Father/Daughter Movie Week continues. I have a lot more fond memories of this movie than it deserves, as Bing and screenwriters both phone it in. There are a few good moments (and one musical number) that make a (re)viewing worthwhile, but that's about it.
A ★★½ review of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court (1949)
It’s been years since I watched this film, and I had many fond memories of it. In watching it now, I recognize those fond memories, and understand why I have them. I also realize why I forgot much of the rest. “Connecticut Yankee” is cinematic froth, noteworthy mostly for a couple of musical numbers. Bing Crosby saunters his way through the film as the usually-unflappable titular character, casually mocking or disregarding the social conventions …
Wow I haven't seen that movie for ages! Don't remember much but didn't put it on my mental list to ever watch again.
It's worth a rewatch, but not at all costs and top priority. Some scenes had us on the floor or singing along ("We're Busy Doing Nothing" being my favorite musical number; Sagramore playing with the pistol my favorite physical humor, and Bing invoking the names of various cities as part of his magic spell to invoke the impending eclipse is always a hoot), but a lot of it was of the mildly raised eyebrow and "Really?" sort of thing.
The romance subplot really bugged me for some reason — maybe because Bing is so self-centeredly determined to move in on a betrothed woman.
I think it’s good for what it is – light, fluffy, silly. But, I remember how shocked I was when I actually read the story (many eons ago) for the first time because it was so dark and so different.
I read the book as a kid, and hated it. The ‘ Yankee’ central character comes across as a sneering bigot, looking down on those for the crime of being from a different time.
@LH – I vaguely recall reading it a long time ago. I had a similar negative reaction to the protagonist. What I don’t recall is whether that was an intentional negative pall, or Twain’s prejudices showing through.