Hans Christian Andersen Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A cheerful shoemaker who tells stories gets kicked out of town for disrupting school, moves to the big city, falls for a married ballerina (who isn’t actually miserable), writes a sad ballet for her, and somehow becomes a famous author anyway.

🍿 Hans Christian Andersen: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Fairytale About a Storyteller

Right from the start, ‘Hans Christian Andersen’ declares its intentions: ‘This is not the story of his life, but a fairy tale about the great spinner of fairy tales.’ The film presents a fictionalized account focusing on the spirit and work of the renowned Danish author, rather than a strict biography. Hans Christian Andersen, portrayed by Danny Kaye, is depicted as a cobbler in the small Danish town of Odense. He possesses an extraordinary gift for captivating children with his imaginative stories, often drawing them away from their school lessons.

Journey to Copenhagen

Hans’s storytelling clashes with the local schoolmaster and town council, leading to a decision that he must leave Odense. Unwilling to see Hans humiliated, his young apprentice, Peter, encourages Hans’s long-held dream of visiting the vibrant city of Copenhagen. Together, Hans and Peter embark on a journey to the bustling capital. Hans hopes to find a place where his storytelling is not just tolerated, but celebrated.

Entering the World of Ballet

Upon arriving in Copenhagen, Hans’s unconventional nature quickly leads to a brief arrest. However, his skills as a cobbler unexpectedly bring him into the world of the Royal Danish Ballet. Hans is hired to make special slippers for the prima ballerina, Doro. He is immediately captivated by her beauty and grace, sparking a new source of inspiration.

Inspiration Strikes: ‘The Ugly Duckling’ and ‘The Little Mermaid’

Hans’s experiences in Copenhagen, coupled with his vivid imagination, fuel his creativity. He shares the tale of ‘The Ugly Duckling’ with a boy who has lost his hair, offering a message of hope and self-acceptance. This story eventually becomes his first published work, printed in a local newspaper. Witnessing Doro’s performances and her complex relationship with the ballet director, Nils, inspires Hans to write the story of ‘The Little Mermaid.’ He imagines it as a grand ballet, hoping it will resonate with Doro.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Hans Christian Andersen (Danny Kaye): The imaginative village cobbler and storyteller whose tales capture the hearts of children and lead him to Copenhagen.
• Peter (Joseph Walsh): Hans’s loyal apprentice who accompanies him to Copenhagen and tries to guide him through city life.
• Doro (Zizi Jeanmaire): The celebrated prima ballerina in Copenhagen who inspires Hans and becomes the subject of his infatuation.
• Niels (Farley Granger): The demanding director of the ballet company and Doro’s husband, who is initially seen as an antagonist by Hans.
• Schoolmaster (John Brown): The strict village educator who believes Hans’s storytelling distracts the children and pushes for his removal.
• Burgomaster (John Qualen): A member of the town council who formally asks Hans to leave his home village.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Narrator: “Once upon a time there lived in Denmark a great storyteller named Hans Christian Andersen. This is not the story of his life, but a fairy tale about the great spinner of fairy tales.” – Spoken at the very beginning of the film, this iconic opening sets the tone and clarifies that the movie is a fictionalized account.
• Hans Christian Andersen: “Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen, salty old queen of the sea!” – Sung joyfully by Hans as he arrives in Copenhagen, expressing his awe and delight at the city.
• Hans Christian Andersen: “Thumbelina, Thumbelina, tiny little thing…” – A line from the song Hans sings while telling the story of Thumbelina, particularly memorable when he sings it to the sick boy Lars.
• Hans Christian Andersen: “That’s what’s nice about the world – people!” – Said with warmth and characteristic optimism, highlighting Hans’s love for humanity despite its flaws.
• Peter: “You will go on telling stories over and over again.” – Spoken to Hans when he feels disheartened, reassuring him that his gift for storytelling is his true calling and will continue.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $4,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $6,000,000
• Worldwide Gross: $9,200,000

💥 Hans Christian Andersen Reviews

Personal Review

Oh man, this movie is pure nostalgia for me. I remember watching it as a kid and just being mesmerized by Danny Kaye. He just had this magical way about him, especially when he’d sing the stories. The songs are so catchy! ‘Wonderful Copenhagen’ is an absolute earworm, and I still sing ‘Thumbelina’ to myself sometimes. And the ‘Inchworm’ song? Brilliant counterpoint to those boring multiplication tables! Yeah, the ballet parts are… long. Especially the big Little Mermaid one at the end. As a kid, I definitely zoned out during that. But everything leading up to it, watching Hans interact with the kids or try to figure out the confusing ballerina and her husband? That was the good stuff. It just felt warm and kind, like a cozy blanket on a rainy day.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Hollywood musicals”
  • “Danny Kaye enthusiasts”
  • “Families looking for wholesome entertainment”
  • “Those who enjoy fairy tale adaptations”
  • “Ballet aficionados”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild thematic elements (unrequited love, brief depiction of marital discord)”

Professional Reviews

• Synthetic: “”Hans Christian Andersen” is a visually lovely production buoyed by a charmingly subdued Danny Kaye performance and a strong Frank Loesser score. While the story is admittedly a fabrication, it effectively weaves classic tales into a sweet, if sometimes saccharine, narrative. The highlight is undoubtedly the memorable songs, though the lengthy ballet sequences, while artful, tend to drag the film’s pacing considerably.
• Synthetic: “Samuel Goldwyn’s “Hans Christian Andersen” is a delightful family musical, showcasing Danny Kaye’s warmth and talent. The film sparkles with Technicolor and features timeless songs that stick with you. While it takes significant liberties with the real Andersen’s life, it succeeds as a charming fairy tale about a storyteller. The ambitious ballet segments are a mixed bag, impressive technically but interrupting the main narrative flow.

