy

This is my first viewing so I had no idea what to expect. It got off to an ominous, foreboding start as Hank, the radio repairman (Will Rogers) encounters a few peculiar people in an odd house. After his sudden "transition" (time travel) back into King Arthur's era circa 528 AD, the sounds of Ye Olde English emerge, of thee's and thou's, being spoken and Will responds with "Can you tell me where the helleth I am?" I had a good laugh over that as it pretty well sets the tone for the whole story -- incongruous dialogue, time periods, mixed in with modern conveniences like a telephone. Oh well, it's entertainment with quite a stretch of the imagination, ie., selling hot dogs at the joust meet. Will's in his element when he's on a horse with a rope in his hand and dealing out justice to his opponent. I'm not sure why conniving Merlin (Mitchell Harris) is so busy scattering sand at every opportunity, or is it stardust, or sawdust.

Myrna Loy in her role as Morgan le Fay appears to be the most well-cast and believable of the lot.

All in all it's rather over-the-edge farce but still fun to watch.