“Zany Actor, Danny Kaye, Back Again”
Eugene Register-
HOLLYWOOD, (UP) – Danny Kaye, the unpredictable “git gat gittle” man of the screen, is back in a song and dance routine that’s been six years in the planning.
Kaye has teamed up with Director-
The partnership materialized from an idea born back in 1947 when Kaye, Frank and Panama, each under contract to different studios, got hold of a particularly zany story about a harried fugitive from both police and international spies who winds up on a ballet stage disguised as the leading man.
They decided then that some day they would film the story as partners. And now the dream is a reality. The three are supplying the cash, brains and acting ability for the musical.
Frank and Panama have nothing but praise for Kaye, even though he keeps them busy changing the script and scenes with his witty ad libs.
“We’re never sure just what’s coming next when Danny begins a scene,” smiled Frank. “but then, if it weren’t for his genius at improvisation, his pictures wouldn’t be the hits they are.”
Panama credits Danny’s success to his “consistent surprise and shock value,” which often throws even experienced actors off balance.
“That’s why we’ve surrounded him almost entirely with veteran stage performers in ‘Knock on Wood,’” he explained. “Their experience has given them the ability to come right back with an ad lib of their own when he takes off on one of his improvisations.”
“Danny has such a creative mind,” Frank declared, “that we keep a complete file of his impromptu gags. They come too quickly to be remembered, so make a note of each in case we want to use it in the future.”
Kaye’s ability to rattle off double talk in seemingly any language has led many people to believe he speaks at least seven languages. But the truth is, according to Frank and Panama, that he speaks only English.
They recalled an incident that occurred a couple weeks ago when Danny completely confused a pretty French starlet. After listening to him give out with what sounded like fluent French, she turned in despair and cried, “I know it’s French, but I don’t understand a thing he’s saying.”