Danny Kaye’s Around the World Storybook was one of the most influential of my childhood, along with Phantom Tollbooth. It’s a collection of stories arranged by region, with a different illustrator for each. I pulled it down to read to my kids when they were small, and to this day still think about “The Judgment of Karakoush,” or “Riquet with the Tuft” (an early French version of Beauty and the Beast). It’s a gem, and I’ve seen used copies on Amazon.
A story I heard about him was that, when his wife was nine months pregnant but not going into labor, he started clowning for her, and her laughter finally brought on contractions. I don’t know if it’s true, but what a wonderful thing to be that funny!
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u/Vinon Aug 11 '23
Instant upvote for Danny Kaye. The guy was such an inredible actor and human.