Classic Movie Series at Livingston Library: The Inspector General

The Classic Movie Series features some favorite actors and actresses born in 1913 - Centenarians for the Town's Bicentennial.

The selection for October is 1949s The Inspector General, starring Danny Kaye (born January 18, 1913)

The film also stars Walter Slezak, Barbara Bates and Elsa Lanchester, with music & lyrics by Sylvia Fine (Mrs. Danny Kaye – who collaborated with him on several pictures). 

Here's the plot: An illiterate stooge in a traveling medicine show wanders into a strange town and is picked up on a vagrancy charge. The town's corrupt officials mistake him for the inspector general whom they think is traveling in disguise. Fearing he will discover they've been pocketing tax money, they make several bungled attempts to kill him.

User review: This is a movie! Danny Kaye is one of the lost gems. His movies are almost all classics. Whatever they lacked on the drawing board, he added to. This one was a classic story line guaranteed to be great. Kaye is a poor slob who thinks he is going to be hanged by a corrupt town, but then events take place which I won't spoil in this review. Trust me, you won't stop laughing.  Danny Kaye sings not only with talent, but with affection and timing. Perfect comic genius makes him a delight to watch. And the rest of the cast is splendid. Not just one of the best comedies, but one of the best movies of all time.

The program is sponsored by the Livingston Library Endowment Fund. It's free and all are invited.