Hans Christian Andersen
1952 · Movie · NR · 112 min · ★ 6.2 · 78% critics
This colorful musical imagines a fairy-tale path for a humble shoemaker whose gift for storytelling brings joy to children and leads him toward a larger creative life. Along the way, he chases new dreams, faces disappointment, and slowly discovers where his true talents belong.
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Details
- Years
- 1952
- Release date
- 1952-12-19
- Language
- English
- Rated
- NR
- Runtime
- 112 min
- Max quality
- HD
- Critic score
- 78/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.2/10 (75 votes)
About
If you enjoy old-fashioned musicals with a sweet, storybook spirit and family-friendly songs, this may hit the spot, especially if you like The Music Man or Cinderella; Not for you if you want a true biography or brisk pacing.
Pros: charming songs; warm fairy-tale mood; lively lead performance | Cons: uneven pacing; very sentimental tone; long ballet finale
Themes
- copenhagen, denmark
- musical
- ballet
- unrequited love
- heartbreak
- storytelling
- cobbler
- children's book
- aspiring writer
- ballerina
- thumbelina
- fictional biography
- +7 more
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Costume Design, Color · 1953 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Art Direction, Color · 1953 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Sound · 1953 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Original Musical Score · 1953 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Cinematography, Color · 1953 · nominated
Cast & crew
Danny Kaye
as Hans Christian Andersen
Farley Granger
as Niels
Zizi Jeanmaire
as Doro
Joseph Walsh
as Peter
Philip Tonge
as Otto
John Qualen
as Burgomaster
- EB
Erik Bruhn
as The Hussar - Danced by
Roland Petit
as The Prince in 'The Little Mermaid' Ballet
John Brown
as Schoolmaster
- JL
Jeanne Lafayette
as Celine
Directed by Charles Vidor