Hans Christian Andersen

"Hans Christian Andersen" was Sam Goldwyn's final production for RKO Radio release, and also the producer's last Danny Kaye vehicle. The Moss Hart-Myles Connolly screenplay largely disregards the facts concerning Denmark's great storyteller, opting for a fanciful blend of comedy, fantasy, romance and music. Hans Christian Andersen, played by Kaye, starts out as a small-town cobbler whose gift for spinning fairy tales is keeping the local kids from attending school. After being asked to leave town, Hans heads to Copenhagen to seek his fortune as a writer. Although his heart has been broken by the beautiful ballerina Doro (Jeanmaire), Hans finds comfort and joy in the knowledge that hundreds of thousands of children all over the world are devoted to his enchanting fantasy stories.