A Seussical Hamlet

This week's entry is an example of a Google search gone crazy, with happy consequences.  As I was polishing up the entry on Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet (see 2/22/16 post), I needed an image of the DVD cover for the end of the post.  I searched "Branagh Hamlet DVD" and then headed to the returned images.  The desired shot came up near the top, but another image further down piqued my curiosity.  It appeared to be a movie poster with the title Green Eggs and Hamlet.  My first thought--WTF?

The link from the image led me to the page for Rock's Eye Productions.  The first offering of the self-described "small, low budget video Production Company" was the aforementioned Green Eggs and Hamlet.  The film is described on the website.  Made for $4000, it covers the Shakespearean work "of almost the same name, but the annoying iambic pentameter has been replaced by a more accessible Dr. Seuss style rhyme."  The film also introduces a brand new character:  SamIamlet.  (Well, nothing much rhymes with Hamlet, I guess.)  The description was enough to entice me to purchase the DVD.

This is by no means a major Hollywood studio production.  In fact, if one considers Branagh's version that led me to it, this is the exact opposite--short, edited, very low budget.  According to the closing credits, it was filmed at various locations in California, including Cal Tech, the director's back yard, SamIamlet's driveway, and "some beach somewhere."  The video quality is rough, and during "The Mousetrap" the audio becomes indecipherable over wind and the musical score.  The production style actually makes this a very charming production, though.  Amateur, yes, but considerable fun.

What about the film itself?  It's actually quite a hoot.  Almost the entire plot of Hamlet is treated in the 77-minute work.  Those well-versed in Shakespeare's original will recognize everything here, even if some of the usual action has been adapted.  For instance, the weapon that knocks Polonius from his treetop perch (replacing the traditional arras) is an airborne can of Spam.  Those unfamiliar with Hamlet also will be able to follow the action and to appreciate the story.  The bonus is that not only is this Hamlet, it's also the Dr. Seuss book, Green Eggs and Ham.  Could you, would you, in a box?  Could you, would you, with a fox?  Maybe in a moat?  Perhaps with a goat?  One might think that these two seminal works of literature could not possibly fit together.  As this film proves, such doubters would be wrong!

Then, there's the dialogue.  Turning Hamlet into a sing-songy rhyme actually seems to work!  Considering that the source material was metrical and at times rhymed, the writers had some help from the playwright.  Some of the rhyme here is, as the viewer is warned on the DVD case, overdone.  See if you can finish this line from Gertrude:  "Hamlet has been quite felonius, for you see...."  Many of the lines are laugh out loud funny.  Take this exchange, from the chamber scene:  "Hamlet, there's no need to shout.  (Insert line from Cleavon Little a la Blazing Saddles.)"  Or this one, courtesy of Claudius and Hamlet at the play:  "What do you call this piece of crap?  The name of it is 'The Mousetrap.'"

Ophelia's madness scene represented a terrific comic reversal.  As her original song was reasonably rhymed, what to do here?  She wandered the stage mumbling lines that did not rhyme at all, which led Claudius to ask, "What the hell was that?"

The duel scene was completely ludicrous.  Instead of sword and rapier, Hamlet and Laertes squared off first with baguettes and then with giant wooden spoons.  Laertes had a trick up his sleeve, though.  As Hamlet chastised him, "'Tis not a spoon you wretched dork!  You have stabbed me with a spork."  With so many bodies lying on stage, all that remained was for Fortinbras and his "Fokken Fearless Forces" to enter amid the end credits.  Be sure not to shut down the DVD player at this point, though.  In a tribute to the credits of Airplane and The Naked Gun series, more jokes abound.

To summarize the post this week,
I will conclude with tongue in cheek.
The title made me look askance, but I did give this film a glance.
Made for just a little money, the end result is truly funny.
Full of laughs and humor wry, you really must give it a try.
It's worth the dollars and time you'll spend.
Green Eggs and Hamlet I recommend!

P.S.  Still wondering what Google was thinking?  On the cover of the DVD case is one review:  "Very Imaginative and very funny"--Kenneth Branagh.

P.P.S.  Hamlet made this morning's New York Times Crossword.  The clue, "Happy Malcontent," was actually the answer in the grid.  The answer to the clue is hidden within the clue/answer itself.  Clever!