Copyright 19 December 1957 by Terrytoons. Released through 20th Century-Fox: December 1957 (U.S.), November 1958 (U.K). 580 feet. 6 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: A juggler of medieval times has a fervent belief that the troubled world of his age will be reformed by juggling. Unable to compete with the rival attractions of war and witch-hunting, however, he eventually enters a monastery. There he finds men of diverse talents devoted to the service of God and his Blessed Mother, all of them contemptuous of the limitations of a mere juggler. When Mary's feast day comes round the monks offer their gifts; the juggler can offer nothing but his juggling, yet this is most acceptable to the Virgin, and juggling becomes respected in the monastery.
COMMENT: This gentle cartoon uses the CinemaScope screen with simple irony and a wonderful economy of line and color. The stylized figures are reminiscent of the U.P.A. drawing, but the film has its own original impetus, while the music, sound and quiet commentary spoken by Boris Karloff are all on the same high level. — Monthly Film Bulletin.
As unusual as it is commendable, this surprisingly entertaining effort from Terrytoons uses both CinemaScope and color in an economically impressionistic yet remarkably skillful fashion. An appropriately mordant commentary by the great Boris Karloff aids the tone and mood no end. I agree entirely with every word in the M.F.B.'s review which was reprinted by 20th Century-Fox in the movie's Press Sheet circulated to both movie critics and exhibitors.
SYNOPSIS: A juggler of medieval times has a fervent belief that the troubled world of his age will be reformed by juggling. Unable to compete with the rival attractions of war and witch-hunting, however, he eventually enters a monastery. There he finds men of diverse talents devoted to the service of God and his Blessed Mother, all of them contemptuous of the limitations of a mere juggler. When Mary's feast day comes round the monks offer their gifts; the juggler can offer nothing but his juggling, yet this is most acceptable to the Virgin, and juggling becomes respected in the monastery.
COMMENT: This gentle cartoon uses the CinemaScope screen with simple irony and a wonderful economy of line and color. The stylized figures are reminiscent of the U.P.A. drawing, but the film has its own original impetus, while the music, sound and quiet commentary spoken by Boris Karloff are all on the same high level. — Monthly Film Bulletin.
As unusual as it is commendable, this surprisingly entertaining effort from Terrytoons uses both CinemaScope and color in an economically impressionistic yet remarkably skillful fashion. An appropriately mordant commentary by the great Boris Karloff aids the tone and mood no end. I agree entirely with every word in the M.F.B.'s review which was reprinted by 20th Century-Fox in the movie's Press Sheet circulated to both movie critics and exhibitors.