Audience Reactions

Viewers particularly loved Danny Kaye’s gentle portrayal and the iconic Frank Loesser songs.: Many agree that the film is a heartwarming and visually beautiful family classic, with standout musical numbers that capture the spirit of Andersen’s tales, even if the biographical details are invented.

Overall Consensus: A beloved, if historically loose, musical fantasy celebrated for Danny Kaye’s charm, its catchy songs, and vibrant visuals, often cherished as a nostalgic family favorite despite a divisive lengthy ballet sequence.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Samuel Goldwyn spent years trying to get the film made, going through numerous scripts and potential stars before settling on Danny Kaye and the final screenplay by Moss Hart.”
• “The film explicitly states at the beginning that it is *not* a biography but ‘a fairy tale about this great spinner of fairy tales,’ a decision made partly because the real Andersen’s life was moody and pessimistic, and also to allow for more creative liberties, such as the extensive fantasy and ballet sequences.”
• “The lengthy ‘Little Mermaid’ ballet sequence, choreographed by Roland Petit and danced by Zizi Jeanmaire and Petit, was filmed as a visualization from Hans’s imagination rather than a literal stage performance to incorporate camera tricks and special effects impossible in live theatre.”
• “The Danes were reportedly pleased the film paid tribute to their national hero but were annoyed that the scholarly poet was depicted as a vagabond shoemaker.”
• “The film features a score by Frank Loesser, who had recently found massive success with ‘Guys and Dolls.’ Loesser composed entirely new songs for this film rather than adapting existing ones, a rarity for musicals of the era, earning critical praise for their originality.”

🖥️ How to Watch Hans Christian Andersen?

Experience the classic musical ‘Hans Christian Andersen’ (1952). While streaming availability may vary, you can often find the film available for digital purchase or rent on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and YouTube Movies. Physical copies on DVD or Blu-ray may also be available from retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Hans Christian Andersen, you might like these similar films:

• The Wizard of Oz (1939): A classic Technicolor musical fantasy from Hollywood’s Golden Age, like ‘Hans Christian Andersen’, it blends imaginative storytelling, memorable songs, and vibrant visuals to appeal to both children and adults.
• Finding Neverland (2004): Focuses on the life of another famous storyteller, J.M. Barrie, and explores how his experiences and imagination led to the creation of beloved characters and stories, similar to how ‘Hans Christian Andersen’ fictionalizes the inspiration behind Andersen’s tales.
• Singin’ in the Rain (1952): An iconic Hollywood musical released in the same year, known for its energetic performances, elaborate dance numbers, and celebration of creative arts, reflecting the era’s peak of lavish studio musicals.
• Frozen (2013): A massively popular modern animated musical from Disney, directly based on Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘The Snow Queen,’ featuring strong, catchy songs and family-friendly fantasy themes.
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968): A quirky, beloved musical fantasy film based on a book by Ian Fleming (of James Bond fame), featuring memorable songs by the Sherman Brothers and a blend of live-action, mild fantasy, and adventure with strong family appeal, much like the Goldwyn musical.

🛒 Hans Christian Andersen Related Products

• Hans Christian Andersen (Samuel Goldwyn Presents) Blu-ray: Experience the vibrant Technicolor musical in high definition, restored for optimal viewing pleasure. Includes special features about the making of the film and its legacy.
• Hans Christian Andersen Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Relive the magic with the classic Frank Loesser score featuring all the memorable songs like ‘Wonderful Copenhagen’ and ‘Thumbelina’. Available on CD or digital download.
• The Complete Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen (Illustrated Edition): A beautiful collection of the original stories that inspired the movie, including ‘The Little Mermaid’, ‘The Ugly Duckling’, and ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’. Features classic illustrations.
• Danny Kaye as Hans Christian Andersen Collectible Figure: A limited edition figure capturing Danny Kaye in his iconic cobbler’s apron, perhaps with a miniature hammer and a storybook accessory.

🎧 Soundtrack

Hans Christian Andersen features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The King’s New Clothes” – performed by Danny Kaye
• “Wonderful, Wonderful Copenhagen” – performed by Danny Kaye and Chorus
• “Thumbelina” – performed by Danny Kaye
• “The Ugly Duckling” – performed by Danny Kaye
• “Inchworm” – performed by Danny Kaye and Children
• “Anywhere I Wander” – performed by Danny Kaye
• “No Two People” – performed by Danny Kaye and Zizi Jeanmaire
• “The Little Mermaid Ballet” – performed by Roland Petit Ballet (Music by Liszt, etc.)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The real little mermaid story 🥀 #history #art #fairytales #thelittlemermaid

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Dive into another magical world from Hans Christian Andersen with this sweet animated version of ‘Thumbelina’. It’s a classic tale of overcoming obstacles, and it’s neat to see it brought to life like this!

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Ever wonder about ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’? Watch this animated version of the classic Hans Christian Andersen tale about seeing through lies. It’s surprisingly relevant, right?

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