What a great movie ...A good old movie , the way the movies tried to entertain people as were meant to be played in theaters , with the free style actors based on their talent and instict.. The best man for this role would have been Danny Kaye at its best , talent of musical , fun , singing.. The plot is very very interesting and the cast of characters so humorous .. I have watched this movie more than 20 times and every time i m excited even more .. The part of Be arrogant , be elegant , be smart and the gypsy drinking song are so nice .. To sum up , a very good set up movie with a phenomenal unique talented Danny Kaye .. Everyone should watch

"Danny Kaye stars in this musical comedy about a case of mistaken identity and the poor fool caught in the middle of it. Georgi (Kaye) is an illiterate member of a traveling medicine show who is mistaken by a small Russian village as the Inspector General, a royal official with vast powers. While the local government officials plot to bribe or kill him, Georgi ingrains himself into the public's favor all the while trying to find a way out of his situation," according to the DVD sleeve description.Mr. Kaye's films usually fall into one of two categories - they can either be enjoyed by almost everyone in the average film-going public, or they mainly appeal to those already inclined to admire Kaye. The latter films will sometimes show the strains of a story "showcase" vehicle, while the more universally appealing films feature Kaye using his skills to more naturally essay a character. "The Inspector General" is a good example of the latter. Many of the gags fall flat, and the plot is laboriously adapted from the satirical Russian classic. Look for impressive Ida Moore in a great bit as the old "mother" Kaye wards off his potion.***** The Inspector General (12/30/49) Henry Koster ~ Danny Kaye, Walter Slezak, Elsa Lanchester, Gene Lockhart

An illiterate buffoon named Georgi (Danny Kaye), part of a traveling Gypsy medicine sideshow in Eastern Europe somehow winds up mistaken for the all-powerful, visiting Inspector General whose assignment from Emperor Napoleon is to root out all evil and corruption in every town he visits. Of course, the town's officials, thoroughly corrupt to the core, are terrified by his presence and do everything they can to impress him and throw him off their trail. Georgi meanwhile is thoroughly confused but not above accepting the good hospitality especially given how hungry and down on his luck he's been. Of course, being an Inspector General also means you're a target and much danger looms for Georgi.No mistaking this is the Danny Kaye show all the way. The rest of the cast including Elsa Lancaster, Gene Lockhart, Alan Hale and Walter Slezak are all good no doubt but it's Kaye's singing, dancing and comedy routines that prove this film's main focus. How much you enjoy it probably depends on how much you enjoy Kaye's brand of humor. I have to admit at times it goes on much too long, almost to the point of annoyance, but there's a kind of innocence about Kaye's Georgi character here that one is able to ultimately forgive this more often than not. Favorite bits: The "Be Arrogant, Be Elegant, Be Smart" section and the Gyspy drinking song.

Hysterical. Danny Kaye is a comedy genius.The Gypsy song was the best part of the film. (Zummm-shtok-shtok-hahaha) This is worth a look for this scene alone. It was fun watching the crowd get into it. I'd guess that scene was mostly ad-libbed. He clearly was in control. I bought the DVD (public domain) just for that scene.The supporting cast did a great job too. Slezak nearly stole all of his scenes and Hale Sr. was perfect in support. And the costume designer deserved at least a nomination for the Oscar. You can't take this one seriously. But then Danny Kaye lived to entertain. And few did it better.